We'll get to the real estate market statistics for La Canada, Glendale, Pasadena and La Crescenta in the next day or two.  But let's look at some real estate headlines:



Should a 20% mortgage down payment be standard?

Fannie Mae launches servicer accountability program
Fannie Mae is now offering the Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards (STAR) Program, a new effort designed to measure and evaluate mortgage servicers' performance in supporting the housing recovery by helping homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Home values decline in fourth quarter
In the Pacific Division, which includes California, home values declined 3.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values decreased 6.3 percent, and during the last five years, home values have decreased 26.7 percent, according to Freddie Mac’s CMHPI.
 
Americans more confident about stability of home prices  According to the survey, 78 percent of respondents believe housing prices will hold steady or increase over the next 12 months, up from 73 percent in January 2010.  However, nearly two-thirds still believe the economy is on the wrong track, virtually unchanged from the beginning of last year.