Home Buying

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  • Is Jingle Mail Your Answer?

    About.com Home Buying / Selling
    16 May 2012 | 12:00 am
    It won't go away. Jingle mail is a lingering phenomena in the United States, which is a direct result of the foreclosure crisis. Some home owners, terrified of pending foreclosure, decide to mail their house keys to the lender and move out. They call it "jingle mail" because the keys make a jingle-bell sound when picking up the key-stuffed envelope. The term has become a euphemism for walking away from your home. I imagine most buyers would tape the keys to a card -- providing they possess a bit of common sense -- so the keys don't really jingle. Here are a few questions you might want to ask…

  • FBI opens JPMorgan investigation

    Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com
    16 May 2012 | 1:28 pm
    The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday that the agency has opened an investigation into JPMorgan Chase, the nation's largest bank.

  • Local Home Buying 101 - Santa Barbara Independent

    "HOME BUYING" - Google News
    16 May 2012 | 11:59 am
    Local Home Buying 101Santa Barbara IndependentNow Coastal Housing Partnership is sharing its resources with the entire community through the first-ever Home Buying Fair, taking place on Saturday, May 19th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. “We are pleased to welcome the

  • Good value in capital's slow market

    Home Buying News
    16 May 2012 | 12:39 pm
    The weak property market has made Wellington one of the most affordable cities in which to buy a home, a Government report shows.

  • Today’s News at a Glance

    RISMedia
    susanne
    15 May 2012 | 3:37 pm
    Click here for a summary of today’s news or subscribe to our daily newsletter.
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    About.com Home Buying / Selling

  • Is Jingle Mail Your Answer?

    16 May 2012 | 12:00 am
    It won't go away. Jingle mail is a lingering phenomena in the United States, which is a direct result of the foreclosure crisis. Some home owners, terrified of pending foreclosure, decide to mail their house keys to the lender and move out. They call it "jingle mail" because the keys make a jingle-bell sound when picking up the key-stuffed envelope. The term has become a euphemism for walking away from your home. I imagine most buyers would tape the keys to a card -- providing they possess a bit of common sense -- so the keys don't really jingle. Here are a few questions you might want to ask…

  • Buying a Home in a Seller's Market

    14 May 2012 | 12:00 am
    Buying a home in a seller's market is a lot tougher than buying a home in a buyer's market. It might seem to many home buyers across the country that the market has turned on a dime. One day they are reading about falling prices and a depressed real estate market, the next, multiple offers. What happened and why is not as important if you are a home buyer trying to buy a home. How you will compete in a seller's market with all of those other buyers is a much higher concern. Because if you can't compete, you might not buy a home. Read more about buying a home in a seller's market. More…

  • Do Feds Control Interest Rates?

    11 May 2012 | 12:00 am
    It's not true that Fed cuts reduce mortgage rates, regardless of how many times you hear it, says my personal expert, mortgage broker Dan Tharp. According to Mr. Tharp, when the Federal Reserve Bank announces a big reduction in rates, say, 50 basis points or more, that action can actually cause 30-year-fixed rates to initially go up. That's because mortgage rates aren't tied to T-bills, like many people erroneously believe. Trying to predict which way mortgage rates will move, though, is a little bit like throwing darts at a moving target board. The lenders I work with often tell me that…

  • I Got My Start in Real Estate at First American Title

    9 May 2012 | 12:00 am
    When dinosaurs roamed Earth in 1974, I got my start in the real estate industry. I took a job typing title policies for First American Title. The typewriter, believe ...Read Full Post

  • Ronald Reagan's Former Home in East Sacramento

    7 May 2012 | 12:00 am
    Spring is in full bloom in Sacramento, which makes May a perfect time to tour homes of East Sacramento and admire the delightful, whimsical spring gardens. It amazes me that many people think the capital of California is Los Angeles. Even in my adopted state of 35 million residents, some of them, if asked to quickly name the capital, draw a blank. And half of those who do realize that the capital is Sacramento don't know where it is. Just for the record, Sacramento is located approximately 90 minutes north and east from San Francisco. Sacramento is in the Central Valley, tucked at the…
 
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    Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com

  • FBI opens JPMorgan investigation

    16 May 2012 | 1:28 pm
    The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday that the agency has opened an investigation into JPMorgan Chase, the nation's largest bank.

  • Is Greece the Lehman of 2012? -The Buzz

    16 May 2012 | 1:04 pm
    With apologies to John Lennon: Imagine a eurozone without Greece. It's easy if you try.

  • Fiscal cliff: What you need to know

    16 May 2012 | 1:02 pm
    On Tuesday, House Speaker John Boehner all but promised an ugly fight over the debt ceiling this year unless GOP demands for spending cuts are met.

  • SCRAMBLE TO SAVE GREECE

    16 May 2012 | 12:56 pm
    Leaders across Europe rushed to try to reassure nervous investors Wednesday that they were working to prevent Greece from an unprecedented exit from the eurozone and the damage that might cause for other troubled European economies.

  • Stocks mixed amid ongoing Greece worries

    16 May 2012 | 12:18 pm
    U.S. stocks turned mixed Wednesday afternoon, as investors weighed strong U.S. economic data against ongoing uncertainty about Greece's political situation.
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    "HOME BUYING" - Google News

  • Local Home Buying 101 - Santa Barbara Independent

    16 May 2012 | 11:59 am
    Local Home Buying 101Santa Barbara IndependentNow Coastal Housing Partnership is sharing its resources with the entire community through the first-ever Home Buying Fair, taking place on Saturday, May 19th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. “We are pleased to welcome the

  • Home Buyers can Now "Make an Offer" on Thousands of Listings in the Bay Area ... - PR Web (press release)

    16 May 2012 | 10:03 am
    PR Web (press release)Home Buyers can Now "Make an Offer" on Thousands of Listings in the Bay Area PR Web (press release)According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 90 percent of consumers start the home buying process online, and 40 percent first learned about the home they purchased on the Internet. Consumers can search through thousands of homes for sale and more »

  • Stamp duty effect boosted home buying in March - Mortgage Finance Gazette Online

    16 May 2012 | 8:58 am
    Stamp duty effect boosted home buying in MarchMortgage Finance Gazette OnlineAs expected, the end of the stamp duty holiday on 24 March led to a surge in activity in the mortgage market during that month. Data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders shows that the largest increase in lending during March was to first-time buyers, and more »

  • Housing starts, industrial production both rose in April - USA TODAY

    16 May 2012 | 7:51 am
    USA TODAYHousing starts, industrial production both rose in AprilUSA TODAYMortgage rates have fallen to record lows, making home-buying more affordable. Still, many would-be buyers are having difficulty qualifying for home loans or can't afford larger down payments required by banks. Though new homes represent just 20% of and more »

  • China's Hong Kong Home-Buying Influx Wanes, Midland Says - BusinessWeek

    15 May 2012 | 10:22 pm
    BloombergChina's Hong Kong Home-Buying Influx Wanes, Midland SaysBusinessWeekBy Kelvin Wong on May 16, 2012 Mainland Chinese investors accounted for a smaller percentage of Hong Kong's new home sales for a second quarter as the nation's banks tightened lending while local buyers returned to the market, Midland Holdings Ltd.Mainland Chinese Occupy Less in Hong Kong's New Home MarketBloombergall 249 news articles »
 
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    RISMedia

  • Today’s News at a Glance

    susanne
    15 May 2012 | 3:37 pm
    Click here for a summary of today’s news or subscribe to our daily newsletter.

