Archive | Uncategorized RSS feed for this section
Challenging Brokers’ Add-On Fees
A federal district court has handed down a ruling in a class-action lawsuit that could directly affect the fees you pay to the real estate brokerage company at closing, whether as a buyer or seller. More: continued here
Continue reading...First-Time Home Buyers Can Turn Tax Credit Into Cash
3. June 2009
The $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home purchasers is about to morph into a ready-cash down payment source, thanks to a federal policy change. More: continued here
Continue reading...The Nation’s Housing: Mortgage Fraud Most Common at Beginning of Loans
3. June 2009
It may not have made a big splash on network news or in print, but for real estate it was the equivalent of a congressional declaration of war — a war against mortgage fraud. More: continued here
Continue reading...Paying Tax Credit Forward Would Get More Buyers In the Door
3. June 2009
For the housing market, it’s the equivalent of financial alchemy, and it’s hot: Turning the $8,000 federal home-purchase tax credit, which normally can’t be spent until you get your refund, into cash today, available for your down payment and closing costs. More: continued here
Continue reading...New Appraisal Rules Come With Costs
3. June 2009
How about this scenario the next time you refinance or apply for a new mortgage: The real estate appraisal that used to cost you $325 now costs $450, even though the appraiser doing the work is getting only $175 or $200. More: continued here
Continue reading...Mortgage Safety Net May Help More New Buyers Take the Plunge
25. April 2009
Is there a rainy day in your personal job forecast? That wouldn’t be surprising — with unemployment rates in double digits in several states, 8.2 percent nationwide and widely expected to hit 10 percent or higher by next year. More: continued here
Continue reading...Low Price, Low Rate, Sky-High Fees
18. April 2009
House prices and mortgage rates are down, which sounds great for buyers and refinancers. But a series of underwriting and appraisal changes taking effect this month is throwing new obstacles in the way of borrowers and loan officers. More: continued here
Continue reading...Disclosing Energy Efficiency
11. April 2009
Picture this: You’re shopping for a home, dropping by open houses on a weekend. Each house you visit has an easy-to-understand disclosure about something that’s typically unknown: its annual energy-guzzling costs. More: continued here
Continue reading...Kenneth Harney on New Appraisal Standards
4. April 2009
When you apply for a mortgage to buy or refinance a house, should you be concerned that your appraiser is being paid much less than the $300 to $600 you’re charged, perhaps half? More: continued here
Continue reading...Keeping Closer Tabs On Brokers
4. April 2009
Should your mortgage loan officer’s fingerprints be on file in a national electronic database, even if he or she has never been convicted of a crime? More: continued here
Continue reading...
4. June 2009
0 Comments