athens: FHA 90 Day Flip Rule Extended Until December 31, 2014 - 01/11/14 09:05 AM
As a reminder, HUD has announced that the 90 Day Flip Waiver for FHA mortgages has been extended once again. On January 15, 2009, HUD announced a waiver to its restriction of a borrower being able to obtain FHA financing on a property that had been acquired by the seller in the 90 days preceding the sales contract date.
 
The initial Flip Waiver took effect on February 1, 2010. The expiration date of the initial Flip Waiver was set as 12 months from its start date. That originally had the waiver set to expire on January 31, 2011.  Prior to the … (1 comments)

athens: Prospect Mortgage Exclusive - Alabama HomePath Program 11-20 Financed - 09/15/12 02:47 AM
A brand new Fannie Mae HomePath® opportunity is now available to Alabama investors.  The Fannie Mae HomePath® loan program has now been expanded to allow up to a total of 20 financed properties (including those currently being financed) under an exclusive Prospect Mortgage loan program.  No other lender in the country can offer this special financing to AL buyers.
 
 
Only Prospect Mortgage gives you the opportunity to capitalize on both the below-market prices of foreclosures owned by Fannie Mae and the ability to carry financing on up to 20 investment properties for each investor. Most loan programs allow only four to … (0 comments)

athens: Refinance Today… Even If You Are Underwater on Your Alabama Mortgage! - 07/10/12 11:57 AM
If you are underwater on your Alabama mortgage, owing more on your loan balance than your home is worth right now; you may be able to refinance to a lower interest rate under the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Refinancing now, while rates are at historic lows, may save you money each month on your mortgage payment! Loan-to-value ratios have recently been eliminated, meaning that it doesn’t matter how underwater you are on your mortgage!
 
To qualify for an Alabama HARP 2.0 refinance, borrowers must meet the following criteria:
The mortgage must have been owned or guaranteed by … (0 comments)

athens: FHA’s Energy Efficient Mortgage Program - 03/24/12 10:19 AM
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athens: HUD Expands Identity of Interest Definition for FHA Mortgages - 03/06/12 12:57 AM
For all FHA mortgages, HUD recently revised its Family Member definition for Identity of Interest.   The definition of a family member, for purposes of Identity of Interest transactions has been expanded to include:  
·     Brother, stepbrother
·     Sister, stepsister
·     Uncle
·     Aunt
 
These changes are in addition to the previous definitions including:
 
·     Child, parent or grandparent 
·     Spouse
·     Legally adopted son or daughter, including a child who is placed with the borrower by an authorized agency for legal adoption
·     Foster child
 
An identity of interest transaction is a … (2 comments)

athens: New, Lower FHA Loan Limits for Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA - Effective October 1, 2011 - 07/10/11 08:56 AM
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 raised the maximum conforming loan limit in the contiguous United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to as high as $729,750.  Of course, most counties across the country saw much lower loan limits. 
Conforming loan limits, which had been raised for many high-cost areas throughout the country to a maximum of $729,750, are expected to expire September 30, 2011. After this deadline, high-balance loans will once again be classified as "jumbo" and carry a higher interest rate.
Once the maximum loan limits are lowered, the new FHA loan limit for the Athens-Clarke County MSA will … (0 comments)

athens: HAFA Short Sale Approval Criteria - 07/01/11 03:08 PM
In an attempt to reduce the increasing number of foreclosures, the U.S. Treasury Department introduced a new federal program last year help to streamlines the short sale process.  The program is designed to help home owners who can no longer afford to keep their homes.
The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program began on April 5, 2010.  It is currently set to end on December 31, 2012. HAFA is designed for homeowners who have applied to the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) for assistance, but have not had a success result with their loan modification program. Federal rules require servicers participating in HAMP to implement HAFA. For homeowners … (0 comments)