  • Give Up the Rat Race

    susanne
    15 May 2012 | 3:30 pm
    I am writing this as I am on a train on my way to Washington, D.C. for the National Association of Realtors® annual Midyear Conference & Expo. I am fortunate enough to be speaking at a few events while I am in town but I can remember a time when I came to events like [...]

  • Experience the New REALTOR.org

    susanne
    15 May 2012 | 3:27 pm
    Customize your home page and get access to the latest news, topics and industry insights that you value most. Choose from popular topics such as “sales and marketing,” “helping buyers and sellers,” and “technology.” The new REALTOR.org is built using the latest responsive design technology, which allows you to easily view the site on any [...]

  • Builder Confidence Rises Five Points in May

    susanne
    15 May 2012 | 3:26 pm
    Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes gained five points in May from a downwardly revised reading in the previous month to reach a level of 29 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. This is the index’s strongest reading since May of 2007. “Builders [...]

  • Coldwell Banker Real Estate Survey of Consumers Finds Shift in Americans’ Homeownership Views

    susanne
    15 May 2012 | 3:07 pm
    With the recession technically over, many questions have circulated about the future of housing and whether the concept of homeownership will forever be changed in the United States. Well-known psychotherapist, Dr. Robi Ludwig partnered with Coldwell Banker Real Estate to explore the feelings Americans have on the value of the home and homeownership now, compared [...]
 
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    RISMedia » Home Buying 101

  • Six Keys to Selling Your Home in Today’s Market

    susanne
    13 May 2012 | 1:06 pm
    According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than 4.25 million homes sold in 2011. That’s a lot of real estate and such numbers raise the question: How are sellers doing it? “Because individual homes are unique, there isn’t one single strategy that works equally well for every property,” says Wendy Forsythe, the executive vice [...]

  • 5 Basic Steps to Make a House Your Home

    susanne
    10 May 2012 | 3:08 pm
    Are you looking to buy your home for the first time? Congratulations! While this is an exciting time, knowing what you are in for can ease the process exponentially. Below are a few steps you can take to find your dream house, and make it into your new home. Learn About Homeownership Owning a home [...]

  • Loan Modification is Stressful; Know Your Options

    susanne
    30 Nov 2011 | 3:52 pm
    When the Obama administration rolled out the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in 2009, officials estimated 3 to 4 million borrowers would seek relief from their mortgages through the program amidst the worst recession and housing market collapse in decades. More than two years later, those projections have proven to be optimistic, to say the [...]

  • NAR Home Buyer and Seller Survey Reflects Tight Credit Conditions

    susanne
    21 Nov 2011 | 3:53 pm
    Recent home buyers are staying well within their means with notably higher incomes and modestly higher down payments than buyers in the previous year, due to the restrictive mortgage credit environment, despite historically favorable housing affordability conditions, according to a study released at the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo. The 2011 National Association of Realtors® [...]

  • Find the Right Home: HomesDatabase.com Unveils ‘Lifestyle Search’

    susanne
    17 Nov 2011 | 3:26 pm
    MRIS, the Mid-Atlantic region’s multiple listing service (MLS) marketplace that facilitates $36 billion in yearly sales, has launched a new “Lifestyle Search” feature as a major upgrade and enhancement to its consumer website HomesDatabase.com, the organization has announced. “Typically, consumers are confined to searching by home features such as room count and type, square footage [...]
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    RISMedia » Today’s Top Story – Consumer

  • Opportunity Knocks with Property Management

    susanne
    14 May 2012 | 3:59 pm
    Many agents across the country are experiencing strong and stable sales. For others, the market is more uncertain. And if the recent economic situation of the last couple of years has taught us anything, it’s reinforced that old adage: You shouldn’t put all of your eggs in one basket. One solution that agents all across [...]

  • Six Keys to Selling Your Home in Today’s Market

    susanne
    13 May 2012 | 1:06 pm
    According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than 4.25 million homes sold in 2011. That’s a lot of real estate and such numbers raise the question: How are sellers doing it? “Because individual homes are unique, there isn’t one single strategy that works equally well for every property,” says Wendy Forsythe, the executive vice [...]

  • 5 Basic Steps to Make a House Your Home

    susanne
    10 May 2012 | 3:08 pm
    Are you looking to buy your home for the first time? Congratulations! While this is an exciting time, knowing what you are in for can ease the process exponentially. Below are a few steps you can take to find your dream house, and make it into your new home. Learn About Homeownership Owning a home [...]

  • Kitchens and Bathrooms Remain Top Remodeling Jobs

    susanne
    9 May 2012 | 4:01 pm
    A new survey released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows common remodeling projects have increased, compared to a similar survey from 2010. The survey, released in conjunction with National Home Remodeling Month, describes the changes the remodeling market has undergone in recent years. Remodelers report that kitchen and bathroom projects remain the [...]

  • Are You Where You Want to Be?

    susanne
    8 May 2012 | 3:19 pm
    I don’t know how many people would openly admit this, but many feel they are just not exactly where they want to be yet in life. Some are close or on the right track, while others are nowhere near where they thought they would be. One thing that I have learned as a speaker and [...]
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    RISMedia » Today’s Marketplace

  • First Quarter Metro Area Home Prices Stabilizing, Sales Up and Inventory Down

    susanne
    14 May 2012 | 4:04 pm
    Median existing single-family home prices are firming in many metropolitan areas, while improving sales and declining inventory are creating more balanced conditions, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors®. The median existing single-family home price rose in 74 out of 146 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) based on closings in the [...]

  • Opportunity Knocks with Property Management

    susanne
    14 May 2012 | 3:59 pm
    Many agents across the country are experiencing strong and stable sales. For others, the market is more uncertain. And if the recent economic situation of the last couple of years has taught us anything, it’s reinforced that old adage: You shouldn’t put all of your eggs in one basket. One solution that agents all across [...]

  • As Market Recovers, How Agents Need to Approach e-Marketing

    susanne
    13 May 2012 | 1:10 pm
    Website? Check. Blog? Check. Facebook page, Twitter handle, YouTube channel – check, check…and check. In today’s market, real estate professionals know that these web-based platforms are all must-haves in order to stay current and cover all potential business-generating bases in today’s largely technology- and social media-driven market. But are these platforms doing enough to reach [...]

