Mortgage News Roundup

In today’s mortgage news roundup, we look at another bank that had to settle lawsuits, the idea of test-driving a home before you buy, and more reasons to buy or refinance before 2014 hits.

Ally settles U.S. regulators’ mortgage securities claims

Residential Capital LLC, the former mortgage unit of Ally Bank, has agreed to settle lawsuits by two U.S. regulators over alleged misstatements about its residential mortgage-backed securities.
Residential Capital is under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection right now, and will have their bankruptcy exit plan reviewed in a hearing on November 19th.
Alfred Pollard, general counsel for FHFA, said in a statement that details will be released after the end of the current fiscal quarter, as both sides continue to hash out final terms. Ally was one of 18 financial institutions sued by the FHFA in 2011.  FHFA targeted companies that they felt made false or misleading statements relating to some $200 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities bought by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. FHFA is the conservator organization for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
David Barr, a spokesman for the FDIC, said that agency’s settlement was worth $55.3 million, and resolves four lawsuits against Ally related to mortgage-backed securities.

Quirky Trend Could Save You From Buying The Wrong House.

Try before you buy works well with automobiles, but what about houses?
There is a new trend that allows serious potential home buyers to spend some time alone in the property without the pressure of anyone else. It allows the buyer to pretend that they are living there. You suddenly see things that you might not have just doing a walk through. You could pretend to cook and discover that you don’t like the way the oven door opens into the doorway.
Or that you thought you’d enjoy living next to a park, but weren’t expecting the crush of cars with people who exercise at 5:30am or 6:30pm.

Mortgage refinancing projected to plunge in 2014 as rates rise

Is this the end of bargain mortgage rates?
Home lending will fall by a third next year as interest rates rise, a mortgage industry group says in a new forecast.
The Mortgage Bankers Assn. said Tuesday that it expects to see $1.19 trillion in new mortgages written during 2014, down 32% from $1.75 trillion this year.
Jay Brinkmann, the group’s chief economist, said all-cash home purchases by bargain-hunting investors – a huge driver of home sales the past few years – are expected to taper off next year.
He also expects mortgage rates to rise above 5% in 2014 and to increase further to 5.3% by the end of 2015.
As we’ve reported in prior posts, now is the time to get a mortgage…new or refinance. Contact your local mortgage broker and discuss your goals and current situation to find the best solution for you.