FHA loans soar in Sacramento area
FHA loans soar in Sacramento area
The number of government-backed FHA loans jumped sharply last year, propping up a local real estate market otherwise saturated by loan denials.
During 2008, lenders issued 8,998 FHA loans in the Sacramento region, up from 649 during 2007, according to statistics released this week by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.
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Monday, 14 September 2009
Mortgage fraud bills sent to Schwarzenegger
Mortgage fraud bills sent to Schwarzenegger
As financial carnage from the housing crash continues across California, state lawmakers have sent several bills that crack down on mortgage fraud to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
In recent days, the Assembly and Senate have jointly passed bills to ban loan modification companies from asking for upfront fees and make mortgag...
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Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Backlash against banks growing over mortgage modifications
Backlash against banks growing over mortgage modifications
James Seeley, a machine shop supervisor at the University of California, Davis, just wants a modified mortgage that he and his wife, Sandi, can better afford.
It’s a common quest in this economy. Seeley’s wages are being cut. His house in Natomas has lost almost half its value. And he owes more than it’...
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Friday, 4 September 2009
Sacramento-area man called the housing crash
Hats are off today to Sacramento’s Michael Choe, 43, a supervising engineer with the state Department of Toxic Substances Control. This week he earned his second appearance in Time magazine since 2005 – for making good calls in this crazed real estate market.
Choe sold high in 2004.
He rented for four years.
He bought low in 2008.
As the housing crash con...
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Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Deeper Sacramento housing Crisis is forecast
A major credit reporting company predicts mortgage delinquency rates will continue rising in the Sacramento area – with 12 percent of homeowners falling at least two months behind on their payments by year’s end.
That’s nearly twice the national projection and a dramatic jump from just two years ago, when less than 2 percent percent of area homeowners’ notes were delinqu...
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Saturday, 22 August 2009
Sacramento-area home sales remain sluggish
Sacramento-area home sales remain sluggish
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/2130021.html
Sales of existing homes in the Sacramento area climbed 2.6 percent from June to July – far short of the surprising 7.2 percent rise nationally that sent stocks soaring Friday.
A July report showed sales of 3,495 existing ...
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Monday, 17 August 2009
Troubled homeowners wrestle with loan holders
Troubled homeowners wrestle with loan holders
By Kevin G. Hall
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/2111186.html?storylink=pd
WASHINGTON – Nearly three years into the deepest U.S. housing slump in generations, lenders are modifying only a small number of problem mortgages, and rising foreclosures are restraining the economy’s recovery.
The Obama administr...
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Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Sacramento-area prosecutors focus on mortgage fraud crime
Sacramento-area prosecutors focus on mortgage fraud crime
By Chelsea Phua
cphua@sacbee.com
About two years ago, El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson hired a forensic auditor and increased training for his prosecutors in the area of real estate fraud and other financial crimes.
He dedicated two prosecutors and two investigators to handle a majority o...
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Wednesday, 29 July 2009
The Best Deal On Home Refinancing
Find The Best Deal On Home Refinancing
http://www.kcra.com/family/19402420/detail.html
(ARA) - Like so many Americans, you may have a balloon mortgage that is coming due or you’ve had an unexpected financial hit such as a large hospital bill or a job loss that has made your current mortgage payments unreasonable. If so, refinancing your mortgage can be a great way to s...
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Monday, 27 July 2009
US Home Prices have Smallest Decline in 10 Months
July 22 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. home prices had the smallest annual drop in 10 months, signaling the free fall of property values is abating in the three-year housing slump at the center of a global recession.
Prices declined 5.6 percent in May from a year earlier and rose 0.9 from April, the Federal Housing Finance Agency in Washington said today. Economists expected a 0.2 percent drop for ...
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Monday, 20 July 2009
California foreclosure deals are bittersweet for novice investors
California foreclosure deals are bittersweet for novice investors
Buzz up!By Nicole Williams
nwilliams@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/2038862.html
Many Californians saw their dreams go up in smoke when the housing market burned up as a result of heavy job losses, bankruptcies and balloon mortgage payments, but others are rising from the ashes...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 6:23 PM in Category:
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Monday, 13 July 2009
Mortgage defaults spread as even 'safe' borrowers falter
Mortgage defaults spread as even ’safe’ borrowers falter
By Jim Wasserman and Dale Kasler
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/2017811.html
The mortgage default crisis has an ominous new face. It’s your neighbor with a traditional fixed-rate loan.
No longer is the real estate bust simply the result of exotic, subprim...
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Friday, 10 July 2009
How assessor slashes property values
Home Front: How assessor slashes property values
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/2014910.html
This week the Sacramento County Assessor’s Office – and more like it across the great foreclosure belts of California – chopped property values again on nearly everything built in the housing boom.
The value slash...