  • Builder Confidence in 55+ Housing Market Shows Significant Improvement in First Quarter

    susanne
    10 May 2012 | 3:10 pm
    Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market for single-family homes had a significant increase in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released recently. The index increased 10 points to 27, and although 27 [...]

  • 79 Percent of Refinancing Homeowners Maintain or Reduce Mortgage Debt in First Quarter

    susanne
    9 May 2012 | 4:10 pm
    Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) released the results of its first quarter refinance analysis showing homeowners who refinance continue to strengthen their fiscal house. In the first quarter of 2012, 79 percent of homeowners who refinanced their first-lien home mortgage either maintained about the same loan amount or lowered their principal balance by paying-in additional money [...]
 
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    First Time Home Buyer Blog

  • Here You Can Find Credit Repair for Beginners, DIY or Hire a Pro

    8 May 2012 | 8:51 pm
    Credit Repair does not have to be so difficult. Follow these cool simple steps on how to do credit cleanup yourself for free. Learn about credit reports and whats my credit score too!

  • Should you pay off your mortgage or not?

    8 May 2012 | 11:11 am
    Hey, I found this article interesting. Many people never get to payoff their mortgage because they sell or refinance the home. But what if you had the money to payoff your mortgage? Is it wise to do that? Read this article for more details.

  • Can I qualify for a mortgage loan?

    8 May 2012 | 8:11 am
    My husband bought a house 6 years ago but the house is in a foreclosure process, I do not have any link with the mortgage of the house but my name is in

  • FHA qualifying maybe??

    5 May 2012 | 5:41 pm
    Okay, my husband brings in around $1,200/month net, he's the only one working because I homeschool our children. My friend wanted to sell us her house,

  • Delaware First Time Home Buyer Grants for Home Buying

    26 Apr 2012 | 8:13 am
    Delaware First Time Home Buyer Grants can get you into your own home! Chase the American Dream by finding home mortgage grants. Locate the best list of first time home buyer grants in Delaware here.
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    Maryland Real Estate Authority

  • Moving? Preparation is Key

    John Day
    10 May 2012 | 2:57 pm
    Moving isn’t fun I don’t care what you hear about moving, it’s stressful.  Not only do you have to deal with selling a home, buying a home but the physical aspect of moving you, pets, belongings and if your wife will let you come along, yourself.  I’ve moved too many times and am just completing the process again.  This time from over 4,000 sq. feet into 1,900 sq. feet. I started 8 weeks prior to my move date.  This choice made this move my easiest. Plan Your Move even if you take a legal pad and scratch out a rough plan that includes, times, dates, materials,…

  • Buy a home now or rent

    John Day
    4 May 2012 | 6:17 pm
    It’s Time to Buy Recent surveys of renters indicate that fewer are renewing their leases and jumping in to the, buying a home mode.  About 59.5 percent of tenants recently surveyed say they intend to renew their leases this year, which is the lowest rate since early 2009, according to a study by Kingsley Associates.  Is the time right?  All indications are Yes, it’s time to buy a home.  Prices are down to lowest in recent years.  There is more competition among buyers now which tells me things are heating up.  Interest rates are very low and are expected to see small bumps…

  • Best Time to Sell Your Home is Now in 2012

    John Day
    2 May 2012 | 6:16 pm
    Sellers, This Spring/Summer Might be your best shot to sell you home. Right now in Anne Arundel County, the inventory of homes for sale has dropped about 25% compared to March of last year.  These statistics from Long and Foster’s market report for the county.  Prices are up just 2 % for the same period. So why sell now? Well, there is good buyer activity in the marketplace, but they have fewer homes to choose from, for sellers this means you may not see the low ball offers we have seen in recent years.  More competition for your home, thats a good thing.  Interest rates are very…

  • Short Sales, Do I need an Attorney?

    John Day
    29 Apr 2012 | 6:32 am
    Short Sales continue to grow in numbers as lenders push the process instead of forcing foreclosure.  In recent months there has been a lot of pressure on lenders to shorten the time-lines on Short Sale decisions.  Beginning in the middle of June, two of the biggest lenders are promising to reduce time-lines for approval to 60 days.  This would be a remarkable improvement. After reading a title attorney’s take on short selling,     Review my Knowing your short selling options page. The below email came to me by way of a well respected Title company owner.  John Brennan of Brennan…

  • What Are Buyer’s Closing Costs?

    John Day
    28 Apr 2012 | 6:52 pm
    Get an estimate of your buyer closing costs before you begin It’s nice to know what your buyer costs are going to be before entering into the process.  On the buyer’s side of the transaction, fees can add up quickly.  Many of the fees may be associated with lenders fees to you.  The fees vary from state to state and counties within those states.  Remember that each situation is different. Example of Buyer’s Expenses on a Purchase in Anne Arundel County For this example I chose a sales price of $225,000.  I made the assumption that the minimal down-payment for FHA was…
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    Mortgage Blog | Mortgage Information & Tips | Mortgage101 Blog

  • Borrowers Stick with Safe and Steady Mortgages

    Amber Nelson
    14 May 2012 | 3:59 pm
    Homeowners are turning almost exclusively to fixed rate loans for their refinance needs, according to new data from mortgage finance company Freddie Mac. Of all the refinance loans made in the first quarter of 2012, 95 percent of them were fixed rate mortgages, indicating borrowers desire for security and the attractiveness of long-term interest rates right now. Those who already had a hybrid adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) tended to feel a bit more comfortable sticking with them, but still largely gave up ARMs for the consistency of fixed rate loans. Of those with hybrid ARMs who refinanced…

  • U.S. Home Prices Improve in First Quarter

    Amber Nelson
    11 May 2012 | 5:12 pm
    After six years of declining, home prices showed improvement in more than half of all U.S. metropolitan areas in the first quarter, according to the National Association of Realtors, a shift that many hope is a sign that the housing market is stabilizing. Prices for existing homes rose in 74 of 146 markets in the NAR survey in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the previous year. That is up dramatically from the fourth quarter of 2011 when prices rose in only 29 metro areas. The overall national median home prices was still down, falling 0.4 percent from last year to $158,100, even…

  • Mortgage Modifications Slow in First Quarter

    Amber Nelson
    7 May 2012 | 4:25 pm
    The number of permanent mortgage modifications dropped by almost a third in the first quarter this year, according to an alliance of mortgage professionals today. Hope Now, a group consisting of mortgage serviciers, investors and non-profit counselors, reported that only about 207,000 struggling homeowners had their mortgage loans permanently changed in the first three months of 2012, down 31 percent from the 298,449 modified loans from the first quarter of 2011. Of the loans modified this year rouhly 147,000 were reworked privately by banks, and 60,225 were modified as part of the Obama…

