Last week I discussed the new Dodd-Frank regulations and how they will impact home buyers, as well as what a Qualified Mortgage will be per the Dodd-Frank regulations. On Tuesday, we discussed the Dodd-Frank Ability to Repay Rule as it relates to the new DTI hard cap of 43%. And today, I would like to […]

After discussing different options for the type of mortgage a client might want, the conversation will often come back to this question: am I better off with an adjustable rate mortgage or a fixed rate mortgage? And while I would love to be able to definitively answer that question for my customers, the truth is, […]

Last week, I explained what an adjustable rate mortgage is, and when it could be an appropriate product. Today, I plan on explaining what a fixed rate mortgage is, and how fixed rate mortgages work. Fixed rate mortgages have a set interest rate which will not change for the life of the loan. Prevailing interest […]

Many of my clients decide they would like to build their own home rather than buy an older one. If you are considering buying a new construction home, there are a few things to keep in mind, which I have learned from my clients over the year. The first thing to remember is that prices […]

Speculative real estate transactions have become extremely popular again in the last few years. Depressed house values combined with historically low interest rates have created the perfect environment for people looking to flip homes for a profit. But for many, this does not mean buying the house with cash, it instead means getting a mortgage […]

There is a lot of misinformation online in relation to credit and qualifying for a mortgage. Yes, credit is certainly a factor when determining eligibility, but many people qualify who do not realize they do. This can be for a number of reasons – if you or your spouse are a veteran, you qualify for […]

For the last 5 years, there has been a lot of talk about interest rates. Every three months, it has felt like, there has been a new low set in regard to mortgage rates. Then about six months ago, rates suddenly jumped back up, based on perceived economic strength. Now, they are still at unprecedented […]

I don’t think I have ever had a week long period of time in my career when I received as many calls as I have in the last week. Nearly every client I am currently working with has called me with some horror story they heard on the news about a customer losing a contract […]

This used to be an easy question to answer, but over the last few months it has become quite a bit more difficult. In 2000, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that any borrower with an FHA mortgage could have their mortgage insurance removed once they had at least 22% equity in […]

Last week, I explained the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale. And obviously, these houses can be a great option for the right buyer, especially first time home buyers. This week, I would like to explain the process of buying these types of houses, as it can become a little tricky depending on […]