Category: Uncategorized
How Did We Get to HARP 2.0?
It’s been one of the hottest topics in the mortgage industry since it was announced in March, and two months later, HARP 2.0 is still making headlines. And with more than 22.8 percent of all residential properties considered underwater, it’s no surprise that homeowners are anxious to see how HARP 2.0 could turn their negative…
Real Estate Tax Advantages
Although the most significant economic benefit of owning property is the long-term appreciation realized through leverage and inflation, tax advantages associated with real estate benefit property owners as well. Home owners profit from one set of tax rules; rental owners gain from another. Very few U.S. investments carry greater tax advantages than real estate.
Federal Help With a Foreclosure
Lenders foreclosed on 2.8 million properties in 2009, according to Reuters. That's a record high–120 percent more than just 2 years earlier–and Reuters estimates the 2010 figure will be higher still. The federal government has set up several programs to help homeowners faced with the possibility of becoming homeless with a black mark on their…
Advice on Mortgage Refinancing
Refinancing your mortgage can generate significant monetary savings over the life of the loan. Like all financial matters, refinancing your mortgage should justify the effort and the expense in the long run. Refinancing for short-term gains may not be in your best interest, so taking a practical and realistic approach to refinancing can help you…
How Do I Remove a Spouse From an Existing Mortgage Without Divorce?
Removing a spouse from a joint mortgage requires that the lender agree to the removal. Since the mortgage was originally underwritten jointly, releasing one party from the obligation to repay the mortgage usually weakens the lender's position. A lender may agree to allow you to stand alone, or it may require that you alone refinance…
What Does a House Appraisal Consist Of?
In a real estate transaction, the buyer wants to ensure he isn't paying more than a property is worth. At the same time, the lender wants to provide financing that will not leave the borrower overextended with debt in a house that isn't worth the mortgage amount. That's why the appraisal is so important: It…
How to Profit From Your Home Sale
There was a time when homeowners put their houses on the market as-is, and hoped for the best with regards to how much money they made on the sale. A lot has changed since then. Homeowners have become more investment-savvy, understanding that, although there’s a large emotional investment in their home, the financial investment is…
Top 5 Value Enhancers When Buying a Foreclosure Home
Foreclosed homes are often some of the most affordable homes in today’s real estate market, and both homebuyers and investors are attracted to them for their long-term financial benefits. If you recently purchased a foreclosed home or plan to in the near future, you might want to consider adding a few (or all) of the…
How are Short Sales on a VA Loan Different?
Today’s veterans have President Roosevelt to thank for their housing benefits. Signing the GI Bill of Rights into law provided our service members – who fight so hard to maintain the American dream – the chance to actually achieve it themselves: a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment. Like the Federal Housing Administration’s…