Our Blog
Federal regulators propose 20% down payment requirement
As the housing market begins to dig itself out of the trough caused by the bubble, new tough down payment requirements are hamstringing recovery momentum, especially among first time home buyers. Under the newly proposed Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM)...
New Loan Officer Rules Go Into Effect as Court Dissolves Stay
The Federal Reserve Board’s regulations governing loan originator compensation went into effect April 6 after a federal appeals court dissolved a stay suspending implementation of the rule.
Law Office Named One of Constant Contact’s 2010 All Stars
Our office has received the 2010 All Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., the trusted marketing advisor to more than 400,000 small organizations worldwide. Our office is one of Constant Contact’s 2010 top performers and most prolific user of its tools, whether...
Revised Homestead Law Now Provides Automatic $125,000 Homestead Protection.
In Massachusetts an estate of homestead protects a homeowner’s primary residence from the claims of certain creditors. Prior to the change in the law the declaration of homestead protected the equity in the home for up to $500,000 of its equity in the event the home...
Oil Prices and Mideast Turmoil Impacts Mortgage Rates
Turmoil in Libya and Middle East countries may send oil prices up and affect mortgage rates. If investors fear that rising oil prices will derail an emerging recovery, they will remove their money from stocks and put it into safer bonds, especially government...
30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Drops for Third Consecutive Week
30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Drops for Third Consecutive Week
What is the Pending Home Sales Index?
The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of home purchase contracts that were signed in the monthly reporting period. Once "pending" sales contracts are closed, they are considered an Existing Home Sale. Because the...
HUD Takes Advantage of YouTube to Educate Consumers
HUD’s videos are easily accessible from HUD’s website as well as from HUD’s YouTube channel.
Home Buyer Tax Credit to be Extended
Today the House of Representatives voted 409 to 5 to give home buyers three more months to close on their purchases and still qualify for the $8,000 or $6,500 federal income tax credit. The House bill extends the closing deadline to September 30, 2010. Now the Senate...
Mass. UPL Debate Heads to State Supreme Court
The debate over the unauthorized practice of law in Massachusetts took a new twist this week. A 2009 ruling in favor of National Real Estate Information Services Inc. (NREIS) in an unauthorized practice of law case brought by the Real Estate Bar Association for...