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Sunday, 5 July 2009
Small banks start feeling financial stress
Small banks start feeling financial stress
By Charles Piller
cpiller@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/2000836.html
At first, the Sacramento region’s small, business-oriented community banks appeared to have sidestepped the plight of banking titans that staggered under the burden of home mortgage defaults. Now some are showing signs of st...
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Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Home Affordable refi program expanded
Home Affordable refi program expanded
Loan-to-value ceiling raised from 105% to 125%
By Inman News, Wednesday, July 1, 2009.
http://www.inman.com/news/2009/07/1/home-affordable-refi-program-expanded
Inman News
Homeowners who are up to 125 percent underwater will be allowed to refinance under the Obama administration’s Home Affordable Refinance Program...
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Monday, 29 June 2009
Some Lenders Exempt
Not all California lenders are created equal when it comes to the state’s newly implemented foreclosure prevention act launched early last week. It is being reported that 7 lenders have been provided immunity, and several others have made application to become immune.
Among the first 7 qualifying and found exempt from the act are:
· Bank of America Home Loans
· CitiM...
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Saturday, 27 June 2009
Despite programs meant to help, many homeowners still frustrated
Home Front: Despite programs meant to help, many homeowners still frustrated
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1978579.html
Day in and day out since 2007, callers who struggle with mortgages throughout the Sacramento region, those who can’t sleep for worrying, who want to stay with houses that have lost $150,00...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:14 AM in Category:
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009
"We're in a slow, but definite recovery mode"
"We’re in a slow, but definite recovery mode"
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/real_estate/archives/2009/06/were-in-a-slow.html?mi_atom=Home%20Front
So says Alexis McGee, president of Fair Oaks-based Foreclosures.com, which tracks the nation’s foreclosure markets for real estate investors. Here’s McGee’s new national roundup:
...
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Monday, 22 June 2009
7 lenders get immunity from state foreclosure prevention act
7 lenders get immunity from state foreclosure prevention act
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1962447.html
Bank of America Home Loans, CitiMortgage and Carrington Mortgage Services are among the first seven lenders and loan servicers granted immunity from the state’s foreclosure prevention act launched this week...
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Monday, 15 June 2009
Foreclosure filings up sharply over last year
Foreclosure filings up sharply over last year
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1933547.html
Lenders made a daily average of 203 foreclosure filings against struggling borrowers in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties in the past year, according to Santa Ana-based real estate tracker First American CoreLogic.
Borrowers in the region received 74,348 notices,...
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Friday, 12 June 2009
Home Front: Lenders' phones silent as rates rise
Home Front: Lenders’ phones silent as rates rise
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1940229.html
Mortgage rates, rising quickly from near-historic lows earlier this year, are already having negative consequences in the capital region.
"All of a sudden the phones just stopped ringing," said Michael McGee, ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:09 PM in Category:
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Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Use of short sales on rise in Sacramento housing market
Use of short sales on rise in Sacramento housing market
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1933643.html
For years real estate agents have steered buyers away from "short sales," labeling them a mind-numbing, difficult experience that could exhaust the patience of the biblical Job.
Now buyers can hardly avoid th...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:31 PM in Category:
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Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Don’t Push the Envelope!
Fighting your inner demons may be difficult, BUT don’t be afraid to open the envelope.
Not long ago a GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professional recalled that she had gone to the home of a client to perform a listing presentation for a possible short sale.
During the presentation and while looking at paperwork the client had, the agent noticed there were several recent envelopes t...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:33 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Rate-rise threatens economic relapse
Rate-rise threatens economic relapse
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/loubarnes/rate-rise-threatens-economic-relapse
The economic optimists are still in charge of markets, rates and stocks still rising. However, the divergence is widening between them and those worried about credit and latent weakness. It may take a month or two to figure whose stubbornnes...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:46 PM in Category:
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Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Waiting game on low mortgage rates backfires
Waiting game on low mortgage rates backfires
By Mark Glover
mglover@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1903523.html
Sacramento-area homeowners and prospective first-time homebuyers might be wondering: Did we miss the boat on mortgage rates?
The short answer from experts is: Probably, but rates are still very attractive.
For ...
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Monday, 1 June 2009
European media want close-ups of capital-area housing crash
Home Front: European media want close-ups of capital-area housing crash
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/736/story/1883525.html
Europeans are making Sacramento a regular stop on media expeditions to the housing crisis that has been pounding their banks.
This year, Home Front has received inquiries from a Swiss newspaper, a ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:33 PM in Category:
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Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's new rules are raising appraisal costs, critics say
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s new rules are raising appraisal costs, critics say
http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-fi-harney17-2009may17,0,5903005.story
The rules, intended to improve the accuracy of home valuations, push most large lenders to use third-party appraisal management companies.
Reporting from Washington -- How about this scenario...
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Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Information on the Home Loan Program
Information on the Home Loan Program
PDF Documents - To read PDF documents, you need a PDF viewer. Links to viewer software can be found at this link.
