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Hope for USDA Rural Development

Earlier this week, the US House of Representatives passed the Rural Housing Preservation and Stabilization Act of 2010 (HR 5017). Through this legislation, the guarantee fee in the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) Program may be raised to offset any need for Congressional Appropriations (Currently we believe to 3.5%). Additionally, HR 5017 would authorize USDA Rural Development to guarantee up to $30 billion in loans in Fiscal 2010. This would represent an $18 billion in loan making authority for the remainder of the fiscal year. Before these changes can be implemented, similar legislative action will need to occur in the US Senate. Following the action in the House, the USDA Rural Development National Office sent an announcement that stated “Depending on Congressional activity with the proposed legislation it is possible that the Agency may consider issuing additional commitments.” We're getting closer!

USDA Funding May NOT Run Out

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Yesterday, the Kanjorski bill (HR 5017) passed unanimously in the House Financial Services Committee and we anticipate that it will be voted on by the Full House of Representatives early next week. HR 5017 is a bill aimed at supporting the rural housing market that has struggled to get passed. Also known as the Rural Housing Preservation and Stabilization Act of 2010, it will end the current method of using federal funding to backstop the guarantee and instead will fund the program through mandatory fees. HR 5017 ensures rural homebuyers access to affordable loans through USDA, but because these loans have tripled since 2006, federal funding will be running out literally in the next few days, making passage critical. Rep. Barney Frank, who is a big supporter of the program, expressed his concern that the program was going to run out of funding by the end of the month, and said that he was going to do everything possible to expedite the bill so that would not happen. In order to pay for

4 Energy-Efficient Renovations Homeowners Should Consider

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Homeowners should be proactive in making energy-efficient home renovations in order to receive the rebates outlined in President Obama’s new “Home Star Retrofit Rebate” program, recently introduced in Congress. If passed, the proposed $6 billion program could reduce energy costs for middle-class families by hundreds of dollars a year. Here ios an easy check-up list every homeowner can do to optimize the energy efficiency of their home: Windows and Doors Holes in windows and doors allow conditioned air to leak from your home and allow outdoor air to infiltrate, which can tax your heating and cooling systems and raise your energy bills. Caulk around windows and doors where there are gaps. Also caulk areas where plumbing lines or electrical wiring extend to the exterior of the home. Floor and Wall Insulation Insulation acts as a barrier to heat movement and helps keep any home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter—all while using less energy. Making sure insulation is used at pote

US Plan to Streamline & Simplify Short Sales

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The U.S. Treasury plan to help homeowners avoid foreclosure potentially applies to 75 percent of the mortgages in the U.S., including those backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (those two organizations are currently devising guidelines). The plan, which provides incentives for lenders and homeowners for completing Short Sales, is many-faceted: It provides incentives to lenders and borrowers for completing Short Sales It streamlines and standardizes the documentation necessary for Short Sales It limits the ability of subordinate lien-holders to obstruct the Short Sales process It sets limits on the time it takes lenders to approve or reject Short Sales requests It steps up pressure on lenders to make permanent the 650,000 trial loan modifications they started earlier in 2009 Incentives to Borrowers Under the plan, borrowers who complete a Short Sale are released from all mortgage debt. Additionally, they receive $1,500 for moving expenses. Incentives for Lenders The plan provides for pay

U.S. Plan to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

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Homeowners across the United States who are undergoing financial hardship could avoid foreclosure under a plan announced on Nov. 30 by the U.S. Treasury Department. Under the plan, millions of at-risk homeowners could be free of mortgage debt without going through foreclosure, and given $1,500 for relocation. The Treasury plan, which potentially applies to 75 percent of the mortgages in the U.S., including those backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (those two organizations are currently devising guidelines), provides incentives for lenders and homeowners for completing Short Sales – transactions in which the lender agrees to a sale price that's less than the borrower owes on the mortgage. Short Sales are preferred to foreclosure because homeowners take less of a hit on their credit and lenders realize a smaller loss. However, Short Sales often get bogged down because of the complicated nature of the transaction. Deals can fall through because they take too long. Buyers are discourag

Buy Now ~ Before the Cost Goes Up!

