by Irene Moustakas | Oct 5, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers
It is much better and much more important to get preapproved.  Let me start out with the details of a prequalification first.  The first thing you are going to do when you start thinking about buying a home is to call a bank or a mortgage broker to see what you can...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Irene Moustakas | Sep 20, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News
Right now, this is a rumor, but when I hear rumors like this, I’m pretty sure it will happen: Effective 10.2.09, you will be required to put 15% down on a condo for a conventional loan.  FHA loans still allow for the minimum of 3.5% down, but there are stringent...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Irene Moustakas | Sep 15, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers
Just a reminder that the first time homebuyer tax credit is set to expire on December 1st. This means that you must close (own the home) by this date. Purchase contracts are averaging between 30 and 45 days right now on regular sales, so this means you would...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Irene Moustakas | Sep 10, 2009 | Industry News, Rates, Tips
Interest rates have steadily improved in the past week and a half.  I haven’t seen a good run like this in quite a while and definitely not in 2009.  Usually, we have had wild fluctuations. I have a lot of clients that had a target rate and cost in mind and we...				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by Irene Moustakas | Sep 1, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Tips
After you have applied for a loan, your broker or lender is required to mail a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) to you within 3 days of receiving your application.  The GFE gives you the breakdown of closing costs and prepaid items that you must pay at Close of Escrow.  This...