  • Foreclosure Numbers Remain in Check, For Now

    Amber Nelson
    4 May 2012 | 4:01 pm
    Many economists and housing market analysts have been expecting another wave of mortgage foreclosures to hit soon, now that the robo-signing mess has been sorted out. Yet, according to new reports from LPS Applied Analytics and CoreLogic this week, the foreclosure waters are still fairly calm. Foreclosures did rise 8.1 percent in March from the month before, based on findings from LPS, but they were still down 31.1 percent from March 2011. The LPS March Mortgage Monitor also found that mortgage delinquencies fell 8.8 percent, a sign that homeowners may now have a better grip on their…

  • Banks Loosen Lending Standards on Credit Card and Auto Loans, But Not Mortgages

    Amber Nelson
    30 Apr 2012 | 4:43 pm
    U.S. banks are not yet making it easier to obtain a mortgage loans, according to a new survey from the Federal Reserve, although credit card and auto loan requirements have loosened considerably since the financial crisis. “Domestic banks generally reported having eased their lending standards and having experienced stronger demand over the past three months,” the Fed said in its survey, noting that the easing was primarily on consumer and car loans. Mortgage loans remain the touchy spot for lenders, an area where they are not interested in lowering loan standards.
 
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    Mortgage News Daily

  • Concerns Grow Over Freddie/Fannie Price Dislocations

    Bill Berliner
    16 May 2012 | 1:15 pm
    Posted To: Secondary MarketsOne of the themes discussed at the MBA’s recent conference in New York was the idea of “a merger” of the mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  The FHFA itself now lists one of its goals to "build a single securitization platform" in the Strategic Plan for 2013-2017 this morning.  MBA President David Stevens recently addressed the concept, expressing concerns about the growing price and economic disparity between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities. Before continuing, it will be helpful to discuss the…

  • "Mega-Lenders" Lagging Smaller Ones in Processing Time

    Jann Swanson
    16 May 2012 | 1:09 pm
    Posted To: MND NewsWireSmall and medium-sized lenders and community banks appear to be closing loans for refinancing faster than their "mega-lender" counterparts according to the Origination Insight Report for April released Wednesday by Ellie Mae. The company, which samples loan applications that are processed through its loan management software, reported that, "While the average refinance going through our platform took five days longer in April than in March, it still only took 47 days." Ellie Mae contrasted this to a report from The Wall Street Journal which recently said that the…

  • Stats Point to a Decent Housing Market; Nationstar and ResCap; Europe Continues to Move Rates

    Rob Chrisman
    16 May 2012 | 11:10 am
    Posted To: Pipeline PressObama played golf with Joe Biden last weekend. They were kicked off the course because every time Obama yelled "Fore", Biden screamed - "More Years!" But the mortgage industry is more concerned with another Biden: Joe's son Beau, who is Delaware's Attorney General. Officials wonder why banks aren't excited about residential lending, yet the industry faces Biden's comments that the states' attorneys general need to make it clear that the recent $25 billion settlement with five major banks is the beginning not the end of their enforcement actions . "This crisis, which…

  • MBS MID-DAY: After Merkel-Speak Soothes, Draghi Speaks Sooth

    Matthew Graham
    16 May 2012 | 10:30 am
    Posted To: MBS CommentaryMBS Live : MBS Morning Market Summary The main market-mover this morning was a CNBC interview with Angela Merkel. In it, the German chancellor offered an increasingly supportive tone on Greece remaining in the Euro-zone, saying that Germany would be open to Greece seeking additional stimulus. This was a net-negative for bond markets and generally soothed broader markets, though Treasuries and MBS maintained supportive ledges. Moments ago, news hit that the ECB would be stopping some monetary policy operations to some Greek banks. This follows earlier statements from…

  • Single Family Construction Strengthens, Multi-family Falls Sharply

    Jann Swanson
    16 May 2012 | 10:01 am
    Posted To: MND NewsWirePermits for construction of multi-family housing plummeted in April, offsetting a small increase in single family permits and dropping the total down 7 percent from revised April figures. Permits for all privately owned residential construction were issued at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 715,000, down from the March rate of 769,000. The March rate was revised substantially upward from the original estimate of 747,000. The April permitting rate is 23.7 percent higher than that of April 2011 when the annual rate was estimated at 578,000. Permits for single family…
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    mortgage news - Google News

  • FHA 'Streamline Refinances' Get Cheaper and Easier - Fox Business

    16 May 2012 | 1:45 pm
    msnbc.comFHA 'Streamline Refinances' Get Cheaper and EasierFox BusinessBy Polyana da Costa The government is about to make refinancing FHA mortgages more affordable -- and potentially easier -- for hundreds of thousands of homeowners. The Federal Housing Administration will reduce mortgage fees significantly for borrowers Back from foreclosure to homeownershipmsnbc.comForeclosed Americans find way back to homeownershipReutersCommercial & Apartment Loan Originator Commercial Loan Direct Announces New Houston Chronicleall 34 news articles »

  • California Bankers Say Mortgage Proposals Too Strict - LoanSafe

    16 May 2012 | 12:59 pm
    Mortgage Rates & TrendsCalifornia Bankers Say Mortgage Proposals Too StrictLoanSafeThe bankers and other industry representatives spoke in Sacramento before a special panel of lawmakers assigned to craft new mortgage and foreclosure laws. They told lawmakers they are open to some reforms, such as policies favoring a single point of Federal regulator questions Calif. mortgage billsBusinessWeekStates Divert Mortgage Cash Away From HomeownersNewsMax.comRegulator balks at California foreclosure fixesReutersall 101 news articles »

  • Federal panel in Virginia hears ex-mortgage exec's appeal in $3B fraud conviction - Washington Post

    16 May 2012 | 11:43 am
    Federal panel in Virginia hears ex-mortgage exec's appeal in $3B fraud convictionWashington PostA former mortgage company chief executive convicted of orchestrating a nearly $3 billion fraud scheme is asking a federal appeals panel to reverse his conviction and send his case back for a retrial. An attorney for former Taylor, Bean & Whitaker and more »

  • HSH.com Weekly Mortgage Rates Radar: Renewed Eurozone Worries Drive Mortgage ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)

    16 May 2012 | 11:04 am
    HSH.com Weekly Mortgage Rates Radar: Renewed Eurozone Worries Drive Mortgage San Francisco Chronicle (press release)HSH.com releases its latest Weekly Mortgage Rates Radar showing another downward move in mortgage rates from the previous week. The Weekly Mortgage Rates Radar reports the average rates and points offered by lenders for the two most popular types of Eurozone drives mortgage rates downwardHSH Financial Publishers (blog)all 6 news articles »

  • Mortgage group: Loans past due and in foreclosure at 4-year low - Los Angeles Times

    16 May 2012 | 10:36 am
    BloombergMortgage group: Loans past due and in foreclosure at 4-year lowLos Angeles TimesBy E. Scott Reckard In another flicker of hope for the battered housing markets, home loans in foreclosure or at least one payment past due have declined to the lowest level since 2008, according to a Mortgage Bankers Assn. delinquency report.Mortgage Delinquency Rate in U.S. Falls to Lowest Since 2008San Francisco ChronicleMortgage Delinquencies DeclineWall Street JournalMortgage Delinquencies in U.S. Fall to Lowest Since 2008BloombergMarketWatch -CNNMoney -Forbesall 93 news…
 
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    The Mortgage Lender Implode-O-Meter (main list & news)

  • Needy States Use Housing Aid Cash to Plug Budgets

    15 May 2012 | 7:00 pm
    Hundreds of millions of dollars meant to provide a little relief to the nation's struggling homeowners is being diverted to plug state budget gaps.

