Fremont Real Estate and Beyond

A lot of homeowners who were foreclosed on don't realize that once all the loan(s), taxes, and fees are paid by the proceeds from the foreclosure auction, any remaining amount goes back to them. More info here-- http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/foreclosure-windfalls/

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced the development and implementation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s new Flex Modification program which will replace the Enterprises’ current Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP®) which expires at the end of the year.  The program incorporates elements of a joint white paper developed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and FHFA titled Guiding Principles for the Future of Loss Mitigation. Terms of the program included a 20 percent payment reduction for eligible borrowers. A high percentage of those who are at least 60 days delinquent would be eligible; the modification could also be an option for those who are current or less than 60 days delinquent in certain situations. More info here-- https://www.nar.realtor/articles/gse-announce-new-modification-program

MLSListings just released their November Townhome and Condo Data

MLSListings just posted their November data for the South Bay

From the SF Chronicle, Pacific Gas and Electric will now charge a one time interconnection fee of $145 and add a monthly charge to new homes that go solar.  The monthly charge will go towards subsidizing the utility bills of low-income families. More info here-- http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/PG-E-customers-who-go-solar-face-new-fees-10802090.php?t=b69d04e9af

Freddie Mac is piloting a new down payment program where a lender can help with a buyer's down payment in exchange for equity of the home. More details here-- http://www.inman.com/2016/12/08/new-down-payment-option-could-boost-homeownership/

BayEast posted their housing statistics for the month of November.  You can find it here-- https://bayeast.org/community-info/community-info/ Click on the city you want and then "Housing Market Information" followed by "Current Attached" or "Current Detached"

A sweeping federal lawsuit is accusing Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored enterprise (GSE), of neglecting foreclosure properties in predominantly minority neighborhoods but not in predominantly white neighborhoods.  This lawsuit may put Brokers and Real Estate Agents who listed these properties in the crosshairs of the Fair Housing Act. More info-- https://www.inman.com/2016/12/06/sweeping-racial-discrimination-lawsuit-against-fannie-mae-could-have-repercussions-for-agents-and-brokers/

Google just released their timelapse, where you can watch cities change starting from 1984 to the present day. https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/#

In a very head scratching hire, president-elect Donald Trump tapped retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson to be head of HUD.  He has never held public office before. More info here-- http://www.npr.org/2016/12/05/503150852/trump-taps-ben-carson-for-secretary-of-housing-and-urban-development