properties: The Fed's Role in Crisis and Recovery - 08/19/10 12:06 AM
Despite its apolitical mandate, the Federal Reserve remains one of the most politically sensitive institutions in the world, as evidenced by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's opinion column on November 29th. In the piece, Bernanke criticized proposed legislation before the Senate that would seek to curtail powers given to the Fed over its near-century of existence. With approval of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency comes a new regulatory regime that may also threaten the dominant paradigm, changing the way business at the top is done for decades to come. What will the Federal Reserve's role be in this new financial landscape, and … (0 comments)
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properties: Mortgage Rates Hit A New All Time Low (For the Fourth Time This Month) - 08/19/10 12:02 AM
The 30 year rate fell from 4.49 to 4.44 this week. This is the 4th week in a row where rates have fallen. What's interesting is not only is 4.44 an all time low. But we have been hitting new all time lows for the last 4 weeks in a row. What is even more interesting is no one cares. The market is hardly reacting to bizarrely low interest rates. It's also gotten very little play in the press which might be a contributing factor.
The 15 year dropped from 3.95 to 3.92. The 5 and 1 year arms dropped … (1 comments)
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properties: The Jolly Area of Jollyville Road - 08/07/10 12:04 AM
Jollyville Road has recently become a mecca for shoppers, business people, and residents, due to its varied character, which is a combination of high tech businesses, shopping venues, and nice but fairly reasonably priced homes with big, shady yards.
The relatively recent addition of the Arboretum and the nearby Domain make the area a shopper's paradise, and there are numerous strip centers, restaurants, fast food establishments, and grocery stores, among other businesses. In addition, Great Hills Baptist Church is in the center of the neighborhood, and it is one of the largest and most active churches in Austin with numerous … (0 comments)
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properties: Find a Good Deal on an East Coast Vacation Home - 08/07/10 12:01 AM
Whether you're looking for a condominium, multi-family unit or a single-family home, you'll find an abundance available in the housing market in almost every major city in the U.S.
Florida's slumping home market has targeted this state for some sweet deals on real estate. You'll even find beach front property at astounding prices. Check out Cutler Bay, Fisher Island or Homestead, all in Miami-Dade County.
Nassau County has some great offerings, too, on Amelia Island. Right now you can get a beautiful condominium on Sea Marsh Road right next to Oak Marsh Golf Course listed at $100,000. It's … (2 comments)
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properties: Jobs in the Mortgage Industry - 06/27/10 03:35 AM
Foreclosures and short sales dominate the real estate market in many U.S. cities; although, the numbers seem to be evening out in certain areas. It takes manpower to process the increased workload for the mortgage industry and many companies are hiring. Not only does the lending industry need people to handle the new workload, there are various levels of employment required to run companies in the mortgage industry.
It is impressive how many different types of businesses are involved in the mortgage trade. Several related venues include banking and finance, mortgage and lending, credit unions, escrow companies and real estate … (0 comments)
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properties: Newlyweds -- Merge Mortgage With Refi - 06/27/10 03:28 AM
Couples who decide to get married have many decisions ahead of them as to how they will live their lives after they are married. Merging finances is typically one of the first things worked out. If both own homes, that issue should fall at the top of the list. One decision might be to keep both homes - live in one and rent the other out, and then do a mortgage refinance on both. Another might to sell one, live in the other and do a mortgage refinance.
How to Determine Which House to Sell
There are several … (0 comments)
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properties: Is Now A Good Time to Buy? - 05/16/10 03:22 AM
Have home prices hit rock bottom? Probably not in some areas and maybe not as a whole. Nonetheless, now could be the best time to buy a house. Even with the homebuyer's tax credit due to expire at the end of the month, there are compelling reasons to buy a house in the current economy.
This recession made a good case for the renting over buying argument. But as the country tentatively enters the recovery phase, buying a house makes sense in many circumstances. The rent versus buy analysis has many considerations, including home prices, how long you planning on … (6 comments)
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properties: Private Mortgage Insurance Basics - 05/01/10 04:04 AM
Keep in mind that when you buy a home and don't have 20 percent down, you may be required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI gives homebuyers the ability to buy a home with as little as three to five percent down. It also provides loan servicers assurance that, should your mortgage go into default and your home is foreclosed upon, the loan will be paid for. Those are the advantages, but there is a dark side to PMI.
A good example of this involves a recent bout Bank of America experienced with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. … (1 comments)
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properties: How to Become a Successful Real Estate Agent - 02/24/10 01:33 AM
What does it take to become a successful real estate agent and maintain that status?
With all the real estate agents in the troubled market right now, it's not surprising that new agents often don't last and brokers are finding it difficult to keep them. Although brokerages can assist new and existing agents in developing and honing their selling skills, there is one common trait to which all successful real estate agents attribute their success - the need to close the sale, and in record time.
It's amazing how many people think that being a real estate agent … (5 comments)
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properties: Federal Mortgage Assistance for Disaster Victims - 02/24/10 12:22 AM
Are you a homeowner or renter that lives in a declared disaster area? If so, you may be eligible for a low-interest, long-term loan for losses you've sustained that are not covered entirely by your insurance.
The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) provides affordable financial assistance for eligible homeowners and renters who live in declared disaster areas. Home and Property Disaster SBA loans provide federal assistance to repair and rebuild non-farm disaster loss in the private sector. The loans provided by this program are the only assistance the SBA does not limit to small business.
Up to $200,000 … (2 comments)
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properties: Home Loans - Use a Mortgage Lender or Broker? - 01/01/10 02:22 AM
Some people just have a preference based on experience and others need to research as to whether they want to use a broker or lender. There are some distinct differences between the two, and it is always good to be informed before you buy. Before subprime lending bit the dust, it used to be a greater advantage to use a mortgage broker. Today, that may not be such an advantage.
When you use a lender to finance your home loan, you are being loaned money for your mortgage out of the lender's own reserves, out of the lender's own pocket. … (1 comments)
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