buying a home: Are YOU making your financial life harder than it needs to be? - 05/17/13 02:47 PM
 
Are YOU making your financial life harder than it needs to be?  
     Are YOU paying more for utilities, insurance(s), rent, and cell phone plans than your friends are?  You might want to take a look at your Credit ...      Seems I'm always compelled to write something on the topic of Credit.  Why it's important to have good Credit.  How to establish good Credit.  How to improve or repair your Credit.  How to keep good Credit Scores ... and much more.      It also seems there's good reason to be concerned about this topic too.  Personally, as a … (10 comments)

buying a home: "And Now You Know the Rest of the Story" - 04/26/13 01:07 PM
  "And Now You Know the Rest of the Story"      When I was a kid, one of the most popular radio stars of the era was  Paul Harvey.  Known for his folksy style and storytelling, Paul Harvey's radio program filled the air waves for around 50 years.  The thing I remember most about him was how he always signed-off each broadcast saying ... "And now you know the rest of the story."      I have to admit to you, I've been pretty tempted to borrow Paul Harvey's famous line lately.  Especially when explaining mortgage qualifications and mortgage options with … (43 comments)

buying a home: Once Again an Option for Home Buyers: 3% Down Conventional Financing Program - 04/15/13 12:27 PM
 
Once Again an Option for Home Buyers:  3% Down Conventional Financing Program          There's no doubt about it, Financing has been tighter over the last few years.  And, that's as it needed to be.  But it's my opinion, that we are beginning to see some movement towards "loosening" of the tight standards that have now become the norm.
 
     That impression was backed-up by an article I found today in the  New York Times  entitled,  "Signs of Easier Money for Mortgages".  The author of this article speaks of a revival of some types of mortgage programs … (44 comments)

buying a home: Warning: Credit Bureaus Don't Forgive or Forget Quickly! - 04/10/13 09:23 AM
 
Warning:  Credit Bureaus Don't Forgive or Forget Quickly!      
     Today, I am frustrated ...
     And the scenario over which I am so frustrated has now popped-up a few times within a very short time.        What's the scenario?      Multiple new clients have contacted me for financing. Both purchase and/or refinancing assistance has been requested.  Many of these clients have related that they have been contemplating taking action for a quite a while.  Great!  So what's frustrating about all of this?      A handful of these clients have made late payments on a car … (24 comments)

buying a home: What are Appraisers Looking For in Current Chicagoland FHA Assignments? - 04/08/13 10:57 AM
 
What are Appraisers Looking For in Current Chicagoland FHA Assignments?    
     FHA loans have been gaining a lot of attention as of late.  As of  April 1st, FHA annual mortgage insurance premiums rose  on the majority of FHA loans by 0.1%, or 10 basis points.       Still, even with the rise in cost, FHA is a viable option for many potential Buyers to consider for mortgage financing.  With that said, as with all financing options, the final choice (and wisdom) of mortgage program lies in the individual applicant's personal financials and credit ... and is something that needs … (3 comments)

buying a home: "Will the Mortgage Process Get Easier Soon?" - 04/05/13 02:23 PM
"Will the Mortgage Process Get Easier Soon?"        I'm questioned about the topic of mortgage processing all the time.  But probably the question I hear most often, especially from those within the industry is, "Will the mortgage process get easier soon?"      It'd be easy to give a quick answer ... and say "yes" or "no".  But truthfully, I believe the answer is really ... "maybe".      After reading yet another news article on this topic just this morning,  ("When Will Mortgage Lending Standards Ease?" by Tim Manni, U.S. News & World Report),  I thought it time to … (8 comments)

buying a home: What's the POINT of Points, Rate Locks, and Floating Your Interest Rate When Obtaining Mortgage Financing in Chicagoland? - 04/04/13 08:25 AM
 
What's the POINT of Points, Rate Locks, and Floating Your Interest Rate When Obtaining Mortgage Financing in Chicagoland?  
     Not too long ago, I wrote a post asking for input as to topics I should blog about.  Wow!  I need to be careful what I ask for in the future.  I got lots of great suggestions, and I'll be addressing some today and more in the future.
     2 of the questions I received were from  ActiveRain Member Michael Setunsky,  Michael's Commercial, Northern Virginia.  They were:
"When is it a good time to lock in a … (14 comments)

buying a home: "Mortgage Anatomy 101" ... the Current Mortgage Process, Part 3" - 03/28/13 02:08 PM
 