IN THE NEWS:
Effective immediately, Certificates of Eligibility will no longer display a veteran’s date of birth. This change was made to limit the amount of personal data being displayed on Certificates of Elig...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:29 PM in Category:
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Sunday, 17 May 2009
Navigating These Economic Times
The other morning a GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professional was brainstorming with another Realtor. Both agreed that in addition to helping buyers purchase property, and sellers to sell their homes, they had voluntarily taken up the shield, for helping past clients, friends and family, to stay in their economically challenged homes during these difficult times.
Currently, they were avera...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:30 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Co-signing FHA loan has strings attached
Co-signing FHA loan has strings attached
REThink Real Estate
By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Friday, May 15, 2009.
Inman News
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/tara-nicholle-nelson/co-signing-fha-loan-has-strings-attached
Flickr photo by ethorson.Q: We have income that we are unable to document on our FHA loan application. We need to qualify for ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:57 PM in Category:
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Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Big-screen TVs: prime time to subprime
Big-screen TVs: prime time to subprime
By Marcie Geffner, Tuesday, May 12, 2009.
Inman News
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/marciegeffner/big-screen-tvs-prime-time-subprime
Plenty of people have been blamed for the nation’s mortgage meltdown and housing market slump: Irresponsible lenders, incompetent regulators, unethical brokers, spi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:24 PM in Category:
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Monday, 11 May 2009
Loan mod: Go it alone?
Part 2: Nuts and bolts of mortgage modification
By Jack Guttentag, Monday, May 11, 2009.
Inman News
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/jackguttentag/loan-mod-go-it-alone
Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Read Part 1.
Last week, I went over the steps involved in getting a loan modified. This article examines which, if any ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:22 PM in Category:
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Loan mod: Go it alone?
Part 2: Nuts and bolts of mortgage modification
By Jack Guttentag, Monday, May 11, 2009.
Inman News
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/jackguttentag/loan-mod-go-it-alone
Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Read Part 1.
Last week, I went over the steps involved in getting a loan modified. This article examines which, if any ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 1:51 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Signs Point to Sacramento Housing Recovery
Many GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professionals have been noticing that the Sacramento housing market has been stabilizing. About 80% of the foreclosure market is completed, and sales have doubled in number since a year ago. It appears that the housing market declines of the past months have began to slow, rather than continuing to dive over a cliff.
The Wall Street Journal released a few...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:44 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Zillow: Many in area owe more than home is worth
Zillow: Many in area owe more than home is worth
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1837044.html
Home values in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties dropped by $7.3 billion in the first three months of 2009 and have lost $40 billion in the past year, according to online real estate evaluator Zillow.com.
The Seattle firm estimates that 35.4 percent of homeown...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:23 PM in Category:
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Monday, 4 May 2009
Fed says more banks tighten home loan standards
Fed says more banks tighten home loan standards
By JEANNINE AVERSA
AP Economics Writer
http://www.sacbee.com/830/story/1832585.html
WASHINGTON -- A larger share of banks has made it more difficult for people to obtain home mortgages over the last three months even as demand has grown, the Federal Reserve reported Monday.
The Fed’s new quarterly surve...
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Sunday, 3 May 2009
First Time Buyer Mistakes
GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals continue to be cognizant of mistakes that first time buyers can make. If you are getting ready to purchase a home, here are some of those pitfalls you should avoid:
(1) They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and miss out on the best deal. It is vitally important to be actively working with a professional lender, who has well educa...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:17 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Are short sales ruining home values?
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/tara-nicholle-nelson/are-short-sales-ruining-home-values
Q: My neighbors bought a home for their mother, who has since passed away. They owed $125,000 on the mortgage. The bank allowed them to do a short sale for $56,000. The three daughters who bought the home for their mother have considerable assets. How can they be forgiven for ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:51 PM in Category:
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Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Questions and Answers Surrounding Short Sales
Questions and Answers Surrounding Short Sales
As homeowners grapple with declining home values, and in some instances, mortgage payments that have dramatically increased, GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals are increasingly be queried about Short Sales.
Often a seller will become concerned because they are unable to make house payments, but do still have an ability to make ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:51 PM in Category:
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Monday, 27 April 2009
Fight Inflation - Buy a Home!
According to Daily Real Estate News, April 27, 2009, Some economic analysts say that the possibility that the economy will go into overdrive and inflation will skyrocket is a much more frightening possibility than the current recession.
One inflation hedge nearly all of them point to is real estate. Owning it outright is the best scenario, but if that’s not possible, a low-rate, 30-year ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:40 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Avoiding Loan Modification or Foreclosure Scams
GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals are continuing to hear from troubled homeowners, who are hoping to get a better mortgage, or take advantage of the lower interest rates currently available.
