Thugs and Czars

In case you did not know, interest rates are exceedingly right now.  But, you have not found the home you want to buy yet?  No Problem... there are loans available now that you can lock the interest rate now and then shop for your home.  You can lock the rate for 6 months and be guaranteed to close at that rate if you close within ...

With all the negative reports in the media about the housing slowdown, it is small wonder that you would be afraid.  Despite some of the mortgage options not being available (you did not want them anyway), now is the RIGHT time to buy!  Let me point out a few facts that back up that claim: 1.)  Rates are lower right now than they ...

On October 1, 2007, HUD prohibited the source of down payment assistance that consisted of funds provided by the seller, or any other person or entity who financially benefits from the transaction.  The funds also could no longer be from any third party that is reimbursed by the seller.  This regulation was effective 10/31/2007.  ...

More on yesterday's post... Sure enough, 'good' new is 'bad' news for mortgage interest rates.  Today, we hear that 110,000 new jobs were created in August, as well as 118,000 new jobs in June and July.  Today, the mortgage interest rates are higher, but not a huge jump.  For a 30-year fixed rate, it looks like ...

Only 15% of the subprime loans became foreclosures, but we got rid of ALL subprime loans. They also got rid of 80/20 loans, which can be good.  This, I feel, is one of those things that can and does hurt lenders.  If no one is investing in the home, and the market value goes down, it is easy to walk from the property.  And, the ...

There is no magic that will get your buyer for your home tomorrow.... BUT, there are ways to get your buyer quicker.  Here is a list of DO'S AND DON'TS: 'DO' LIST 1.  In this market where there are 13 months of inventory, you must HIRE A PROFESSIONAL REALTOR to market your home effectively.  Get an agent who works ...

Well, here we are in the middle of 2007, with an excess of homes on the market and fewer buyers who can qualify for them due to the interest rates being higher than the last time they looked at buying a house and the lenders tightening up their lending practices to afford more foreclosures.  What a predicament!  Well, I think the lenders ...

A couple of things to remember if you pay down your mortgage by adding extra principle to your payment.  1) The interest that you can write-off on your taxes will become less.  2)  The amount that you use to pay your mortgage down will not reduce your payment if you are on a fixed-rate mortgage.  3)  The money that you put ...

With the market being somewhat depressed in Gwinnett, and the Atlanta Metro area in general, you need to know what to do in a depressed market. Since there is currently a large inventory of homes, it seems like there are not enough buyers to go around.  And, there is not.  The interest rates are up and the types of ...

There are great deals in the suburbs north of Atlanta!  In previous years, the Atlanta area had approximately 80,000 homes on the market entering the summer months.  Now, this summer, we are entering the summer with over 109,000 on the market.  Sellers are lowering their prices to get buyers' attention, and homebuilders are ...