We have just come off the biggest shopping weeks of the year, and while many people were stocking up on electronics, jewelry, and other gifts, most people didn’t spend their Cyber Monday house hunting online. But perhaps some attention should be paid to the real...
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently reported that in August 2012, close to 99,000 home owners utilized the HARP program (or Home Affordable Refinance Program) to refinance their mortgages. FHFA says part of HARP’s attraction is record-low mortgage rates and program enhancements that included...
It wasn’t until recently that Zillow made information available to home buyers about pre-foreclosure and foreclosure properties. But according to the online real estate site, 55% of home buyers have expressed an interest in purchasing a foreclosure property, and now 1.2 million pre-foreclosure and foreclosed...
Mobile devices such as Android, iPhone and iPad have changed the lives of Realtors, brokers and sales agents alike. They can take their office on the road, and now for the first time, their MLS too. With MLS Touch, real estate professionals have access to everything...
Where did the year go? Thanksgiving is closing in, and it will be followed closely by the end-of-year holidays. At this time of year, it’s important to ready your home for the holidays. People tend to drop by, you may be hosting parties, and the...
With the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, VA loans--those that are backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs--rose more than 50%. VA loans have risen in popularity with current and former military members because of tighter credit standards on conventional financing and...
Five of the country’s largest mortgage servicers were given 180 days to implement the 320 servicing standards that were handed down by the U.S. Department of Justice and 49 state attorneys general. The settlement addresses issues like borrower communication, training for loss mitigation staff, foreclosure...
Listing a home for sale requires most home owners to roll-up their sleeves and do some work to make their home appealing in a buyer’s eyes. Kitchens are one of the first places buyers visit during open houses. If you aren’t able to do a...
It’s getting to be that time again – Property Taxes are due! This is a friendly reminder that Property Tax bills are mailed out in October, and your first installment of taxes is due on November 1st. Important Dates to Remember: - Fiscal year begins July 1st and...
Right now, consumers are usually charged for appraisal costs, but that might be changing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently proposed a new rule that would require mortgage lenders to provide free appraisal reports to applicants. The report would offer a deeper look at...