"Mortgage Anatomy 101" ... the Current Mortgage Process, Part 3"      
      In Part 1 of the post,  "Mortgage Anatomy 101" ... the Current Mortgage Process"  ... I detailed much of what happens in the initial portion of your mortgage process.  In Part 2, I dug a little deeper into the mortgageprocess and touched upon your mortgage file's submission into  Underwriting,  the Underwriting itself, and then Loan Approval.  
      In this Part 3, the last article in the series, I will talk about the Closing of your home's financing.  Your Mortgage Closing is the … (11 comments)

buying a home: David, not Goliath, is Perfect for the Job - 03/27/13 04:36 PM
 
David, not Goliath, is Perfect for the Job            I often hear the line, "I talked to ....  (fill in the name of a BIG Bank)  ... and they told me that they will give me a loan at  (fill in a ridiculously low interest rate)".   I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard it.        When I hear that said, I know that mentally a line has been drawn by that potential client.  I know that any conversation held and any information received will be compared to what the … (6 comments)

buying a home: "Mortgage Anatomy 101" ... the Current Mortgage Process, Part 2" - 03/26/13 03:34 PM
 
"Mortgage Anatomy 101" ... the Current Mortgage Process, Part 2"      In Part 1 of the post, "Mortgage Anatomy 101" ... the Current Mortgage Process" ... I detailed much of what happens in the initial portion of your mortgage process.      In Part 2, I will continue to dig deeper into the mortgage
process and touch upon your mortgage file's submission into  Underwriting, the Underwriting itself, and then Loan Approval.      At this portion of the mortgage process, your  Loan Officer  and Loan Processor have reviewed your file and agreed that it is ready for submission into Underwriting.  All … (9 comments)

buying a home: "Mortgage Anatomy 101" ... the Current Mortgage Process, Part 1 - 03/25/13 03:54 PM
 
"Mortgage Anatomy 101" ...  the Current Mortgage Process, Part 1
     There's no doubt about it ... the current mortgage transaction bares little resemblance to the transaction that took place even a few years ago.  The process has definitely evolved.
 
       I liken these changes, to say  Fred Flintstone  evolving into  Iron Man.  Initially fairly simplistic, with few details ... eventually turning into very sophisticated and advanced.  For clients that have navigated a mortgage process even a few years ago or prior, the current process may seem almost unrecognizable.  They'll face a vast learning curve when … (4 comments)

buying a home: Don't assume. Pick-up the phone, email, text today. Get the facts as they pertain to you and your personal finances. You may just end up a home OWNER ... - 03/01/13 03:47 PM
 
Don't assume.  Pick-up the phone, email, text today. Get the facts as they pertain to YOU and YOUR personal finances. You may just end up a home OWNER ...  
     There are many people presently renting and dreaming of Buying a Home at some point "in the future".  After hearing or reading information or talking to others regarding the housing crisis and mortgage financing, they have come to the conclusion that they just can't buy a home now.  Or anytime soon.      For some, that's true.  Their conclusion is based on fact.  Fact surrounding their finances or … (9 comments)

buying a home: Helpful Info & Hints for First-Time Homeowners Filing 2012 Taxes - 02/25/13 11:58 AM
 
Helpful Info & Hints for First-Time Homeowners Filing 2012 Taxes  
     By now, you should have received the end-of-year information you need to file your 2012 taxes.  If you were a new First-Time Home Buyer during 2012, this year will be your first opportunity to claim any tax savings available to you through your homeownership.
     *  Hoping to join the rank of  Home owner ... or discover the benefits of owning your own home?  Contact me  today!  We'll work together to get you on the best and most speedy path to home ownership possible.      I … (21 comments)

buying a home: The Questions You Should Ask Your Mortgage Lender in Order to Receive the Best Mortgage Financing for Your Needs - 02/21/13 02:12 PM
 
