Three facts: Nearly 7% (and rising) of FHA loans are currently in default (source). The FHA has cash reserves of less than 2 percent (and falling) of the total value of loans they guarantee (source). FHA currently makes about 23% (and rising) of all mortgages in the USA (source). Here are those first two points…
Author: The Tim
Tim Ellis is the founder of Seattle Bubble. His background in engineering and computer / internet technology, a fondness of data-based analysis of problems, and an addiction to spreadsheets all influence his perspective on the Seattle-area real estate market. Tim also hosts the weekly improv comedy sci-fi podcast Dispatches from the Multiverse.
Weekend Open Thread (2009-09-18)
Here is your open thread for the weekend beginning Friday September 18th, 2009. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here. Also, if you have an idea or a topic you’d like to see covered in an article, please make it known. Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word…
A Tale of Two Decades
Just for kicks: Seattle’s Case-Shiller Home Price Index in the ’90s and the ’00s (through June). Each series is indexed to 100 at the start of the decade. Colored horizontal lines represent the value of the index at the start of each year. change 1990-1999 2000-2009 (June) Total +71.63% +49.53% 1st Half +23.18% +38.61% 2nd…
$8,000 Tax Credit: To Extend or Not to Extend?
As the expiration date on the first-time homebuyer $8,000 tax credit nears, talk is stirring about renewing and expanding the scheme. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the varying related pieces I’ve been following from around the web. First up, we’ve got the National Ass. of Realtors pushing hard on their members to “Write…
Mid-Week Open Thread (2009-09-16)
Here is your open thread for the mid-week on September 16th, 2009. You may post random links and off-topic discussions here. Also, if you have an idea or a topic you’d like to see covered in an article, please make it known. Be sure to also check out the forums, and get your word in…