by Irene Moustakas | Feb 20, 2013 | Featured, Industry News
It’s a pretty hot housing market right now: lots of demand + lower-than-normal inventory mean that housing prices are rising. Even though interest rates are higher than last year’s lows, they are still in the 3s (depending on your scenario, they may be in the low...
by Irene Moustakas | Feb 29, 2012 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News
(Blog post has been updated to reflect the new change date of 4/9/12, per FHA Mortgage Letter 12-4) It’s happening again… FHA Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premiums, as well as the monthly Mortgage Insurance charges, are set to increase on April 9, 2012. If you need an...
by Irene Moustakas | Jan 10, 2012 | Industry News
A new law has passed that will directly affect every person seeking a mortgage securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or insured by FHA, effective tomorrow, 1/11/12. Nearly every loan right now is held by one of these Government-Sponsored Entities (GSEs), so this...
by Irene Moustakas | Dec 5, 2011 | Featured, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products
There is a special program currently available to police, firefighters, teachers and emergency medical technicians. The program, called Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND), offers a 50% discount on the list price of a home for HUD-owned properties. In return, the...
by Irene Moustakas | Nov 16, 2011 | Featured, Industry News
Some good news that may open up refinancing opportunities for homeowners with little equity or whom are underwater: the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are enhancing the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). We’re calling it HARP 2.0....
by Irene Moustakas | Oct 24, 2011 | Featured, Industry News
Bloomberg Businessweek issued an article stating that the Senate has approved a measure to increase our high balance loan limits. The measure now has to be passed by the House to become law. My fingers are crossed! Since reverting back to the “permanent”...