Category Archives: Uncategorized

It’s A Good Time To Look At Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Each week, government-led Freddie Mac publishes a weekly mortgage rate survey based on data from 125 banks across the country. According to this week’s results, the relative rate of a 5-year ARM is extremely low versus its 30-year fixed-rate cousin. … Continue reading

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How To Buy Distressed Properties In A Period Of Rising Inventory

Foreclosure filings rose close to 20 percent nationwide last month versus February, according to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac.com, and for the 13th straight month, total filings topped 300,000. In addition, bank repossessions reached an all-time, quarterly record. Through the first three … Continue reading

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Why You Shouldn’t Schedule Your Closing For May 28, 2010

The federal home buyer tax credit expires April 30 and the deadline is sparking a home sale surge. It figures to burden real estate, mortgage and title offices nationwide over the next 60 days so plan your closing date accordingly. … Continue reading

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Home Renovations That Increase Your Resale Value (2010 Edition)

Not all home improvements are created equal. Especially if you’re looking for “resale value” back from your work. An article from the Wall Street Journal lays it out cleanly. Function beats flash these days so be wary of where you … Continue reading

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : April 12, 2010

Mortgage markets improved last week to the delight of rate shoppers. Against a sparse economic calendar, Wall Street turned its attention to geopolitics in Greece and the Eurozone. It didn’t like what it saw. Safe haven buying buoyed mortgage bond … Continue reading

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There will be no California taxes on forgiven distressed mortgage debt

Finally, thousands of people across all of California can relax a little. They no longer face a double whammy of losing their homes – and then a big state tax bill on the forgiven debt. Hours ago California state lawmakers … Continue reading

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It’s Time To Re-Approve Your Pre-Approval

As the federal home buyer tax credit nears its April 30 end-date, there’s a lot of would-be home buyers still working to get under contract. A piece of advice for all of them : If your pre-qualification and/or pre-approval letter … Continue reading

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Don’t Leave Tax Credits On The Table (And How To Get Them Back If You Already Filed)

Taxes are due April 15 and if you’re among the millions of Americans who wait until the last week to file, here’s a video interview that could help you reduce your federal tax liability. Originally broadcast by NBC’s The Today … Continue reading

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The March Fed Minutes Explains Why Home Sales Weren’t Worse This Winter

Mortgage markets improved yesterday after the Federal Reserve released its March 16, 2010 meeting minutes. It’s good news for home buyers and rate shoppers — rates could have just as easily gone the other way. The Fed Minutes is a … Continue reading

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Pending Home Sales Soar In February, As Expected. Buyers Are Everywhere.

As expected, the Pending Home Sales shot higher in February, boosted by the federal home buyer tax credit’s April 30 deadline. Versus the month prior, February’s index rose 8 percent but remains well off the highs set last October. For … Continue reading

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