Single Story, semi custom home on a cul-de-sac.
Short Sale Listing ~ Price, and Terms subject to Lender Approval.
Since DataQuick has been tracking Real Estate Information, there has been an increase in Real Estate purchases by buyers with Cash Deals/Transactions. Some experts state that this is due to the Investors believing that the market has “bottomed out” and they are out taking advantage of the low prices.
Which will then in turn provide a solid investment. With so many potential buyers not being able to qualify for a home loan, due to either Low Fico’s (credit scores), or not having the down needed to purchase, they find themselves in need of a rental property.
Hence, the investor has the product that is in high demand. With many losing their homes and needing to rent, it is the perfect scenario being played out.
New Rules for Mortgage Brokers Take Effect April 1, 2011+
Regulatory change is designed to protect borrowers
02/21/2011 | Mark Huffman | Consumer Affairs.com
There were many fingers of blame when the housing market collapsed, but one was pointed squarely at the mortgage industry — mortgage brokers in particular.
As part of it attempt to reform the industry, the U.S. Federal Reserve drafted new compensation rules for mortgage brokers, and those new rules go into effect April 1. The basic aspect of the new rule requires consumers getting a mortgage through a broker must be offered the lowest possible rate and fees for which they qualify.
The Fed’s new rules is known as the Loan Originator Compensation amendment to Regulation Z. Regulation Z prohibits certain practices relating to payments made to compensate mortgage brokers and other loan originators.
The goal of the amendments is to protect consumers in the mortgage market from unfair practices involving compensation paid to loan originators, according to the Fed.
In the middle of the transaction
Mortgage brokers are loan originators who market their lending services directly to consumers, except they have no money to actually pay the loans. They arrange with a bank or mortgage lender to actually provide the funds. They are in the middle of the transaction, earning commissions and fees from the entity that actually makes the loan.
During the housing boom, some mortgage brokers steered customers to loans that were the most lucrative for them, and might not have been in the best interests of the consumer.
The new prohibitions related to mortgage originator compensation and steering apply to closed-end consumer loans secured by a home or real property that includes a dwelling. The rule does not apply to open-end home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) or time-share transactions. It also does not apply to loans secured by real property if the property does not include a dwelling.
Definition of loan originator
“For purposes of these rules, loan originators are defined to include mortgage brokers, who may be natural persons or mortgage broker companies,” the Fed said in an explanation of the new rule. “This includes companies that close loans in their own names but use table-funding from a third party. The term loan originator also includes employees of creditors and employees of mortgage brokers that originate loans.” Continue reading
Homes in foreclosure had been delinquent for 507 days on average, up from 406 days a year ago. Excess supply continues to drive prices downward, but the silver lining is that the rate of decline is decelerating.
Banks are taking longer to Foreclose on homes…which of course is great for the current homeowners. More inventory is not always a good thing, though. And with the recent increments of rise of the interest rates, buyers are on the fence wondering if now is a good time to buy.
With the uncertainty of interest rates, and the certainty of an abundance of homes, it sounds like an optimal time to purchase a home. Selling a home of course is only going to become more of a challenge as prices decline. If you are a Seller, weigh your choices…and as that old saying goes, “you haven’t lost it till you’ve sold it”. If you can ride out the market…experts state that it will take two to three years before we recover. Makes me wonder, since they said that back in 2007/2008.
Continue reading
