As reported by the government, home prices are rising nationwide, up 0.3 percent in July. Furthermore, versus November 2008, the Home Price Index has clawed back to unchanged. The housing market appears to be holding its own. However, we have to be careful about putting our full faith in the Federal...

This update contains the pertinent changes to FHA Streamline Refinance guides as outlined in Mortgage Letter 2009-32 and are effective on November 17th, 2009.. Here are the 11 things you need to know about these changes: 1. Current loan must have 6 months payment history. 2. Current loans with 6...

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credits – Cannot Be Used For The 3.5% Required Down Payment. •    Pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(9), the homebuyer’s downpayment required for eligibility for FHA insurance may not consist of any funds (including funds derived from a sale of the homebuyer tax credit)...

I am sure you have heard all the Hype about the new ability about Using the $8,000 First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit as a Down Payment.  Not so FAST! As a lender on the Broker side I am all over this; I have queried multiple lenders and have included there response. In short not one lender has implemented...

Mortgage rates ended the week of April 24, 2009 lower.  The MBS FNMA 30 YR 4.0% finished up 21bp higher for the week (higher is better for the MBS, price and interest are inverse).  The historically low rates for both conforming and FHA products are intended to help stimulate the economy by giving...

What Is A Streamline FHA Refinance The Traditional and Original FHA Streamline which I still offer consist of the following: NO Appraisal NO FICO Score NO Income Verification NO Asset Verification After reading that there is little to nothing in order to qualify; you are probably asking what’s the...

Throughout my day and in this current market I provide and disclose GFEs; I move on assuming all borrowers understand the alphabet of acronyms.  A potential client made me aware today that although I have been serving up GFEs for a better half of this decade that the majority of borrowers have no clue...

If you’re in need of a cash out refinance, the most liberal cash-out program in town is about to make qualification more difficult. Effective April 1, 2009, the FHA is reducing the maximum loan-to-value on cash-out refinances by 10 percent, dropping the loan size limit from 95% of the home’s...

If the following appraisal guidelines look foreign to you, that’s okay, because this update is intended for Appraisers and Underwriters. 1. The Market Conditions Addendum (Fannie Form 1004MC/Freddie Form 71). 2. At least 2 comparable sales within 90 days of appraisal date. 3. A minimum of 2 active...

Phoenix, AZ FHA loan limits in Maricopa County have just increased from $271,050 to $346,250. This is a great opportunity to purchase a home.