Real estate

Concern around billionaires from abroad creating a price bubble by sheltering wealth in U.S. real estate is nothing more than hype caused by market commentators for the sake of ratings and page clicks.

The Los Angeles City Council joined Los Angeles County in trying to get California Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency for the problem of homelessness.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is seeking to make it easier for Federal Home Loan Banks to accept certain kinds of collateral for advances.

Sales of previously owned homes dropped more than forecast in July from a nine-year high, restrained by limited choices for buyers, National Association of Realtors data showed Wednesday.

Home prices rose 5.6% in the second quarter from a year earlier, extending gains that have cut into affordability for many buyers.

The latest lending figures show just how prodigious banks' shift from construction to C&I loans has been since the crisis. Yet a hard look at C&I credits, especially their loss rates, raises questions about whether they are safer.

Toll Brothers Inc., the biggest U.S. luxury homebuilder, rose the most in three years after reporting earnings and sales that beat estimates, a sign that buyer demand remains robust for high-end properties.

Oakland's housing market is still soaring even as growth cools in San Francisco, where million-dollar median home prices have left buyers searching for more affordable alternatives.

Existing and prospective homeowners are split about which presidential candidate is better for real estate.

Purchases of new homes unexpectedly jumped in July to the highest level in almost nine years, led by soaring demand in the nation's South and adding to signs of persistent housing-market strength.

The market for existing home sales moved closer to its full potential in July, according to First American Financial Corp.

Nationwide, new home construction isn't keeping up with rising prices and demand. But in certain areas of the Southwest and Southeast, builders are bucking this trend, creating housing supply that is more flexible to market fluctuations.

Mortgage rates edged downward this week as the market anticipated Wednesday's release of the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's July meeting, Freddie Mac reported.

United Bankshares in Charleston, W.Va., has agreed to buy Cardinal Financial in Tysons Corner, Va.

Existing home sales and median home prices dipped in July, reflecting the impact of declining affordability, according to the California Association of Realtors.

Appraisal management company Accurate Group is looking to expand its nationwide appraiser network.

Home construction unexpectedly accelerated in July to the fastest pace in five months, indicating the housing industry remains an area of support for the economy.

American International Group. agreed to sell mortgage insurer United Guaranty Corp. to Arch Capital Group as Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock works to simplify his company and free up capital to return to shareholders.

American International Group Inc. is in talks to sell its mortgage insurer, United Guaranty Corp., to Arch Capital Group Ltd. as Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock works to simplify his company and free up capital to return to shareholders, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Mortgage portfolio retention strategies typically focus on proactively approaching borrowers who can benefit from refinancing. But companies are increasingly using enhanced analytics to further segment their customer base and identify borrowers on the cusp of buying a new home.