However, the news media has provided many reports about foreclosure scams, and many folks are a little gun-shy of beginning the process that could improve their financial lot.
There ar...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:34 AM in Category:
Free Information & ToolsLink directly to this article.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Homebuyer Guides
Homebuying Guides
Even before you begin looking for a home, the homebuying process requires diligent preparation. Buyers who have been preapproved for a home loan often have their offers taken more seriously by sellers. With advance preparation, you can tackle the process of acquiring the financing you need with more confidence. To help you on the path to homeownership, Neighborworks® off...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 3:19 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Homebuyer Guides
Homebuying Guides
Even before you begin looking for a home, the homebuying process requires diligent preparation. Buyers who have been preapproved for a home loan often have their offers taken more seriously by sellers. With advance preparation, you can tackle the process of acquiring the financing you need with more confidence. To help you on the path to homeownership, Neighborworks® off...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 3:03 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Questions and Answers Surrounding Short Sales
As homeowners grapple with declining home values, and in some instances, mortgage payments that have dramatically increased, GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals are increasingly be queried about Short Sales.
Often a seller will become concerned because they are unable to make house payments, but do still have an ability to make all or part payment of the negative equity. They may hop...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:31 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Sacramento region's repossessed home sales boom hits lull
Sacramento region’s repossessed home sales boom hits lull
ShareThisBy Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1789794.html
Published: Saturday, Apr. 18, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
Months of foreclosure moratoriums, stepped-up loan modifications and bank decisions to keep repossessed homes off the market are biting hard into a s...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:50 PM in Category:
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Sacramento region's repossessed home sales boom hits lull
Sacramento region’s repossessed home sales boom hits lull
ShareThisBy Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1789794.html
Published: Saturday, Apr. 18, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
Months of foreclosure moratoriums, stepped-up loan modifications and bank decisions to keep repossessed homes off the market are biting hard into a s...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:47 PM in Category:
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Sacramento region's repossessed home sales boom hits lull
Sacramento region’s repossessed home sales boom hits lull
ShareThisBy Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/1789794.html
Published: Saturday, Apr. 18, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
Months of foreclosure moratoriums, stepped-up loan modifications and bank decisions to keep repossessed homes off the market are biting hard into a s...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:20 AM in Category:
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Saturday, 11 April 2009
Snag a great deal on a short sale
Snag a great deal on a short sale
Short sales - where a lender agrees to take less than it’s owed on a mortgage - are rising sharply. Here’s how you can profit.
Source: CNNmoney.com
(Money Magazine) -- When Brian Gavitt, a physician, and his wife Gayleen, a stay-at-home mom, started to eye homes in Sacramento last winter, they knew they were looking in the ha...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:23 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Friday, 10 April 2009
Fewer empty new homes means supply, demand in balance
Home Front: Fewer empty new homes means supply, demand in balance
ShareThisBy Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Apr. 10, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
The first quarterly report on new-home sales in the Sacramento area during 2009 is in – and there’s one good sign amid a new low of 699 sales in January, February and March.
Excess supply ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:38 PM in Category:
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Wednesday, 8 April 2009
don't expect Bay Area Buyer's anytime soon
Home Front: Don’t expect those Bay Area shoppers anytime soon
ShareThisBy Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Apr. 3, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
In area conversations about real estate it’s often an act of faith that a widening gap between Sacramento and Bay Area home prices might soon spark a new migration east to buy houses cheap and put an end to...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:04 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
don't expect Bay Area Buyer's anytime soon
Home Front: Don’t expect those Bay Area shoppers anytime soon
ShareThisBy Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Apr. 3, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
In area conversations about real estate it’s often an act of faith that a widening gap between Sacramento and Bay Area home prices might soon spark a new migration east to buy houses cheap and put an end to...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 10:15 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Home Front: Don't expect those Bay Area shoppers anytime soon
Home Front: Don’t expect those Bay Area shoppers anytime soon
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Apr. 3, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
In area conversations about real estate it’s often an act of faith that a widening gap between Sacramento and Bay Area home prices might soon spark a new migration east to buy houses cheap and put an end t...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:25 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Don't Put All Your Investment Dollars in the Same Basket
With Easter swiftly approaching, perhaps it is a good time to remind that it isn’t always a good idea to put all one’s eggs in the same basket - Whether it’s real eggs; or investment and financial eggs.
The expression "Don’t put all your eggs in one basket" generally means not risking the loss of everything by placing all your financial investments or future goals ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:54 AM in Category:
Free Information & ToolsLink directly to this article.
Don't Put All Your Investment Dollars in the Same Basket
With Easter swiftly approaching, perhaps it is a good time to remind that it isn’t always a good idea to put all one’s eggs in the same basket - Whether it’s real eggs; or investment and financial eggs.
The expression "Don’t put all your eggs in one basket" generally means not risking the loss of everything by placing all your financial investments or future goals ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:06 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Is FHA the Key to the Housing Rebound?
