Self-employed borrowers present one of the most challenging areas of mortgage underwriting. Qualifying self-employed people often requires time, energy, and patience. A fair and honest qualification requires a special set of skills. Most mortgage companies underwrite their loans based on guidelines established by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), …
Tag: tips
Dec 02
How to avoid common breakfast mistakes
Many people start their day with diet blunders. Here’s how to correct them, with help from Dr. Wayne Andersen, an obesity specialist in Maryland and medical director for Take Shape for Life, a weight loss program: Skipping breakfast … Dieters often use this strategy, but numerous studies have found breakfast eaters are more likely to …
Dec 01
Pending real estate sales index rises 9.2%
Pending sales of U.S. existing homes jumped 10.4 percent in October, according to an index released today by the National Association of Realtors. The monthly increase in NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index is the largest since an October-to-November jump last year, and continues a recent trend in the index’s gradual rise for the year. October’s …
Dec 01
Research Is important for Home Buying
If you are in the market to buy a home in the next few months, make sure you do preliminary research to determine exactly what your needs and wants are. Use the internet, tour the community and speak to neighbors within the prospective neighborhood. Need help figuring it all out? Call me, I can help. …
Dec 01
Things school doesn’t teach you about money
Robert Kiyosaki is perhaps still best known as the author of the “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” series of books, which almost 15 years ago began indoctrinating the world on his then-unconventional wealth-building strategies. The books emphasize the use of leverage (debt) to build real estate investment portfolios and businesses, and largely eschew stock market investments, …
Nov 30
BUYERS: The Seven Steps After The Contract Is Signed!
You’ve signed the contract and are looking forward to moving into your new home, but there are a few steps that cannot be overlooked. By following these easy steps, you will ensure yourself a smooth move into your new home. 1. First, get the home inspected. Arrange a time to return to the property for …
Nov 30
Should You Consider Listing Your Home During the Holidays?
As the holidays approach, I’m always asked the same questions: Should we keep our property on the real estate market or take it off? Do we list now, wait until after the first of the year, or hold off until spring? In the past, conventional wisdom said you shouldn’t try to sell a home during the holidays. …
Nov 22
9 ways to keep lid on energy bills
Air leaks can infiltrate surprising places No one likes wasting money, especially in these tough economic times. So it certainly makes sense — dollars and cents — to make a small investment of time and supplies to close up those heat-wasting air leaks around your home. It’ll pay back big dividends in reduced energy bills …
Nov 21
BUYERS: How To Find Out What Is In Your Credit Report!
Anyone who has ever had a bank account, mortgage, credit card, car loan, or account with a retail store will invariably have a credit rating. Most information in your credit rating comes from companies you have credit with, as well as from certain public records such as tax liens, bankruptcies, judgments and lawsuits. It is …
Nov 18
HARP Mortgage Refinance Program
What is the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)? Announced in March 2009, HARP is a federal government program designed to help 5 million underwater or near-underwater homeowners refinance into a fixed loan with a lower monthly payment. However, as of Aug. 31, only 894,000 borrowers have refinanced through HARP. On Oct. 24, 2011, President Obama …
Nov 17
Housing Must Be a National Priority
(SOURCE: National Association of Realtors) – The struggling housing market needs to be a priority on the nation’s public policy agenda, because housing and homeownership issues affect all Americans. That was the message from speakers at the Legislative and Political Forum yesterday at the 2011 Realtors(R) Conference & Expo. Realtors(R) at the National Association of …
Nov 17
Thanksgiving meal costs 13 percent more in 2011
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) announced that the total cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will increase by $5.73 to $49.20 — about 13 percent higher than last year. The AFBF reports that the increase is the largest it has seen in 26 years of this informal price survey. The biggest bump in …
