It’s a Really good opportunity…..if you qualify

by Cory Maguire on February 11, 2011

Marc Sanders, who lost his job as a radiology consultant in October, was thrilled to find out he qualified for a federally funded program that will make up to $3,000 a month in mortgage payments on behalf of unemployed homeowners in California.

Sanders was eligible for the maximum assistance – $3,000 a month for six months – from the Keep Your Home California program, but he was shut out for an astonishing reason.

read the full article

Short Sale – preferred alternative to foreclosure

by Cory Maguire on February 10, 2011

The HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative) program is important because it’s sponsored by the federal government, with the common goal of helping borrowers and an alternative way in avoiding foreclosure. A short sale or deed-in-lieu (DIL) is
the best choice for both the lender and the borrower because the home will maintain it’s value better when occupied, and the borrower gets to reduce their debt load with no deficiency judgement against them. If you were not able to get your loan modified, this is the best option for you since a foreclosure or bankruptcy can affect your credit for 7-10 years. In addition, there is no cost for the program and you will also receive a $3000 incentive at closing.

Up to $3,000 monthly mortgage assistance for some homeowners, for up to six months

February 10, 2011

The Unemployed Mortgage Assistance Program (UMA) is the first of four programs the state is scheduled to roll out as part of an initiative called “Keep Your Home California.”  The programs are supported by $2 billion in federal dollars provided through the Hardest Hit Fund. Eligible homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments [...]

Read the full article →

The California Housing Finance Agency Wants You to Keep Your Home!

January 19, 2011

The U.S. Treasury Department has approved CalHFA’s plan to use nearly $2 billion in federal funding to help California families struggling to pay their mortgages. The Keep Your Home California programs are focused on assisting low and moderate income families stay in their homes, when possible, and leveraging additional contributions from mortgage servicers. Primary objectives for the [...]

Read the full article →

Got a low FICO score?

January 19, 2011

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Announces New Programs Minimum Loan Scores for FHA Purchase Transactions As of Jan. 15 1. Loan score lower than 500 = Not allowed 2. Loan Score 500 – 579 allowed with maximum 90% Loan To Value and additional requirements 3. Loan Score 580 – 599 allowed with maximum 95% Loan To [...]

Read the full article →

Perspectives on Short Sale Activity

January 18, 2011

Read the full article →

Mortgage Rates Still Falling in January

January 18, 2011

Rates for fixed and adjustable loans are even better than last year at this time, according to the Realty Times. 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.71 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending January 13, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.77 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year [...]

Read the full article →

The Cost of Fannie and Freddie

January 18, 2011

The estimates we have seen on how much Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are costing taxpayers may be overblown. According to NewsGenius, The Federal Reserve reported a record payout to the Treasury Department Monday, as its profits were boosted by government-sponsored entity securities it purchased during the financial crisis. Income from these investments totaled roughly [...]

Read the full article →

Meanwhile, Around the World…

January 18, 2011

2010 was a very good year for the Australian and Canadian housing markets, among others. Although not as hot as in previous years, Australia’s housing market in 2010 was ranked No. 1 in the world by Toronto-based Scotiabank, an international financial organization that dates back to 1671. Of the 12 advanced nations tracked by Scotia [...]

Read the full article →

HAMP Program Has Less Impact Than Hoped

January 18, 2011

The Treasury Department’s Home Affordable Modification Program, intended to reduce the mortgage payments of homeowners nearing foreclosure, has not been as effective as many had hoped. According to Housing Wire, lenders started 43,739 new, three-month HAMP trials in the third quarter, down 84% from the peak of 272,709 a year ago. Permanent modifications are down, [...]

Read the full article →