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
Showing posts with label homes for sale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homes for sale. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Interest rates...
I know the rates are still really good, but be aware of changes~
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Daily Real Estate News | January 21, 2011 | Share
30-Year Mortgage Rates Inch Up
The rates on 30-year fixed mortgages increased slightly this week, with average rates rising 4.74 percent from 4.71 percent the previous week, Freddie Mac reports.
In November, 30-year rates had reached a 40-year low at 4.17 percent but have been inching upward ever since.
Here’s how other rates fared for the week:
15-year loan rates dropped to 4.05 percent from 4.08 percent.
5-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.69 percent, down slightly from 3.72 percent the previous week.
1-year ARMs were up slightly to 3.25 percent from 3.23 percent last week.
“Mortgage rates were little changed during the holiday week amid reports that inflation remains tame,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. The housing construction market as well as home builder confidence still remain low, Nothaft notes.
Source: “Tame Inflation Figures Leave Mortgage Rates Mixed,” Freddie Mac (Jan. 20, 2011) http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011012105?OpenDocument
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Daily Real Estate News | January 21, 2011 | Share
30-Year Mortgage Rates Inch Up
The rates on 30-year fixed mortgages increased slightly this week, with average rates rising 4.74 percent from 4.71 percent the previous week, Freddie Mac reports.
In November, 30-year rates had reached a 40-year low at 4.17 percent but have been inching upward ever since.
Here’s how other rates fared for the week:
15-year loan rates dropped to 4.05 percent from 4.08 percent.
5-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.69 percent, down slightly from 3.72 percent the previous week.
1-year ARMs were up slightly to 3.25 percent from 3.23 percent last week.
“Mortgage rates were little changed during the holiday week amid reports that inflation remains tame,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. The housing construction market as well as home builder confidence still remain low, Nothaft notes.
Source: “Tame Inflation Figures Leave Mortgage Rates Mixed,” Freddie Mac (Jan. 20, 2011) http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011012105?OpenDocument
Friday, December 3, 2010
Appraisal Standard changes...
These changes will bring more regulation and difficulties, since appraisers will not be easily held accountable... just hope you get a really good appraiser!!!!!!!!!
Daily Real Estate News | December 3, 2010 | Share
Fed Releases Updated Appraisal Guidelines
The Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration jointly on Thursday released the latest and what is expected to be final version of property appraisal guidelines.
The new guidelines set a standard for appraisal independence. Lenders can exchange information with appraisers, but they cannot "directly or indirectly coerce, influence, or otherwise encourage an appraiser or a person who performs an evaluation to misstate or misrepresent the value of the property."
Among other rules:
· Banks cannot tell the appraiser of any expected or qualifying estimate of value.
· Banks cannot specify a minimum value requirement for the property that is needed to approve the loan or as a condition of ordering the valuation.
· Banks cannot tie an appraiser's compensation to loan approval.
· Banks can’t blacklist an appraiser if his valuations fail to meet expected thresholds.
The agencies also clarified that broker price opinions (BPOs) don’t comply with the minimum appraisal standards.
Source: Housing Wire, Jon Prior (12/02/2010 http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010120303?OpenDocument
Daily Real Estate News | December 3, 2010 | Share
Fed Releases Updated Appraisal Guidelines
The Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration jointly on Thursday released the latest and what is expected to be final version of property appraisal guidelines.
The new guidelines set a standard for appraisal independence. Lenders can exchange information with appraisers, but they cannot "directly or indirectly coerce, influence, or otherwise encourage an appraiser or a person who performs an evaluation to misstate or misrepresent the value of the property."
Among other rules:
· Banks cannot tell the appraiser of any expected or qualifying estimate of value.
· Banks cannot specify a minimum value requirement for the property that is needed to approve the loan or as a condition of ordering the valuation.
· Banks cannot tie an appraiser's compensation to loan approval.
· Banks can’t blacklist an appraiser if his valuations fail to meet expected thresholds.
The agencies also clarified that broker price opinions (BPOs) don’t comply with the minimum appraisal standards.
Source: Housing Wire, Jon Prior (12/02/2010 http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010120303?OpenDocument
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Pending Home Sale Statistics...
