First American Blog - The First Word

When interested homebuyers apply for a mortgage, they'll be issued a Good Faith Estimate per the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). This estimate must be issued within three business days after the lender receives your application and outlines a list of costs and fees associated with "closing" on a home. Once the GFE is issued, it's...

According to a recent report by CoreLogic, January 2013 saw the pending supply, or shadow inventory, of homes for sale down 28 percent from its all time high in January 2010. Shadow inventory is the combined number of homes that are seriously delinquent on a mortgage payment, in foreclosure proceedings or owned by the mortgage servicer (REO), but...

Mortgages are often thought of as a two-person operation, but that trend is starting to shift in the real estate market as individuals are increasingly seeking home loans on their own. Buyers who choose to go it alone enjoy some unique freedoms – like not being tied to another person's credit or employment history. However, they also may...

Springtime brings longer days, warmer afternoons and more people looking to buy homes. Sellers wanting to take advantage of the sudden annual upswing of consumers in the real estate market should avoid some common mistakes when showcasing their home.

Home sellers could encounter buyers from a wide variety of backgrounds. While property sellers are likely to want to move their houses to the highest bidders, setting the tone for a positive first impression is essential because it instantly improves your chances of finding a buyer. 

The recession of the late 2000s scared a large number of homebuyers out of the housing market, but recent improvements and increased stability have helped lure millions of Americans back in. In fact, the last three months of 2012 proved to be one of the strongest quarters in recent years, which led many experts to declare that the housing market...