SB 1137: Created a 30-day waiting period before lenders could file a notice of default; required lenders to maintain foreclosed properties; notification for renters in foreclosed properties.

AB/SB 7 (Second Extraordinary Session): Enacts a 90-day foreclosure moratorium, except for mortgage lenders and loan servicers that have entered into a loan modification program.

Local Lenders from Wells Fargo and Bank of America have reported a surge in FHA refinance applications and new home purchase inquiries for short sale and bank owner REO properties.

In a recent report, MDA DataQuick said that California home loan defaults declined 7.7 % in the 4^th quarter after the state enacted a law to delay home foreclosures. California homeowners received 75,230 default notices in the fourth quarter, down from 81,550 a year earlier. 4th quarter defaults dropped 20% from the previous three months, according to DataQuick.  Kelly Media Group President, Jason Cardiff commented, “When homeowners are waiting to modify their home loan, most mortgage lenders don’t report loan defaults even if the borrower is behind six months.” Cardiff continued, this means “We need to be extremely cautious when considering foreclosure data and housing reports.”  See the complete California real estate article> Southern California Home Sales up 50% but Most Are Foreclosures.