  • When Will We Learn? The Banks Don't Think We Ever Will, But We Must

    15 May 2012 | 7:00 pm
    In 2007, the banks gambled on mortgages and lost, causing the largest global recession since 1929. They then gambled on European sovereign debt and lost. And now we hear J P Morgan Chase (JPM) just lost $2 billion on a derivatives' bet. Should this not be the last straw?There are important lessons to be learned from all this, lessons the bank lobbyists don't want anyone to hear.

  • Obama: Head Over Heels for Jamie Dimon and JP Morgan Chase

    15 May 2012 | 7:00 pm
    Now that Obama's financial disclosure forms show that he has a "JPMorgan Chase Private Client Asset Management" checking account with a million bucks in it, maybe a few of the star-struck lefties will look for a fearless leader who isn't connected to Wall Street.I said maybe.

  • Real Deal on Retail- Even Worse Than They Said

    15 May 2012 | 7:00 pm
    An underlying "situation," which no one was talking about, was that the market had to settle $35 billion in net new Treasury paper today. That sucked cash out of the accounts of Primary Dealers and others who had bought that paper. The Fed was probably quickly funding that, if it hadn't already greased the skids to counter the Greece skid. The Fed normally settles all of its monthly forward MBS purchases, usually around $30 billion worth, with the Primary Dealers around mid month. It may have sent the cash out on Monday for this round, as suggested by Monday's big drop in Treasury…

  • New U.S. Housing Construction in April Exceeds Forecasts

    15 May 2012 | 7:00 pm
    Starts rose 2.6 percent to a 717,000 annual rate from March's revised 699,000 pace that was stronger than previously reported, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median estimate of 80 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a rise to 685,000. Building permits, a proxy for future construction, fell from a more than three-year hig
 
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    Mortgage Video & Blogging Community

  • San Jose Homeowners Get Free Money To Stave Off Foreclosure

    Rich Iacovetta
    11 May 2012 | 10:47 am
    California is offering free money for mortgages while making a push to get homeowners into a 2 billion dollar foreclosure prevention program, and as a result, you could see a principal reduction on your mortgage if you qualify. The program is called Keep Your Home California, and it’s been around since last year but most lenders didn’t participate [...]

  • 203k Loans Off to a Roaring Start – Hot Texas Real Estate Market

    Leesa Sandoval
    7 May 2012 | 3:33 pm
    The temperatures are heating up and so is the renovation lending market in Texas. The 203k loan is just one of the great loan programs out there that people can't stop talking about. It seems that only six months ago people hardly knew what this was and now we can't seem to write them fast enough. These loans give the ability to purchase and include the costs of the remodel. Move in ready homes are going fast so now is the time to partner the purchase contract with a renovation loan which will allow a buyer to purchase “as is,” renovate the home to their specific taste and voila everyone…

  • Is Real Estate in 2012 the Best Investment Available?

    Jonathan Blackwell(203K Expert)
    5 May 2012 | 7:33 pm
    Real Estate 2012 – Best Investment Available? Just how primed is the 2012 real estate market? In my opinion this market presents one of the best opportunities of our lifetime. Let me rephrase,  one of the best opportunities of our lifetime IF approached correctly. Real Estate investors have a market in place that can provide [...]

  • San Jose Short Sale Tax Relief Is Expiring Soon

    Rich Iacovetta
    4 May 2012 | 10:32 am
    Are you one of the 11 million homeowners that are underwater on your mortgage. Are you familiar with the Mortgage Debt Relief Act? Why not? It’s been around since 2007, but it’s set to expire at the end of this year. What this means, is if you get a loan modification, or do a short [...]

  • Delaware Home Buying Seminar – May 19 2012

    John R. Thomas
    27 Apr 2012 | 7:57 am
    Delaware Home Buying Seminar on May 19, 2012 at the Christiana Hilton Hotel in Newark, DE from 10 AM till Noon and again from 1:00 PM till 3:00 PM. The seminar will cover everything you need to know in order to purchase a home in Delaware, Maryland, or Pennyslvania. The seminar will cover FHA Loans, [...]
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    MBS Commentary

  • MBS MID-DAY: After Merkel-Speak Soothes, Draghi Speaks Sooth

    Matthew Graham
    16 May 2012 | 10:30 am
    MBS Live: MBS Morning Market Summary The main market-mover this morning was a CNBC interview with Angela Merkel.  In it, the German chancellor offered an increasingly supportive tone on Greece remaining in the Euro-zone, saying that Germany would be open to Greece seeking additional stimulus.  This was a net-negative for bond markets and generally soothed broader markets, though Treasuries and MBS maintained supportive ledges.  Moments ago, news hit that the ECB would be stopping some monetary policy operations to some Greek banks.  This follows earlier statements from ECB…

  • The Day Ahead: Moderate Morning Econ With Fed Minutes In The PM

    Matthew Graham
    16 May 2012 | 7:10 am
    Wednesday looks to be a different animal than Tuesday's rather logical and well-contained session.  Yesterday boasted one of the highest concentrations of economic data in recent memory, and while none of it was of earth-shattering importance, markets barely registered a response to the best of it.  In other words, Greece and the Eurozone got the nod as market-movers while the boat-load of domestic economic data got obligatorily mentioned, but little traded. Back in the real world, markets generally traded two things, or rather, they traded two sides of one thing--namely: Greece's…

  • MBS RECAP: Despite Tons of Data, Greece Remains Dominant Market Motivator

    Matthew Graham
    15 May 2012 | 3:23 pm
    MBS Live: MBS Afternoon Market Summary Today we got to see just how inconsequential our domestic data can be in the face of global financial hyperfocus on the good old Hellenic Republic, aka Greece.  Interestingly enough, domestic data DOES matter, as seen in the small, brief reaction to the several pieces of data at 8:30am.  It's just that it doesn't matter nearly as much as Greece as seen in the highest volume and sharpest move of the day following the announcement that efforts to form a Greek government had failed and that the country would be going to elections.  We wonder,…

  • MBS MID-DAY: Busy Morning For Data, But Greece Rules

    Matthew Graham
    15 May 2012 | 10:23 am
    MBS Live: MBS Morning Market Summary Fewer mornings this year have been busier from an economic data standpoint, and that fact will be apparent in the recap of the 'live updates' below.  But European concerns--particularly those related to Greece--trump any domestic data.  This isn't to say that markets didn't react to some of this morning's econ.  There was, in fact, detectable volume and movement following the 8:30am data, but it was soon replaced and out-done by news that Greece is going to elections after failing a last-ditch effort to form a government earlier today.

