California Attorney General Kamala Harris has called on federal mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to place a “good-faith pause” on all foreclosure sales in the state following the multi-state settlement with the nation’s largest banks over mortgage abuses. The nationwide settlement calls for more than $12 billion in relief for struggling California homeowners in the form of principal reductions and short-sales. Read more: California AG calls for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to halt foreclosures

Does this “good-faith pause” help the housing industry?  Will delaying the foreclosure process on thousands of homes prolong the time until the housing market recovers by creating an even bigger backlog of shadow inventory, potentially resulting in continued home price depreciation?  Interesting…   

Sacramento Arena Update:  The City of Sacramento, the NBA and the Sacramento Kings’ organization have come to a tentative agreement to build a new arena in the Sacramento Railyards development, with the potential of keeping the Kings in Sacramento for next 30 years.  This is welcome news for the Sacramento region, especially if the owners of the Railyards develop the area surrounding the proposed new arena. 

If the stars align and a financing plan takes shape, the new arena will be completed the end of 2014.  The development and construction of the entertainment site will provide a host of new jobs, both temporary and permanent.  The project will revive Downtown Sacramento and bring some much-needed life and dollars to the City.

Further, the Kings’ ownership and the City of Sacramento will need to sell the existing Power Balance Pavillion and surrounding property.  The sale should spur new re-development in the Natomas area, which will include a mix of residential, commercial and retail uses.  Given the site’s central location in Natomas and its development history, the property’s sale should garner national attention and interest from developers.

Maloofs pledge to contribute $75 million upfront for new downtown arena

VIDEO: Does Arena Deal Have Council Votes?

VIDEO: Kings owners, Sacramento, NBA reach arena deal

Source: Ryan Long, Senior Marketing Consultant, (916) 784-3329 ext. 16