Breaking News for First Time Homebuyers and Homebuyers Seeking a Tax Credit

An Update on Recent News Surrounding the Homebuyer Tax Credit

Much discussion and controversy have been surrounding the impending end of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Initially set to expire in November, the government is now considering extending the credit into next year. In this article, you will find some of the recent developments in this topic.

In order to be eligible, the cost of the home may not be more than $800,000 and there would be $125,000 and $225,000 income limits for single and joint filers (over the age of 18), respectively. Additionally, as long as the new home is the buyer's "principal residence" for at least 3 years after the date of purchase, the credit will not need to be repaid.

$8,000 is the amount of the credit for first time homebuyers and there is now talks of adding a $6,500 credit for move-up buyers (people who have been using the home they are leaving as their "principal residence" for at least 5 years) who purchase homes between December 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010, as long as the transaction closes by June 30. Any purchases made in 2010 would be acceptably filed on 2009 tax returns, as long as a HUD-1 settlement statement is attached when the credit is being claimed.

As always, buying a home is a big task and there are lots of questions anyone considering buying or selling will have. For this reason, it is a very good idea to get the assistance of a qualified, experienced and helpful real estate agent. Your real estate agent can mean the difference between happy holidays in your new home or spending the holidays stressed out and worried about just one more unnecessary thing!

The Market is Ready for You, Future Homeowners of America!

The Market is Ready for You, Future Homeowners of America!

Our country's economy, like many things, is on a cycle and just like the old adage says, what goes up, must come down. We experienced a boom in real estate in the early 2000s and we are merely seeing the after effects of that boom now. While perhaps you may not be able to purchase a million-dollar oceanfront property this year, or even next; you will still be able to realize your very own version of the American dream.

The Mortgage Bankers Association issued a statement saying "Sales of existing homes will rise 11 percent in 2010, and sales of new homes will climb 21 percent over this year." This is great news for everyone, particularly future homeowners! What this means is that we are entering a part of the real estate cycle where things will start going back up. Just like everything else, you have to practice patience and good judgment when buying a home. Homes in the lower end of the market, also known as "entry level" or "starter" homes are a great place to start. Buying a starter home will not only ease you into the concept of owning a home, but will also familiarize you with the process of actually purchasing it. Additionally, while living in your new home, you will be able to experience the trials, tribulations and joys associated with being a homeowner.

Having a great real estate agent is the first step in this process. You will need someone to guide you through the market, not only in terms of prices and mortgages but also in terms of choosing a home that fits your lifestyle. Remember, your agent has access to multitudes of customers, buyers and sellers and the best way for you to take advantage of everyone else's experience is to work with an agent who is experienced!

DTI - Debt to Income Ratio - What is it and How Does if Affect Buying a Home

It's a buyer's market!! You've read it, you've heard it and you see it everywhere you go. Signs, slogans and ads telling you it's a buyer's market and to get out there and buy a home! But before you log on to your local MLS or start going to open houses in your dream neighborhood, there's one thing you should do to prepare yourself. You need to figure out HOW MUCH of a home you can afford to get out there and buy. There is no worse feeling in my opinion, then taking a tour of a gorgeous house, falling in love with it, mentally moving in and arranging your furniture JUST to find out that you can not afford it after all.

A major factor in owning a home is being able to afford it. Now, I'm not just talking about the expenses that come with home ownership in terms of maintenance, decorating, furnishing and tax. I am talking about the mortgage. Now, unless your rich Uncle Frank is leaving you a hefty inheritance, you are going to need to figure out your total monthly income and something called your DTI. This is your Debt to Income Ratio. This little fraction is going to be a key factor in the bank's decision regarding how much money to loan you to buy your home. Basically, this is going to be a numerical expression of how much of your monthly income is already spent on bills and other expenses.

Now there are two different types of DTI: front and back. Front DTI is basically the amount of your income that is going towards your current housing costs, rent for renters and principal, interest, tax and insurance for homeowners. The other DTI is back which is basically the amount of your income that goes towards expenses like car payments, phone bills, credit cards and other kinds of recurring debt.

