Mark Daya- Foreclosure Prevention/ Short Sale Specialist

Los Angeles Times

A new statistical analysis, based on a large sample of all mortgage applications approved and denied in recent months, offers valuable benchmakers for anyone thinking about refinancing a home purchase or refinancing an exisiting loan.
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http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-harney-20120415,0,7325165.story

CNNMoney
The Federal Housing Finance Agency will decide this month whether Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should allow write downs on the balances of borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth.
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http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/09/news/economy/mortgages-principal-reduction/index.htm?iid=HP_LN

CalHFA has announced it will end its School Facility Fee Down Payment Assistance Program, which has been responsible for providing more than 14,000 grants totaling more than $61 million. Associated with this down payment assistance was more than $3.3 billion in first mortgage loans for people purchasing newly constructed homes throughout California. The program currently has approximately $700,000 left in funds, and CalHFA anticipates the final funds being expended by the end of April.

CalHFA will continue to accept applications for SFF until funds are exhausted. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

CNNMoney
To help struggling homeowners, Bank of America recently launched a test initiative that will give some a chance to rent the very homes they risk losing.

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http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/26/bank-of-america-foreclosure-rental/?iid=HP_River

Mercury News
Owning a home can provide some significant advantages when it’s time to file a federal tax return.  From green energy credits to deductions for damage from natural disaster, there are a number of items homeowners may be able to claim that could reduce a tax bill.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/real-estate/ci_20140866/homeownership-can-translate-into-tax-savings