Douglas Katz – 2 June 2021 So, I read an article last week trumpeting the loosening of lending guidelines for mortgage loan applications. I actually re-read it several times because, as one in the lending trenches, I am seeing a very different landscape. Deals that I could have done blindfolded with my hands behind my …
How to Get Your Mortgage Application Approved Post-COVID Read More »
DOUGLAS KATZ – 05/12/21 – UPDATED 5/17/21 We all know that technology has made it possible for thieves to thrive. With that said, they’ve found new and different ways to steal from you. One scam that has become a huge issues is what I call the interception scam in real estate closings. I call …
6 Tips To Avoid Real Estate Scams When Closing On a Home Read More »
How do you determine equity in your home if you are going through the divorce process? It starts with homeownership. If you ask a homeowner if they own their home, you might get a range of answers. While most will say yes, they rarely think in the correct terms of what the value of that …
How Do You Determine Equity in Your Home For Your Divorce? Read More »
When you think mortgage and home financing, rate, price and payment may be the first words that come to mind. Unfortunately, this represents the post-housing crash lending landscape of low cost at all cost. As the market changed, loans became much more of a commodity than in the past. Shopping tools and information on the …
How to Pick a Mortgage Lender and the Value of Expertise Read More »
Can you buy or refinance after your divorce? The question is always complex, but right now it is even more so. During COVID, many homeowners took mortgage loan forbearance to help manage the financial squeeze that the pandemic caused. For those unfamiliar with the term, forbearance basically means that a lender is allowing a borrower …
How Does Mortgage Loan Forbearance Impact Refinancing or Buying a House? Read More »
One of the top questions that I get from clients in my divorce lending practice is “can I afford my marital home post divorce”? This is a valid question and I am invariably able to provide them consul on their borrowing power. The error that many make, however, is to not adding onto that a …
When Should You Refinance Your House After Divorce? Read More »
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced that, like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are increasing their loan limits. This increase is a substantial increase from the previous limit and, in many ways, it could have a more significant impact on housing. FHA loans remain the best option for borrowers who do not qualify for …
Federal Housing Administration Update: Loan Limits Increased for 2021 Read More »
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) just announced an increase in conforming loan limits at the end of 2020. While some counties may vary, this means that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conforming Loans will be available to $548,250 next year. You can expect that FHA loans to also increase, but there is nothing definitive …
Conforming Loan Limits Have Increased in 2020. What Does This Mean? Read More »
The time is now if you want or need to refinance your mortgage. In a partial reversal of their announcement last week, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have delayed the implementation of the 0.5% fee for refinances until December. This is great news which I, for one, expected as it takes any negative political impact …
Three Important Considerations About The Delayed Mortgage Refinance Fees Read More »
The Federal Housing Finance Agency surprised the mortgage market yesterday with an announcement of a 0.5% adverse fee on all refinances. Citing mortgage market conditions and increased risk from COVID-19, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the entities governed by the FHFA, will be adding the 0.5% fee to all refinance loans after September 1st. Based …
How Will Adding A Fee to Refinances Affect the Mortgage Market and You? Read More »
