Home >> Author Archives: Aly J. Yale (page 10)

Author Archives: Aly J. Yale

Aly J. Yale is a longtime writer and editor from Texas. Her resume boasts positions with The Dallas Morning News, NBC, PBS, and various other regional and national publications. She has also worked with both the Five Star Institute and REO Red Book, as well as various other mortgage industry clients on content strategy, blogging, marketing, and more.

Housing Affordability Inches Upward

Housing affordability is finally starting to improve. According to a new index, affordability is up from Q4 of 2016. More than 60 percent of all homes sold in Q1 were affordable for the nation's median income of $68K.

Read More »

For Affordable Living, Head South

For those looking to save on housing, heading southward may be the answer. According to a new study, Mississippi and Alabama have the lowest housing costs in the nation, coming in 31.6 percent and 26 percent lower than the national average, respectively. Mississippi was also named the most affordable city in the country, taking into account healthcare, housing, utlities, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.

Read More »

Move-up Buyer Confidence on the Rise

The industry's inventory problem may begin to ease, as move-up buyer confidence rises and more homeowners put their homes on the market. According to a new survey, repeat buyer confidence is up, with a confidence level of 75 out of 100. That’s higher than the confidence levels of first-time buyers, non-homeowners, and all Americans as a whole.

Read More »

Rumors Swirl Around FHA Nomination

President Donald Trump may be gearing up to nominated Brian Montgomery to head up the FHA. Currently the Vice Chairman of The Collingwood Group, Montgomery previously served as FHA Commissioner under President George W. Bush and President Obama. He also served as Asisstant Secretary for HUD and Deputy Assistant at the White House.

Read More »

Seattle, Detroit, Baltimore Best for Recent Grads

New research reveals the nation's top "sweet spots" for new grads, offering a healthy job market and affordable living. These sweet spots include Detroit; Seattle; Baltimore; Pittsburgh; Dayton, Ohio; and Hartford, Connecticut. The cities with the best market for recent grad jobs are likely out-of-budget for most.

Read More »

Looser Zoning Regulations Crucial to Economic Growth

According to new analysis, loosening zoning regulations in the nation's most productive cities could help spur economic growth. These regulations are keeping developers from building new housing opportunities. Ultimately, this restricts Americans to more affordable, smaller cities where they're less productive.

Read More »

High Rate of Performing Loans Spells a Healthy Market

According to a new report, both 30-day delinquencies and 90-day delinquencies are down over the year, and foreclosure inventory has dropped. Only 5 percent of mortgages are 30 or more days delinquent, a dip from February 2016’s 5.5 percent. Loans 90 or more days delinquent are down too, falling from 2.8 percent to 2.2 percent year over year. The number of homes currently at some stage of the foreclosure process dropped from 1.1 percent to 0.8 percent.

Read More »

Homeowners, Appraisers Continue to Diverge

Homeowner estimates and appraised values continue diverge, with April marking the fifth consecutive month the gap between the two has widened. Appraised values were 1.9 percent lower than homeowner expectations for the month. Discrepancies were highest in the West.

Read More »

Amendment Extends FOIA Exemptions to GSEs

The House of Representatives has amended HR 1694, extending the nine exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The amendment was sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Georgia). Passed in April, HR 1694 requires the GSEs to adhere to the FOIA, something they've never had to do since entering conservatorship in 2008.

Read More »

Poll: Half of Adults Plan to Buy a Home

A new poll shows about half of non-homeowning Americans plan to buy a home in the next five years. Another 20 percent will buy in the next decade. Intent to purchase was highest with those between 35 and 54, as well as those located in the Southern U.S.

Read More »