The American Dream: Home Ownership

The National Association of Home Builders ("NAHB") recently reported that Americans still believe in home ownership.

Americans still believe that a strong housing industry means more jobs and more money to keep local economies growing, and that the government should continue to promote homeownership through tax incentives.

A new survey found that nearly three out of four American voters—73 percent—believe that it is reasonable and appropriate for the federal government to provide tax incentives to promote homeownership.

And 81 percent of voters are convinced we should do more to improve the housing finance system because we need policies that encourage homeownership if we want to rebuild the middle class.

"Every new single-family home built creates three full-time jobs and increases the property tax base that supports local schools," said National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. "The American public recognizes that to restore the health of the economy, we need policies that support opportunities for homeownership."

The poll, which was conducted on behalf of NAHB, also found that an overwhelming majority of respondents oppose eliminating the mortgage interest deduction and would be less likely to support a candidate for Congress who wants to do away with this vital tax incentive.

"Despite the current housing downturn, Americans still see homeownership as a key building block of being in the middle class and creating strong jobs in their communities," said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, which conducted the survey along with Public Opinion Strategies.

Other key survey findings include:

•75 percent of voters say that owning a home is the best long term investment they can make.

•73 percent of voters who do not now own a home say that it is a goal of theirs to eventually buy a home.

•Among voters who are aware of proposals under consideration by Washington policymakers to raise the down payment requirements for a home loan, 92 percent believe it will make it more difficult to buy a home.

Neil Newhouse, partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, said, "The administration and some in Congress are floating plans to curtail or even abolish the mortgage interest deduction and impose changes that would make it much more difficult and expensive to get a home loan. This is in direct opposition to the views of most Americans, who want the government to encourage growth in the housing market and to maintain tax incentives to keep housing affordable."

http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=1047&genericContentID=162180

 

For more information, please visit www.crestico.com.

Should I Buy A Home?

The question that I get asked most often from client is "Is it a good time to buy a house?" Well, the answer to this question almost always depends on who is asking and what his/her reasons for buying a home are. Often people fall into the traps of wanting to buy a home so badly that they overlook many of the dangers and potentially stressful things that could happen down the line.

Many of my short sale clients have made themselves "house poor" (as the Department of Housing and Urban Development calls it). This is something I often warn my clients about. Being "House Poor" means that "… by putting too much emphasis (and income) into your housing expense, you may be forced to cut other expenditures, whether it be for travel, entertainment or some more important needs, such as education expenses or retirement funding."

By making inappropriate housing decisions, many have exposed themselves to a great deal of financial exposure. By pushing themselves to their financial limits, they find themselves unable to meet their mortgage payment obligations as that payment takes a higher percentage of their income. When funds get short, other loans and obligations (and credit ratings) can and will suffer.

Additionally by not completely understanding the economic state of the nation, often homebuyers ignore housing values. Economic downturns are often accompanied by, at the very least, stagnation in housing values. And, even though it sounds crazy in markets that have seen double-digit annual appreciation in recent years, occasionally housing values will decline (as they have in recent years). Worse than a situation where it is difficult to pay the mortgage is one where there is the prospect of losing a home--or trying to sell it in a distressed market.

However, for savvy buyers with steady incomes, good credit and supple savings – this is a great time to buy a home. Firstly, mortgage interest rates are at their lowest levels years, meaning lower payments and the ability to devote less income to housing expenses. However, buyers should be warned against buying more house than they need simply because they can afford the payment.

Because less people are getting qualified for loans, there is less competition. As the market softens, less buyers will be in the market, meaning that negotiating position will be enhanced--and, it is unlikely that buyers will have to pay thousands of dollars over the listing price in order to get the home they want. More negotiating power usually means lower prices and lower monthly payments.

 

All in all, it can be a good and a bad time to buy a home depending on who you are and your financial health.

 

For more information, please visit www.crestico.com.

Should I Buy A Home?

The question that I get asked most often from client is "Is it a good time to buy a house?" Well, the answer to this question almost always depends on who is asking and what his/her reasons for buying a home are. Often people fall into the traps of wanting to buy a home so badly that they overlook many of the dangers and potentially stressful things that could happen down the line.

