Real Estate Agent Pictures Poll

You’re Nuts!

To quote Jim Cramer of CNBC, “Your Nuts, Get in the Game!” Today, some people may think of Cramer as nuts. He predicted this morning that the 10 year would go to 1% (just like it is in Germany). With that being said, we could see the 30 year mortgage go to the 2’s. Is … Continue reading →

Lender Update for HARP 2.0

I now have a Fannie Mae lender for PA, VA, FL and CA that will do unlimited loan to values for primary or second homes unless it is a condo where the maximum loan to valueis 125% (unless a fieldwork waiver is offered on final submission- whatever that means). The Colonial Revival headquarters of Fannie Mae, designed by … Continue reading →

Originally posted on HARP2 by Fred Glick:
For preselected homeowners in Nevada, Arizona and New York, B of A is trying a program to keep people in their homes that are serious delinquent. This keeps the number of foreclosures down and along with HARP2, this can help keep values up by limiting inventory. See details…

FHA MIP to go Higher….Soon!

Have an FHA deal that you’re negotiating?  The MIP is soon to go much higher. As of loans issues a case number (not application date) after April 9th, 2012, the up front MIP on an over 95% LTV deal will go from 1.00% to 1.75% (yes, it’s financed still). The monthly goes from 1.15% to … Continue reading →

HARP2 and Second Mortgages

How About That Second

HUD, Soviet Style

Yesterday, Amtrak happily took me from philadelphia to our nation’s capital. Even though the onboard internet ran as slow as Joan Rivers in a triathlon and the coffee tasted as bad as a three day old slice of pizza that you left on the counter, the cho-cho got me there so that I could meet members … Continue reading →

Unsealed Complaint Provides Details on $1 Billion BofA Deal

By Nate Raymond February 27, 2012 More details about the U.S. government’s $1 billion False Claims Act settlement with Bank of America earlier this month spilled into the public domain on Friday, when a federal judge in Brooklyn unsealed a whistleblower complaint against Countrywide Financial Corporation that sources confirm is related to the deal. Hagens … Continue reading →

NAIHP, CFPB and the USCC

Fort Washington, George Washington, You Gotta Move Here

1752. A year none of us personally remember but it marks the year this home was built. Enjoy a true George Washington moment with an American classic whilst thou cooks in a modern kitchen! A two car garage adorns that parcel not for horses but your Porsches (or even your Yugo!. Since our MLS does … Continue reading →

2012 is the new 1994 in Philadelphia Real Estate

Al Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Columnist Email Al Heavens, follow Al Heavens on Twitter The year 1994 was a bad one for real estate. In fact, by then, things had already been difficult for several years. In 1987, the bottom had fallen out of the national market, the result of unsustainable price increases and overbuilding. By early 1990, … Continue reading →

Philadelphia Real Estate Market Great for the Feet!

(If you’ve read my posts over the years, you know I am not a rah-rah REALTOR(R) that always says “the market is great, buy now!”  I base my opinions on facts.  That’s why this post will be interesting.) We are absolutely on the way back. Jobs in Philadelphia are stable.  There is more hiring than … Continue reading →

Condo vs. single-family home: What’s right for you?

Al Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Columnist Email Al Heavens, follow Al Heavens on Twitter DAVID M WARREN / Staff Photographer Among condominium buildings high above the city are10 Rittenhouse Square (front) and Two Liberty Place in the background. Center City condos have held their value. You’ve decided to dip your toe into the sea of properties available … Continue reading →

All About Graduate Hospital Area

Tired of being a homeowner and want to rent?

You are not alone. There is a wave, albeit small where people are deciding that they have had enough with fixing things, making mortgage payments and suing the neighbors. There are examples of people that have seen taxes go up even though they have equity and have refinanced to today’s low mortgage rates (see usloans.com for … Continue reading →