ACCORDING TO RISMEDIA:
RISMEDIA, April 4, 2009-The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a primary source of mortgage financing for millions of America’s families and plays a key role in helping bring stability to the housing market. This is the message that the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) recently delivered to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. “Without FHA financing, famil...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 10:00 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Is FHA the Key to the Housing Rebound?
ACCORDING TO RISMEDIA:
RISMEDIA, April 4, 2009-The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a primary source of mortgage financing for millions of America’s families and plays a key role in helping bring stability to the housing market. This is the message that the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) recently delivered to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. “Without FHA financing, famil...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 10:00 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 2:52 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 1:53 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 12:54 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:54 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:12 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:30 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:16 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Mortage Rates Drop Again!!
A Record Low for Mortgage Rates, Again
Just one week after 30-year mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.85 percent, the average dropped even further to 4.78 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
Refinancing activity has picked up because of the low rates, and the Mortgage Bankers Association says approximately 80 percent of mortgage applications came from borrowers seeki...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:02 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Why Use a REALTOR
Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.
Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® -- the top half, in ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:49 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Why Use a REALTOR
Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.
Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® -- the top half, in ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:47 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Why Use a REALTOR
Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.
Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® -- the top half, in ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 10:50 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Why Use a REALTOR
Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.
Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® -- the top half, in ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 10:48 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Why Use a REALTOR
Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.
Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® -- the top half, in ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:16 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Monday, 30 March 2009
The facts on FHA-insured Loans
Monday, March 30, 2009- Posted by Inman News
The facts on FHA-insured loans
The Ups and Downs of FHA: The importance of Federal Housing Administration-insured loans in the home mortgage market has changed markedly over the years. This has been due less to changes in the FHA itself than to changes in the broader market in which it operates.
In the early 1990s, FHA had about 15 perc...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 6:05 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier’s check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:
• Down payment
• Loan origination fees
• Points, or loan discount fees you pay to receive ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 2:34 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier’s check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:
• Down payment
• Loan origination fees
• Points, or loan discount fees you pay to receive ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 2:24 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
Common Closing Costs for Buyers
The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier’s check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:
• Down payment
• Loan origination fees
• Points, or loan discount fees you pay to receive ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 2:10 PM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Monday, 23 March 2009
DIVORCING HOMEOWNERS – BUT FORCED TO LIVE TOGETHER
Increasingly, Real Estate Professionals are hearing of a trend - which could remind folks of the movie, "War of the Roses."
Current real estate market conditions have some divorcing couples looking to separate their lives, but realizing they can’t afford to live apart until their home is sold.
Unlike a few years ago, when many homeowners had loads of equity to share, and r...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:18 AM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Don't Lose Your Home Because You Didn't Pick Up THe Phone!!
You or someone you know can benefit from the Mortgage Stimulus/Refinance Program and avoid foreclosure! Whether you want to modify your existing loan or work through the short sale process, I can help! The most important thing is for you to understand the many options available besides allowing a foreclosure sale to ruin your credit. Call or email me today for more information. Remember! You don&r...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 1:04 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
New $8,000 Credit for First Time Home Buyers
Obama: Aid 9 million homeowners Wide-ranging $75 billion plan will use government money to subsidize rates and insure servicers against falling home prices.
By Tami Luhby, CNNMoney.com senior writer
Last Updated: February 18, 2009: 10:05 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- President Obama is
unveiling a $75 billion multi-pronged plan Wednesday that seeks to help up to 9 mill...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:31 AM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Understanding Points
Often home buyers who are obtaining a mortgage for a newly purchased home, will ask their GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professional, “What are points?”
The answer - Each point or discount point, as real estate professionals and mortgage lenders often refer to them, are equal to 1% of the loan amount. For example, on a $100,000 loan, one discount point equals $1,000. And ½ discount point ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:29 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Renting vs Home Ownership
Are you a Renter wondering about the benefit that can come from Home Ownership? Here’s some things to consider:
(1) Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
(2) Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent ann...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:51 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Saundra Battaglia is New Manager of GreatWest GMAC Yuba Office
GreatWest GMAC Real Estate is announcing the association of Saundra Battaglia, as the Manager of their office in Yuba City.
Saundra Battaglia has significant real estate experience, beginning in 1985. In the past she has owned and operated Red Carpet franchises in Yuba City and Colusa. And, was associated with Stromer Realty. She has a background in farm/land sales, residential sales,...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:43 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
The Tax Value of Home Ownership
During this Important Tax Filing Season it is Important to Remember the Value of Home Ownership.
Although during this tax-filing season we are keenly aware some homeowners are having difficulty paying their mortgages, it is important to realize the benefits which come with home ownership.
