Recovering or Not

May 12th 2009

I am reading many talking heads these days and the opinions are as varied as the names on the byline. Well here is another one from me. There is evidence that the housing market is in a recovery. Most major markets are reporting price increases. The real down markets are only in four areas: northern California, Las Vegas, Phoenix and sections of Florida. Continue Reading »

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Updates on CHFA, Loan Modifications, and Condo Loans

April 8th 2009

Sorry I have not posted anything in a while. I had some shoulder surgery but there are few things that I wanted you to be aware of. If you are trying to sell a condo or have a buyer for a condo you will be interested to know this. You probably know that a condo complex needs to be FHA approved in order to do an FHA loan there. Now we are finding more and more convention loan programs that are requiring a similar approval. Continue Reading »

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Loan Modifications, Refinances, & Other Updates

March 16th 2009

I have had many People ask me about the new economic recovery legislation as it pertains to the Housing Market. There are 2 possible sources of help for you if you are in need of help, Loan Modifications, and Loan Refinances. The loan modifications are only for those home owners that are already behind on their payments. If you know of someone like that, the only course they have is to call their current servicing lender and work with them to modify their loan into a lower payment.

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The Only Constant Is Change

February 24th 2009

If we didn’t have things change this would be a really boring world but sometimes you wonder if things aren’t changing a little too much and too fast. Be that as it may, here some updates for you to ponder. You have probably heard that the stimulus bill was signed into law right here in Denver. Continue Reading »

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Update On Tax Credit & Appraisals

January 30th 2009

This is a short note but this is important for you to know. First CNN is reporting that the new stimulus package being reviewed by congress has a stipulation in it that will make the $7,500 first time buyer credit a true credit, not a 0% interest loan that needs to be paid back. Continue Reading »

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What does FICO 08 Mean for you?

January 22nd 2009

I just received some information that the Fair Isaac Company, or FICO, is going to be rolling out their new credit scoring model very soon. Here are some of the highlights that you and your clients should be aware of. First some of the good things. The new model will allow the use of some Authorized User accounts so that adding a spouse or child can benefit their scores. Continue Reading »

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What a Licensed Mortgage Broker means to you.

January 17th 2009

I recently passed my Colorado Mortgage Brokers License exam. Luckily I passed it on the first try. I now proudly display my license number on everything that I send out. I really am not trying to toot my own horn here but you should ask yourself what having a licensed Mortgage broker means to you. This means that I have attended 40 hours of training and that, hopefully, I know a little bit about what I am doing. It also means that I can be disciplined if I break any of the rules and laws. Continue Reading »

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FHA Issues and Updates for 2009

January 5th 2009

Well here we are on the cusp of 2009 and as we look at this Real Estate market there are lots of people willing to predict this, that, and the other thing. If you listen to the pundits we could either be well on our way to recovery by 2010 or we will all be living in a bread line “just like the great depression”. Continue Reading »

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The Rates Are Falling…The Rates Are Falling

December 16th 2008

In the last two weeks I have received several calls asking me if I believed that rates were going to come down to 4.5%. After all, if it’s on TV then it must be true. Well when the treasury secretary talks about it on TV then it really must be true…Sorry it’s all talk. At least the idea of the government “creating an environment that will bring rates down to 4.5%” is just talk. We will see what kind of proposition they come out with. Continue Reading »

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A Few Tips And Updates

November 20th 2008

Here are a few updates and reminders on loans and programs.
1) Remember that the new down payment for FHA is going to be 3.5% starting Jan 1.
2) The FHA 203K rehab loan is a great way to help a buyer buy a fixer-upper.
3) The new FHA loan limit for the Denver Metro Area is $368,000.
4) Conventional loans still have a loan limit of $417,000 in Colorado.
5) In order for a buyer to keep their current property as a rental they will need either 30% equity or 6 months of reserves for both new and current mortgage payments.

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