When Mortgage Rate Locks Expire

By LYNNLEY BROWNING

Published: January 6, 2011

A lock-in agreement — also called a rate lock or rate commitment — protects against sudden spikes in interest rates by freezing the terms of a loan while it is being processed, which could ultimately save a borrower tens of thousands of dollars in interest costs over the life of the loan.


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Fewer default notices issued in Santa Clara, San Mateo counties

By Brandon Bailey

bbailey@mercurynews.com

Posted: 01/18/2011 06:49:57 PM PST

Updated: 01/19/2011 10:07:30 AM PST

Lenders issued fewer default notices to homeowners in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties last year, marking the first year-to-year decline since the foreclosure crisis erupted in 2007, according to a report issued Tuesday by a private tracking service.


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California median home prices dip in December

Associated Press

Posted: 01/21/2011 12:37:40 PM PST

Updated: 01/21/2011 12:43:28 PM PST

LOS ANGELES -- California's median home price declined nearly 4 percent last month to $254,000 from $264,000 in December 2009, as low-priced foreclosures and other distressed properties continued to dominate the market.


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Biz Break: For California's real estate market, hope or despair?

By Frank Michael Russell

frussell@mercurynews.com

Posted: 01/21/2011 01:19:10 PM PST

Updated: 01/21/2011 01:26:38 PM PST

Today: Los Altos, Cupertino and Los Gatos were among the state's 10 most expensive communities last month by median home price, and Santa Cruz and Gilroy were among the 10 with the biggest price gains. Plus: Google tries to block "webspam." And: Silicon Valley's jobless rate falls


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