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Don’t forget the cost of FHA mortgage insurance is going up. But there is a window of opportunity to get an FHA loan before the this happens. As long as the the laon in obtained before April 5, you can get an FHA loan with 1.75% upfront mortgage insurance (versus 2.25% AFTER April 5). Why This Is Happening: · FHA’s capital reserve requirement mandated by Congress has fallen below the minimum requirement. · FHA makes up 1/3 of all financing in today’s market What Will Change: · Increase in the up front MIP Fee to 2.25% from 1.75% · FHA is also asking Congress to increase its monthly premium which is one of the major advantages compared to a Conventional Loan’s PMI rate. (This has not been finalized yet). · Seller concessions will be lowered to 3% from 6% - currently viewed as a reason to inflate appraisals. · Minimum Credit Score of 580 – lower scores require 10% down · Most likely will not increase the amount the buyer needs to bring to the table, but by increasing the PMI it will incr

The Truth About Appraisals

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Knowing the Guidelines Solves the Mystery The appraisal process often baffles consumers. They may feel that their home is worth a higher dollar amount, and so the appraised value doesn't always make sense to them. It is important to know that the appraiser is completely independent from lenders, buyers, sellers, and real estate agents, and that the guidelines to which they adhere are dictated by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and Fannie Mae. In most states, the mortgage lenders must also disclose the purpose of the appraisal, as each transaction carries its own set of rules. In essence, these important guidelines help appraisers put a fair market value on homes based on comparable sales in the same area, and the home must be bracketed in size and value. For example, there is no set dollar figure associated with a great view, pool, spa, bathroom upgrades, etc. If a homeowner installs a custom pool that cost them $30,000, but the local marketplace su

Make Sure You Are Getting the Best Tax Advice

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Recently I had a client call me to complain about how upset she was regarding the fact that she was only getting half of the $8000 tax credit. She had purchased a duplex a couple of months ago and was expecting to receive 10% of half of the sales price (since she was renting out the other half of the duplex and receiving rental income). She was, therefore, expecting to get $7500 (10% of $75K instead of 10% of the full purchase price of $150K) She was very upset because she had recently been to H&R Block to have her taxes done and they insisted on the fact that she was only entitled to half of the tax credit ($4000) rather than 10% of half of the purchase price ($7500). Now, I am not a tax accountant and don’t even pretend to be. But, I called the IRS and they confirmed that this is indeed wrong . She was indeed entitled to 10% of half of the purchase price ($7500), NOT half of the tax credit ($4000). So, don’t assume that H&R Block knows what they are talking about. If you

Handy Staging Tips for Sellers

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Selling a home can be challenging and time consuming for a seller. In today’s market, you must use “every trick in the book” in order to make your home appealing to the greatest number of buyers. Here are some handy staging tips that will help you prepare your home for selling... Get ready to move... Start packing! Before you show your home to any potential buyer be sure to go through your whole house with your agent to finish the Staging process. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to help you start. Follow these general tips and your home will look better than the competition. Staged Homes sell faster and/or for more money! INSIDE • Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items. In general, a sparsely decorated home helps the buyer mentally „move in‟ with their own things. • Rearrange or remove some of the furniture in your home, if necessary. Many times home owners have too much fu

Buying Distressed Properties - Part 3

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Purchasing Tips It's critical to have the home professionally inspected before you make an offer or put down earnest money. The inspector will assess the structure's soundness and may uncover problems that would be very costly to repair. Banks usually sell foreclosed homes as-is, meaning they won't make any allowances for repair. And even in a short sale, they likely won't make any such allowances, because they're already losing money on the transaction. You should have your financing in order before pursuing a foreclosure purchase. Pre-approved buyers have the best chance of getting the property in case of multiple offers. Also, banks generally aren't interested in contingencies (for instance, needing to sell your current home before purchasing another). You might also consider hiring an appraiser who'll tell you what the house is worth. A qualified real estate agent can also perform a Comparative Market Analysis. To guide you through the process - from obt