  • The Day Ahead: Packed Econ Calendar Versus Ongoing Greek Drama

    Matthew Graham
    15 May 2012 | 6:08 am
    Today's data includes Retail Sales, The Consumer Price Index, and The Empire State Manufacturing survey...  And that's just the 8:30am time slot!  Treasury International Capital (TIC - or the tally of foreign holdings of US debt) hits at 9AM, FOMC voter Duke speaks on the housing recovery at 9:30am, Business Inventories hit at 10am, joined by The NAHB Housing Market Index in the same time slot. That's quite a bit of data and some traditional market-movers to boot.  Back in the old days, Tuesday's line up would have been somewhat exciting.  Market analysts for various…
 
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    Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk

  • Mortgage Fraud Still Climbing

    16 May 2012 | 10:15 am
    The number of depository institution SARs identifying Mortgage Loan Fraud as a Characterization of Suspicious Activity continued to rise (up 30.6% in calendar year 2011).

  • Disbarred Lawyer Goes to Prison for Mortgage Fraud

    16 May 2012 | 9:44 am
    James D. Levitt, 66, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a disbarred real estate attorney, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence to 12 months and one day in prison and fined $25,000 for his role in a $1.1 million mortgage fraud scheme.

  • 3 Indicted for Mortgage Fraud Involving Time Shares

    16 May 2012 | 3:28 am
    Ashley Lacerda, 32, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey; Francis Santore, 52, Northfield, New Jersey; and Brian Corley, 27, Egg Harbor, New Jersey, are being arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in a $2.6 million time share mortgage fraud.

  • Foreclosure Rescue Lawsuit Filed in Ohio

    16 May 2012 | 3:16 am
    K&R Marketing LLC, doing business as Fix My Mortgage Problem, is the subject of a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit charges the business and its owner with multiple violations of Ohio's consumer laws, including failure to deliver.

  • Another Fraudster Sentenced in Dream Home Mortgage Scam

    15 May 2012 | 8:41 am
    Carole Nelson, 53, Washington, D.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced to 29 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for money laundering in connection with her participation in a massive mortgage fraud scheme which promised to pay off homeowners' mortgages on their "Dream Homes," but left them to fend for themselves.
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    Structure Tech Home Inspections » Blog

  • Deck Guardrail Inspections

    Reuben Saltzman
    15 May 2012 | 5:25 am
    The CPSC estimates that between 2003 and 2007, there have been over eleven thousand injuries caused by structural failure or collapse of guardrails at outdoor decks.  It’s not tough to understand why – when people have parties in the summer, everyone hangs out on the deck.  Throw in a keg of Busch Light, a few (ahem) ‘people’ that make the rockin’ world go ’round, and a weak guardrail… boom.  Guardrail collapse.  Weak guardrails are one of the most common safety issues with decks. The current requirement for new deck guardrails is that they…

  • Deck Ledger Attachment Methods

    Reuben Saltzman
    8 May 2012 | 4:50 am
    May is National Deck Safety Month, so I’m going to start off this month by writing about the most common cause of deck collapses – improper attachment to a building.  Most decks are supported on one side by the building, and on the opposite side by the earth.  The photo below shows a deck collapse that happened here in Minnesota, and this is exactly how most decks collapse.  The cause of collapse is quite obvious – it wasn’t attached properly. Is your deck properly attached to the building?  It’s not always possible to know for sure, but today I’ll…

  • Holmes Inspections: Any Reality?

    Reuben Saltzman
    2 May 2012 | 5:16 am
    There’s a show on HGTV called Holmes Inspection, which exposes problems with houses that were allegedly missed by other home inspectors.  Here’s the basic formula: John and Jane buy a house, have it inspected, no major problems.  Time passes, problems show up, Mike Holmes gets called in.  Mike inspects the house, agrees there’s a problem, tears everything open to show what was done wrong or could have been done better, and then says he’ll “make it right”.  In the end, the original home inspector gets blamed for missing defects with the house.

  • Improper Shingle Nailing

    Reuben Saltzman
    1 May 2012 | 4:57 am
    One of the most common defects I find with asphalt shingles is improper nailing.  The manufacturers of asphalt shingles give specific instructions on how to fasten shingles, and they’re all pretty much the same.  Unfortunately, following those instructions seems to be a difficult thing to do for a lot of roofers in Minnesota.  The two most common nailing defects that I find with shingles are overdriven nails and improperly located nails. Overdriven Nails Most roofers use pneumatic nail guns to nail down shingles.  When the pressure is set too high, the nails get driven in to the…

  • Two-second tip: how to drill a hole in your wall without making a mess

    Reuben Saltzman
    24 Apr 2012 | 5:08 am
    I heard Adam Carolla mention this quick tip, and it really works.  I had to pass this along.  If you need to drill a hole in your wall and you don’t want to make a mess on the floor, just use a Post-itnote. 3/8" hole in a 2x6 You make a couple of quick folds, paste the paper on the wall, then drill your hole.  All of the drywall dust or whatever you’re drilling in to will fall on to the paper.  Done and done. Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Minnesota Home Inspector  
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    U.S. Inspect Blog

  • Sunday: The Ultimate Homeowner's Day

    Paul Picard
    14 May 2012 | 1:59 pm
    I have a new favorite day of the week. I’ll give you a hint: it’s not Monday. I would assume that most peoples’ favorite day of the week can be immediately narrowed down to a choice of three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. As I’ve grown older, I’ve traveled through a time in my life where each of those days was my favorite day of the week.  As a child, I always liked Saturday. No school, no getting up early, Saturday morning cartoons. My mom would likely make a big, delicious breakfast, and then I’d go outside, ride my bike through some dirt, and play all day with my…

  • Buying A Condo? Review This Checklist

    Bill Zoller
    9 May 2012 | 3:27 pm
    Are you considering purchasing a condominium anytime soon? Having just gone through the process myself, I thought it important to share this checklist with our readers. Disclaimer: This list comes from my personal experience as a consumer and is not a home inspection checklist. For more information like the list below, your real estate agent will be your best resource. I must admit, I didn't know to ask all the following questions and am thankful I had a very sharp real estate professionals assisting me, Sylvia Baldwin and Donna Ready of Mountain Lake Properties in Grand Lake, Colorado. Both…

  • Inspector Profile: Kevin Salva

    Bill Zoller
    4 May 2012 | 6:11 am
    Every day, across the country, hundreds of homes are inspected by our employees in the field. We believe it's important to recognize the work they do, and to allow you to become more familiar with the inspector you may encounter. Today, we'd like to introduce you to Kevin Salva, Building Consultant and Home Inspector with our Williamsburg, Virginia area inspection team. Tell us what you like about being a home inspector? "I like the feeling I get at the end of a long day when I think about how I helped and protected people in purchasing their home. I enjoy feeling like I did a good job, was…

  • Unique Properties: Castle In Arkansas?

