From RealTrends.com: Refinancing borrowers overwhelmingly chose fixed-rate loans, regardless of whether their original loan was an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or a fixed-rate, according to Freddie Mac’s quarterly Product Transition Report. While 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are still the most preferred product chosen for the new loan, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages gained favor among refinancers who previously held 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, balloon mortgages and ARMs. Overall, fixed-rate loans accounted for more than 95 percent of refinance loans during the quarter.

From RealTrends.com: A new study from PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. suggests home prices have found their bottom. The company’s analysis shows that by almost all measures, residential property values began stabilizing considerably during the second and third quarters of last year – and monthly data through November confirms that this stabilization continued into the fourth quarter. PMI says the likelihood that home prices will drop lower over the next 24 months is diminishing for most large metro markets.
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From RealTrends.com: As the economy recovers, markets will stabilize but the old “normal” will not return, according to a new study by John McIlwain for The Urban Land Institute.
Here are ULI’s predictions:
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