Daily Real Estate News | December 2, 2010 | Share
Strong Rebound in Pending Home Sales
Pending home sales jumped in October, showing a positive uptrend since bottoming in June, NAR says.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, rose 10.4 percent to 89.3 based on contracts signed in October from 80.9 in September. The index remains 20.5 percent below a surge to a cyclical peak of 112.4 in October 2009, which was the highest level since May 2006 when it hit 112.6.
Last October, first-time buyers were motivated to make offers before the initial contract deadline for the tax credit last November. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said excellent housing affordability conditions are drawing home buyers. “It is welcoming to see a solid double-digit percentage gain, but activity needs to improve further to reach healthy, sustainable levels. The housing market clearly is in a recovery phase and will be uneven at times, but the improving job market and consequential boost to household formation will help the recovery process going into 2011,” he said.
“More importantly, a return to more normal loan underwriting standards and removal of unnecessary underwriting fees for very low risk borrowers is needed and could quickly help in the housing and economic recovery,” Yun said. Recent loan performance data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac clearly demonstrates very low default rates on recently originated mortgages, much lower that the vintages of 2002 and 2003 before the housing boom.
The PHSI in the Northeast jumped 19.6 percent to 71.3 in October but is 27.3 percent below the tax credit peak in October 2009. In the Midwest the index surged 27.3 percent in October to 81.7 but is 24.8 percent below a year ago. Pending home sales in the South rose 7.1 percent to an index of 93.8 but are 18.4 percent below October 2009. In the West the index slipped 0.4 percent to 104.3 and is 15.6 percent below a year ago.
Near term, Yun expects home sales will continue to climb from their cyclical low this past summer. “Even so, we now have some consumer concerns regarding the mortgage interest deduction, an important component in housing affordability,” he said. “Preliminary results of a new survey show nearly three out of four home owners and two out of three renters consider the mortgage interest deduction to be extremely or very important to them. Home owners already pay between 80 and 90 percent of all federal income taxes and additional tax burden would hurt them and the economic recovery, so we have a reasonable hope that it will not be changed.”
Source: NAR
Browse all of today's news
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010120201?OpenDocument
Strong Rebound in Pending Home Sales
Pending home sales jumped in October, showing a positive uptrend since bottoming in June, NAR says.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, rose 10.4 percent to 89.3 based on contracts signed in October from 80.9 in September. The index remains 20.5 percent below a surge to a cyclical peak of 112.4 in October 2009, which was the highest level since May 2006 when it hit 112.6.
Last October, first-time buyers were motivated to make offers before the initial contract deadline for the tax credit last November. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said excellent housing affordability conditions are drawing home buyers. “It is welcoming to see a solid double-digit percentage gain, but activity needs to improve further to reach healthy, sustainable levels. The housing market clearly is in a recovery phase and will be uneven at times, but the improving job market and consequential boost to household formation will help the recovery process going into 2011,” he said.
“More importantly, a return to more normal loan underwriting standards and removal of unnecessary underwriting fees for very low risk borrowers is needed and could quickly help in the housing and economic recovery,” Yun said. Recent loan performance data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac clearly demonstrates very low default rates on recently originated mortgages, much lower that the vintages of 2002 and 2003 before the housing boom.
The PHSI in the Northeast jumped 19.6 percent to 71.3 in October but is 27.3 percent below the tax credit peak in October 2009. In the Midwest the index surged 27.3 percent in October to 81.7 but is 24.8 percent below a year ago. Pending home sales in the South rose 7.1 percent to an index of 93.8 but are 18.4 percent below October 2009. In the West the index slipped 0.4 percent to 104.3 and is 15.6 percent below a year ago.
Near term, Yun expects home sales will continue to climb from their cyclical low this past summer. “Even so, we now have some consumer concerns regarding the mortgage interest deduction, an important component in housing affordability,” he said. “Preliminary results of a new survey show nearly three out of four home owners and two out of three renters consider the mortgage interest deduction to be extremely or very important to them. Home owners already pay between 80 and 90 percent of all federal income taxes and additional tax burden would hurt them and the economic recovery, so we have a reasonable hope that it will not be changed.”
Source: NAR
Browse all of today's news
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010120201?OpenDocument
Real Estate thoughts for Mendocino County
In looking behind and ahead, I see that we are slowly working through the worst of the downturn... but there is still so much to go!