The Questions You Should Ask Your Mortgage Lender in Order to Receive the Best Mortgage Financing for Your Needs      In earlier posts, I have addressed some major issues surrounding mortgages, mortgage processing, and mortgage closings.   
     In my post,  "WHY Home Buying Transactions Must Begin With Home Buyers Getting Pre-Qualified!",  I spoke of the great importance of being  pre-qualified  for your mortgage financing prior to viewing homes.   In   "Your Preparation and Planning for Buying a Home Needs to Start Well in Advance of Your Viewing of Homes",  I addressed the time-frame you should follow … (12 comments)

buying a home: Tearing the Heart Out of a Housing Transaction - 02/18/13 01:42 PM
 

Tearing the Heart Out of a Housing Transaction

     I heard it again just this weekend.  A home's Appraisal came in nearly 25% below the Sales Price agreed upon ($200,000 - $250,000 range).  The news was tearing the heart out of the Buyer, Seller, and their agents.  Heck, the entire transaction!
       I ask ...


    Can the market recovery truly establish any solid footing if Appraisals continue to get in the way of a Buyer and Seller's agreement of terms?  Or can the market really rectify and heal itself with prices established … (28 comments)

buying a home: Your Mortgage Closing: What You Can Expect - 02/12/13 01:46 PM
 
Your Mortgage Closing:  What You Can Expect  
     You've gone through Mortgage Pre-Approval ... the Mortgage Application itself ... the verifying of employment(s) and savings accounts ... the documentation needed ... and  Underwriting.  You've complied to every request presented to you.  Answered every question.  Dotted every "i" ... crossed every "t".        Gulp!   Now what?      The Mortgage Closing.   The culmination of all your hard work and what you have been planning for over the previous months!      Just how do you determine when your Closing should take place though?  Well, first ... a date … (11 comments)

buying a home: Changes are Ahead! The "Perfect Storm" for Buying a Home Will Not Last Forever - 02/05/13 08:13 AM
 
Changes are Ahead!  The "Perfect Storm" for Buying a Home Will Not Last Forever  
     If you're hoping and dreaming of becoming a First-Time Home Buyer, you're probably currently battling with yourself over the timing of a home purchase.        Is NOW the best time?  Or should I wait a bit longer?      If you have:   *  A secure job ..  *  Excellent credit ..  *  Savings for a Down Payment ...  the answer to those questions is probably fairly clear to you.  And you may already have taken steps towards achieving your goal.      But if you … (82 comments)

buying a home: A Wedding - Home Buying Registry What Do You Think? - 01/25/13 02:44 PM
 
A Wedding - Home Buying Registry What Do You Think?        Prior to my wife joining me in my business, she worked in a local travel agency owned and run by one of her best friends.  For many reasons, she loved her job there.  Can you think of a job that could be more fun that promoting travel and travel destinations?  And the clients!  They were typically a pretty upbeat, fun group.  Especially those planning their honeymoons.      I think my wife would have stayed working at the travel agency forever had business not come to a screeching … (19 comments)

buying a home: Credit: Who Needs It? Why is it Important? How do you Establish it? - 01/21/13 07:10 PM
 
 
Credit: Who Needs It?  Why is it Important? How do you Establish it?      I've been receiving more and more inquiries from young potential Home Buyers as of late.  That's reason for celebration, as I believe now is a great time to enter the housing market.  With home prices still affordable and interest rates so low, there truly is a golden opportunity for young Buyers.
     But with the growing number of young Buyers, I am also seeing a larger number of hopeful clients with what is deemed as  insufficient credit "histories".  That can mean several things, but … (29 comments)

buying a home: No drama needed. No magic necessary ... - 01/15/13 02:15 PM
 
 
No drama needed.  No magic necessary ...      The headline reads ...  
"Home Equity Regains $2 Trillion"    
 
        
     As a homeowner, does that headline grab your attention?  Have you been following the home sales in your own area?  Do the sales appear as though they've turned a positive corner?  
     If the answers to the above are "YES!" ... the idea of  Refinancing  your present mortgage must (and should) be banging around in your head.  And rightfully so.  Today's low interest rates are awfully tempting.  And the news above … (60 comments)

 

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