How LOW will they go? - 06/28/10 08:13 PM
How many buyers will miss out on the lowest rate by holding out for that ever elusive lower rate????
 
Via Deborah Garvin California Mortgage Financing (Security One Financial):
So, once again rates are at "historical lows" and yet many consumers are sitting on the fence hoping to get the best rate... the lure of trying to time the bottom of the market has cost many a borrower a lot of money.  Remembering that for every economic analyst who predicts rates will go down there is another analyst who is predicting rates will go up.  The reality if that if they REALLY had a … (1 comments)

FEMA Still Unable to Issue New Flood Insurance Policies - 06/25/10 06:40 PM
As you may have read, The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) statutory authority to issue flood insurance policies under the NFIP ended as of May 31, 2010.  Until Congress reauthorizes the NFIP, FEMA may not issue new policies, increase coverage on existing policies, or issue renewal policies.
Until this is resolved, there is a process in place to allow continued closing of loans requiring flood insurance.  Eligible loans will closed (that do not have flood insurance) during the period of NFIP discontinuance, beginning on June 1, 2010 and continues until re-authorization of the NFIP, provided such re-authorization takes place on or before … (0 comments)

Kenny Rogers Lists Atlanta Home for $5.9 Million - 06/24/10 08:51 PM
Entertainer Kenny Rogers has listed his Buckhead mansion for $5.9 million.  Built in 1997, the home boasts 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths.  The home also features a pool, 3 fireplaces, and a 3 car garage. 
Rogers purchased the home in June 2006 for $2.8 million.  He completed extensive renovations on the property.  Annual property taxes are a staggering $52,693.15/year. 
Four years later, he is now ready to part with the home.  View photos of the property here. 
 

… (2 comments)

Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework - 06/24/10 09:35 AM
Purchasing a condo in today's lending market can be tricky. Its very important to get as many of the facts up front as possible.  FHA guidelines changed a few months ago and the condo approval process is much different than before.. 
Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):
Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework
 
Helping a client with the purchase of a townhouse recently has reminded me that a condominium purchase can actually be more involved than buying a single family home.  This is partially due to the fact that you need to be concerned, not only about … (5 comments)

Fannie Mae Secret Shopper Program | How-To LOSE Your REO Listings - 06/24/10 09:30 AM
REO agents be aware.  Fannie Mae is cracking down on listings now.
Via Tim and Julie Harris (Harris Real Estate University):
Thanks to ‘REO Listing Agent X’ for sending us this recent email from Green River Capital.
Hats off to GRC for cracking down the less than professional and ethical REO listing agents.
REO Listing Agents: Be warned, Fannie and Freddie are cracking down on their asset managers (GRC) to improve their results. Be certain that asset managers will be firing existing REO listing agents wholesale as we enter this next phase in the real estate crash.
Upside to this?
The opportunity to … (2 comments)

Prisoners Claim $9.1 Million in First Home Buyer Tax Credits - 06/23/10 04:30 PM
According to a report released today, nearly 1,300 prison inmates have improperly claimed nearly $9.1 million is tax credits.  It has been discovered that at least 1,295 inmates have so far filed false tax returns to claim the tax credit. 
The report states that 4,608 state and federal inmates have filed for these tax credits.  Of those, 1,295 slipped through with tax credit checks being issued. Of the 1,295, 795 of the inmates are serving life sentences.  Florida proved to be especially bad.  Over 60% of the lifetime inmates who received the credits are currently imprisoned in Florida.  That is really surprising an inmate would … (2 comments)

Current Tax Credit Deadline is June 30th - There is No Official Extension - 06/19/10 09:37 AM
"Senate Passes Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension" 
This is a sample of one of the headlines that most people have either heard or read.  This a true statement.  Most people forget though that Senate by itself cannot pass and implement this measure. 
On Wednesday, the Senate passed a bill to give home buyers another 3 months to close on their homes and still receive tax credits up to $8,000. The Tax Extenders Bill would apply to home buyers who met previous the April 30, 2010 deadline with a signed contract to purchase a new or existing primary residence. The amendment would extend … (3 comments)

Highest & Best - What Does This Mean???? - 06/18/10 08:38 PM
Highest & Best????