    Bill Zoller
    3 May 2012 | 12:15 pm
    We are always soliciting our field employees to let us know when they are called upon to inspect what we would classify as a Unique Property. We then feature that property on this blog, calling attention to it's cool attributes. If you've followed this blog for any length of time, I think you'll agree we've come up with some very special properties! Recently, I was given a lead on a property located near Fayetteville, Arkansas that was built as a 5 bedroom, 5 bath medieval castle! It has just come up for sale in the last month at an asking price of $14.3 million! Are you still interested?

  • Easy and Quick Dishwasher Drain Maintenance

    Bill Zoller
    24 Apr 2012 | 6:11 am
    When was the last time you looked closely at the bottom interior of your dishwasher? Did you notice any standing water? If your dishwasher is functioning properly, it should not have any noticeable residual water after the wash/rinse cycle is complete.Accumulated food waste over time does build up to the point the dishwasher drain system can be partially plugged. Before calling a repairman, there are easy observations you can make on your own to determine the issue causing the backup. Once you've determined there are no blockages at the garbage disposal (if this is where your dishwasher drain…
 
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    Approved Advisor

  • Falling home prices drag new buyers under water

    admin
    26 Apr 2012 | 1:01 pm
    More than 1 million Americans who have taken out mortgages in the past two years now owe more on their loans than their homes are worth, and Federal Housing Administration loans that require only a tiny down payment are partly to blame. That figure, provided to Reuters by tracking firm CoreLogic, represents about [...]

  • Shorter Turn-times for Short-Sales on the way?

    admin
    26 Apr 2012 | 9:29 am
    More than four years into the housing crisis, the powers that be finally have created new rules to make the short sale process easier and speedier. Starting in June, mortgage servicers will no longer take months or years to respond to a short sale request, if they follow the [...]

  • Inside the Foreclosure Factory, they’re working overtime and then some

    admin
    20 Apr 2012 | 11:04 am
     In a quiet office in downtown Charlotte, N.C., dozens of Wells Fargo’s foreclosure foot soldiers sit in cubicles cranking out documents the bank relies on to seize its share of the thousands of homes lost to foreclosure every week. They stare at computer screens and prepare sworn affidavits that [...]

  • Bond Market News – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

    admin
    19 Apr 2012 | 2:14 pm
    The Good – In Spain – the country was able to successfully auction off 10-year Notes, albeit at a higher price, so the global markets are breathing a sigh of relief.   But remember, Spain still has many big problems and we will likely be talking about them for years – just like Greece.  [...]

  • Mortgage Rates near record lows

    admin
    19 Apr 2012 | 2:12 pm
    Mortgage rates stayed near record lows this week as homeowners took advantage of the opportunity to refinance. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 1 basis point to 4.1 percent. A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percentage point .   According to BankRate the current 30-year fixed rate dipped down to [...]
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    #1 Mortgage Magazine | Compare Mortgages | Mortgage News | Remortgage News

  • Santander launches Newbuy mortgages

    Ben Wilkie
    15 May 2012 | 3:54 am
    Santander has launched a range of NewBuy mortgages via intermediaries with established ties to Barratt Homes, Berkeley, Bovis Homes, or Persimmon. The new range of mortgages, available as part of the Government’s NewBuy scheme, are designed to help borrowers trying to get their first step on the property ladder. The NewBuy range offers three, five [...]

  • Twice the price to be beside the seaside

    Ben Wilkie
    15 May 2012 | 3:52 am
    In the last 10 years house prices have more than doubled in half of the seaside towns surveyed in England and Wales, according to latest research from Halifax. Over the past decade, the average house price in seaside towns rose by 97 per cent, slightly ahead of the 95 per cent increase in the whole [...]

  • Coventry cuts rates

    Ben Wilkie
    15 May 2012 | 3:50 am
    Coventry Building Society has reduced rates and fees on selected products across its Buy to Let range. Highlights include; Buy to let mortgages 4.30 per cent (reduced from 4.49 per cent), 2 year fixed rate until 31.07.14, 65 per cent LTV, £250 booking fee with no arrangement fee. 3.99 per cent, 2 year fixed rate [...]

  • CML reports repossessions stable, arrears falling

    Ben Wilkie
    15 May 2012 | 3:49 am
    The number of repossessions in the first quarter of 2012 was 9,600, the same as in the first quarter of 2011, breaking the recent trend of year-on-year increases in repossessions, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Repossessions in the first quarter were higher than the 8,700 that took place in the fourth quarter of [...]

  • Buy-to-let falls in the first quarter of 2012

    Ben Wilkie
    15 May 2012 | 3:47 am
    New buy-to-let lending in the first quarter of this year totalled £3.7 billion (32,300 loans), according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This was five per cent down on the fourth quarter of 2011. While 32 per cent higher than in the first quarter of 2011, buy-to-let lending is still only around a third of [...]
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    Collier Stevens | Chartered Building Surveyors & Party Wall Specialists | London & Kent

  • RICS April 2012 UK Housing Market Survey

    Steven Way
    11 May 2012 | 2:49 am
    RICS says that the more optimistic outlook for the residential property market looked to have run out of steam in April as prices have edged lower, across the country, 19 percent more chartered surveyors reported falls rather than rises in house prices. Alongside this, expectations for future prices reached their lowest level this year with a net balance of 17 percent more respondents predicting further drops (from -3 percent). Demand from potential buyers was relatively flat during April as five percent more surveyors reported increases rather than decreases in new buyer enquiries (from +10…

  • This week we noticed…

    Steven Way
    10 May 2012 | 11:58 am
    A small article about listings to garages and petrol stations, we think listing is a good thing but only to preserve a sense of time and history.  Listing buildings just because they’re old doesn’t achieve much…  We like both the chinese garage at Beckenham and the old Rootes  garage in Maidstone. We’re going to have fun trying the Magic Plan app for iOS, apparently “MagicPlan MEASURES your rooms and DRAWS your floor plan just by taking pictures”.  Call us old fashioned but we still like doing a proper measured survey and preparing the cad…

  • Cutesy, uppity and chainy, it’s no ordinary suburb

    Steven Way
    30 Apr 2012 | 5:07 am
    So says the Guardian about Chislehurst in their “Lets Move to” series.   Collier Stevens main office is located in Chislehurst High Street, right opposite the Chinese restaurant made famous by Siouxie and now called the Noble House.  We could was lyrical about Chislehurst and of course, pick holes in a superficial Guardian article but we won’t.  It’s a nice place, it’s got some lovely houses, it’s got some not so lovely houses [we know we regularly do house surveys or HomeBuyer reports on both].  There’s a shortage of pubs, the police station is…

  • More on Solar Panels from RICS

    Steven Way
    30 Apr 2012 | 4:32 am
    RICS is urging caution to potential buyers looking at properties with ‘free’ PV panels, as it may lead to their mortgage application being declined. At a time when many prospective buyers are struggling to secure the necessary finance to purchase a new home, they are hitting further difficulties with banks and building societies refusing to lend on properties with roofs leased for the use of ‘free’ PV panels. These panels are installed by solar companies for free who then sell any extra energy generated back to the grid under the Government’s Feed-in Tariff (TIF) subsidy.

