Santa Clara County home sales up - 2004-01-23
Home sales surged in Santa Clara County in 2003, thanks to low mortgage interest rates and renewed buyer confidence in the second half of the year.

Nearly 29,000 houses and condominiums -- both new and resale -- changed hands in the county last year, 14 percent more than in 2002, a real estate information service said Thursday. About 20,000 of those were resale single-family homes.
Read the full story at San Jose Mercury News

Lending Suit Settlement Means Less Money for North Carolina Plaintiffs - 2004-01-23
More than 1,400 N.C. residents expecting to share a $10 million court settlement from HomeGold instead will divide approximately a quarter of that amount.

The lawsuit said N.C.-based Chase Mortgage Brokers told borrowers it would find them the lowest interest rate possible. Actually, it had a deal to give all its business to HomeGold, which charged above-average interest rates and fees. HomeGold then split its fees with Chase, the lawsuit claimed.
Read the full story at Miami Herald