Here are some points to consider, and discuss with your tax professional:
· Mortgage int...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:03 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
It happened again this week
It happened again this week. A GreatWest GMAC Professional received a call from an old friend, to say she and her husband were having difficulties with their mortgage(s), and were a little upside down on their home. They didn’t quite know what to do about it.
Real Estate Agents have increasingly seen this scenario - Homeowners who are in deep trouble because they either are in hom...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 6:49 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Good Reasons to Own Your Own Home
1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS" found that a typical h...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:14 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
A Holiday Message from GreatWest GMAC
Not long ago, a Great West GMAC Real Estate professional lamented that as a child, she would often daydream about living in a home similar to the doll house she had. The doll house became among the most cherished of her memories.
As we grow older and hopefully mature to a certain degree, we realize that what we wish for as a child isn’t always possible. However, something about the littl...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 2:41 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Why It's So Hard to Modify a Mortgage
MSNBC has an article on their website today which is very informative. It answers many of the questions about "Why It’s So Difficult to Modify a Mortgage"
The article delves into (1) Unscrambling the egg (2) Who’s in charge (3) Tranche warfare (4) Two mortgages (5) Taking a haircut (6) No rules (7) Legal tangles (8) Doing the math (9) Loans that will never work.
I fo...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:57 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Open - Open - Open
Fighting your inner demons may be difficult, BUT don’t be afraid to open the envelope.
Recently a GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professional recalled that she had gone to the home of a client to perform a listing presentation for a possible short sale.
During the presentation and while looking at paperwork the client had, the agent noticed there were several recent envelopes the ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:45 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Friday, 24 October 2008
The Cyclic World of Housing
The other day, someone asked a real estate professional if they felt sorry about putting people into homes they couldn’t afford.
After being a little dumbfounded for a moment, the agent explained they didn’t think they had placed any buyers in homes, which fit that category. Many of their clients had been professional people, who had purchased nice homes with fairly traditi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:01 PM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Factors That Determine Your Credit Score
GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professionals, are increasingly being asked how to determine whether they are credit worthy with the recent more strict guidelines required to qualify for home loans.
Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. Here are 5 factors that decide your credit score.
1. Your payment history. W...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 6:16 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Brookfield Residential Property Services Acquires GMAC Home Services
AN ANNOUNCEMENT-
GreatWest GMAC Real Estate is pleased to announce the acquisition of GMAC Home Services by Brookfield Residential Property Services (BRPS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a global asset manager located in Toronto, Canada focused on property, power, and infrastructure assets with approximately $95 billion in assets under management. The Br...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 6:47 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Senators Call For Freeze on Foreclosures
Various news agencies in the last several days have reported that four U.S. Senators have urged mortgage companies, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to temporarily halt foreclosures on loans they hold.
The lawmakers advised the new chief executives and federal regulator now running Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The beleaguered companies, seized by the government a week ago, should help struggling bo...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:09 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Federal Government Seizes Control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
On late Friday, the news media became abuzz with reports, the shoe had finally began to drop with regard to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Articles revealing the government had conjured a plan to put the two troubled mortgage Goliaths under federal control, dismiss their top executives, while shoring the institutions up financially.
The plan would prompt one of the more sweeping government ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:11 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Foreclosures Continue to Raise Spectre Over Area Home Market
According to a Sacramento Bee article written by Tony Bizjak on Sunday, the Sacramento area is still being hammered by foreclosures. According to Realtytrac, Inc., data demonstrates that one in every 145 households in Sacramento, El Dorado and Placer counties faced foreclosure in July. That represents 5,290 properties.
The percentage of foreclosures nationally were up 55% over July of l...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:42 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
At the Stroke of the Pen
At the stroke of the pen during the President’s recent signing of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, opportunity arrived for First Time Buyers. But even beyond that – it is also good news for Sellers of entry-level houses as well. In recent months many folks dwelling in their first homes, had wished they could move up to larger homes, but were thwarted in doing so by a market that wo...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:15 PM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Monday, 4 August 2008
If You Receive a Default Notice
Are you one of the homeowners that fell into an adjustable rate mortgage, and have received a default notice? A word to the wise - do not panic.
Many homeowners panic first and think later. This leads to frustration and conflict, and can result in loss of money. Recent calls from homeowners stating that they fell in to a trap created by
companies, that offer a resolution on their def...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:27 PM in Category:
Free Information & ToolsLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
President Signs Important Housing Bill
President Bush signed the housing bill this morning, ending any minor speculation that he in fact would!
It is hoped the action will provide mortgage relief for 400,000 homeowners struggling to retain ownership of their homes. It is also hoped that it will assist in stabilizing financial markets.
As reported by California Association of Realtors and other publications, this bill ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:52 AM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
President Signs Important Housing Bill
President Bush signed the housing bill this morning, ending any minor speculation that he in fact would!
It is hoped the action will provide mortgage relief for 400,000 homeowners struggling to retain ownership of their homes. It is also hoped that it will assist in stabilizing financial markets.