  • VAT & Listed Buildings

    Steven Way
    29 Mar 2012 | 5:10 am
    We received a budget update from the Listed Building Owners Club - The basic position is that all work carried out prior to 1 October will still benefit from zero rating, where applicable.   Work carried out thereafter will be liable to VAT at 20%.   There are, however, a couple of variations/conditions: Any work, for which the contract has been placed, prior to 21st March 2012, will still be zero rated up until 21 March 2013. There will be anti-avoidance measures put in place, such that if someone invoices work in September (no VAT), but carries out the work after 1 October, HMRC will be…
 
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    Mortgage Blog

  • Top 3 Ways to Get the Best Mortgage

    Matthew
    30 Apr 2012 | 12:24 pm
    1.Assess your financial strengths and weaknesses. 2.Choose a standard product that fits a realistic time horizon. 3.Get a quote from more than one lender, to make sure that the rate is competitive. Best Mortgage Rate Strategy #1: Assess your strengths and weaknesses For the purpose of obtaining a mortgage, your financial position consists of three components: 1.Your income, which gives you the ability to make your monthly payments 2.Your savings, which allow you to make a down payment, cover closing costs, and keep some cash reserves to cover unexpected expenses 3.Your management of other…

  • How to Tell When it is Time to Refinance

    Matthew
    23 Apr 2012 | 1:45 pm
    With interest rates today being at their lowest in the past year, you probably have wondered whether or not you should refinance your existing home mortgage. This guide can help you determine how much you will save by refinancing. Today, as little as a 1/2% interest rate decrease through refinancing can save you thousands of dollars if executed properly and in accordance with your specific financing needs. A variety of loan terms, no-point rate options and lower closing cost loans have greatly decreased the rate difference needed to make refinancing profitable to you. Why Should You Consider…

  • Difference Between a Reverse Mortgage and Home Equity

    Matthew
    3 Apr 2012 | 12:09 pm
    While both reverse mortgages and home equity loans enable senior homeowners to turn the equity in their home into spendable dollars, there are important differences between these two types of mortgages. First, home equity loans require regular monthly payments in order to repay the loan. These payments begin as soon as the loan is settled. In contrast, a reverse mortgage does not have to be repaid as long as the home remains the senior’s primary residence. In other words, the loan becomes due only when the senior no longer occupies the property. Second, home equity loans are based on the…

  • Seriously, Should I Rent or Buy?

    Matthew
    29 Mar 2012 | 12:50 pm
    Decades after the phrase “The American Dream” was first coined, owning a home is still among the lifetime achievement goals held by most individuals and families. The purchase of a home may also be viewed as a very important investment. In most areas around the country, the value of a house tends to increase (or appreciate) over time. In contrast to rental payments, monthly mortgage payments build into property ownership called equity, which the home owner can convert into cash through refinancing or selling. Equally important, home owners are entitled to tax advantages that are…

  • 2012 Trends in Real Estate

    guest
    19 Mar 2012 | 1:16 pm
    While most aspects of the United States economy remain somewhat bleak, there have been increasingly positive signs, as well as indications from some economists, that the worst is over, and that the economy as a whole is going to begin creeping back toward a more positive position. Still, most with knowledge of the trends and developments caution that the progress will be extremely gradual, and may take a while to make a real difference in many fields. One area in which people are particularly curious as to what will happen in the near future is the real estate market, which has been low and…
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    United Bilt Homes Blog

  • Can Your Home Make You Happy?

    Rebecca
    15 May 2012 | 3:00 pm
    Happiness can be elusive, but new research tells us that we may have more control over it than we think. Of course, that depends how much control you think you have. Something like half of our happiness level appears to be regulated by our “Happiness Set Point” — the level of happiness that our personal system considers normal. The Happiness Set Point may be genetic, or it may be set at a very early age, possibly by age three. If you have young children, keep that in mind! Another 10% of our feelings of happiness depend on circumstances. Being cold and uncomfortable, for…

  • Multi-generation Housing

    Rebecca
    10 May 2012 | 3:49 pm
    The idea that “multigeneration housing” is a trend might be a bit confusing. After all, children usually live with people of another generation: their parents. It’s not at all uncommon to have more than one generation in a house, so it may be hard to see what’s new about multigeneration housing. There is a new trend in the U.S., though, toward having two generations of adults, or three generations, in one house.We see parents moving in with their grown children, adults moving in with parents, and grandparents caring for their grandkids. This, not the nuclear family, is…

  • Moving on Up!

    Rebecca
    8 May 2012 | 11:57 am
    United-Bilt Homes is #107 on Professional Builder’s 2012 List of Housing Giants, to #107. That’s up from #126 in last year’s ranking. Why are we continuing to move up the prestigious list? For one thing, we own our lumber yard, we have our own architectural design department, and we provide our own financing, so we control costs without sacrificing quality. We hire local workmen wherever we build, but we also have uniform corporate quality standards and central oversight and quality control. We’re proud to be among the home building giants of the nation, and…

  • Setting Up Your Home Office

    Rebecca
    3 May 2012 | 11:54 am
    Whether you need a home office for business, charity work, or as a command center for your busy family life, setting your home office up well is the essential first step toward success. The Gunnison, a United-Bilt Homes floorplan shown at left, has a room specifically designed to serve as an office. The placement is great. If you’re a consultant or therapist, give music lessons, or for any other reason need to bring clients into your home office, it’s great to be able to welcome them directly from the front door, without having to take them through your kitchen or family room.

  • The Great American Ranch Home

    Rebecca
    1 May 2012 | 4:30 pm
    The ranch house or ranch-style home has its roots in the ranches of the Southwest, where long, low bunk houses were built on working ranches, with similar houses for the owners and their families. The defining characteristics of ranch homes are the single story, low silhouette with large windows and a simple, open floorplan. Touches of hacienda or bungalow style could be seen in ranch houses, but the predominant feeling is always that of a sleek and simple house. Livability was key The United-Bilt Ashforth, seen here and in the floorplan below, is a great example of a ranch house. In the…
 
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