I have been approached by some who wonder if the housing prices will drop again by a large percent, but in looking to the counties South of us, we see that is not likely to be the case. Sonoma County's lowest price ranges have been stabilizing and increasing a bit (only because they reached a "false" bottom due to the foreclosures), which is a good indicator for us in Mendocino County. Also, our own lowest price ranges have been stablizing in Ukiah and Redwood Valley, and Willits shall not be far behind...
But, there are others who hope that when the foreclosures trickle towards a stop, we shall see prices go up again-- to that I say, IF prices go up at all, it shall be by a VERY tiny amount (unless the value is rebounding from being affected by a "false" bottom in the lowest price ranges), but that we shall have years before any significant increase in prices occurs.
So, does one buy now or wait? Depends on what someone is looking for, really. If the property they want is available and suits their needs... they can afford the payments and are not paying too "over the current market" for it, then I would say that purchasing is a good idea. If someone is only waiting for the "real" bottom to buy, then they run a high risk of waiting until the prices do start back up... but by that point in time, perhaps they will not find what they want before they are priced out? All depends on the supply of homes and what is available at what time. However, if there is nothing out there that a buyer wishes to jump at, then do not feel forced! That is truly not the way to buy a home... there will be other properties on the market in future, and perhaps one of those will be the "one" for you.
Yes, the bank-owned properties offer good buys on the market, but I have also seen multiple offers and frenzies to buy that have driven the price above what I would have considered a "great buy"... so be careful of not falling into the emotional trap of a bidding war.
Lastly, never lose sight of what you qualify for, but more importantly what you are comfortable with! If you qualify for $300,000 but feel more comfortable with payments at a price of $250,000... then try to stay as close to the $250,000 as possible. Ask your agent for sales comparisons to the property you have interest in-- but understand that the condition of these comparisons may be drastically different (they can look a lot different on paper and on the internet as compared to real life), and there may be a reason for a price difference...
The goal should be for a positive transaction that makes all happy or at least satisfied... and go ahead and ask questions along the way. You are not unintelligent for needing to ask questions! Maybe we do not always tell you, but we have to ask a lot of questions ourselves in this constantly changing market. :)
I have been approached by some who wonder if the housing prices will drop again by a large percent, but in looking to the counties South of us, we see that is not likely to be the case. Sonoma County's lowest price ranges have been stabilizing and increasing a bit (only because they reached a "false" bottom due to the foreclosures), which is a good indicator for us in Mendocino County. Also, our own lowest price ranges have been stablizing in Ukiah and Redwood Valley, and Willits shall not be far behind...
But, there are others who hope that when the foreclosures trickle towards a stop, we shall see prices go up again-- to that I say, IF prices go up at all, it shall be by a VERY tiny amount (unless the value is rebounding from being affected by a "false" bottom in the lowest price ranges), but that we shall have years before any significant increase in prices occurs.
So, does one buy now or wait? Depends on what someone is looking for, really. If the property they want is available and suits their needs... they can afford the payments and are not paying too "over the current market" for it, then I would say that purchasing is a good idea. If someone is only waiting for the "real" bottom to buy, then they run a high risk of waiting until the prices do start back up... but by that point in time, perhaps they will not find what they want before they are priced out? All depends on the supply of homes and what is available at what time. However, if there is nothing out there that a buyer wishes to jump at, then do not feel forced! That is truly not the way to buy a home... there will be other properties on the market in future, and perhaps one of those will be the "one" for you.
Yes, the bank-owned properties offer good buys on the market, but I have also seen multiple offers and frenzies to buy that have driven the price above what I would have considered a "great buy"... so be careful of not falling into the emotional trap of a bidding war.
Lastly, never lose sight of what you qualify for, but more importantly what you are comfortable with! If you qualify for $300,000 but feel more comfortable with payments at a price of $250,000... then try to stay as close to the $250,000 as possible. Ask your agent for sales comparisons to the property you have interest in-- but understand that the condition of these comparisons may be drastically different (they can look a lot different on paper and on the internet as compared to real life), and there may be a reason for a price difference...
