The Obama administration's housing scorecard for March offers more optimism for the housing market, noting stability taking hold in the health of the nation's real estate market.  The March scorecard shows mortgage delinquencies falling and well below year-ago levels.  The report also shows a strengthening in existing-home sales in January and February — marking the strongest start to a year since 2007.

The Federal Housing Administration is giving borrowers an explanation on any disputed collection accounts in their history in order to qualify for an FHA-backed mortgage.   FHA's new rule which went into effect on April 1^st stated that borrowers with any credit disputes of more than $1,000 in their file would not be able to get a government-backed loan and would either have to pay the remaining balance of the credit amount or show proof of entering into a payment plan for it.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) says it will not insure mortgages to borrowers who have an ongoing credit dispute of $1,000 or more on their file which started on April 1^st.  If a borrower wants to be considered for an FHA-backed loan, the borrower will either have to pay the remaining balance on the credit dispute or enter into a payment plan, making at least three payments on it.

February existing-home sales declined from an upwardly revised January pace but are well above a year ago, while the median price posted a slight gain, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.  Sales were up in the Midwest and South, offset by declines in the Northeast and West.