Could be of real help to those trying to keep their homes...
"Obama Expected to Unveil Housing Aid
DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011
President Barack Obama is expected to announce Monday new policies to help struggling home owners, including a move that would allow borrowers to refinance their mortgage at current low rates no matter how much their home values have dropped.
The announcements are expected to unveil looser terms to qualify for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), which helps borrowers up-to-date on their mortgage payments refinance, despite a drop in their home values.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, also is expected to end a cap that excluded home owners from HARP who had mortgages that were higher than 125 percent of the home’s value.
Many borrowers who are underwater on their properties have been unable to refinance their mortgage since they do not have enough equity in their properties. The administration’s plan is expected to eliminate “appraisals and extensive underwriting requirements for most borrowers” who are up-to-date on their mortgage and want to refinance at a lower rate, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Obama is also expected to announce a reduction in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan fees and a waiving of fees for borrowers looking to refinance their mortgages into shorter terms. Lenders could start refinancing, following the new policies, as early as Dec. 1. However, mortgages that are more than the current loan-to-value limit may have to wait until early next year, according to media reports.
Housing experts believe that allowing underwater home owners to refinance at the current low rates will allow home owners to shave hundreds from their monthly mortgage bills and possibly help avoid foreclosures and free up more household cash to spur economic recovery in other areas.
Source: “WSJ: Home Lending Revamp Planned,” The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 24, 2011) [log-in required] and “Obama to Unveil Housing Plan on Campaign Swing West,” Reuters News (Oct. 24, 2011)"
http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2011/10/24/obama-expected-unveil-housing-aid
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Help with closing costs for buyers///
Hey, this could be good for some people! Glad they're still thinking of ways to help homebuyers...
"Daily Real Estate News | April 13, 2011 | Share
Fannie Offers Closing Cost Help for REOs
Fannie Mae is trying to lure more buyers to its foreclosure properties by offering to cover 3.5 percent in closing costs for home owners who close by June 30 on its HomePath properties.
Fannie’s HomePath program provides low down payment financing on REO property sales and has no requirements for mortgage insurance or appraisals.
During the fourth quarter of last year, Fannie offered closing cost assistance and was able to recoup 55 percent of unpaid principal balance on defaulted mortgages through the sales."
Source: “To Move REO, Fannie Offers Deals to Consumers,” National Mortgage News (April 12, 2011)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011041301?OpenDocument
"Daily Real Estate News | April 13, 2011 | Share
Fannie Offers Closing Cost Help for REOs
Fannie Mae is trying to lure more buyers to its foreclosure properties by offering to cover 3.5 percent in closing costs for home owners who close by June 30 on its HomePath properties.
Fannie’s HomePath program provides low down payment financing on REO property sales and has no requirements for mortgage insurance or appraisals.
During the fourth quarter of last year, Fannie offered closing cost assistance and was able to recoup 55 percent of unpaid principal balance on defaulted mortgages through the sales."
Source: “To Move REO, Fannie Offers Deals to Consumers,” National Mortgage News (April 12, 2011)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011041301?OpenDocument
Friday, January 21, 2011
We need more jobs!!!
Surprise, surprise. We need more jobs!!!
"Daily Real Estate News | January 21, 2011 | Share
Job Recovery is Vital for a Strong Economy
With the exception of financial companies, corporate profits in 2010 were the highest ever, which should bode well for U.S. job recovery, says NAI Global Chief Economist Peter M. Linneman. “This could be a real stimulus for the economy,” unlike government efforts which just shifted existing funds around, he says.
The problem so far is that this $1.3 trillion of excess cash isn’t translating into new jobs. Linneman, who made his remarks during a Jan. 18 webcast, attributes the inactivity to uncertainty over political policies and regulation. But he adds that once corporations achieve a level of certainty, spending “could pick up much quicker than people realize.” “I’m very optimistic about this happening,” he says.
Yet, even if job growth returns to normal rates of approximately 1.7 million new jobs per year, it will take about five years to replace the 9 million lost jobs and absorb current vacant office space. “About 85 percent of vacancies today are due to job loss, not overbuilding,” Linneman says.
Jobs are also the catalyst for multifamily demand growth, says Linneman. With more than 2 million “pent-up households," there will be more households than units waiting for them if the economy begins to add jobs at a more normal pace."