athens: HUD Temporary Flipping Waiver Extended Until December 31, 2011 for FHA Mortgages - 03/10/11 01:05 PM
HUD has announced that its temporary waiver of the 90-day flipping restriction is now in effect until December 31, 2011.  There are no changes to the Flip Waiver that was previously issued. 
The Flip Waiver is still subject to certain conditions.  In order to be eligible for FHA financing, the mortgages must meet these conditions to take advantage of the waiver.  The complete text of the waiver extension, including conditions the waiver is limited to, is available on the HUD website.
Some of the Flip-Waiver provisions include:
1. The amount of the Rehab/Repair may not be added as part of the Seller's acquisition costs.2. 2nd … (2 comments)

athens: Does Your Alabama 203K Lender Have an In-house Draw Department???? - 03/05/11 01:08 PM
Does your 203K lender have an in-house Draw Department????
This is one very important question that most Alabama buyers and real estate agents fail to ask when comparing mortgage companies that offer FHA 203K Renovation mortgage program.  There are many mortgage companies who do "offer" FHA 203K mortgages.  Most often, they only offer the Streamline version of the program.  Very few also offer the Consultant version of the program.  Surprisingly, even less of them actually have an in-house draw department.  In fact, there are only a handful of 203K lenders with an in-house draw department.
Why is this important, you might ask????
It is very … (0 comments)

athens: Does Your Georgia 203K Lender Have an In-house Draw Department???? - 03/05/11 12:16 PM
Does your 203K lender have an in-house Draw Department????
This is one very important question that most Georgia buyers and real estate agents fail to ask when comparing mortgage companies that offer FHA 203K Renovation mortgage program.  There are many mortgage companies who do "offer" FHA 203K mortgages.  Most often, they only offer the Streamline version of the program.  Very few also offer the Consultant version of the program.  Surprisingly, even less of them actually have an in-house draw department.  In fact, there are only a handful of 203K lenders with an in-house draw department.
Why is this important, you might ask????
It is … (0 comments)

athens: When Can I Get My Draw on My FHA 203K Consultant Mortgage? - 02/13/11 03:22 PM
When can I get my draw funds disbursed on my FHA 203K Consultant mortgage?  This is one very critical question that most borrowers fail to think about and ask upfront. 
When doing an FHA 203K Consultant Renovation mortgage, one very important aspect that many fail to consider is the draw process.  Once you have closed on your FHA 203K mortgage, your draw funds will need to be disbursed so that your contractor can be paid.  The Consultant 203K program does not allow for any of the renovation costs to be paid out up front prior to the work being completed. 
How the mortgage company handles that … (7 comments)

athens: FHA 203K Renovation Mortgage Flow - 02/13/11 05:27 AM
FHA 203K Renovation Mortgage Flow

When using an FHA 203K Renovation mortgage to purchase a home, there is a flow that needs to be followed.  When the proper course is followed, the FHA 203K approval process goes much smoother.
 

For all of your FHA 203K financing needs, call (404) 591-2453.
 
(2 comments)

athens: Can I Close On My Mortgage on Saturday or Sunday? - 12/21/10 02:47 PM
Question: Can I close on my mortgage on Saturday or Sunday?
Answer:  The answer to this question is no.  Mortgage closings are only held Monday through Friday.  Saturday and Sunday are not considered to be funding days for mortgage transactions.  Mortgage company and closing attorney/title company offices are only staffed to work a normal Monday through Friday week. 
Federal holidays also limit when a loan can close.  Since the Federal Reserve is not open on the weekends or on Federal holidays, mortgage companies cannot wire funds for the closing. 
Closings are also held during normal business hours as well.  While actual times will vary … (10 comments)

athens: FHA 90 Day Flip Financing Is Still Available - 12/11/10 03:13 AM
I have seen several inaccurate posts and comments lately regarding the ending of HUD's 90 Day Flip Waiver for FHA mortgages.  On January 15, 2009, HUD announced a waiver to its restriction of a borrower being able to obtain FHA financing on a property that had been acquired by the seller in the 90 days preceding the sales contract date. 
The waiver took effect on February 1, 2010.  The expiration date of the waiver was set as 12 months from its starting date.  That leaves the waiver to expire on January 31, 2011 unless HUD extends it further.
Over the past couple … (38 comments)

