TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
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MDWELL In the Clear More than 33 percent of Americans are living free and clear of mortgage obligations. Here are the top 10 cities where people have made the American Dream a debt-free reality. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA TAMPA, FLORIDA NEW YORK, NEW YORK CLEVELAND, OHIO MIAMI, FLORIDA Statistics: Statistics: Statistics: Statistics: Statistics: City Free and Clear Index: 38.6% State Free and Clear Index: 35% State HPI Change From Peak: -11.8% City Free and Clear Index: 33.2% State Free and Clear Index: 33% State HPI Change From Peak: -44.5% City Free and Clear Index: 29.7% State Free and Clear Rate: 33% State HPI Change From Peak: -10.4% City Free and Clear Index: 29.4% State Free and Clear Index: 30% State HPI Change From Peak: -17.4% City Free and Clear Index: 28.9% State Free and Clear Index: 33% State HPI Change From Peak: -44.5% It's a Fact… Pennsylvania saw an uptick of 13 percent in distressed share sales from a year ago. It's a Fact… There were 411,357 total sales in Florida during the 12-month period that ended in November 2012. It's a Fact… There were 63,851 total sales in New York and White Plains, New York, and Wayne, New Jersey, from November 2011 to November 2012. It's a Fact… Total sales dropped by 4.1 percent year over year in Q3 2012. It's a Fact… Florida homes had a 15.4 percent 90-plusday delinquency rate as of November 2012. Hot Home: This modern marvel boasts maple hardwood floors and two private offices, which overlook Pittsburgh and its three rivers. The kitchen is equipped with state-of-theart appliances and granite countertops. It also has four bedrooms and six baths. The lower-level entertainment area offers a full bar and kitchen area, gas log fireplace, dance floor area with professional DJ booth, lighting, and fog machine. The home is replete with a full gym and workout area complemented by a separate sauna and steam room, and changing rooms with shower. Not bad for $4.2 million. 14 | The M Report Hot Home: This palatial estate sits on five acres of landscaped grounds and has 28,000 square feet featuring 10 bedrooms, 10 full baths and three half baths, attached guest quarters, library, ballroom, wine room, and a pool and spa with cabana. The home also boasts walnut floors, handcrafted molding and millwork, carved mantels, 14 fireplaces, an elevator, custom-designed marble and stone floors, and an exterior finished with the finest limestone. The list price is $14.9 million. Hot Home: Own a piece of hip-hop history by purchasing the former penthouse of music mogul Russell Simmons. This 7,715-squarefoot home sits on Liberty Street overlooking the financial district and was featured on an episode of Cribs—the MTV program that showed off celebrity homes. The abode boasts a private landing that leads to an interior with barrel-vaulted ceilings and oak-stripped floors. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home also has a library and two large terraces. Hot Home: This home may not be the most expensive on the block, but it is home to Clark Kent … you know, Superman? Own a piece of pop culture history by purchasing the home where Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster dreamed up the man of steel and created an American cultural force only kryptonite could destroy. The home has four bedrooms and two baths and is approximately 1,690 square feet. Hot Home: A super music producer is listing his Miami pad for $16.8 million. The 9,080-square-foot triplex penthouse sits 40 stories above Miami's Brickell business district and overlooks both the city and the Bay. The condo has five bedrooms and six-and-ahalf baths, and boasts a home theater and a rooftop terrace touting an outdoor kitchen with a landscaped private swimming pool.