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IMF: Global recession can be averted

By Inman News, Thursday, October 9, 2008.

The International Monetary Fund projects a global recession can still be averted if financial markets stabilize and U.S. housing markets bottom out in 2009.

The financial crisis that began in U.S. housing markets has the world teetering on "the cusp of a global recession," according to a top IMF official at the International Monetary Fund.  more...

Internet 'evangelist' promotes real estate tech Premium Content

By Lai Saetern, Thursday, October 9, 2008.
Saul Klein

It all began with an advertisement in the newspaper over three decades ago.

After serving for five years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer, Saul Klein was ready for a change. He sought a career with better pay and plenty of room for advancement.

It made sense for Klein to jump into the real estate business. His father used to buy properties and sell them, and Klein saw that real estate could be a lucrative business.

He responded to a job ad, took a test and got his real estate license in 1975 to work as a sales associate.  more...

Feds waive capital rules for Fannie, Freddie

By Inman News, Thursday, October 9, 2008.

Federal regulators have made an official determination that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are undercapitalized, but have suspended rules that would have required the companies to raise additional money.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which placed Fannie and Freddie into conservatorship on Sept. 7, said today that Fannie and Freddie have effectively been undercapitalized since June 30.  more...

Mortgage rates dip below 6%

By Inman News, Thursday, October 9, 2008.

Interest rates on longer-term fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages fell for the first time in three weeks, as investors fled to the relative safety of bond markets, Freddie Mac reported in its weekly mortgage market survey.

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.94 percent with an average of 0.6 point for the week ending Oct. 9, down from 6.1 percent the previous week and 6.4 percent a year ago.

Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.63 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from 5.78 percent a week ago and 6.06 percent a year ago.  more...

Good advice for beginning bloggers

By Inman News, Thursday, October 9, 2008.

Editor's note: The following is a reader comment on the Oct. 1 Inman News column, "Write what you know."

"... One of the first things that I was told as a beginning blogger was to find your own voice. Part of having you own voice is writing about subjects that you know or that you feel strongly about. Finding your own voice does not mean that we should all find the same voice.  more...