Winter Storms Hold Mortgage Rates in Place Interest on 30-year fixed mortgages averaged 4.96 percent this week, barely up from 4.95 percent a week ago, while 15-year rates nudged up to 4.33 percent from 4.32 percent, Freddie Mac reported.
Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft said the virtually unchanged interest on fixed-rate mortgages was the result of the effects of recent snow storms on the housing market.Also for the week ending March 18:• Five-year adjustable-rate mortgages rose to 4.09 percent from 4.05 percent.• One-year ARMs fell to 4.12 percent from 4.22 percent a week ago.
Source: The Wall Street Journal (03/19/10)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Avoid loan modification scams
New Web site launched to prevent loan mod scams
The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network, launched PreventLoanScams.org, a new Web site to prevent loan modification scams.
The Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network developed the Web site to provide homeowners with a single destination to report alleged scammers. Complaints filed online are added to a national complaint database and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for review. The Network estimates that the Web site will assist approximately 50,000 homeowners affected by scams. Additionally, HUD has directed its local fair housing and housing counseling grantees to begin reporting alleged loan modification scams via the Web site.
Before you decide on using an outside source to do a loan modification for you...make sure you check out this site.
The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network, launched PreventLoanScams.org, a new Web site to prevent loan modification scams.
The Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network developed the Web site to provide homeowners with a single destination to report alleged scammers. Complaints filed online are added to a national complaint database and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for review. The Network estimates that the Web site will assist approximately 50,000 homeowners affected by scams. Additionally, HUD has directed its local fair housing and housing counseling grantees to begin reporting alleged loan modification scams via the Web site.
Before you decide on using an outside source to do a loan modification for you...make sure you check out this site.
Monday, February 8, 2010
4 Reasons to Sell Now
4 Reasons to Sell Now
Selling a property in this tough market can seem like a challenge. Here are four factors that actually make this a good time to post a For-Sale sign.
* Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, the loss on the property a home owner sells is really only a paper loss because the next property he buys also will be a bargain. If he buys smartly, when prices come back up in a few years, he’ll be in better shape.
* Down-payment help is widely available. While nothing-down loans have disappeared, it is easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income and first-time home buyers. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for “down-payment assistance programs” and the name of your region.
* Your uncle has money to share. Besides the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit, there are an array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.
* Good help is available. Really talented real estate practitioners, contractors, and designers are available and eager for business.Source: McClatchy Tribune, Kate Forgach (02/07/2010)
Selling a property in this tough market can seem like a challenge. Here are four factors that actually make this a good time to post a For-Sale sign.
* Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, the loss on the property a home owner sells is really only a paper loss because the next property he buys also will be a bargain. If he buys smartly, when prices come back up in a few years, he’ll be in better shape.
* Down-payment help is widely available. While nothing-down loans have disappeared, it is easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income and first-time home buyers. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for “down-payment assistance programs” and the name of your region.
* Your uncle has money to share. Besides the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit, there are an array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.
* Good help is available. Really talented real estate practitioners, contractors, and designers are available and eager for business.Source: McClatchy Tribune, Kate Forgach (02/07/2010)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
What Will the Market's New Normal Be?
What Will the Market's New Normal Be?
In a new study, "Housing in America: The Next Decade," Urban Land Institute senior resident fellow John McIlwain says the housing market will not return to what it was prior to the downturn but rather that a "new normal" will take its place. He expects another 10 percent decrease in residential prices this year, a jump in the number of borrowers abandoning "underwater" mortgages, and a change in consumer perceptions of homeownership. "The emotional impact on the children and parents and disillusion about the 'joys' of homeownership will be intense; new attitudes to homeownership and the American dream will emerge," McIlwain writes. He expects home price appreciation to hover around 1 percent or 2 percent per year after the market recovers and the national homeownership rate to drop from 67 percent currently to 62 percent by 2020. In the coming decade, McIlwain expects the following:
Older baby boomers to move to urban, mixed-use, mixed-age centers near family instead of retiring to Sun Belt communities;
Immigrants to snub the suburbs in favor of more close-knit communities;
Younger boomers to face the challenges of lost home equity and a smaller pool of move-up buyers;
Generation Y to rent for long periods by choice or because they are paying off student loans or have stagnant incomes.
Source: Inman News (02/01/10)
In a new study, "Housing in America: The Next Decade," Urban Land Institute senior resident fellow John McIlwain says the housing market will not return to what it was prior to the downturn but rather that a "new normal" will take its place. He expects another 10 percent decrease in residential prices this year, a jump in the number of borrowers abandoning "underwater" mortgages, and a change in consumer perceptions of homeownership. "The emotional impact on the children and parents and disillusion about the 'joys' of homeownership will be intense; new attitudes to homeownership and the American dream will emerge," McIlwain writes. He expects home price appreciation to hover around 1 percent or 2 percent per year after the market recovers and the national homeownership rate to drop from 67 percent currently to 62 percent by 2020. In the coming decade, McIlwain expects the following:
Older baby boomers to move to urban, mixed-use, mixed-age centers near family instead of retiring to Sun Belt communities;
Immigrants to snub the suburbs in favor of more close-knit communities;
Younger boomers to face the challenges of lost home equity and a smaller pool of move-up buyers;
Generation Y to rent for long periods by choice or because they are paying off student loans or have stagnant incomes.
