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2007 Real Estate Market Predictions from NAR

Posted on March 16, 2007 | Filed Under Mortgage Financing, Real Estate News

Unusual weather patterns and problems in the subprime lending marketplace are creating challenges in assessing housing market conditions, but a recovery is likely this year, according to the latest forecast by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) today released revised housing projections for the 2007 real estate market. Below are a few highlights. You can view the entire report here.

  • Existing median home prices are expected to rise 1.2 percent this year. “Although existing-home sales will be marginally reduced due to subprime lending restrictions, they should be gradually rising this year and next. However, total sales this year will be fairly close to 2006 because last year started high and ended low.”
  • NAR predicts the problems with the sub-prime mortgage-lending marketplace will dampen the market but not spill over into prime market lending. (Sub-prime is for borrowers who have less than perfect credit.)

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Helping those who help us

Posted on August 1, 2006 | Filed Under Mortgage Financing, Real Estate News

To :

Area Firefighters
Area Law Enforcement Officers
Area EMS Personnel

In appreciation for the work you do for the people of the Roanoke Valley, I am now offering a great incentive for you to help you with the sale of your home and/or the purchase of your new home.

I will discount my normal commission for you on the house you are selling to help you save on the sell of your home, and, whether you’re selling a home or buying your first home, I will offer you a rebate on my commission I earn on the purchase of your home and apply it toward your closing costs to help you at closing.

There are no strings attached. Being a former EMT-Cardiac and working with local law enforcement during a six and a half year stint as a Magistrate in the Roanoke Valley, I appreciate the hard work you put into your careers and know civil servants don’t always make the highest salaries for the work they do.

Give me a call at (540) 397-0014 or email me for more information.

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50-year mortgage debuts

Posted on May 10, 2006 | Filed Under Mortgage Financing

From CNN Money:

As home prices and interest rates keep rising, lenders have figured out a way to keep the dream alive for millions of people who want to own their own home. It’s called the 50-year mortgage.

According to a report Wednesday in USA Today, a handful of small lenders have begun offering 50-year adjustable-rate loans to buyers who need to keep payments low in the current economic environment.

I personally don’t believe this is going to be a good idea for most folks.  Let’s just say you wanted to have the house paid off by the time you retire at 65 and the loan goes it’s full term.  You would have to buy it at 15!  I don’t know about most of you, but I couldn’t afford to buy a house at 25, much less 15! :)

I think this is an attractive way to lower your house payment, but seriously, you’ll end up paying huge amounts in additional interest and you will be earning less principal over the same periods of time.

My recommendation-  stay away from the 50-year mortgage.  If you’re seriously considering it, consult with a financial advisor.

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Roanoke mortgage lead company draws complaints

Posted on April 16, 2006 | Filed Under Mortgage Financing, Real Estate News

According to The Roanoke Times, a company selling lead generation services on the Internet to mortgage brokers has drawn numerous complaints for bogus leads.  The company, marketing itself at Telextra.net, and receiving mail at a Mailboxes, etc. location on Franklin Road has had 22 complaints filed against it with the Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia in Roanoke, 6 complained to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and 2 have complained to the Virginia attorney general’s office.

Caveat Emptor.

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Credit-reporting firms make a positive step

Posted on March 17, 2006 | Filed Under Mortgage Financing

According to the Los Angeles Times, the three largest credit-reporting firms in the US- Equifax, Inc., Experian, and TransUnion, have collaborated on establishing a standardized credit score with the intent to make it easier (yeah right!) for consumers to understand their credit scores. They are calling it VantageScore.

Although the big three have worked together on this initiative, they will continue to collect their own credit data individually, and in my opinion, this will continue to make repairing errors in your credit file 3 times more difficult than it needs to be.

The ratings will be from a baseline of 501 to a max of 990. Consumers with a credit score of over 900 will receive an “A” rating. Borrowers can continue to keep their credit good by making timely bill payments, keeping credit balances low and showing a history of paying different types of debt.

You can get a free copy of your credit report by visiting this website-   https://www.annualcreditreport.com/.  It’s important to note, this is the only authorized website for a truly free credit report.  Click here for more information.

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Flexible loans for law enforcement, firefighters, teachers & healthcare workers

Posted on March 10, 2006 | Filed Under Mortgage Financing

HomeTown Bank is now offering very flexible loans solutions for all, and with special flexibilities for law enforcement officers, firefighters, teachers and healthcare workers.  If you fall into one of those classes and have been thinking of buying a house, I recommend talking to Joanne Polly, Vice President and Mortgage Consultant at HomeTown.  She can finance your home up to 105% total loan to value with 15, 20 and 30 year fixed rate mortgages and as little as $500 as your initial contribution.  They even have loans available under this incentive for manufactured homes!

Give Joanne a call about your mortgage needs then let me help you find the right home for you.  Her number is (540) 278-1711 or you can email her by clicking her name above.

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