As reported by California Association of Realtors and other publications, this bill ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:48 AM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Congress Passes Housing Rescue Bill
It appears Congress has passed a housing rescue bill today hopefully saving 400,000 struggling homeowners from foreclosure. Although President Bush had originally threatened to veto such a bill, it appears he is expected to sign this measure quickly.
The legislation was passed by the Senate vote of 72-13.
Homeowners, who are unable to afford their current monthly payments will ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:32 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Congress Passes Housing Rescue Bill
It appears Congress has passed a housing rescue bill today hopefully saving 400,000 struggling homeowners from foreclosure. Although President Bush had originally threatened to veto such a bill, it appears he is expected to sign this measure quickly.
The legislation was passed by the Senate vote of 72-13.
Homeowners, who are unable to afford their current monthly payments will ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:29 PM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Saturday, 19 July 2008
How to Best Sell Your Home
Now more than ever before, Sellers are asking GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals, “How can I sell my home for the BEST PRICE, in the SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME, with the MOST FAVORABLE TERMS?”
It is imperative that the home be PRICED RIGHT. . .from the start!
There are many things that affect the value of a home, and in today’s market it’s even more important to be sure...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 10:06 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
How to Best Sell Your Home
Now more than ever before, Sellers are asking GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals, “How can I sell my home for the BEST PRICE, in the SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME, with the MOST FAVORABLE TERMS?”
It is imperative that the home be PRICED RIGHT. . .from the start!
There are many things that affect the value of a home, and in today’s market it’s even more important to be sure...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 10:04 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Affordability Rises in Humboldt
The affordability index for May of 2008 is out and across the county real estate affordability rose to 14% with Arcata in at 16%, Fortuna up to 26%, Eureka to 19%, and Mckinleyville at 8%. There continues to be a goog buyers market with many homes to choose from and excellent mortgage rates. Historically mortgage rates rise just after national elections, therefor the best buying window is define...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 6:30 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Living Together While Marketing a Home
What to Do If You Are Divorcing and A Chilly Housing Market is Forcing You to Stay Under the Same Roof
Increasingly, GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professionals are hearing of a trend - which could remind folks of a tamer version of the movie, “War of the Roses.”
Current real estate market conditions have some divorcing couples looking to separate their lives, but realizing they can...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:30 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
How Much of a Mortgage Can I Afford?
Home ownership not only provides a great shelter for you at tax time. If you are in a higher income bracket that shelter can become even more valuable to you. It can also make good financial sense.
So, you may be asking, "How much of a mortgage payment can I afford?"
Rent:_____________________
Multiplier: X 1.32
Mortgage Payment:_____________
Mort...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:08 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Friday, 16 May 2008
What’s Up With Reverse Mortgages?
Not long ago, a GreatWest Real Estate professional lamented, that after being in the business of selling homes to folks for a couple of decades, something was beginning to happen. The agent was noticing more and more of those “kids” they had sold homes to in the early 1980’s were ringing them up and asking, “What’s up with Reverse Mortgages???”
Of course, those “kids” in the early 1980s,...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:01 AM in Category:
Free Information & ToolsLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
How to Sell Your Home in a Market Laden With Foreclosures
Most home sellers in Northern California, understand this isn’t a joyous time to be marketing property. Foreclosure numbers continue to rise, and are causing distress for sellers not in the same financial crisis as some homeowners, who are either trying to weather dramatically increased mortgage payments, while finding themselves owing more on their mortgage than the house is now worth. Still ot...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:40 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
A Couple Questions & Answers Regarding “Short Sales”
As homeowners grapple with declining home values, and in some instances, mortgage payments that have dramatically increased, GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals are increasingly be queried about Short Sales.
Often a seller will become concerned because they are unable to make house payments, but do still have an ability to make all or part payment of the negative equity. They may ho...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 12:46 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Improving Credit to Qualify for a New Mortgage
It isn’t unusual for GreatWest GMAC Professionals to come across clients, who would like to purchase a home, but are a tad skinny on qualifying for a new mortgage.
It is interesting to note that in fairly short order, a buyer can improve their finances enough to more readily allow for easier qualification of a home loan.
For instance, if you are someone, who has a few credit ca...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:32 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Short Sales – Advantages and Pitfalls
Looking back a few years, when the over-exuberance of the housing boom was being partially fed by the first ingredients of the sub-prime debacle, it was difficult to foresee in this present day, we would be ramping ourselves up to speed on “short-sales.”
As many GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professionals understand, “short-sales” can be anything but short in the process of negotiation with ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 6:41 AM in Category:
Free Information & ToolsLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
During this Important Tax Filing Season
During this Important Tax Filing Season it is Important to Remember the Value of Home Ownership.
Although during this tax-filing season we are keenly aware some homeowners are having difficulty paying their mortgages, it is important to realize the benefits which come with home ownership.