Many of my short sale clients have made themselves "house poor" (as the Department of Housing and Urban Development calls it). This is something I often warn my clients about. Being "House Poor" means that "… by putting too much emphasis (and income) into your housing expense, you may be forced to cut other expenditures, whether it be for travel, entertainment or some more important needs, such as education expenses or retirement funding."

By making inappropriate housing decisions, many have exposed themselves to a great deal of financial exposure. By pushing themselves to their financial limits, they find themselves unable to meet their mortgage payment obligations as that payment takes a higher percentage of their income. When funds get short, other loans and obligations (and credit ratings) can and will suffer.

Additionally by not completely understanding the economic state of the nation, often homebuyers ignore housing values. Economic downturns are often accompanied by, at the very least, stagnation in housing values. And, even though it sounds crazy in markets that have seen double-digit annual appreciation in recent years, occasionally housing values will decline (as they have in recent years). Worse than a situation where it is difficult to pay the mortgage is one where there is the prospect of losing a home--or trying to sell it in a distressed market.

However, for savvy buyers with steady incomes, good credit and supple savings – this is a great time to buy a home. Firstly, mortgage interest rates are at their lowest levels years, meaning lower payments and the ability to devote less income to housing expenses. However, buyers should be warned against buying more house than they need simply because they can afford the payment.

Because less people are getting qualified for loans, there is less competition. As the market softens, less buyers will be in the market, meaning that negotiating position will be enhanced--and, it is unlikely that buyers will have to pay thousands of dollars over the listing price in order to get the home they want. More negotiating power usually means lower prices and lower monthly payments.

 

All in all, it can be a good and a bad time to buy a home depending on who you are and your financial health.

 

For more information, please visit www.crestico.com.

Financial Health

Did you know that the average credit score required nowadays to get approved for a loan is 140 points HIGHER today than it was just a few years ago? That’s a lot when you consider that credit only ranges from 100 to 850.

One of the most important factors in getting a loan to buy a home has been credit, and it remains to be quite significant when filling out applications for loans. This is in large part, due to the economy. The mortgage crisis we have been witnessing over the past 4 years had major impacts on the lending industry and institutions became less willing to extend credit, even to those who are well-qualified.

Financial responsibility is key! Those with poor credit are faced with less and less options, making it harder and harder to realize the American dream of owning your own home.

Qualifying for a loan isn’t the end of the story.. it’s just the beginning. Just because you qualify doesn’t mean you are getting a good rate. The difference that just 0.25% can make on a $500,000 loan is over $1000 a year, multiplied by 30 years, that’s $30,000 that could have been saved over the life of the loan. What could you do with an extra $30,000?

In this market, many people are eager to buy a home, thinking "oh the prices are so low – we gotta get this house!" but keep in mind, while the price may seem low – the interest rate you qualify for may not be as attractive. So, tend to your financial health, clean up your credit – then start making offers on homes.

For more real estate advice, or to have any questions answered regarding the home buying process, visit www.crestico.com.

Financial Health

Did you know that the average credit score required nowadays to get approved for a loan is 140 points HIGHER today than it was just a few years ago? That’s a lot when you consider that credit only ranges from 100 to 850.

One of the most important factors in getting a loan to buy a home has been credit, and it remains to be quite significant when filling out applications for loans. This is in large part, due to the economy. The mortgage crisis we have been witnessing over the past 4 years had major impacts on the lending industry and institutions became less willing to extend credit, even to those who are well-qualified.

Financial responsibility is key! Those with poor credit are faced with less and less options, making it harder and harder to realize the American dream of owning your own home.

Qualifying for a loan isn’t the end of the story.. it’s just the beginning. Just because you qualify doesn’t mean you are getting a good rate. The difference that just 0.25% can make on a $500,000 loan is over $1000 a year, multiplied by 30 years, that’s $30,000 that could have been saved over the life of the loan. What could you do with an extra $30,000?

In this market, many people are eager to buy a home, thinking "oh the prices are so low – we gotta get this house!" but keep in mind, while the price may seem low – the interest rate you qualify for may not be as attractive. So, tend to your financial health, clean up your credit – then start making offers on homes.

For more real estate advice, or to have any questions answered regarding the home buying process, visit www.crestico.com.

How to get the lowest home mortgage refinance rates?

