Consumer Protection Act of 2009
In December, the U.S. House of Representatives approved – by a vote of 223 to 202 – the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, otherwise known as H.R. 4173. This bill proposes sweeping reforms that have the potential to profoundly impact how financial companies operate and what consumers can be offered in terms of products and services.A culmination of many months of work, the authors of the bill sought a way to protect consumers and the economy through stronger controls. While many agree that the legislation does introduce new means to achieve these goals, concern remains about the unintended consequences this bill may produce.
In its Dec. 17, 2009 public statement, the American Bankers Association said it “supports broad reform of the banking regulatory system and has expressed this view in testimony before Congress; (this includes)…the formation of a council charged with overseeing systemic risk, creation of a mechanism for the orderly resolution of systemically important non-banks, and ending too-big-to-fail. Although some improvements were made (in the bill), ABA remains opposed to this legislation as passed by the House.”
The Senate is expected to propose comparable reform legislation with some significant changes.
Financial Services Oversight
Currently, H.R. 4173 covers a comprehensive number of issues including the creation of an interagency Financial Services Oversight Council that would identify and regulate financial institutions that pose systemic risks to the country.
The bill supports heightened oversight and regulation for financial institutions and a process to dissolve firms that fail. This includes publicly identifying and subjecting financial companies to stricter standards if it is determined that the company’s performance or mix of activities could pose a threat to the financial stability of the economy. The council would be responsible for imposing a special assessment on financial companies that fail to pay for any shortfall in TARP that would add to the national debt.
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Market In Review: The Wells Fargo ViewSM
Ann Stickel
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Market In Review: The Wells Fargo ViewSM
Ann Stickel
Refinances and first-time homebuyer property sales largely contributed to third quarter volume
Consumers were active in the housing market during the third quarter with refinance and purchase applications. Existing homeowners fueled the refi activity, and first-time homebuyers accounted for 43% of home purchases in August, according to the Sept. 18 issue of Inside Mortgage Finance.
In a September 2009 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage survey, 56% of first-time homebuyers cited the $8,000 tax credit for their reason to purchase. Low interest rates drove 66% of these borrowers, and 74% attributed the decision to low home prices.
In the same survey, renters shared their reasons for intending to purchase their first home within six months. Roughly 84% said low home prices were the reason, 74% cited low interest rates, and 72% referenced the tax credit as the key deciding factor.
As of the publication date, there is still debate in Congress about whether the first-time homebuyer tax credit will be extended beyond the Nov. 30 deadline.
When will local housing markets recover?
Recent news released from the National Association of REALTORS® showed that pending home sales have increased for seven consecutive months based on contracts signed in August. In addition, the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices demonstrated that the annual decline in home price values continues to slow and that many markets have experienced some sustained monthly increases. -
Homebuyers Are Going Green
Ann Stickel
Photo Credit: jenniferroberts.com
Rising energy costs have consumers thinking about energy conservation and the green must-haves for their home.
The Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) is federally recognized and has benefits for both buyers and sellers. Buyers can stretch their dollar with the energy-saving measures in the home that will help save on utility bills. Sellers who use an EEM to make improvements on their home will make older homes more comfortable and more attractive to buyers looking to go green. Homeowners looking to remodel or refinance also gain benefits from EEM by making improvements that will help save on utility costs and potentially increasing the resale value of the home down the road.
According to the Energy Efficient Mortgage Home Owner Guide on the Housing and Urban Development Web site, buyers who qualify for a home loan may also qualify for the EEM. The guide also says that availability is not limited by location, home price or utility company. When applying for an EEM, a Home Energy Rating System report must be completed on the house. An energy appraisal is done by an inspector and the results are certified. More information about EEMs and case study examples are available at http://www.hud.gov.
Tax credits also are available for energy-saving home improvement products placed in a home in 2009 and 2010. For specific details visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index.
Market In Review: The Wells Fargo View Sm
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Mortgage Originations Are Strong
Michael Saunders & Company
* News from our partner Wells Fargo
Market in Review: The Wells Fargo View
During the first quarter of 2009, the mortgage industry experienced strong origination activity due to a number of factors including the ongoing low interest rate environment, a drop in the national median home price, an abundance of homes on the market and new government programs that are available to encourage homeownership, as well as refinances.
According to Inside Mortgage Finance, mortgage originations increased by 71%. In total, an estimated $445 billion of single-family mortgage loans were made.
Of the originations in first quarter, the May 29 issue of Inside Mortgage Finance showed that 78% of originations were for refinances and 22% were for purchase money mortgages.
Credit and financing options continue to be available to qualified borrowers. Consumers should be aware that when obtaining a loan, it’s likely they will be asked to verify their income, demonstrate a solid credit history, and bring a down payment to the table.
• According to results released by the National Association of REALTORS® on May 12, the national median home price of single family homes sold in the first quarter was $169,000, a 6.2% decline from fourth quarter 2008.
• In addition, the Center for Housing Policy recently reported that between 2007 and 2008, the income needed to purchase a median-priced home dropped in 194 of 199 metropolitan areas.
These factors appear to demonstrate that the tide may be turning and home inventories are stabilizing in some areas of the country.
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