for purchase: Buying a Home after a Short Sale - Don't Believe the Naysayers - 05/29/10 08:02 PM
I've written on this subject before but I want to be more thorough this time.  There have been too many articles put out lately that discourage people from contemplating a home purchase after doing a short sale.  These articles express cynicism about home sellers' financial habits and Realtors alike.  Most Realtors doing short sales know how to cover the bases for their client to make sure they're in a good position to buy a home down the road.  Further, in my area (Saint Paul, MN), nearly 39% of homeowners are upside down on their home.  Only a minority of these homeowners … (8 comments)

for purchase: The New Real Estate Boom(ers): Purchasing with Reverse Mortgages - 02/27/10 03:56 PM
In October of 2008, HUD rolled out their reverse mortgage product and in March of 2009, they perfected it.  With rates expected to rise and the tax credit setto expire, many real estate professionals are looking for new and under-served markets to reach out to.  Since HUD has perfected their reverse mortgage, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and the market for US residents 62 or older is expected to nearly double between now and 2050, perhaps now is their time.
A reverse mortgage is a loan where home equity is converted into a lump sum payment or series of payments … (6 comments)