Fola Akinnibi, USA TODAY 12:05 a.m. EST November 18, 2013 11/13/13 2:26:15 PM -- Springfield, VA, U.S.A -- Silvia De Paz, left, and Virginia Quisbert, with son Dominik, 2 and daughter Carmen, 3, shop at JC Penny in the Springfield Mall. Penney's marketing slogan "Jingle More Bells" is for their campaign about how customers can be as generous as they want this season when they shop JC Penney. retail Photo by H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY staff ORG XMIT: HB 130388 JCPenney 11/13/2013 (Via OlyDrop)(Photo: H. Darr Beiser USAT)J.C. Penney wants to carol its way back into the hearts of consumers this holiday season with a new "Jingle More Bells" marketing campaign launching this week.Penney's holiday strategy focuses on driving traffic into stores and restoring faith in the brand with six straight weeks of promotions – a leap from Johnson's emphasis on everyday low prices. Low prices will be emphasized through music in the "Jingle More Bells" campaign, including the release of a new TV spot every week through the end of December. The spots will feature twists on classic holiday songs to promote in-store sales.The first spot features a play on "Santa Baby," where carolers urge Santa to "slip a discount under the tree."Blake Shelton, the JCP Cares ambassador, will perform at the Manhattan Mall store on Dec. 19. The event is a part of the retailer's social media campaign that allows customers to upload a video of themselves singing "Silent Night" to be featured in a virtual holiday performance on the same day.The retailer hopes to use this strategy to build on an October that saw a 0.9% jump in sales. Stocks also rose to $9.05 a share on Friday. Though the growth is positive it is far from a trend, says Standard & Poor's analyst David Kuntz.Former…

Alex Veiga, Associated Press 10:07 a.m. EST November 12, 2013 A sale pending announcement sits atop a for sale sign in a home's yard in Richardson, Texas.(Photo: LM Otero, AP)Story HighlightsMortgage delinquency rate at lowest level since third quarter of 2008Trend helped by low mortgage rates and increases in home pricesImproving labor market also a factorLOS ANGELES (AP) — Fewer U.S. homeowners are falling behind on their mortgage payments, aided by rising home values, low interest rates and stable job gains.The trend brought down the national late-payment rate on home loans in the third quarter to a five-year low, credit reporting agency TransUnion said Tuesday.The percentage of mortgage holders at least two months behind on their payments fell in the July-September quarter to 4.09% from a revised 5.33% a year earlier, according to the firm, whose data go back to 1992.The latest rate also declined from 4.32% in the second quarter.The last time the mortgage delinquency rate was lower was the third quarter of 2008.Within a few years of setting that mark, foreclosures began to mount as home values tumbled from housing-boom highs, leaving many homeowners in negative equity — owing more on their mortgage than the value of their home. The dynamic drove mortgage delinquencies higher, peaking at nearly 7% in the fourth quarter of 2009.The rate of late payments on home loans has been steadily declining over the past five quarters. At the same time, U.S. home sales and prices have been rebounding over the past two years, while foreclosures have been declining.Moderate but stable job gains, still-low mortgage interest rates, and tight supply of homes for sale have helped fuel the housing rebound. That's also made it easier for homeowners to refinance, catch up on payments or sell their home, avoiding foreclosure.2014 HOUSING OUTLOOK: Realtors forecast flat…

Associated Press 12:27 p.m. EST November 7, 2013 A real estate sign hangs on a fence in front of a home in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago.(Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images)Story HighlightsRates remain near four month lowsAverage 15-year mortgage rate rose to 3.27%Five-year adjustable mortgage remained at 2.96%WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose slightly last week but remained near historically low levels.Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate on the 30-year loan increased to 4.16% from 4.10% last week, which was the lowest level in four months. The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 3.27% from 3.20%.30-YEAR OR 15?: 5 questions to help you choose[1]Rates have been falling since September when the Federal Reserve surprised investors by continuing to buy $85 billion a month in bonds. The purchases are intended to keep long-term interest rates low.Slower hiring in recent months has many analysts predicting that the Fed will maintain the current pace of the bond purchases into early next year, which should keep mortgage rates low for the time being.The recent drop in mortgage rates could help boost home sales, which slowed in September after rates reached their highest averages in two years.The decline in sales has also affected price gains. Real estate data provider CoreLogic said Tuesday that a measure of U.S. home prices rose only slightly in September from August, a sign that prices are leveling off after big gains earlier this year.To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.The average fee for a 30-year mortgage rose to 0.8 point from 0.7…