The goal should be for a positive transaction that makes all happy or at least satisfied... and go ahead and ask questions along the way. You are not unintelligent for needing to ask questions! Maybe we do not always tell you, but we have to ask a lot of questions ourselves in this constantly changing market. :)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Lending Money to Family...
Lending Money to family may be the only way to have a purchase close... but there are positives and negatives to doing this-- I think it can truly be a win-win, but do not blindly go into this!! Make sure you know the facts and the law, so that all can be informed and protected...
_______________________
Daily Real Estate News | November 29, 2010 | Share
How to Lend to a Family Member
Carrying a mortgage for a family member can be a good investment, but it can also be tricky. Here are a few things to consider.
The lender must be comfortable with the deal. While a 30-year term is a popular bank loan, private lenders are sometimes more comfortable with shorter loan periods like 15 or 20 years. A 30-year term could be made more attractive to the lender by introducing a higher rate of interest at 10-year or 15-year intervals.
Questions to answer before agreeing to make the loan include:
▪ How will the loan be paid off if the borrower dies or is otherwise unable to complete payment or sell the property for enough to pay off the loan?
▪ What happens if the borrower goes into bankruptcy?
▪ What if the borrower fails to make timely payments?
▪ Will the lender require the borrower to escrow the property taxes and insurance?
Also, put the details of the transaction in writing and record it at the local recorder of deeds office so the borrower can’t get another loan on the property or sell the home without paying off the borrower.
Source: Real Estate Matters, Illyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tankin (11/27/2010)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010112906?OpenDocument
_______________________
Daily Real Estate News | November 29, 2010 | Share
How to Lend to a Family Member
Carrying a mortgage for a family member can be a good investment, but it can also be tricky. Here are a few things to consider.
The lender must be comfortable with the deal. While a 30-year term is a popular bank loan, private lenders are sometimes more comfortable with shorter loan periods like 15 or 20 years. A 30-year term could be made more attractive to the lender by introducing a higher rate of interest at 10-year or 15-year intervals.
Questions to answer before agreeing to make the loan include:
▪ How will the loan be paid off if the borrower dies or is otherwise unable to complete payment or sell the property for enough to pay off the loan?
▪ What happens if the borrower goes into bankruptcy?
▪ What if the borrower fails to make timely payments?
▪ Will the lender require the borrower to escrow the property taxes and insurance?
Also, put the details of the transaction in writing and record it at the local recorder of deeds office so the borrower can’t get another loan on the property or sell the home without paying off the borrower.
Source: Real Estate Matters, Illyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tankin (11/27/2010)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010112906?OpenDocument
Bank Owned sales and problems...
Below is from Realtor.com regarding some of the problems with bank-owned homes... I recently had a sale where the bank/asset manager had forgotten to sign a couple of our CAR addendums (we had all agreed to their addendum so the contract could move forward) and because of that the loan funding was threatened (just a delay, but every day counts!)...
________________________________________________________________
Daily Real Estate News | November 29, 2010 | Share
Foreclosure Mess Leaves Some Buyers in Limbo
An increasing number of buyers of foreclosed homes are finding that they can’t close on the property because the foreclosure — and the sale — is derailed by a problem with the foreclosure paperwork.
“Many of these transactions will probably never close,” said Greg Rokeh, a manager of bank-owned real estate in Longwood, Fla., for Watson Realty Corp.
Rokeh said he has about 25 pending sales that are tied up in the document reviews. He predicts that most of buyers will give up and purchase a different property.
“We understand it is a huge inconvenience to buyers,” Freddie Mac spokesman Brad German said.
Source: Bloomberg, David Henry (11/24/2010)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010112904?OpenDocument
________________________________________________________________
Daily Real Estate News | November 29, 2010 | Share
Foreclosure Mess Leaves Some Buyers in Limbo
An increasing number of buyers of foreclosed homes are finding that they can’t close on the property because the foreclosure — and the sale — is derailed by a problem with the foreclosure paperwork.
“Many of these transactions will probably never close,” said Greg Rokeh, a manager of bank-owned real estate in Longwood, Fla., for Watson Realty Corp.
Rokeh said he has about 25 pending sales that are tied up in the document reviews. He predicts that most of buyers will give up and purchase a different property.
