Fannie Mae Loan Buyback Requests Up More Than 60% Year Over Year - 05/28/10 06:10 PM
We are definitely seeing a lot of mixed reports on where the housing market is going this year.  One thing that cannot be overlooked is the number of properties Fannie Mae is having to buy back. As a homebuyer this may be time to keep tabs on Fannie Mae's Homepath program for discounted homes.  Email me for details - info@garrick.biz
Excerpts from Fannie Mae's 2010 Q1 Form 10-Q:Pursuing Contractual Remedies. We conduct reviews of delinquent loans and, when we discover loans that do not meet our underwriting and eligibility requirements, we make demands for lenders to repurchase these loans or compensate … (0 comments)

4 Reasons Why Now is the Time to Refinance - 05/25/10 11:27 AM
There's no doubt about it: mortgage rates are low right now. This is not only a great time to consider buying a home, but also an opportune time for homeowners to refinance.But is refinancing always the right thing to do? When interest rates change in your favor, it's important to keep in mind your long-term personal finance goals. First, you'll want to take stock of your financial situation and reflect on where you want to be in the long run. With a clear vision of your needs and intentions, you can wisely consider some reasons to refinance, and clearly evaluate the … (0 comments)

Mortgage Rate Rally Extends As Housing Demand Slows Down - 05/21/10 03:22 PM
Wow!  Rates are really rallying!!! The stock market's reversal of fortune forced investors to reallocate their funds into risk averse assets like government guaranteed U.S. Treasuries . This sent benchmark yields lower and led mortgage-backed security prices higher which allowed lenders to reprice for the better. Mortgage rates ended the day yesterday, at the newly set 2010 mortgage rate lows.
We also received an economic report on consumer inflation: The Consumer Price Index. The CPI measures price changes on a fixed basket of goods and services that consumers purchase. Inflation is a high ranking enemy of interest rates.   The Federal Reserve … (0 comments)

REALTORS Bring Green Home Expo to Alameda Towne Centre - 05/17/10 06:35 PM
From the Alameda Association or Realtors Press Release...
Homes in Alameda have a new favorite color, and it's green.
Don't worry: our prized Victorians won't lose those colorful yellows, purples, and indigo exterior finishes; it's just that these beautiful homes may boast more and more "green" features. Many homeowners and home remodelers in the Island city are choosing a more eco-friendly approach to their dwellings, mirroring a national trend toward more eco-friendly housing and lifestyles.
With the advent of technologies aimed at energy conservation and improved performance, green homes focus on blending resource-efficient devices like tankless water heaters and dual pane … (0 comments)

Call it the do-it-yourself stimulus package. - 05/14/10 01:41 PM
With the expiration of the government's homebuyer tax credit, real estate firms, developers and home owners are already taking matters into their own hands-offering incentives or refunds to buyers after the credit expires.
Many real estate firms are pushing home sellers to offer incentives of their own, usually by agreeing to refund some of the purchase price to the buyer. Some developers are offering similar refunds to buyers of new homes or condos.
"In a way, it's marketing the property," says Gloria Marina, an agent at Florida-based real estate firm Esslinger Wooten Maxwell, who recently convinced a seller to offer an … (2 comments)

Freddie Mac's New Back End Ratio - 05/04/10 04:24 PM
Following Fannie Mae's announcement in November that Fannie Mae will only go to a 45 back end ratio, Freddie Mac changed their debt to income ratio unannounced last week. On Thursday April 29th Mortgage banks who use Freddie Mac's Loan Prospector® without warning announced that Freddie Mac is going from a 55.49% back end ratio to a 50.49% back end ratio.
Loan Prospector® is a risk assessment tool that gives you ready access to Freddie Mac's credit and pricing terms, making it easier for the mortgage loan originator to pre qualify a borrower based on those guidelines.
A debt-to-income ratio (often … (0 comments)

The Green Home Expo in Alameda July 17, 2010 - 05/04/10 04:22 PM
On Saturday, July 17th, 2010, from 10 am to 4 pm the Alameda Association of REALTORS® and their AFFILIATE Partners will host The Green Home Expo at the Alameda Towne Centre. The Alameda Association of REALTORS ® is proud to host this fun and informative event to promote the growing interest in green building, awareness, and lifestyle.
The Green Home Expo is a trade show showcasing the latest environmentally friendly products and services used in the homebuilding and home improvement industries. This is your opportunity to promote your products and services to both builders and consumers. Sponsorship and limited trade show … (1 comments)

 

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