Interest - Only mortgages received a lot of bad press during the aftermath of the housing bust, but they have stuck around as a viable mortgage alternative to home buyers who meet rigorous lending guidelines enacted by the federal government in recent years. Interest - Only mortgages can lower monthly mortgage payments by allowing borrowers to delay paying principle on their loan for several years. The down side of this mortgage program is the increase in mortgage payments when interest-only period comes to the end. At that time, borrowers begin to pay a combination of principal and interest until the loan is paid off. The shock of the increase in monthly mortgage payments as a result of higher interest rates on adjustable-rate interest only loan loans have caused many borrowers to default on their loans in the past. This shock in monthly payments is often accompanied with a higher interest rate which results in many borrowers falling behind in their monthly … [Read more...]
Update – Victoria Falls Third Quarter Market Watch
Update - Victoria Falls Third Quarter Market Watch – Single Family/Villa Styled Homes (SFH) summer issue summarizes the SFH and Villa styled homes market activity within the VF Resort Community through the quarter. This summer have shown a growing demand for SFH, villa styled homes and condos with an increase in sales prices during this same period. There were five Active listings and now there are only two active listing. This shows the improving market for this type of homes in VF. We’ve noticed a steady increase in the SFH close prices since our last blog in July. The recent sale of 7401 Forests Edge Ct.a SFH took over the top spot for the highest sales price at $490,000. Now, to the latest data regarding Single Family/Villa Styled Homes…… New to Market - 13202 Rabbit Chase Rd. - List Price: $359,900. This villa townhouse features three bedrooms, three full baths and attached garage. Tax living area: 1,464. Days on market - 13. New to Market - 7211 … [Read more...]
Home Buyers Assistance – State of Maryland
Home Buyers Assistance - State of Maryland have a great program to help home buyers obtain home ownership. And now, first time home buyers can get a tax credit too! If you have not owned a home in the past three years in the State of Maryland, there is an EXCELLENT chance you will be eligible for assistance of $5,000 at a MINIMUM. And, even if you have owned a home in the past three years, there are targeted areas where you can buy again without the 3 year wait. For example, the entire City of Baltimore is classified as targeted so any buyer can get $5,000 in assistance as long as they don't own any other property when they go to settlement. The Maryland Mortgage Program offers $5,000 in assistance or potentially more depending on the buyer's employer for down payment or closing cost assistance. So, if a buyer is purchasing a $200,000 home and they need 3.5% of the purchase price ($7,000) as a downpayment, this program will give them $5,000. If they then receive a full seller … [Read more...]
MY HOME PROGRAM SUSPENDED
MY HOME PROGRAM SUSPENDED AS OF JANUARY 28 Nearly 1,300 Prince George's Homebuyers Have Been Assisted My Home Program suspended due to the overwhelming demand for down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time home buyers, the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County (RDA) has suspended the "My HOME" home buyer assistance program effective January 28, 2015, due to funding depletion. Completed applications received by January 28, 2015 that are pending approval, will be funded on a "first completed" basis, as additional funds become available. Since 2009, the Redevelopment Authority has assisted nearly 1,300 homebuyers purchase a home in Prince George's County. In 2014 alone, the RDA provided 267 loans to first-time, moderate income homebuyers which generated over $2,133,300 in property, recordation and transfer taxes for the County. "My HOME provided hundreds of families the opportunity to begin building family wealth, as well as stabilizing county neighborhoods by … [Read more...]
First Time Home Buyers
First time home buyers in Prince George's County have easy access to money to buy a home through the MyHome Programs. And, these grant programs can also be used with 203k streamlines loans so it helps when the property is in need of repair. Here are some highlights of the program: MY HOME II * Loan amount up to $20,000 based on 120% area median income * Zip codes restricted to 20706, 20737, 20743, 20744, 20745, 20746, 20747, 20748, 20772, 20774, 20784 and 20785 * Loan is given at 0%, deferred payment. Buyer must pay back in full if the house is sold, transferred or ceases to be their primary residence, regardless of tenure in property. * No maximum sales price if buyer is between 81% to 120% of the area median income, limited to same restrictions as MyHome if median income is up to 80% * Debt to income ratios of 33%/43% And, this program can be combined with The Maryland Mortgage program as long as the loan does not need a 203k streamline for another … [Read more...]