Have you lost out on a foreclosure purchase recently?  If so, chances are that you were asked to present your "Highest & Best offer."  When a property has mutilple offers, the REO seller will often request that buyers submit their final offer. 
Multiple offer situations can be common on newly listed properties and those with a recent price reduction.  A property typically has the most activity in the first 5-10 after it is listed or after it has had a price reduction.  When a buyer is deciding on their final offer, its very important to consider all of the … (2 comments)

More Atlanta Area Residents Sentenced in Mortgage Fraud Probe - 06/18/10 08:05 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Two North Metro Atlanta men among those arrested and sentenced in federal mortgage fraud probe.  Since March, over 500 people have been arrested in a Federal mortgage fraud probe. 
One was sentenced to 2 years and months while the other received 1 year and 9 months.  Both received fines for more than $2 million each.
 
… (0 comments)

Senate to Extend Tax Credit - 06/16/10 09:59 PM
Today, the Senate approved a plan to add 3 months to the tax credit closing deadline.  Originally set to expire on June 30th, this extension would give buyers until Sept 30th to close.  To qualify, the buyers must have a fully executed sales contract that is dated on or before April 30th. 
Introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the proposal was approved by a 60-37 vote.  It is estimated that as many as 180,000 buyers under contract may miss the current June 30th deadline.  First-time buyers are eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000. For current owners, the credit would be up to $6,500 for those who meet specific requeirements.
… (8 comments)

Home Inspection or Appraisal? - 06/16/10 08:30 AM
Understand the differences between a home inspection and an appraisal.
 
Via Will Handley (Progressive Inspection Service):
Home Inspection or Appraisal: What's the Difference?  
ASHI Sets the Record Straight for Homeowners and Buyers A home inspection is not the same as an appraisal What's covered in a home inspection report   Inspections can save time and money whether moving or staying  Des Plaines, Ill. (May 18, 2010) - According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing-home sales jumped 6.8 percent in March after three straight months of declines, with first-time homebuyers accounting for 44 percent of existing-home purchases. In preparing to finalize their … (1 comments)

Strategic Defaults: Buisness Decision or Ethical Delima????? - 06/13/10 10:44 PM
What exactly is a strategic default? 
A strategic default occurs when a homeowner has the means and capacity to pay their current mortgage payment.  Instead of continuing to make their on time payments, they choose to simply walk away from a home.  There is typically no mortgage payment increase, no job loss, no pay cut, no serious illness, no divorce or any of the other reasons that typically cause a homeowner to unwillingly lose their home to foreclosure.  Owners doing a strategic default do this primarily as a result of their property value dropping. A financial plan if you will.
Homeowner's strategically defaulting on their homes will only … (4 comments)

HOA's Sabatoging Sales - 06/13/10 12:06 PM
Here are some great points for anyone involved with your HOA.
 
Via Concord Real Estate-Sellstate Concord Realty:
This is an open letter to all the folks who sit on HOA Boards or live in a community that has an HOA. This is written by a person who is on the front lines to sell your homes as quickly as possible because it is common knowledge that the longer a house is on the market the lower the resulting sale price will be.
WE ARE IN A DECLINING MARKET. YOUR MANY RULES TO PROMOTE EXCLUSIVITY IS REDUCING THE VALUE OF EVERY HOME IN YOUR COMMUNITY! 
… (0 comments)