In order to get an FHA Loan, your front DTI needs to be about 31% which means that if your monthly income (gross) is $5,000, your payment cannot be more than $1,550. Conventional loans allow for a DTI as high as 33% which would make your payment a maximum of $1,650. Next you will need to determine your back DTI which is also based on your monthly income. Your back DTI reflects your debt and for an FHA loan is about 43% and a conforming is about 45%.

So, on that $5,000 monthly income of yours, you can have $2,150 in monthly payments for an FHA loan and $2,250 for a conventional loan. So if your car payment, student loans, credit cards, phone bill and child support expenses are less than $600 ($2,150 - $1,550), you will effectively qualify for an FHA loan.

This is something you should consider when deciding on buying a home. Although it is a buyer's market, and there are several great deals out there; you want to make sure that a home you buy will be a home you can KEEP and that your home won't turn into someone else's great deal after you realize you can't make your mortgage!

Struggling Homeowners - Help From the President!!!

President Barack Obama has introduced many ideas and programs in efforts to provide guidance and aid to the millions of struggling homeowners in this country. The sub prime mortgage crisis, fueled by the greed and often negligence of the lending industry's major players has left millions of homeowners facing the worrisome prospect of losing their homes. On February 18, 2009, President Obama introduced the nation to his housing plan.

This plan involves several programs which are designed to help over seven million families potentially facing foreclosure to avoid the grief and stress of a foreclosure by giving them options. These options will include either refinancing or modifying their existing mortgages in hopes of ultimately making those mortgages become affordable and bearable once again. Additionally, Obama's program intends to reinforce and revitalize the federal government's commitment to Government Sponsored Entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, leaders in the secondary mortgage market.

On March 4, 2009, President Obama's administration released news and information that detailed the intricacies of the program and provided guidance on the Making Home Affordable Program.

While there are several characteristics and facets of this program, the main points for homeowners to know are listed below.

1. The Home Affordable Refinance Program. Under this program, eligible borrowers may refinance loans that Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (the government sponsored enterprises, or GSEs) own or guarantee. The program can help homeowner-occupants who are current in making loan payments and have loan-to-value ratios (LTVs) above 80 percent but not more than 105 percent. Cash out refinancings are not permitted. The program ends in June 2010.

2. The Home Affordable Modification Program. This is a $75 billion program with lender, servicer, investor, and borrower incentives to make it work. The program is limited to homeowner-occupants who are at risk of default or already in default and who have loans at or below the maximum GSE conforming loan limit of $729,750 (or higher for 2-, 3-, and 4-unit properties). Loan modifications under the program may be made until December 31, 2012.

3. More Support for the GSEs. President Obama also announced more support for the GSEs, including doubling of potential Treasury investment from $100 billion to $200 billion for each GSE, to maintain their positive net worth. The plan also raises the cap on mortgages that the GSEs may hold in their portfolios by $50 billion to $900 billion.

Ultimately, this program intends to set this country back on the path to growth, profitability and success. Hopefully, with the government's continued support and diligence on the part of homeowners, we, as a nation, will begin to see the signs of recovery soon.

Mitra Karimi, President Crestico Realty http://www.crestico.com

Should I Buy A Home in This Market?

Is It A Good Time To Buy A Home? The simple answer is YES! It is still a good time to buy a home. With the help of the right agent, you can make this "good time" into a "great time" for you and your family. The news is full of stories about the housing crisis, homeowners losing their homes, and the overall bad state of the economy. Not all of this news, however, has to translate into dissuading you from buying a home. In fact, right now is a very good time, especially for some, to jump in and achieve the American dream of home ownership. As of late, the housing market is starting to look better. Read on for more information about why it is still a good time to buy a home.

First, the government is looking to help you. If you are a first time buyer (which, to the government, is defined as anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years), you are entitled to a maximum $8,000 tax credit. Additionally, interest rates are at all-time lows and the Federal government is taking steps to insure and make these loans available to more and more people.

Leverage. Leverage is defined basically as borrowing money to supplement existing funds for
investment. Imagine if you invested ten thousand dollars in stocks and those stocks earned ten percent, you would have earned one thousand dollars. But investing ten thousand dollars on a home, and having that home's value increase ten percent; effectively, you would have earned ten thousand dollars. Which sounds like a better investment to you?

