Foreclosure freeze coming for the holidays

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Several of the big mortgage players are playing Santa Claus again this year, saying they will not evict borrowers in default during the two weeks surrounding Christmas.

Freddie Mac (FMCC) and Fannie Mae (FNMA), the two government-controlled mortgage giants, are freezing all foreclosure evictions on mortgage loans they own or back from Dec. 20 through Jan.3.

Evictions mark the end of the foreclosure process. After the home is sold at foreclosure auction -- or banks take possession of the home -- owners must leave the property or face eviction notices.

"If the property is occupied, our foreclosure attorneys will suspend the eviction to provide a greater measure of certainty to families during the holidays," said Anthony Renzi, executive vice president of single family portfolio management at Freddie Mac. Rest of the Article

California Foreclosure Report

Preforeclosure inventories dropped 11.8 percent in October from the prior month, largely thanks to a 16.8 percent drop in Notice of Default filings. Foreclosure suspensions led to a 29.9 percent decline in foreclosure sales that went Back to Bank (REO), and a 26.4 percent decline in those Sold to 3rd Parties. Despite the significant decline in new Bank Owned (REO) properties, Bank Owned (REO) inventories actually rose, as REO resales continued to slow. 


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September 2010 Foreclosure Report for California

The number of foreclosures Sold to 3rd parties, typically investors, declined 15.6 percent in September. Most foreclosure investors flip the properties they purchase after taking care of title, occupancy and repairs. This process is taking 44.5 percent longer than it did a year ago, up from 95 days to 137. The number of foreclosure sales that went back to the bank was up 4.9 percent, while the total inventory of Bank Owned (REO) properties increased by 5.3 percent as REO resales slowed. Notice of Trustee Sale filinges declined 17.2 percent while Notice of Default filings were essentially flat with a decrease of 1.9 percent.  Read more