Jane Fonda Drops Price of Atlanta Loft by Over 45% - 06/12/10 10:28 PM
After just over 30 days on the market, Jane Fonda has slashed the listing price on her Atlanta loft by over 45%.  Initially listed at $4.5 Million, the Poncey-Highlands price was dropped to $2 Million earlier this week. 
In early May, Jane Fonda took to her blog to announce that she was listing her 4,700 3 bedroom/3 bath Poncey Highland loft for sale.  Check out the dramatic photos of her loft here, along with commentary on each of the rooms.  This loft, designed by Fonda herself.
Jane Fonda Exits Atlanta to Head West to LA - Lists Loft for $4.5 Million
                                                       
                                                                                              After "33 Variations" in … (7 comments)

AT&T Data Service Issues in the Southeast - 06/11/10 08:18 PM
If you have AT&T and are having trouble connecting to the network, there is a reason.  AT&T has confirmed that they are currently experiencing network issues with their wireless data service in the Southeast.  The spokesperson for AT&T did not know how many customers are being affected.  No ETA for a resolutionhas been announced.  Subscribers in GA, FL, and LA may be affected.  This comes on the heels of an iPhone outage earlier in the week.
… (3 comments)

Self-Employed???? Acceptable Use of Business Funds for Closing - 06/11/10 06:13 PM
Self-employed????  Is most of you money in your business account???
Under certain circumstances, self-employed buyers can use funds from their business banking account.  There are a couple of guidelines that must be met for this to be acceptable. 
They must be a 100% owner of the business.  Additionally, their CPA must confirm that the buyer's use of business funds will have no negative impact on the business.   Since a business account statement may show several deposits, be sure to keep copies of any check deposited into the account. 
 
… (3 comments)

Things to Ponder Before You Submit a Low Ball Offer - 06/10/10 11:29 PM
Here are some great tips to consider when making an offer.
Via Karen Crowson (Alain Pinel Realtors, Livermore, CA):
What was your first reaction when seeing this property?
Assuming that you’ve been there in person before writing an offer, the initial price must have been within your reasonable range, or you would have skipped it altogether. Was there something objectionable about the property supporting a lower price?
Is the home price overpriced or in step with the current market?
How does the price per square foot compare with others of equal size, location and condition? Is there a surplus of properties, or … (5 comments)

Zombies Invade Atlanta This Week - 06/08/10 10:59 PM
A new AMC drama, "Walking Dead" begins filming in Atlanta this week.  The new drama is set for an October 2010 debut.  Season One will consist of 6 episodes.  The series is based on the Robert Kirkman comic The Walking Dead. the series follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, traveling in search of a safe and secure home after a zombie apocalypse.
Filming will occur around Atlanta over the next several weeks.  This will require the closure of several downtown streets.  The production will close Walton, Forsyth and Poplar Streets.  The closure on Walton St will extend from Cone St … (0 comments)

Appliance Rebate Program - Georgia - Funds Are Still Available!!!! - 06/02/10 10:24 PM
Many Georgia residents have still not taken advantage of the appliance rebates current going on now.
The rebates range from $25 to $199 for a qualified purchases in the State Energy Efficient Appliance Program.  Georgia received approximately $8.6 million in funds to offer in the form of rebates. 

Rebate Funds Remaining as of 06/02/10: $2,977,988
Complete program details can be found at www.georgiarebate.com or (866) 296-1633.
See my previous post on this topic at Appliance Rebate Program - Georgia - LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!!.
Don't miss out!!!!
 
… (3 comments)

GA Residential Mortgage Fee to Increase to $10.00 - Efffective May 12, 2010 - 06/02/10 10:13 PM
On May 12, 2010, O.C.G.A. Section 7-1-1011(2)(b) was amended to increase from $6.50 to $10.00.  this is a per loan fee that must be remitted to the Department for each residential mortgage loan that closes for which a security deed, a modification of a security deed or other form of modification of a security interest is recorded.
For more information, visit my previous post at GA Residential Mortgage Fee to Increase to $10.00.
 
 
… (0 comments)

 

Find GA real estate agents and Atlanta real estate on ActiveRain.