Bank of America stated that it would trim down mortgage-loan balances in so far as 30% for thousands of troubled borrowers, in what could foretell a wider government effort to encourage banks to offer debt reduction to ease the mortgage crisis.

The plan is one of the boldest moves so far to address the dilemma of millions of U.S. homeowners who owe more on their homes than they are worth. It would make it easier for the Obama administration to move in a similar direction with its present loan-modification program, though senior government officials and many bankers remain very cautious of offering to cut loan balances as the main way of…

According to a rate research website, the conventional 30-year fixed mortgages are available at 4.75% for well-qualified consumers that pay a standard .07 to 1 point.

Today’s 15-yr fixed rate is 4.125%, and the 5/1 ARM rate 3.625.

The FHA mortgage rates continue to mirror those of conventional loans. Whereas FHA loans do offer similar rates, the closing cost associated with those rates is significantly higher. The 30-year fixed jumbo loans are available at 5.625% with little better rates (5.5) for borrowers with an extremely low LTV. Mortgage-backed securities prices that drive mortgage rates in the opposite direction have been flat in the month of March.

In just a week until the much…

Financially distraught homeowners must consider choices that have both tax and credit implications and not only face the painful personal circumstances.

In recent times, the legal department of the California Association of Realtors® (CAR) issued a memorandum titled “Credit After Foreclosure, Bankruptcy, or Short Sale,” it is a very useful document for those who have questions about how credit is affected by the various ways in which one might lose his or her home.

The memo is basically based on the 2008 update of Fannie Mae guidelines (Fannie Mae Announcement 08-16), so it should be clear that the explanations are not completely general or unqualified.

For instance, it is said that a person…