Here are some points to consider, and discuss with your tax professional:
· Mortgage int...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:02 AM in Category:
Free Information & ToolsLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Every Year at this Time
Every year at this time, folks have the feeling there is a little more in the air than love. Perhaps it’s the anticipation of another sharp pointed projectile aimed in our direction. This ‘other’ feeling isn’t coming from the warm caring feelings of one near and dear to us with the aid of Cupid’s bow. . . It comes instead in the form of Tax Forms from our not so ambivalent Internal Revenue Servi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:44 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Every Year at this Time
Every year at this time, folks have the feeling there is a little more in the air than love. Perhaps it’s the anticipation of another sharp pointed projectile aimed in our direction. This ‘other’ feeling isn’t coming from the warm caring feelings of one near and dear to us with the aid of Cupid’s bow. . . It comes instead in the form of Tax Forms from our not so ambivalent Internal Revenue Servi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:35 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Nationally Recognized Loan Agents
We were recently notified by GMAC Mortgage that two of our mortgage agents have been ranked nationally 3rd and 4th based on the quantity of loans obtained on behalf of their clients with GMAC. Heidi Leslie and Debbie Razwick are the recipients of these national awards that they will receive at the yearly GMAC conference. This is not the first time for either of these loan agents to receive natio...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 9:34 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 17 January 2008
7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home
1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS" found that a ty...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:57 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Real Estate Investing 101: Purchasing Rentable Properties
by Eric Bramlett
Purchasing real estate with the intent of turning it into an apartment or a house for rent can be an excellent financial decision. When you buy a property with the intent of renting it, however, there are several factors you should take into consideration in order to guarantee the best chance of successfully finding a tenant and making money from your investment.
A...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:57 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying
1. Find a real estate professional who’s simpatico. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no "right" time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to sec...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:32 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Turning Dreams into Reality
Turning Dreams into Reality
Not long ago, a Great West GMAC Real Estate professional lamented that as a child, she would often daydream about living in a home similar to the doll house she had. The doll house became among the most cherished of her memories.
As we grow older and hopefully mature to a certain degree, we realize that what we wish for as a child isn’t always possi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 3:44 PM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Reasons Why You Need a REALTOR
1. A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a str...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:26 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Reasons Why You Need a REALTOR
1. A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a str...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 5:22 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
The Top Ten Reasons It's a Great Time To Buy Real Estate!
by Paul Pastore
1. Selection, selection, selection. There are about 57,000 resale homes on the market in Maricopa county(Phoenix). Regardless of the price range a buyer desires, there are plenty of houses from which to choose. Just a few years ago the resale inventory dropped below 5,000 units. A buyer was forced to make compromises if they were going to locate the home of their dreams. ...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 7:52 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order
8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order
1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.
2. Reduce your de...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:56 PM in Category:
Free Information & ToolsLink directly to this article.
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Chicken Little
Everybody’s Business
Chicken Little’s Brethren, on the Trading Floor
By BEN STEIN
Published: August 12, 2007
THE job of an economist, among many other duties, is to put things into perspective. So, because I am an economist, among other duties, here is a little perspective on the recent turmoil in the stock and bond markets.
Here is the first instance in which prop...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 8:29 AM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Mortgage Market Mayhem
Swanepoel speaks out
RISMEDIA, August 13, 2007–The public media this past week headlined the apparent surprise “mortgage meltdown” as many reported the filing for bankruptcy protection by the nation’s 10th-largest residential financer; American Home Mortgage Investment Corp., Melville, New York. Real estate, contradictory to its glamorous profile a year or two ago, was again headlined but...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:13 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score
Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.
1. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.
2. How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended.
3. The length of your credit hi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:50 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score
Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.
1. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.
2. How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended.
3. The length of your credit hi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:43 AM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score
Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.
1. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.
2. How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended.
3. The length of your credit hi...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:18 AM in Category:
Market ConditionsLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate
When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.
How to Calculate Gain
In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:04 PM in Category:
Selling PropertyLink directly to this article.
Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate
When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.
How to Calculate Gain
In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:02 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate
When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.
How to Calculate Gain
In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 4:00 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 21 June 2007
8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order
1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.
2. Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 1:40 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score
Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.
1.Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.
2.How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended.
3.The length of your credit histo...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 12:06 PM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score
Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.
1.Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.
2.How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended.
3.The length of your credit histo...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:40 AM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
Monday, 14 May 2007
7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home
1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS? found that a typical h...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 3:13 PM in Category:
Buying PropertyLink directly to this article.
7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home
1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS? found that a typical h...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:55 AM in Category:
Mortgage & FinanceLink directly to this article.
7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home
1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS? found that a typical h...
Posted by Danh Nguyen at 11:41 AM in Category:
NewsLink directly to this article.
