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Zaio selling assets of U.S. subsidiary

By Matt Carter, Thursday, October 30, 2008.

Zaio Corp., a Canadian-based company that has built a database of photos, valuations and property information through a network of local appraisers and photographers, has closed down its U.S. subsidiary, Zaio Inc.

All of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Zaio Inc.'s employees have received notices of termination and the parent company will sell off its assets, Zaio Corp. said Thursday.  more...

Concrete painting 101

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, October 30, 2008.

Whether it's your garage floor, your patio or some other spot where that concrete slab could use some dressing up, a coat of paint might be just what's needed. The trick to a good-looking, long-lasting paint job on concrete is to select the right paint, and don't skimp on the prep work.

EPOXY COATINGS  more...

Don't leave your Web leads hangin' Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Thursday, October 30, 2008.

(This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Read Part 1, "Sure-fire ways to boost Web leads.")

Does your Web site consistently generate leads that turn into closed business? If not, today's column explains how you can take your Web leads and turn more of them into closed business.  more...

Freddie Mac cash-outs at 4-year low

By Inman News, Thursday, October 30, 2008.

The percentage of borrowers taking cash out of their homes when refinancing this year is at a low not seen in four years, at least among loans owned by Freddie Mac, the mortgage financier said.

Some 78 percent of refinance loans in the third quarter were cash-outs, Freddie Mac said, compared to 86 percent a year ago. For the first nine months of the year, the share of loans involving a cash out was 63 percent -- the lowest level since 2004.  more...

Feds may guarantee 3 million loan mods

By Inman News, Thursday, October 30, 2008.

The Bush administration is said to be considering a $500 billion government loan guarantee program that could provide incentives to modify up to 3 million troubled mortgages, at a potential taxpayer cost of $50 billion.

The Treasury Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. are reportedly negotiating the scope of such a plan, which could be carried out under the $700 billion troubled asset repurchase program (TARP).  more...

Polls show optimism about housing recovery Premium Content

By Matt Carter, Thursday, October 30, 2008.

Three recent surveys show continued turmoil in housing and financial markets have many Americans postponing decisions to buy or sell a home, but that they remain optimistic about the near term prospects of a recovery and still consider a home to be a good investment.

The surveys -- commissioned by real estate portal Zillow, real estate franchisor and brokerage Realogy Corp., and advertising firm J. Walter Thompson -- suggest that should government action to unfreeze credit markets succeed, consumers stand ready to participate in a housing recovery.  more...

Mortgage rates follow bonds upward

By Inman News, Thursday, October 30, 2008.

Long-term mortgage rates followed Treasury bond yields higher this week, bringing fixed rate mortgages back up to levels seen two weeks ago, Freddie Mac said today.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.46 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending Oct. 30, up from 6.04 percent a week ago and 6.26 percent a year ago, Freddie Mac said in releasing its weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 6.19 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from 5.72 percent last week and 5.91 percent a year ago.  more...