Source: "Global Economic Outlook Web Conference," Peter Linneman, NAI Global (Jan 18, 2011)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011012101?OpenDocument
"Daily Real Estate News | January 21, 2011 | Share
Job Recovery is Vital for a Strong Economy
With the exception of financial companies, corporate profits in 2010 were the highest ever, which should bode well for U.S. job recovery, says NAI Global Chief Economist Peter M. Linneman. “This could be a real stimulus for the economy,” unlike government efforts which just shifted existing funds around, he says.
The problem so far is that this $1.3 trillion of excess cash isn’t translating into new jobs. Linneman, who made his remarks during a Jan. 18 webcast, attributes the inactivity to uncertainty over political policies and regulation. But he adds that once corporations achieve a level of certainty, spending “could pick up much quicker than people realize.” “I’m very optimistic about this happening,” he says.
Yet, even if job growth returns to normal rates of approximately 1.7 million new jobs per year, it will take about five years to replace the 9 million lost jobs and absorb current vacant office space. “About 85 percent of vacancies today are due to job loss, not overbuilding,” Linneman says.
Jobs are also the catalyst for multifamily demand growth, says Linneman. With more than 2 million “pent-up households," there will be more households than units waiting for them if the economy begins to add jobs at a more normal pace."
Source: "Global Economic Outlook Web Conference," Peter Linneman, NAI Global (Jan 18, 2011)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011012101?OpenDocument
Sunday, November 29, 2009
TAX CREDITS FOR REPEAT HOME BUYERS :)
Do check this out, especially if you are thinking of buying another primary residence before the end of April 2010!!
"Frequently Asked Questions
About the Move-Up/Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit
The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has established a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010).
The following questions and answers provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation."
http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq2.php
"Frequently Asked Questions
About the Move-Up/Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit
The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has established a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010).
The following questions and answers provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation."
http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq2.php
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
People Still Want to Buy Homes
LOOK!! People still want to own homes out there :)
Take care,
Karena Jolley
MendoGroup team
CBMR
http://www.MendoGroup.com
"Daily Real Estate News | August 19, 2009 | Share
Study: Americans Still Want to Be Home Owners
Despite all of the bad news in the media about homeownership and mortgages, most Americans still believe buying a home is a great investment, according to a new study commissioned by Bankrate.com.
Among the findings from the study:
92 percent say that a home is a good investment for the future.
48 percent worry about losing or being unable to afford their homes.
"These results provide an interesting illustration of the public's mindset in a difficult economy," says Julie Bandy, editor in chief at Bankrate. "While nine out of 10 still believe in the American dream of homeownership, nearly half worry about losing their homes.”
Source: Bankrate.com (08/18/2009)"
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2009081901?OpenDocument
Take care,
Karena Jolley
MendoGroup team
CBMR
http://www.MendoGroup.com
"Daily Real Estate News | August 19, 2009 | Share
Study: Americans Still Want to Be Home Owners
Despite all of the bad news in the media about homeownership and mortgages, most Americans still believe buying a home is a great investment, according to a new study commissioned by Bankrate.com.
Among the findings from the study:
92 percent say that a home is a good investment for the future.
48 percent worry about losing or being unable to afford their homes.
"These results provide an interesting illustration of the public's mindset in a difficult economy," says Julie Bandy, editor in chief at Bankrate. "While nine out of 10 still believe in the American dream of homeownership, nearly half worry about losing their homes.”
Source: Bankrate.com (08/18/2009)"
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2009081901?OpenDocument
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
More taxes we don't need in real estate
Hello, check this out-- new bills that cost us more money in the long run!!
Can they just work to fix our economic situation WITHOUT always thinking of new ways to tax us to death?? This one sounds like its small in the beginning, but DO NOT allow this ball to roll downhill... more and more transfer taxes/etc will really add up...
"How AB 827 & 985 affect your business:
AB 827 allows counties to collect up to an additional $3 for the recording of a real estate document, on top of other existing recording fees. Counties will then be allowed to use the proceeds from the additional "fees" to pay for the archiving of historical documents, including those from local agency meetings, records pertaining to transportation or "other records of public or historical" interest. Again, since the charge doesn't directly pay for the RECORDING of documents, it is a TRANSFER TAX, and under existing law must be approved by the voters.
