More than 40 states have signed on to a draft deal settling claims of improper mortgage servicing that's aimed at relieving homeowners struggling with loans bigger than their home's value.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:35:07 EST

States have until late Monday to agree to the latest draft deal aimed at relieving homeowners struggling with mortgages bigger than their home's value.

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:21:07 EST

Lean times call for budgetary triage. But while you should clearly opt for orthodontics before Disneyland, the choice is tougher when it comes to home maintenance.

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:27:41 EST

Just one day after President Obama detailed a proposal to enable millions of homeowners to refinance to record-low mortgage rates, those rates notched another record.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:40:28 EST

The Obama administration on Wednesday detailed its latest plan to help millions of homeowners refinance their mortgages to today's historically-low rates.

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:28:12 EST

Florida's cities were some of the hardest hit by the housing bust, but now they are leading the charge back. Of Realtor.com's top 10 turnaround towns, eight are in the Sunshine State.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:02:43 EST

You'd think that investors would be leery of companies that own and manage commercial real estate. Vacancy rates remain elevated in office buildings and shopping centers. Except for apartment buildings, rents really haven't grown at all in four years. And given the possibility that the global economy may retrench yet again, things could still get worse before they get better.

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:15:22 EST

Laurie Goodman is an apolitical number cruncher who has spent most of her 28-year career out of the public view, studying the minutiae of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) for big investment banks. She's long been a star among Wall Street insiders, however. She holds the record for the most top rankings for fixed-in-come research from the trade bible Institutional Investor.

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:20:23 EST

Investors are racing into REITs that promise higher yields than equity REITs. But be forewarned, the higher yields of these other types of real estate vehicles come with very real risks.

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:18:09 EST

Between slumping prices and low mortgage rates, it's a good time to look for real estate bargains. But thanks to tightened lending standards, legions of young would-be homebuyers aren't exactly in a position to take advantage of the opportunity. That's where their parents come in: One in three first-time buyers received either a gift or a loan from their families to help buy a home in 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:40:57 EST

Home prices posted a steep, month-over-month drop in November, falling 1.3%, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city report. Prices fell in 19 of the 20 cities the index covers.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:26:46 EST

FORTUNE -- Over the past few months, a spate of good news about the U.S. housing market has led some to think a recovery is finally on the horizon.

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:12:39 EST

President Obama's latest probe into the mortgage meltdown will have more power than past efforts, and federal officials say it won't derail a possible $20 billion settlement for underwater and foreclosed homeowners.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:35:51 EST

The Obama administration is taking another swing at improving its main foreclosure prevention program.

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:09:00 EST

Just 302,000 new homes were sold in 2011, 6.2% below 2010 and the lowest number of annual sales since the government started tracking home sales in 1963.

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:27:31 EST

Out of all of the presidential candidates, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney owns the most real estate -- even after unloading a couple of sizable properties.

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:36:45 EST

Sales of homes in foreclosure comprised 20% of all U.S. residential sales during the third quarter, according to RealtyTrac.

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:40:17 EST

A new special task force to investigate and prosecute those responsible for bad mortgages during the housing boom will be part of President Obama's 2012 agenda.

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:27:41 EST