The Diminishing Value of HARP 2.0

While home prices in the country have seen a promising increase (more than 12% in the past year), HARP 2.0, one of the most popular refinance programs of the past few years, is seeing a decline in popularity.  The reason for this is since the HARP 2.0 program allows for high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages, and […]

Mortgage Requirements Are Loosening for Prime Borrowers

A recent Federal Reserve survey of domestic loan originators shows that out of more than 70 banks within the US, most are loosening their mortgage lending standards—more in the last quarter than at any time during the last 10 years.  This survey, conducted once per quarter by the Federal Reserve, ascertains what the national lending […]

Rising Rates and Selling Your Home

If you’ve made the decision to sell your home – whether for a career move, retirement, or to move on to the next phase of your life from a starter home or into a downsized house – you might be watching the rising interest rates with some apprehension.  After all, higher rates means more expensive […]

Rates are rising. Is this the right time to refinance or a buy a house?

The Calm Truth about Rising Rates

Interest rates are rising.  House Hunters are watching those rates nervously, and they’re worried – quite sensibly – that rates will continue to rise.  But if you’ve been thinking about buying a home, all the recent news about rising interest rates and high home prices shouldn’t scare you off.  Just the opposite: Now is the […]

Top 5 Locations to Sell a Home in the Current US Market

As the housing market recovers—much to the relief of those of us who depend on that recovery—there are obvious shifts occurring throughout the country showing where the top sellers’ markets are.  According to Realtor.com’s most recently published data, there are five particular cities demonstrating a quicker turnover of inventory through low median time on the […]

Freddie Mac Publishes Latest Mortgage Trends Showing Upward Trajectory

Is the market looking up for you and your real estate business?  If not, it should be showing signs of improvement soon according to the latest report issued by Freddie Mac.  Although financing rates are certainly not at the lowest they’ve been in the past year, the good news is that the overall market outlook […]

The Reach and Scope of HARP

Since its inception, HARP has helped approximately 2.2 million struggling homeowners refinance their underwater mortgage under more favorable terms, leaving the state of America’s housing market in a much better condition than what it would be without the program.  Beginning in April 2009, the HARP program was initiated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) […]

Top 5 Changes in the Mortgage Industry for 2013

A lot of changes are happening in the mortgage industry for 2013, thanks to increased regulation and the lending industry tightening down on its rules.  Knowing about these changes will help you make the best decision whether 2013 is the year for you to apply/refinance.  Tip 1: Now’s The Time To Refinance Rates are expected […]

Changes Coming to FHA Mortgage Program in April 2013

After announcing a $16.3 billion deficit in November of 2012, FHA is on the verge of needing taxpayer bailout.  In order to avoid this, FHA mortgage programs are expected to undergo a series of changes over the next few months—changes that will assist in raising the Federal Housing Authority’s reserves.  Most significant among these changes […]

Qualifying to Maximize the Mortgage Insurance Premium Deduction

Image courtesy by @ zacks.com While the Obama administration has come under fire for raising taxes to avoid a “fiscal cliff,” there is a light at the end of the tunnel for taxpayers who are seeking to lower their taxes, and that light is home ownership.  Moving expenses, home equity debt, energy credits, home-office deductions, mortgage interest—the […]

Concerned About Tax Rate Hikes? Don’t Miss Out on a Significant Tax Deduction

The buzz over probable tax rate increases has put taxpayers on both sides of the political divide in a state of concern over how it will affect their income in the coming year.  The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted into law on January 2, 2013 and represents a compromise measure that permanently […]