Here is some national data on the number of distressed sales in Q2, and the types of homebuyers. This is from a survey by Campbell Communications (excerpted with permission). Source: Summary Report–Real Estate Agents Report on Home Purchases and Mortgages … Read More

From Nick Timiraos and James Hagerty at the WSJ: High-End Homes Frozen Out of Budding Housing Rebound Housing is fast dividing into two markets: Sales of low- and moderately priced homes are picking up and values have stopped falling in … Read More

Note: Any reading below 100 shows contraction for this index. From the National Restaurant Association (NRA): Restaurant Industry Outlook Remained Uncertain In June as Restaurant Performance Index Declined for Second Consecutive Month The restaurant industry’s economic challenges continued to persist … Read More

The investment slump continued in Q2 … Click on graph for larger image in new window. Residential investment (RI) has been declining for 14 consecutive quarters, and the decline in Q2 was still very large - a 29.3% annual rate … Read More

For graphs based on the new home sales report this morning, please see: New Home Sales increase in June, Highest since November 2008 Last week the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that distressed properties accounted 31 percent of sales … Read More

From the LA Times: ‘Cash for clunkers’ rules are released, sparking a rush The law creating the $1-billion program went into effect July 1, but many dealers were reluctant to participate until they got a look at the rules. The … Read More

Mortgage Blogging: What’s In It for Me Anyhow? Wednesday, July 22, 2009 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT With the launch of the new blog that Mark Green and I are rolling out shortly for the National Association of Mortgage … Read More

From Bloomberg: Harvard’s Feldstein Sees Risk of ‘Double-Dip’ Recession in U.S. … “There is a real danger this is going to be a double dip and that after six months or so we’ll have some more bad news,” [Martin] Feldstein, … Read More

From the SacBee: Schwarzenegger, lawmakers reach state budget agreement Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders agreed Monday to balance Californias $26 billion deficit … The proposal includes spending cuts to programs ranging from schools to welfare-to-work to prisons. It takes … Read More

First, yesterday I posted a funny article about Wells Fargo NA suing Wells Fargo NA (and other defendants). See: Wells Fargo Sues Wells Fargo, Wells Fargo Denies Allegations (ht Rama) Also gasoline prices fell: U.S. gasoline prices fall to $2.56/gallon … Read More