New mortgage rule on disputed debts might hamper homebuyers seeking FHA loans

By Kenneth R. Harney, Published: April 6

A little-noticed mortgage rule change that took effect April 1 could create hassles for significant numbers of homebuyers who plan to use low-down-payment FHA financing this spring.

The change affects anyone with one or more...

“Oh no, here we go again”! After a few months of positive economic news, the tide may be turning. Although I won’t say the tide is reversing, there certainly may be cause for concern.

After repeated months of an improving employment picture, the employment numbers for March indicate a possible change in direction. Before we go any further, don’t ...

“Oh no, here we go again”!  After a few months of positive economic news, the tide may be turning.  Although I won’t say the tide is reversing, there certainly may be cause for concern.

After repeated months of an improving employment picture, the employment numbers for March indicate a possible change in direction.  Before we go any further, don’t ...

“Oh no, here we go again”!  After a few months of positive economic news, the tide may be turning.  Although I won’t say the tide is reversing, there certainly may be cause for concern.

After repeated months of an improving employment picture, the employment numbers for March indicate a possible change in direction.  Before we go any further, don’t ...

“Oh no, here we go again”! After a few months of positive economic news, the tide may be turning.  Although I won’t say the tide is reversing, there certainly may be cause for concern.

After repeated months of an improving employment picture, the employment numbers for March indicate a possible change in direction.  Before we go any further, don’t b...

Jobs numbers disappoint, fall far short of 200,000

The nation added 120,000 jobs in...

Jobs numbers disappoint, fall far short of 200,000

The nation added 120,000 jobs in...

• April 4, 2012 • 2:04pm

Federal Housing Finance Agency head Edward DeMarco said the agency will likely make a decision regarding mortgage principal forgiveness sometime in April.

DeMarco, in a speech Wednesday before the Boston Security Analysts Society, said the...

• April 4, 2012 • 11:26am

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco CEO John Williams said employment levels are tied to housing prices — and a steep downturn in real estate is likely to diminish job opportunities in construction, home maintenance, plumbing and other r...

The private Institute of Supply Management reported this morning that their Service Sector Index came in slightly weaker- than-expected. The Service Sector Index fell to 56.0% last month from 57.3% in February. Still, any reading over 50% indicates more firms say business conditions are expanding rather than contracting. The ISM index has now...