athens: Atlanta Now Ranks as 32nd Largest US City - 11/26/10 09:07 AM
Atlanta, GA now ranks as the 32nd largest US city.  This is according to a Business First report released November 22, 2010.  On that day, Atlanta's population is estimated to have reached 560,002. 
Last September, the US Census Bureau announced that Atlanta was the 33rd largest US city in 2009.  The estimated population then was estimated to be 540,922.   
These rankings are for just cities and do not include metropolitan areas.  The Atlanta Metropolitan area currently ranks as the 7th largest in the US.  As of November 15th, the population of the area is 5,659,044. 
Other GA cities making the list are:
Augusta - #115 … (1 comments)

athens: Alabama Investors Can Purchase With as Little as 10% Down - 07/15/10 02:08 PM
Investors in Alabama are now able to purchase properties with as little as 10% down.  Fannie Mae's HomePath® mortgage program is specifically for Fannie Mae REO properties.  Prospect Mortgage is pleased to be the nation's largest retail HomePath® mortgage lender.  Only a handful of lenders nationwide were selected to participate in Fannie Mae's special financing program. 
 
HomePath® Financing Highlights

Low down payment and fixed rate mortgage terms (30 & 15 Yr fixed-rate options) Up to 90% financing for Investment Properties for up to 4 financed properties Borrowers purchasing an investment property with maximum 75% LTV/CLTV can own up to … (0 comments)

athens: HomePath Financing - Buy a Home in Alabama With Only 3% Down - 07/14/10 03:21 PM
Buy a new home in Alabama with as little as 3% down.  Fannie Mae's HomePath® mortgage program is specifically for Fannie Mae REO properties.  Prospect Mortgage is pleased to be the nation's largest retail HomePath® mortgage lender.  Only a handful of lenders nationwide were selected to participate in this special financing program. 
HomePath® Financing Highlights
This special financing is available exclusively on Fannie Mae homes with the HomePath® logo.  Fannie Mae has properties available all over Alabama including: Anniston, Athens, Auburn, Bessemer, Birmingham, Boaz, Bridgeport, Clayton, Decatur, Dothan, Fairfield, Fairhope, Florence, Forestdale, Foley, Fort Payne, Gasden, Gulf Shores, Homewood, Hoover, Jasper, … (3 comments)

athens: HomePath Financing - Buy a Home in Georgia With Only 3% Down - 07/14/10 02:51 PM
Buy a new home with as little as 3% down.  Fannie Mae's HomePath® mortgage program is specifically for Fannie Mae REO properties.  Prospect Mortgage is pleased to be the nation's largest retail HomePath® mortgage lender.  Only a handful of lenders nationwide were selected to participate in this special financing program. 
HomePath® Financing Highlights
This special financing is available exclusively on Fannie Mae homes with the HomePath® logo.  Fannie Mae has properties available all over Georgia including: Acworth, Albany, Alpharetta, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Blairsville, Bloomingdale, Blue Ridge, Bogart, Brunswick, Buckhead, Buford, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Chatsworth, Clayton, College Park, Columbus, … (0 comments)

athens: Georgia Investors Can Purchase With as Little as 10% Down - 07/13/10 04:02 PM

 
Investors in Georgia are now able to purchase properties with as little as 10% down.  Fannie Mae's HomePath® mortgage program is specifically for Fannie Mae REO properties.  Prospect Mortgage is pleased to be the nation's largest retail HomePath® mortgage lender.  Only a handful of lenders nationwide were selected to participate in Fannie Mae's special financing program. 
 
HomePath® Financing Highlights
This special financing is available exclusively on Fannie Mae homes with the HomePath® logo.  Fannie Mae has properties available all over Georgia including: Acworth, Albany, Alpharetta, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Blairsville, Bloomingdale, Blue Ridge, Bogart, Brunswick, Buckhead, … (0 comments)