First Time Home Buyers
First time home buyers in Prince George's County have easy access to money to buy a home through the MyHome Programs. And, these grant programs can also be used with 203k streamlines loans so it helps when the property is in need of repair. In addition there is a MY HOME II program available to first time buyers. Here are some highlights of the MYHOME program: MY HOME PROGRAM: * Loan amount up to $20,000 based on 80% area median income * Loan amount up to $60,000 based on 50% area median income * Entire county is eligible * Loan is given at 0%, deferred payment. Buyer must pay back in full if the house is sold, transferred or ceases to be their primary residence in 15 years. After 15 years, the loan is fully forgiven. * Maximum sales price of $295,000 for resales and $370,000 for new construction * Debt to income ratios of 33%/43% * Foreclosures require 1% discount from appraisal completed within 60 days … [Read more...]
Buying a Home
Buying a home gets easier! The latest market news - Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) replenished their funds for 2015. Funds are limited and will go very fast because the grant is very popular and easy to obtain for buyers. Federal Home Loan Bank is offering $5,000 to first time homebuyers if they contribute a minimum of $1,250 into buying their home. And, those monies can actually be gifted as well. Buyers can actually contribute less monies but their grant will be reduced because it is based on a 4:1 ratio. For example, if a buyer wanted to obtain $2,500 of grant monies then they would only have to contribute $625 or half of the $1,250. And, the fees they pay upfront can be used to meet their contribution so the earnest money deposit and appraisal fee can be used towards their minimum contribution. The reasons why this grant is better for buying a home over other programs if a buyer's income qualifies: • The grant is forgivable after 5 years entirely. If a buyer vacates the … [Read more...]
What is PMI? Ask the Experts – Adolphus Hawkes Realtors
What is PMI? When you buy a house there are four key cost components that are included into your monthly mortgage payment. The four components are commonly referred to as “PITI”. PITI includes the (P) - principal amount of the mortgage, (I) Interest on your new mortgage, (T) county taxes and (i) insurance. Now, we will now explain how… and when PMI is added to your monthly mortgage. If you cannot afford to make a 20 percent down payment on a conventional loan - PMI, or private mortgage insurance protects your lender from loss in case of default. Having private mortgage insurance will allow you to make a significantly lower down payment than the required 20 per cent, and still obtain a traditional conventional financing. You could be eligible to cancel your PMI coverage if specific lender guidelines are met, e.g., having no late payments and the overriding factor - having built at least 20 percent equity. You build equity quickly when… and if your property value increases or, if … [Read more...]
First Time Home Buyers with bad credit
First Time Home Buyers with bad credit should know their FICO score early on in the home buying process. This is one of the most important steps when investing in a home. Understanding your FICO score and obtaining a pre-approval letter from a reputable lender will greatly enhance your chances of obtaining loan approval or commitment....Your lender will determine your buying power and maximum loan amount! A mortgage lender will first start with a preliminary credit check. This process could be added to an automated underwriting system to determine any loan conditions prior to determining your buying power. Your estimated loan amount will then be computed based on your credit worthiness. First Time Home Buyers with bad credit - As a first time home buyer should talk to a mortgage lender or search online for your FICO credit score early in the process. A free credit score can be obtained from www.annualcreditreort.com. This site will provide your credit score and a report for a fee. … [Read more...]
First Time Home Buyers – FICO Score
First Time Home Buyers - FICO score should be determined early on in the buying process. This is an important step in the home buying process. By understanding your FICO score and obtaining a pre-approval letter from a lender will greatly enhance your chances of obtaining loan approval...Your lender will then determine your maximum loan amount … or your buying power! A reputable lender will do a preliminary credit check and review the automated underwriting systems for conditions prior to determining your buying power. Your estimated loan amount will be computed based on your credit worthiness. As a first time home buyer you should talk to a lender or search online for your FICO credit score. Many lenders have lowered the threshold for First Time Home Buyers - FICO credit scores from a year ago….Now you may be able to qualify for a mortgage loan with a lower credit score. Many potential buyers believe they need near-perfect credit scores to get a home. However, a large … [Read more...]