May 13, 2024 | Buying Real Estate, Mortgage Guidelines, Mortgage Lenders
The FHA is insuring a greater percentage of loans than during any time in recent history. In 2006, it insured roughly 5 percent of the purchase mortgage market. Today, it insures one-quarter. “Going FHA” is more common than ever before — but is it better?
The answer — like most things in mortgage — depends on your circumstance.
Like its conforming counterpart, an FHA-insured mortgage is available as a fixed-rate loan and as an adjustable-rate one. Payments are made monthly and come without prepayment penalties.
That’s where the similarities end, however, and decision-making begins. For homeowners and buyers across Worcester , FHA mortgages carry a different set rules as compared to conforming loans through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that can render them more — or less — attractive for financing. (more…)
Feb 12, 2024 | Buying Real Estate, Mortgage Lenders, Realtors, Selling Real Estate
The definition of loan fraud is simple. According to the F.B.I. loan fraud is any material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission relied upon by a mortgage underwriter or lender to fund a loan.
The definition does not make any exception for white lies, half truths, fibs or creative facts. It says any material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission. In most cases if you are involved in a real estate loan transaction, as a borrower, real estate agent, attorney or some other party, and you have to ask yourself or someone else “Is that loan fraud?” 95% of the time the answer is “yes.”
In most cases when I am asked about whether or not something is loan fraud the conversation usually goes something like this: (more…)
Jan 10, 2024 | Buying Real Estate, Mortgage Lenders, News, Realtors
YOUR FIRST HOME. Purchasing one is a rite of passage that most non-homeowners dream of. Besides the intangible benefits, homeownership lets you build equity, and is the single biggest tax break available to most consumers. Here’s our look at some smart strategies for getting in the door.
First: Pay Off Your Debt
It’s a common mistake for home-buyers-to-be: They focus on saving as much money as possible for a down payment instead of paying off other debts.
How Much Can You Afford?
The answer to that is a function of two things: How much you can borrow and how much of a down payment you can muster. As a rule of thumb, your annual mortgage payment, taxes and homeowner’s insurance shouldn’t exceed 28% of your gross income.
Types of Loans
Now you’re ready to start shopping around for the right loan. A first-time home buyer with a steady job and good credit can buy a home with less than a 20% down payment.
Questionable Credit
Worried you don’t have perfect credit? You may yet qualify for a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA. These government-insured loans are issued with even more lenient credit criteria. You can also put down as little as 3.5% for an FHA loan. A portion of closing costs may be used to meet the 3.5% cash requirement.
Down-Payment Assistance Programs
Still having trouble coming up with that down payment? Each year HUD gives states and municipalities money to distribute to low- and moderate-income families for housing.
Read more: Tips for First-Time Home Buyers – Spending – Deals – SmartMoney.com
Dec 8, 2023 | Buying Real Estate, Mortgage Lenders, Realtors
The process starts with a real estate buyer with a property under contract. Once the settlement agent or closing attorney has been retained by the mortgage lender the begin the “title work.” That is the examination of the chain of ownership or chain of title to the property. This examination discloses the history of owners and lien holders on the property and helps the closing attorney to ensure that the buyer receives good clear title to the property and that the seller actually owns the property.
The closing attorney will also assist the lender to make certain the certain conditions of the mortgage loan are met. Like having the property insured for the proper amount of homeowner’s insurance or “hazard” insurance. The closing attorney will also help the lender and borrower meet conditions of the loan that are related to the title to the property, such as providing accurate real estate tax information. (more…)
Oct 13, 2023 | Buying Real Estate, Interesting Stuff, Mortgage Lenders, News, Realtors, Selling Real Estate
With all of the recent talk of improper foreclosures having taken place, and the issues with bank owned real estate title problems, the question of the need for title insurance has been a hot topic. I have always stressed the importance of purchasing an owner’s policy of title insurance. Regardless of who is selling the property, how long it has been in the family or how familiar you or the seller may be with the property you just never know (more…)
Sep 14, 2023 | Buying Real Estate, Interesting Stuff, Mortgage Lenders, Realtors
I have had a few clients ask me recently about the difference between buying a property at a foreclosure auction and buying a property owned by a bank (REO/Real Estate Owned).
A property purchased at a foreclosure auction or foreclosure sale is purchased through a bidding process by individuals at the auction. The property is sold to the highest bidder. If the foreclosing lender is not satisfied with the amount of the bids they may also bid on the property to raise the selling price. In the end the lender often ends up as the highest bidder and takes ownership of the property. Property that is acquired by the lender in this process is called REO property or Real Estate Owned property. The lender will in turn, eventually, place this property on the market with a Realtor for resale to the public. (more…)