Next, you have to live somewhere. And so does everyone else. According to nationwide statistics, approximately 800,000 new households are created each year in the United States alone. Each of these households will need housing, regardless of the state of the economy. This fact alone ENSURES the recovery of the housing market.

Cycles. The economy is a cycle, and like a cycle, what goes down must come back up. Once this happens, it will create INSTANT equity for you. That means you will have earned FREE money just by living in your home, which you are going to do regardless of where you live. Why not buy a home and earn free money in the process?

Mortgages. Many people think a mortgage is just like paying rent, right? WRONG! With the right fixed-rate mortgage, you are basically ensuring the same payment for thirty years. If you try to rent an apartment for thirty years, odds are that every year or so, your rent will be increased. That does not happen with mortgages.

Ownership. Owning a home is a GREAT accomplishment and it allows you to express yourself in the best way possible. You can decorate it any way you want, furnish it, paint it, and improve it and all the while you will be increasing its value and the value of your investment. Ownership also gives you and your family a sense of stability and a place to lay your roots.

These are only a FEW of the reasons why right now is a good time to buy a home. A qualified agent will be able to answer any questions you may have and also give you more reasons to consider investing in your next home!

Mitra Karimi, President Crestico Realty http://www.crestico.com

Real Estate Agent Interview Checklist - How to Interview & Choose the Best Real Estate Agent For You

Many people contact me to ask me how to choose the best Real Estate Agent. Choosing the correct Agent can be a daunting task, especially in this economy. With so many foreclosures, short sales, REOs and distressed properties in the market, it makes a potential home buyer's head spin! I have compiled a "checklist" of sorts and put it here for you, Mr. or Ms. Future Homeowner, to use when trying to decide on a Real Estate Agent.

Here is a list of questions and topics you should definitely discuss with an agent you are considering using:
As my Agent, what are the services you will provide me?

This question is meant to be open ended. That Agent sitting across from you is going to make a commission of the sale/purchase of your next home. You will want to know exactly what he or she has to offer. From a sales plan, if you are a seller to a detailed report of the area you are looking to buy in, if you are a Buyer; your Agent should be able to anticipate and address each and every one of your needs and concerns.

What is your plan of action with regard to locating a home for me to purchase?

As a Buyer, you know basically what you want.. but you do not what you do not know. That means your Agent should fill in those blanks. Your Agent should be ready and capable of doing research for you. Do you have children? Your Agent should be prepared with information on the appropriate schools in the area. Are you a jogger? Your Agent should be prepared to show you points of interest that will be in your neighborhood.

How much time will you give me?

We, as Real Estate Agents, LOVE TO TALK. More than talking, we love to talk about ourselves and what we can do. Make sure that when you are having this conversation with your prospective Agent, he/she can talk about what he/she can do FOR YOU and not what he/she has done in the PAST. You do not need to know how he/she did last year, you want to know what he/she is doing this month and how much time he/she has to devote to your needs. An Agent with 20 listings and 10 prospective buyers may not be able to give you the same level of service that an Agent with 2 listings and 2 buyers will be able to give you. Remember, you are looking for a HOME not a pair of shoes...you don't need to scrape the bottom of the bargain bin on this one!

What is the price range you propose for me?

Now this may sound odd to you. Why would you ask your Agent about price ranges when he/she has no idea about your financials. This is where the benefit of working with an Agent that is affiliated with a Broker who has a standing relationship, and in some cases even a dedicated representative, at a Direct Lender comes in handy. When you work with Agents that have outstanding working relationships with Lenders, you get the best of everything in one shot. Your Agent will be able to work with his/her representative at the Lender to make sure your pre-approval letter is ready to go when making offers. When you know how much loan you can get, you know how much home you can buy!

As a Buyer, you will not be paying your Agent, because Buyer's Agents' commissions come from the Seller's proceeds. Even so, you will still need an Agent who will be able to represent your needs accurately and efficiently, while providing you with EXCELLENT customer service. If you encounter an Agent that is not treating you well, GET RID OF HIM/HER - there are too many Agents out there who will be MORE than happy to serve you to the best of their abilities.

Mitra Karimi, President Crestico Realty http://www.crestico.com

Hope For Homeowners

The Hope for Homeowners program is what is being broadcast as the last hope for America's Homeowners. Do you have a question about it? Read on for more information!