“We understand it is a huge inconvenience to buyers,” Freddie Mac spokesman Brad German said.
Source: Bloomberg, David Henry (11/24/2010)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010112904?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
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Don't forget, you first-time buyers... if you are interested at all, now is the time!! the deadline is this year, and if not extended, that will be that for this great tax credit that does not have to be repaid (in years past, it did)... check out this article, and check in with me if/when you have questions... and want to know the local market conditions.
"First-Time Homeowners Offered Tax CreditsBy Holden Lewis, bankrate.com Published: 5/14/2009This year some first-time homebuyers will charge their down payments to the taxpayer.Buyers will be allowed to use their first-time homeowner tax credits as down payments when they get FHA-insured loans, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan announced this week. Depending on the buyer's tax-filing status and the price of the home, the tax credit can be as much as $8,000.
The National Association of Realtors hailed the announcement, and asked taxpayers to subsidize all home purchases, and not just for first-time buyers.
The decision to finance first-time homebuyers' down payments with tax dollars was a highlight of a week that saw little change in mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates have been remarkably steady in the last few weeks. The Obama administration successfully adopted a policy of driving mortgage rates down and keeping them there. Observers believe that the Treasury and Federal Reserve are keeping rates in a narrow range by buying mortgage-backed securities whenever rates threaten to rise.
Donovan boasted about the effort to keep mortgage rates low when he spoke this week before a meeting of the National Association of Realtors. "And we are taking action to further help the housing market recover," he said as he introduced the down payment subsidy.
The down payment initiative is built onto this year's first-time homebuyers' tax credit, in which qualified buyers can get an income tax credit of 10 percent of the home's price, or $8,000, whichever is less. The credit is half that for spouses filing separately, and the credit phases out for higher-income filers.
Under the plan announced by Donovan, buyers can get a piggyback mortgage or an unsecured bridge loan for the amount of the tax credit when they get a Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgage. The piggyback or bridge loan can take the place of a down payment. Typically, FHA-insured loans require a down payment of at least 3.5 percent.
Borrowers will be expected to pay off the piggyback or bridge loans when they claim the tax credit on their 2009 returns next year or their amended 2008 returns this year. To claim the tax credit, buyers have to buy by the end of 2009.
"We think the policy is a real win for everyone, ensuring that borrowers can tap into the numerous organizations that are already part of the FHA network," Donovan told the Realtors. He cited a home builders' study that claimed that the tax credit will stimulate 101,000 sales to first-time buyers, and another 59,000 home sales to people who will be able to buy homes because first-time buyers bought their homes.
By using tax credits as down payments, buyers won't have to put some of their skin in the game by shelling out their saved-up cash to make down payments.
For years, the FHA grudgingly allowed down payment assistance programs, or DPAs, to operate. DPAs were a mechanism by which home sellers could indirectly fund buyers' down payments. A seller isn't allowed to supply the buyer's down payment money.
But DPAs exploited a loophole that allowed charitable organizations to make down payments for needy buyers. The DPAs accepted "charitable contributions" from sellers, then gave equivalent "donations" to the buyers to cover their down payments.
After years of griping about higher default rates on loans that used down payment assistance, the FHA persuaded Congress to ban DPAs last October as home sales were declining precipitously. Now it appears that the FHA will let the IRS replace down payment assistance programs.
The DPA business was dominated by two nonprofits: AmeriDream and Nehemiah. AmeriDream president Ann Ashburn told Bankrate: "By setting this policy, the FHA is tacitly acknowledging the mistake it made last October when it convinced Congress to ban charitable down payment assistance. That mistake cost hundreds of thousands of Americans the opportunity to become responsible homeowners, accelerated the decline in home prices, and likely delayed the housing market's recovery."
Ashburn added, "Down payment assistance must be a long-term, privately funded program, not a short-term subsidy funded by the U.S. taxpayer." She supports H.R. 600, a bill that would allow DPAs to resume their activities.
