by Irene Moustakas | Jun 22, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News
In March, Mortgage Insurance (MI) companies for conventional loans cut their max Debt-to-Income ratio from 55% down to 41% max. I blogged about it here. Now, the new and more strict requirement, which is going into effect next week, is an increase in minimum credit...
by Irene Moustakas | Jun 1, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News, Tips
I have to first preface this post by stating that I am not a tax advisor and cannot guarantee any of the following information. But I can let you know some of the requirements and stipulations for qualifying for the First Time Homebuyer tax credit. First time...
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 | Feb 26, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers
Part of Homebuying 101 is what your payment responsibilities are as a homeowner. There are either 3 or 4 items, depending on how much you have to put down. Your Mortgage Payment Mortgage Insurance (not necessary when you have 20% or more as a down payment) Homeowners...
by Irene Moustakas | Feb 11, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Tips
Many home buyers take a look at their proposed total homeowner payment responsibilities (mortgage, property taxes, insurance and Mortgage Insurance, if applicable), and think, “There’s no way I can make that payment; I barely have enough take-home pay from...
by Irene Moustakas | Feb 6, 2009 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Miscellaneous
I’ve added a new page! “Mortgage Terminology” can be found in the sidebar underneath “About / References.” I’ll add terms periodically and as they come up. If there’s anything missing that you’d like me to define,...