SEC mailing $356 million to Fannie Mae investors

The checks are in the mail -- $356 million in checks to investors who were allegedly harmed by financial fraud at Fannie Mae between 1998 and 2004.  more...

Iggys House plans to sell 3 million shares

Iggys House Inc., a company that offers discount real estate services and also has mortgage operations, plans to sell 3 million shares of common stock and expects to sell the shares for about $5 to $6 in its initial public offering, according to documents that the company filed this month with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  more...

Economic outlook brightens

A key barometer of future economic conditions picked up steam in September, The Conference Board reported this week.

The U.S. leading index increased 0.3 percent last month to 137.9, with seven of 10 indicators advancing. Although building permits and interest-rate spread continued to drag the index, improving vendor performance, fewer jobless claims and rising stock prices all pushed the index higher in September. As a result, the leading index is now at the same level as in March 2007.  more...

Facebook app brings power of network to home buying, selling

A new application for the popular Facebook online social networking site allows users to enlist the help of their group of contacts in buying or selling a home.  more...

Overnight real estate rates dip again

Long-term mortgage interest rates were down again Thursday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield fell to 4.49 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average dipped to 6.03 percent, and the 15-year fixed rate sank to 5.65 percent. The 1-year adjustable fell slightly to 5.73 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield dropped to 4.77 percent.

Rates and bonds are current as of 7:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  more...