Source: Inman News (02/01/10)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Buy a Fannie Mae Home and get Rewarded!
Fannie Mae to Offer Closing Cost Aid on Foreclosures
The largest provider of residential home funding in the United States, announced Friday that it would pay the closing costs on purchases of foreclosed homes in its inventory.The government-controlled company said buyers of qualified properties will get up to 3.5 percent in closing costs, or an equivalent amount for the purchase of new appliances.The goal of Fannie is to clear out the nearly 50,000 properties it has in inventory. Their goal....."Attracting qualified buyers to the market and reducing inventory of vacant homes is critical to stabilizing neighborhoods and helping the market recover," said Terry Edwards, executive vice president for credit portfolio management, in a statement.
What does this mean for you??? This means when you buy a Fannie Mae home 3.5% of your closing cost will be paid for, saving you money.
To find a Fannie Mae home today call me at (951)240-9428 or email jwoldenga@roadrunner.com
The largest provider of residential home funding in the United States, announced Friday that it would pay the closing costs on purchases of foreclosed homes in its inventory.The government-controlled company said buyers of qualified properties will get up to 3.5 percent in closing costs, or an equivalent amount for the purchase of new appliances.The goal of Fannie is to clear out the nearly 50,000 properties it has in inventory. Their goal....."Attracting qualified buyers to the market and reducing inventory of vacant homes is critical to stabilizing neighborhoods and helping the market recover," said Terry Edwards, executive vice president for credit portfolio management, in a statement.
What does this mean for you??? This means when you buy a Fannie Mae home 3.5% of your closing cost will be paid for, saving you money.
To find a Fannie Mae home today call me at (951)240-9428 or email jwoldenga@roadrunner.com
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
No more flip rule!
HUD Temporary removes 'Flipping Requirements Rule'
For contracts signed on/after February 1, 2010
HUD has announced a temporary waiver of the 90 Day Flipping Requirements Rule. The waiver is effective for FHA purchase transaction loans with purchase contracts signed on or after February 1, 2010. Loans with purchase contracts prior to February 1, 2010 are not eligible for the waiver.
The waiver is limited to those sales meeting the following general conditions which are designed to protect FHA borrowers against predatory practices of “flipping” where properties are quickly resold at inflated prices to unsuspecting borrowers:
· All transactions must be arms-length, with no identity of interest between the buyer and seller or any other parties participating in the sales transaction, including:
· Seller must hold title
· LLC’s, Corporations and trusts must be established in accordance with state and federal law
· No evidence of previous flipping within 12 months
· Evidence that property was marketed openly; via MLS, auction, FSBO
· If the sales price of the property is 20 percent or more above the seller’s acquisition cost, the waiver will only apply if the lender meets the following conditions:
· Significant work has been done to the home (documented by a second appraisal verifying that legitimate repair and rehabilitation has been done to substantiate an increase more the 20%); or,
· In cases where no work has been done, the appraiser must provide explanation to support the increase since the prior transfer; and,
· A property inspection must be provided to the buyer prior to closing. (The lender may charge the borrower for the inspection.) The inspector does not need to be FHA approved, but must have NO interest in property, must no receive compensation other than from the lender and may not be involved with the repairs recommended from inspection. At a minimum, the inspection MUST include:
1. Property structure, foundation, floor, ceiling, walls and roof;
2. Exterior, siding, doors, windows, any decks, balconies, walkways and driveways;
3. Roofing, plumbing, all electrical, heating and A/C systems;
4. All interiors;
5. All insulation/ventilation systems as well as fire places and fuel burning appliances.
· The waiver does not apply to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for purchase program.
The waiver is scheduled to be effective for one year, unless otherwise extended or withdrawn by HUD. If HUD discovers that there is a significant increase in mortgage defaults and claims attributable to the waiver, HUD may withdraw the waiver immediately.
The complete text of the Waiver is available on the HUD website at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/waivpropflip2010.pdf
For contracts signed on/after February 1, 2010
HUD has announced a temporary waiver of the 90 Day Flipping Requirements Rule. The waiver is effective for FHA purchase transaction loans with purchase contracts signed on or after February 1, 2010. Loans with purchase contracts prior to February 1, 2010 are not eligible for the waiver.
