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Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Housing Forecast for 2015Things are looking up for the economy and the housing market in 2015; however, there are still a
lot of would-be buyers on the fence who are afraid another slump like the one that started in 2007 may happen. Unemployment
is down, the markets are up, and most importantly, so far for 2015, rates are still very low. Unfortunately for some would-be
buyers, lenders are still making it difficult to qualify for a loan. Lending guidelines
have also changed since before the slump. Lenders are much more cautious when they are considering borrowers and a good credit
score is important now more than ever. Also, having sufficient assets to cover closing costs and an "emergency"
fund to cover costs in case of a job loss are things that lenders are looking for when loaning money to buy a home. Being
self-employed also presents challenges in obtaining a loan. Lending became extremely strict
after the market slump, and for the most part, continues to be prohibitive for people with lower credit scores. There are
also not many loan products out there for people who want to put 10% or less down on a property. Fannie and Freddie are considering
introducing a product that would allow buyers to put only 3% down. Right now the only product that allows buyers to do this
is the FHA loan, which is at 3.5% down but with a large up-front PMI. If FHA doesn't reduce their upfront PMI, the new
product by Fannie and Freddie may make them obsolete again. Make sure that you consult
with a loan officer before you get out there to look for properties and get your financial house in order. Get pre-approved,
know what your credit score is, and choose an agent and an attorney who are knowledgeable about the market.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Tip for Purchasing a Foreclosed PropertyHappy New Year! A quick tip for purchasing a foreclosed property:
Try to have an attorney review the paperwork and addendums from the bank BEFORE you sign. This is the only case where you
should have an attorney review real estate contract paperwork before you sign it, because there is typically no formal attorney
review in these types of deals. Make sure you have a mortgage contingency if you are obtaining a mortgage, and that you know
up front if you will be paying any of the Seller's fees for them.
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