Foreclosures As A Percentage Of All Home Sales, By State
August 26, 2011 in Foreclosures
In some states, more than half of home sales are for homes in foreclosure. Where does your state rank?
Zero-Cost Mortgage Rates More Popular In 2011
August 8, 2011 in Mortgage Strategy
It appears that lower mortgage rates come with a price. Closing costs rising in most states. Look zero-cost instead.
FHA Mortgage Rates Vs. Conforming Mortgage Rates : Which Are Cheaper?
July 26, 2011 in Mortgage Rates
The FHA insures 25% of the mortgage purchase market these days, up from 5 percent in 2006. Is it because FHA mortgages are cheaper than conforming ones?
Don’t Pay Closing Costs When Mortgage Rates Are Falling
June 9, 2011 in Mortgage Strategy
Zero-cost mortgages are terrific in a falling interest rate environment, like the one we’re in now. They eliminate sunk costs completely and offer an immediate refinance payback.
How To Beat The April 18, 2011 FHA Mortgage Insurance Increase
April 14, 2011 in FHA Home Buying
FHA mortgage insurance rates are increasing. Beat the increase by having your FHA Case Number assigned. All you have to do is give a mortgage application. I’ll handle the rest for you.
FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Rising 0.25 Percent April 18, 2011
March 24, 2011 in FHA Home Buying
To lower costs, newspaper editors are replacing beat writers with “article syndication”. Syndication can be a good strategy, but it requires care. The syndicated article highlighted here is 11 months — and 2 FHA guideline changes — behind-the-times. It’s patently incorrect.
Winter 2011 : “Cheat Sheet” For The New Fannie Mae Guidelines
December 10, 2010 in Conforming Mortgages
In Winter 2011, Fannie Mae changed its mortgage guidelines to favor personal income over personal assets. Check the “Cheat Sheet” to see how you’ll be affected.
2011 Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits By County, Including “Normal” and “High-Cost” Areas
November 30, 2010 in Conforming Mortgages
In 2011 — for the 6th consecutive year — the single-family conforming mortgage loan limit will be $417,000. The “high-cost” area program is extended, too.
In Charts : The Falling, Long-Term Cost Of A 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage
October 12, 2010 in Mortgage Strategy
As compared to the day *after* the expiration of the $8,000 home buyer tax credit, today’s cost of carrying a 30-year fixed rate mortgage to term is lower by $51,000. Mortgage rates are on a 6-month rally.