The waiver is limited to those sales meeting the following general conditions which are designed to protect FHA borrowers against predatory practices of “flipping” where properties are quickly resold at inflated prices to unsuspecting borrowers:
· All transactions must be arms-length, with no identity of interest between the buyer and seller or any other parties participating in the sales transaction, including:
· Seller must hold title
· LLC’s, Corporations and trusts must be established in accordance with state and federal law
· No evidence of previous flipping within 12 months
· Evidence that property was marketed openly; via MLS, auction, FSBO
· If the sales price of the property is 20 percent or more above the seller’s acquisition cost, the waiver will only apply if the lender meets the following conditions:
· Significant work has been done to the home (documented by a second appraisal verifying that legitimate repair and rehabilitation has been done to substantiate an increase more the 20%); or,
· In cases where no work has been done, the appraiser must provide explanation to support the increase since the prior transfer; and,
· A property inspection must be provided to the buyer prior to closing. (The lender may charge the borrower for the inspection.) The inspector does not need to be FHA approved, but must have NO interest in property, must no receive compensation other than from the lender and may not be involved with the repairs recommended from inspection. At a minimum, the inspection MUST include:
1. Property structure, foundation, floor, ceiling, walls and roof;
2. Exterior, siding, doors, windows, any decks, balconies, walkways and driveways;
3. Roofing, plumbing, all electrical, heating and A/C systems;
4. All interiors;
5. All insulation/ventilation systems as well as fire places and fuel burning appliances.
· The waiver does not apply to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for purchase program.
The waiver is scheduled to be effective for one year, unless otherwise extended or withdrawn by HUD. If HUD discovers that there is a significant increase in mortgage defaults and claims attributable to the waiver, HUD may withdraw the waiver immediately.
The complete text of the Waiver is available on the HUD website at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/waivpropflip2010.pdf
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Nine Consecutive Gains for Pending Home Sales
REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Nine Consecutive Gains for Pending Home Sales
Nine Consecutive Gains for Pending Home Sales Pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, increased 3.7 percent to 114.1 from 110.0 in September, and is 31.8 percent above October 2008 when it was 86.6. The rise from a year ago is the biggest annual increase ever recorded for the index, which is at the highest level since March 2006 when it was 115.2.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales are experiencing a pendulum swing. “Keep in mind that housing had been underperforming over most of the past year. Based on the demographics of our growing population, existing-home sales should be in the range of 5.5 million to 6.0 million annually, but we were well below the 5-million mark before the home buyer tax credit stimulus,” he said. “This means the tax credit is helping unleash a pent-up demand from a large pool of financially qualified renters, much more than borrowing sales from the future.”
By Region
* Pending sales in the Northeast surged 19.9 percent to 100.2 in October and is 44.2 percent above a year ago.
* In the Midwest, the index rose 11.6 percent to 109.6 and is 36.6 percent higher than October 2008.
* Sales in the South increased 5.4 percent to an index of 115.4, which is 31.6 percent above a year ago.
* In the West, the index fell 11.2 percent to 127.7 but is 21.9 percent above October 2008.
Not Out of the Woods Yet
Yun cautioned that home sales could dip in the months ahead. “The expanded tax credit has only been available for the past three weeks, but the time between when buyers start looking at homes until they close on a sale can take anywhere from three to five months. Given the lag time, we could see a temporary decline in closed existing-home sales from December until early spring when we get another surge, but the weak job market remains a major concern and could slow the recovery process.“
Still, as inventories continue to decline and balance is gradually restored between buyers and sellers, we should reach self-sustaining housing conditions and firming home prices in most areas around the middle of 2010. That would mean broad wealth stabilization for the vast number of middle-class families,” Yun said.Source: NAR
Nine Consecutive Gains for Pending Home Sales Pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, increased 3.7 percent to 114.1 from 110.0 in September, and is 31.8 percent above October 2008 when it was 86.6. The rise from a year ago is the biggest annual increase ever recorded for the index, which is at the highest level since March 2006 when it was 115.2.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales are experiencing a pendulum swing. “Keep in mind that housing had been underperforming over most of the past year. Based on the demographics of our growing population, existing-home sales should be in the range of 5.5 million to 6.0 million annually, but we were well below the 5-million mark before the home buyer tax credit stimulus,” he said. “This means the tax credit is helping unleash a pent-up demand from a large pool of financially qualified renters, much more than borrowing sales from the future.”
By Region
* Pending sales in the Northeast surged 19.9 percent to 100.2 in October and is 44.2 percent above a year ago.
* In the Midwest, the index rose 11.6 percent to 109.6 and is 36.6 percent higher than October 2008.
* Sales in the South increased 5.4 percent to an index of 115.4, which is 31.6 percent above a year ago.
* In the West, the index fell 11.2 percent to 127.7 but is 21.9 percent above October 2008.
Not Out of the Woods Yet
Yun cautioned that home sales could dip in the months ahead. “The expanded tax credit has only been available for the past three weeks, but the time between when buyers start looking at homes until they close on a sale can take anywhere from three to five months. Given the lag time, we could see a temporary decline in closed existing-home sales from December until early spring when we get another surge, but the weak job market remains a major concern and could slow the recovery process.“
Still, as inventories continue to decline and balance is gradually restored between buyers and sellers, we should reach self-sustaining housing conditions and firming home prices in most areas around the middle of 2010. That would mean broad wealth stabilization for the vast number of middle-class families,” Yun said.Source: NAR
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