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How to get the lowest home mortgage refinance rates?
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Are you struggling with your monthly mortgage payments? If answered yes, you must try your best to refinance your home loan as this is the best way to get back on your current monthly mortgage payments. Most mortgage loans carry high interest rates and with the unemployment rate touching a record level, an increasingly large number of homeowners are not being able to cope up with their monthly mortgage installments.  Refinancing is just taking out yet another home loan with favorable interest rates and terms so that you can repay the previous loan with ease. While there are many homeowners who want to refinance their home loans, they all love to know the ways in which they can get the best refinance rates in the market. Have a look at the ways in which you may secure low rates on the refinance loan.

1.Check your credit score: As you know that the lenders will always check your credit sore before lending you with a new line of credit, you must try your best to boost your credit score in order to get the best rate in the market. As the credit score is the best way to track the financial history of a person, you must take good care about the financial habits that can drop down your score. Most financial experts often say that one must initially go for credit repair before applying for a home loan so as to grab reasonable interest rates.

2.Shop around among different lenders: Refinancing can be done from your previous lender and from any other lender too. If you want to change the lender from whom you want to take out a mortgage refinance loan, you must shop around extensively so as to make sure that you get the most competitive rate in the market. The lenders are waiting to offer you the loans of their companies and thus you need to make sure that you're choosing a loan that has the perfect interest rate that can help you save your dollars on the mortgage loan.

3.Pay points on the refinance loan:  Even if your credit score is not enough for you to secure a loan with an affordable rate, you can still get the lowest refinance rates. This is possible by paying points while taking out the new refinance loan. A point is1% of the loan amount that has to be paid in cash during the closing. This can lower the rates.

4.Choose a different term: If you refinance your mortgage loan at a 15 year term mortgage loan, you can get low rates on the loan. However, a 15 year term mortgage loan will require high monthly payments but will also ensure low rates at the same time.

Therefore, if you want to refinance your mortgage loans at a lower rate, you can easily follow the tips mentioned above. Get a loan at a low rate and repay the loan with ease, thereby retaining your home ownership rights.

Samantha Taylor is the Community Mentor of MortgageFit and has been contributing her suggestions to the Community since 2005. Not just that, she has also made notable contributions through the various articles written on different subjects related to the mortgage industry. Few of her popular articles would include names like 'Mortgage that you can afford', 'Mobile Home Loan with Bad Credit', and How much mortgage can I borrow?

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Attention Future California Homeowners! Loan limits are dropping!

Areas that will be affected in California are Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, or Los Angeles county. Starting October 1, 2011, temporary conforming and FHA insurable loan limits will be lowered nationwide.

HUD has also announced new (lowered) FHA insurable loan limits across the nation. California has several counties that will be negatively affected and potentially impact home buyers who have not saved a large down payment.

"Temporary loan limits" were enacted as part of the government’s 2008 economic stimulus package. At the time, the financial sector was entering its crisis and private mortgage lending was practically done. Financing was scarce for both homeowners and home buyers for whom loan sizes exceeded Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s national $417,000 limit — even for those with excellent credit and income.

Riverside and San Bernardino will no longer be considered a high cost area by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac…which will affect you if you are looking to buy a home in the $350,000 to mid $450,00 price range.

County New FHA loan Limit New Conforming Limits will be as follows:

Riverside County $355,350 for FHA and $417,000 for Conforming

San Bernardino County $355,350 for FHA and $417,000 for Conforming

San Diego County $546,250 for FHA and $546,250 for Conforming

Orange County $625,500 for FHA and $625,500 for Conforming

Los Angeles County $625,500 for FHA and $625,500 for Conforming

The max conventional and FHA loan amount in Riverside and San Bernardino county is currently $500,000, but starting October 1st, 2011, it will drop by $144,650 for FHA , and for conventional loans, it will drop $83,000.

If you live in a high-cost area, or a former high cost area, mortgage rates may be low, but the amount of loan for which you qualify may be much less than you expect. You may find yourself ineligible to use a low down payment FHA loan to purchase your home, thus requiring you to with a HUGE down payment.

Whether you’re planning a refinance or a purchase a home, keep an eye on the calendar and act sooner…..contact Crestico today!

www.crestico.com