Archive for January, 2010
Regardless of the industry there are certain buzzwords or words that seem like they are created simply to confuse the outsider. Near the bottom of the list for business goals should be confusing customers. Unfortunately it does happen and the one who stands the highest chance for damage is the most valuable of all; the customer.
Mortgage professionals throw around terms like an alphabet soup that would frighten even Vanna White. Words like ten oh three (1003) and respa (RESPA – Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act) fall out of their mouths like jelly beans out of a pinata.
Making it even a little more confusing for you different agencies use the same term to apply to different meanings and vice versa. Streamline and streamlined for example.
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) makes available a couple of different “streamline” loans. Freddie Mac (FHLMC) has their “streamlined” loan. Essentially they are the same product and if you phone an FHA lender and ask for a “streamlined” loan they will neither laugh at you nor hang up on you.
For all practical purposes streamline loans, whether a streamline refinance or otherwise, indicate something less is required or they go faster than a standard loan. For the FHA streamline refinance a little less documentation is required and sometimes less evidence of value is required.
— Ken Cook NMLS ID 208452
Changes always make for great conversation. Just a few years ago that conversation was relatively limited in reach to inner office or group communication. With the advent and proliferation of the Internet and all it brings information truly spreads at the speed of light. With everyone having the same amount of reach regardless of having the same knowledge and experience the “playing field” for readership is equalized.
The Federal Housing Administration, the arm of the Department of Housing and Urban Development which insures mortgages on millions of home, recently adopted some changes and announced a smattering of proposed changes which have the potential of making it more difficult for struggling Americans to enter the housing market or make a change in housing. Read the rest of this entry »
— Ken Cook NMLS ID 208452
HUD TAKES ACTION TO SPEED RESALE OF FORECLOSED PROPERTIES TO NEW OWNERS
Measure to help bring stability to home values and accelerate sale of vacant properties
WASHINGTON – In an effort to stabilize home values and improve conditions in communities where foreclosure activity is high, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a temporary policy that will expand access to FHA mortgage insurance and allow for the quick resale of foreclosed properties. The announcement is part of the Obama administration commitment to addressing foreclosure. Just yesterday, Secretary Donovan announced $2 billion in Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants to local communities and nonprofit housing developers to combat the effects of vacant and abandoned homes. Read the rest of this entry »
— Ken Cook NMLS ID 208452
The IRS has released their new form for the first time homebuyer’s tax credit.
The most important new line is here:
If you are claiming the credit on your 2009 (or later) tax return, you must attach a copy of the properly executed settlement statement (or similar documentation) used to complete the purchase (see instructions).
It seems the IRS finally wised up that people were fraudulently stating they had already purchased the home when indeed the purchase had not yet been completed.
Link to the document http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5405.pdf
— Ken Cook NMLS ID 208452
There is little secret about the devastation delivered to the real estate industry in the Atlanta area over the last twenty-four months. Values plummeted in 2009 as more properties made their way to the market through increasing numbers of foreclosures leaving banks and investors holding inventory unlikely to resell in months if not years.
Making matters worse many of the foreclosed properties are not in prime condition with many of them needing repairs to return them to livable condition. Add to this trouble the number of properties which have been vandalized while vacant and those continue to set in a deteriorating state further impacting the values of other properties in the area. Read the rest of this entry »
Community Outreach Leader and Licensed Loan Officer NMLS ID 208452 - office address 2300 Windy Ridge, Atlanta GA, 30339— Ken Cook NMLS ID 208452
Home buyers and home sellers across America have a friend and ally they may not be aware of. For many buyers the “perfect” location may not be the “perfect” home. Due to the recent downturn in the economy, which many agree will level out this year in spite of Congress’s best efforts to destroy it, there are many homes for sale either by private owners or lenders who have taken?possession.
Real estate owned is the common term for bank owned properties which many investors are well familiar with as REOs. The foreclosing lender rarely, if ever, will perform any upgrades or maintenance to the average home before putting it on the market. For buyers with 20% down and plenty of cash to cure the issue this is not a major concern. However with the increasing number of buyers using FHA for their fairly liberal 3.5% down payment this is an issue. Read the rest of this entry »
Community Outreach Leader and Licensed Loan Officer NMLS ID 208452 - office address 2300 Windy Ridge, Atlanta GA, 30339— Ken Cook NMLS ID 208452