As of November 19th, 2008 many changes have been made to the lending system in this country. Primarily, the loan to value ratio (LTV) has been increased from 90% to 96.50% for borrowers whose monthly mortgage payments are no more than 31 percent of their monthly gross income. Next, the process to remove subordinate liens has been simplified. Payments made up front are now allowed to motivate lien holders to give their consent and release the liens; thereby making more borrowers eligible for the program. Also, the terms of financing have been expanded and now incorporate 30 and 40 year amortization schedules, thereby reducing payments amounts.

The "HOPE for Homeowners Act of 2008" creates a new Federal Housing Administration program that will back FHA-insured mortgages to borrowers that are facing problems and stress as a result of their housing situation. New mortgages that will be offered by FHA-approved lenders will encourage and implement the refinancing of abusive, unfair and malicious loans to dramatically improved terms that will allow distressed homeowners who are having difficulty making their mortgage payments some breathing room and enable them to keep their homes and families intact.

If you or anyone you know is facing difficulties when it comes to making their monthly mortgage payments, NOW is the time to act. If you have any questions regarding how this program could work for you, contact your local real estate agent who can help you start saving your future today!

Mitra Karimi, President Crestico Realty http://www.crestico.com

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Who Are They and Why Do We Need Them?

The National Association of Realtors has a message it would like to get across and that message is that "America needs Fannie and Freddie." Who are these people that we have been hearing a lot about in the news lately? They are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

According to Realtor Frances Martinez who was the speaker representative at a House Financial Services Subcommittee hearing on June 3, 2009, "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac serve an important role in expanding homeownership and providing a solid foundation for our nation's housing financial system...Unlike private secondary market investors, Fannie and Freddie remain active in housing markets during downturns, using their federal ties to facilitate mortgage finance and support homeownership opportunities for all qualified borrowers."

Fannie and Freddie are government sponsored organizations that basically insure the success of our nation's housing system, the cornerstone of our economy. Fannie and Freddie work to make sure that all Americans have and will continue to have access to the fair and affordable mortgages. Just think, without Fannie and Freddie, when the market crashed, there would have been no alternative and all housing sales would have essentially come to a dead stop and this would have thrown our country into a deeper economic crisis.

All in all, Fannie and Freddie basically guarantee that there will be a secondary mortgage markets where people can safely and securely buy their homes and achieve the American dream. Getting a mortgage can be a scary thing. Thankfully, we have a country, a government and a system in place to make sure that the days of predatory lending and fraudulent behaviors in the lending industry are behind us.

Mitra Karimi, President Crestico Realty http://www.crestico.com

Short Sale Real Estate Agents - A Tall Order

The state of today's housing market leaves us all with something to be desired... but what we crave most is a GOOD DEAL. Whether you are a current homeowner, a former homeowner or a future homeowner; knowing what a short sale is and how you can make it work for you can help you save and make tons of money!

Now, if you're a homeowner facing foreclosure, this may be a great way for you to save yourself from the pain and drama of going through a foreclosure. If you're a buyer - you're in luck! Buying a short sale may save you tens of thousands of dollars on your dream home! If you're a current homeowner, not facing foreclosure, buying a short sale may just be that second home (and extra income) you can use to help you retire sooner!

To get started, you will need an agent. But not just ANY agent will do. You will need a specialist. Not just any agent can be a short sale specialist, although many will call themselves just that. You need an agent who is an EXPERT negotiator to deal with a short sale.

First, let's explain what exactly, this type of transaction is. Basically imagine a homeowner owes $500,000 on his home but can no longer make the payments and foreclosure is around the corner. You, as a buyer, can make an offer to the Lender that owns the bank for $400,000 and if you get approved, you've save the homeowner from foreclosure and pocketed a nice $100,000 savings! Extending yourself to distressed homeowners is a great way to be most successful at securing an approval. We have found that homeowners who are more than three payments behind on their mortgages are generally more amenable to such a transaction (and so are their lenders!).

Your agent will be KEY in getting an approval from the bank for you, which is why you must pick the right one! The agent handles negotiations with the bank and make sure that you are truly getting your money's worth.

For more information on how to find the best agent for you, click on the link below!

Mitra Karimi, President Crestico Realty http://www.crestico.com