In response to the FHA's new down payment policy, the National Association of Realtors patted itself on the back. "Last year, NAR asked Congress to pass housing stimulus legislation, which passed and is beginning to show results," the Realtors' president, Charles McMillan, said."
http://www.frontdoor.com/Home-Finance/FirstTime-Homeowners-Offered-Tax-Credits/55087
Take care, and until next time,
Karena Jolley of the MendoGroup team
Coldwell Banker Mendo Realty Inc
lic 01482063
phone 707 354 2999
www.mendogroup.com
"First-Time Homeowners Offered Tax CreditsBy Holden Lewis, bankrate.com Published: 5/14/2009This year some first-time homebuyers will charge their down payments to the taxpayer.Buyers will be allowed to use their first-time homeowner tax credits as down payments when they get FHA-insured loans, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan announced this week. Depending on the buyer's tax-filing status and the price of the home, the tax credit can be as much as $8,000.
The National Association of Realtors hailed the announcement, and asked taxpayers to subsidize all home purchases, and not just for first-time buyers.
The decision to finance first-time homebuyers' down payments with tax dollars was a highlight of a week that saw little change in mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates have been remarkably steady in the last few weeks. The Obama administration successfully adopted a policy of driving mortgage rates down and keeping them there. Observers believe that the Treasury and Federal Reserve are keeping rates in a narrow range by buying mortgage-backed securities whenever rates threaten to rise.
Donovan boasted about the effort to keep mortgage rates low when he spoke this week before a meeting of the National Association of Realtors. "And we are taking action to further help the housing market recover," he said as he introduced the down payment subsidy.
The down payment initiative is built onto this year's first-time homebuyers' tax credit, in which qualified buyers can get an income tax credit of 10 percent of the home's price, or $8,000, whichever is less. The credit is half that for spouses filing separately, and the credit phases out for higher-income filers.
Under the plan announced by Donovan, buyers can get a piggyback mortgage or an unsecured bridge loan for the amount of the tax credit when they get a Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgage. The piggyback or bridge loan can take the place of a down payment. Typically, FHA-insured loans require a down payment of at least 3.5 percent.
Borrowers will be expected to pay off the piggyback or bridge loans when they claim the tax credit on their 2009 returns next year or their amended 2008 returns this year. To claim the tax credit, buyers have to buy by the end of 2009.
"We think the policy is a real win for everyone, ensuring that borrowers can tap into the numerous organizations that are already part of the FHA network," Donovan told the Realtors. He cited a home builders' study that claimed that the tax credit will stimulate 101,000 sales to first-time buyers, and another 59,000 home sales to people who will be able to buy homes because first-time buyers bought their homes.
By using tax credits as down payments, buyers won't have to put some of their skin in the game by shelling out their saved-up cash to make down payments.
For years, the FHA grudgingly allowed down payment assistance programs, or DPAs, to operate. DPAs were a mechanism by which home sellers could indirectly fund buyers' down payments. A seller isn't allowed to supply the buyer's down payment money.
But DPAs exploited a loophole that allowed charitable organizations to make down payments for needy buyers. The DPAs accepted "charitable contributions" from sellers, then gave equivalent "donations" to the buyers to cover their down payments.
After years of griping about higher default rates on loans that used down payment assistance, the FHA persuaded Congress to ban DPAs last October as home sales were declining precipitously. Now it appears that the FHA will let the IRS replace down payment assistance programs.
The DPA business was dominated by two nonprofits: AmeriDream and Nehemiah. AmeriDream president Ann Ashburn told Bankrate: "By setting this policy, the FHA is tacitly acknowledging the mistake it made last October when it convinced Congress to ban charitable down payment assistance. That mistake cost hundreds of thousands of Americans the opportunity to become responsible homeowners, accelerated the decline in home prices, and likely delayed the housing market's recovery."
Ashburn added, "Down payment assistance must be a long-term, privately funded program, not a short-term subsidy funded by the U.S. taxpayer." She supports H.R. 600, a bill that would allow DPAs to resume their activities.
In response to the FHA's new down payment policy, the National Association of Realtors patted itself on the back. "Last year, NAR asked Congress to pass housing stimulus legislation, which passed and is beginning to show results," the Realtors' president, Charles McMillan, said."
http://www.frontdoor.com/Home-Finance/FirstTime-Homeowners-Offered-Tax-Credits/55087
Take care, and until next time,
Karena Jolley of the MendoGroup team
Coldwell Banker Mendo Realty Inc
lic 01482063
phone 707 354 2999
www.mendogroup.com
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