Pennsylvania Super Jumbo Mortgages - 01/24/11 09:47 PM

Super Jumbo Mortgage money is still available.  Super Jumbos are available for loan amounts up $2 million.   Some features of this program include...
80% financing for Purchases and Rate/Term Refinances up to $2MM Cash out up to 500K Interest Only or Fully Amortizing Second Home SFR Financing available up to $1MM  
Call me at 877-334-6094 to discuss these programs and for a quote on your next Super Jumbo, Agency Conforming Jumbo, or FHA "high balance" Jumbo.
 
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A Mortgage Program That Can Also Reduce Your Energy Bills - 01/22/11 12:59 PM
This winter has been particularly cold in Pennsylvania.  Homes with older windows, inadequate insulation and improper air sealing have a hard time keeping out the winter chill.  High utility bills can also cost homeowners quite a bit as they try to keep their home warm.  Is there a possible solution to reduce these bills and improve the energy efficiency of the home and at the same time get a low fixed rate mortgage? 
         Yes! 
The FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage program (EEM), sometimes referred to as a "Green Mortgage" allows homebuyers and homeowners to make their home more energy efficient.   A great feature of the EEM is … (0 comments)

Pennsylvania USDA Mortgages Offer 100% Financing - 01/21/11 11:35 AM
Using a 100% USDA mortgage is a great way to finance the purchase of your next home.  These are great loans for those who qualify and the USDA loan remains as one of the true no down payment programs out there. 
 
Benefits of a USDA Rural Dev loan include:                
True 100% no money down financing.                       The ability to finance in your closing costs (if the appraised value supports the loan amt) The seller may contribute up to 6% of the purchase price towards your closing costs Low interest rates More flexible qualifying guidelines with minimum 620 credit score  
 
 
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Does the $8000 Homebuyer Tax Credit Need To Be Repaid If I Sell My House? - 01/17/11 04:30 PM
The $8000 tax credit that expired last June placed a lot of new homebuyers in their very first house.  Most of these first time buyers probably planned on owning these homes for years and years to come. 
We all know that sometimes life gets in the way of even the best laid plans.  Unexpected life events such as a job transfer, divorce, or financial difficulty can cause a homeowner to sell their newly acquired home before they planned.  One of the key stipulations to the $8000 tax credit was that the homeowner had to live in the property as their primary residence for 3 years. 
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Are You Pre-Approved or Just Pre-Qualified? - 01/17/11 01:01 PM
When shopping for a home it always a good idea to check in with your mortgage lender and make sure that obtaining a mortgage for a property will be possible.  Making sure there are no mistakes on your credit report and that income, debts and assets are in line is a crucial step to purchasing a home.  Many home buyers hear that they should get "preapproved" or "prequalified" but often do not know exactly what the differences are between these terms, what exactly each entails or which one they should actually be seeking.
A pre-qualification is a simple review of a borrower's credit, … (0 comments)

Buy a Foreclosure with a Low Downpayment and No Mortgage Insurance - 01/14/11 04:02 PM
Fannie Mae offers incentives to Homebuyers in Pennsylvania who are looking to buy a home that they own.  Fannie Mae offer these incentives through the Fannie Mae Homepath Program.   HomePath mortgages provide up to 97% financing, with no Mortgage Insurance requirement and no appraisal, for purchase of FNMA owned real estate owned (REO) properties. 
The combination of low downpayment and no Mortgage Insurance makes this an attractive mortgage program.  Combine that with the fact that many REO properties are already priced at a discount make this an opportunity for Pennsylvania Home Buyers to make an affordable purchase with great appreciation potential.
Some highlights … (2 comments)

Is Old Man Winter Holding Up Your FHA Closing? - 01/12/11 05:50 PM

FHA appraisal policies have always dictated that certain exterior repairs (peeling paint, faulty handrails, broken porch step, etc) be completed before the mortgage can close.  Sometimes completing some of these minor repairs can be near impossible if the weather will not cooperate. 
Peeling or chipped paint is a common FHA exterior repair.  When the appraiser notes the need for scraping and painting, what do you do when it is 10 degrees outside?  
Pressure washing a deck to remove chipped paint when it is below freezing may result in you turning your deck into an ice rink.  This might serve you … (4 comments)

Allegheny County Property Tax Relief - 01/12/11 03:15 PM
 
Homeowners in Allegheny County are eligible for some relief from property taxes.  Under the Homestead Act, residents of Allegheny County are able to reduce the tax assessed value of their primary residence by $15,000.  For example if the tax assessed value of your home is $140,000, you can apply for the Homestead exemption and have your home's tax assessed value reduced to $125,000. 
This can add up over time.

The annual county tax on 140K is $656. (140 x the county millage rate of 4.69)
The annual county tax on 125K is $586. 
Not life changing savings but … (0 comments)

Reverse Mortgages in Pennsylvania - 01/10/11 04:10 PM
1. What is a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets you convert a portion of the equity in your home into cash. The equity that built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to you. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrower(s) no longer use the home as their principal residence. FHA's HECM provides these benefits. You can also use a HECM to purchase a primary residence if you are able to use cash on hand to pay the difference … (0 comments)

Pennsylvania Mortgage Rates - 01/10/11 11:33 AM
Mortgage rates are still at very low levels in Pennsylvania.  Low Mortgage Rates increase your Home Purchase power and bring more homes into your price range.  Now is the time to see if you can take advantage of these low rates to purchase a home.   
Call today for a free consultation to see what you qualify for.  It is always a good idea to know exactly how the mortgage payment you qualify for factors into your current budget and your future financial goals.   The maximum amount that someone can qualify for does not not always equate to what they can truly afford.  Many factors … (2 comments)