In the case of AB 985, county recorders are using computer scanning now to search for, and expunge, social security numbers from records and C.A.R. has sought to have the same mechanism applied to illegal restrictions. The author has refused. C.A.R. has continued to oppose the bill because it does not utilize modern data processing methods to search for illegal restrictions and is a disguised tax. Over the last three years only about two dozen correction requests have been received statewide. AB 985 will encourage local government to overcharge for a correction program and use these funds for other programs. The $60 million the bill will raise in the first three years far exceeds the costs of actually correcting the property records in question. Again, since the fee collected does not directly pay for the RECORDING of documents, it is a TRANSFER TAX, and under existing law must be approved by the voters."
http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/carealtors/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=42608098&r=Fp3nAn6aN5kj
Can they just work to fix our economic situation WITHOUT always thinking of new ways to tax us to death?? This one sounds like its small in the beginning, but DO NOT allow this ball to roll downhill... more and more transfer taxes/etc will really add up...
"How AB 827 & 985 affect your business:
AB 827 allows counties to collect up to an additional $3 for the recording of a real estate document, on top of other existing recording fees. Counties will then be allowed to use the proceeds from the additional "fees" to pay for the archiving of historical documents, including those from local agency meetings, records pertaining to transportation or "other records of public or historical" interest. Again, since the charge doesn't directly pay for the RECORDING of documents, it is a TRANSFER TAX, and under existing law must be approved by the voters.
In the case of AB 985, county recorders are using computer scanning now to search for, and expunge, social security numbers from records and C.A.R. has sought to have the same mechanism applied to illegal restrictions. The author has refused. C.A.R. has continued to oppose the bill because it does not utilize modern data processing methods to search for illegal restrictions and is a disguised tax. Over the last three years only about two dozen correction requests have been received statewide. AB 985 will encourage local government to overcharge for a correction program and use these funds for other programs. The $60 million the bill will raise in the first three years far exceeds the costs of actually correcting the property records in question. Again, since the fee collected does not directly pay for the RECORDING of documents, it is a TRANSFER TAX, and under existing law must be approved by the voters."
http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/carealtors/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=42608098&r=Fp3nAn6aN5kj
Thursday, August 13, 2009
zillow... good for some areas, bad for others
Hey, everyone. Zillow can be great for residential neighborhoods, and now there are statistics to show where it can fall short: rural Counties like Mendocino, where the houses and properties are not all cookie-cutter, has a much larger margin or error for Zillow.
Look at
http://www.zillow.com/howto/DataCoverageZestimateAccuracyCA.htm
and see for yourself. It does not mean that everyone should stay away from Zillow-- it has great uses! But, just be aware... that's all!
Take care, and until next time,
Karena Jolley
MendoGroup team
Coldwell Banker Mendo Realty
707 354 2999
mendogroup@yahoo.com
www.mendogroup.com
lic 01482063
Look at
http://www.zillow.com/howto/DataCoverageZestimateAccuracyCA.htm
and see for yourself. It does not mean that everyone should stay away from Zillow-- it has great uses! But, just be aware... that's all!
Take care, and until next time,
Karena Jolley
MendoGroup team
Coldwell Banker Mendo Realty
707 354 2999
mendogroup@yahoo.com
www.mendogroup.com
lic 01482063
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Confidence, Everyone!!!!!!!!!
Okay, I had not known about this one before (and they have not asked for my opinion, either!!)
The Real Estate Confidence Index at http://agent.point2.com/reci.asp shows what real estate professionals are feeling every month. "They rate the current local real estate market, what they expect over the short-term (3-6 months), and what they expect over the medium-term (6-12 months)."
How are you feeling?? Depending on the day, I have a slightly different viewpoint!
Take care,
Karena Jolley of the MendoGroup team
at Coldwell Banker Mendo Realty, Inc.
707 354 2999888 590 3334 fax
www.MendoGroup.com
http://mendogroup.blogspot.com/
dre# 01482063
The Real Estate Confidence Index at http://agent.point2.com/reci.asp shows what real estate professionals are feeling every month. "They rate the current local real estate market, what they expect over the short-term (3-6 months), and what they expect over the medium-term (6-12 months)."
How are you feeling?? Depending on the day, I have a slightly different viewpoint!
Take care,
Karena Jolley of the MendoGroup team
at Coldwell Banker Mendo Realty, Inc.
707 354 2999888 590 3334 fax
www.MendoGroup.com
http://mendogroup.blogspot.com/
dre# 01482063
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