by Irene Moustakas | Apr 8, 2009 | Industry News, Tips
Lenders are accepting broker-ordered appraisals (i.e. from me) when any application is dated and submitted by the borrower before May 1st, 2009. If you date your application May 1st and after, then we have to go through Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs). The...
by Irene Moustakas | Apr 7, 2009 | Industry News, Loan Programs and Products, Tips
Lenders are slowly starting to roll out the Making Home Affordable program, which will allow some homeowners to refinance their mortgages up to 105% of their home’s value. The background of this program can be found here. First things first: You need to see if...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 28, 2009 | Industry News, Loan Programs and Products
The government keeps re-establishing new conforming loan limit changes, which I understand has gotten confusing! When we take into account how long it takes for all the different entities to determine their part to the solution, it can take a while for the changes to...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 26, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products
Mortgage Insurance is required when you have less than 20% down. It serves to protect the lender in case you default on your mortgage (because by putting less than 20% down, you are deemed a more risky borrower). If you’re in this down payment bracket of less...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 23, 2009 | Miscellaneous
For those of you who are local, Viva La Diva Parties is throwing a great event at the Sheraton in Sunnyvale this Thursday, from 6 to 9pm. Spring Fling Cocktail Party and Vendor Fair It includes live music, buffet, cocktails, networking, shopping and a fashion show,...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 20, 2009 | Tips
If you’re waiting to lock an interest rate because you think that rates will continue to decrease, please remember to consider decreasing values. I’ve had some clients decide that it was best to hold out, and now when they’re ready to lock, their...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 19, 2009 | Rates, Tips
After news on the Fed’s announcement yesterday to continue to purchase mortgage-backed securities, interest rates started improving significantly. This morning’s rates were the bottom of what I’ve seen. If you were on my Watch List, you got a call...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 16, 2009 | Miscellaneous
I added the widget for “online chatting” to my blog. Scroll down and you’ll see the chat box in my sidebar. If you have any questions and I’m online, ping me and we can chat. Have a great week! Irene Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 10, 2009 | Loan Programs and Products, Rates
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that interest rates on 30 Year Fixed mortgages have been better and more competitive than any other loan products, namely Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs). This has been the trend for the past 6 months or so. It is...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 5, 2009 | General Market News, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products
There are two sub-plans to The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. The first provides homeowners who lack sufficient equity the ability to refinance their loans. The second helps homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments the ability to...