Obama’s Home Affordable Plan has been operational for over a year, now. The Administration is pleased overall with its results, but they have been making some adjustments and improvements. The overall efficiency of the program will be enhanced.
The government has determined that the economy is doing better. The real estate market is showing positive growth signals. Interest rates are low, and people are gaining some equity in their homes, an average of $12,000 over the last 3 quarters of 2009. Home sales are picking up again.
Continue Reading…
Related posts
The fixed mortgage loan is one of the most popular types of mortgages available. Offering a fixed interest rate from typically one to thirty years this type of mortgage offers financial security for many families. However, while there are many clear advantages to a fixed mortgage, there are also a few disadvantages that you should keep in mind. By educating yourself about both the pros and cons you can make the best decision as to whether a fixed mortgage is for you.
This type of loan is designed to give you the same interest rate that you signed up with for a set period of time. They are usually either 15 year mortgages or 30 year mortgages. A 30 year fixed mortgage will provide you with more money left over each month than a 15 year mortgage. However, the longer the mortgages, obviously the longer you will have to pay it back. Also the longer that you pay the mortgage back, the more interest you will pay overall.
Continue Reading…
Related posts
Thinking about buying a fixer-upper, but worried about coming up with the money to pay for the construction costs? Or are you wanting to renovate your existing home but just don’t have the available time or money? If so, the FHA may have a program to solve your problems. The section 203(k) program administered by the FHA provides funds to prospective and current homeowners to make repairs and/or do renovation work. A 203(k) loan combines a home’s purchase price and cost of repairs into one FHA mortgage, with only a 3.5% down payment.
A growing number of people are taking advantage of this program, a reflection of the large housing inventory caused, in large part, by foreclosures resulting from the recent economic turmoil. The FHA reports that the number of 203(k) loans taken out in 2008 nearly doubled from the previous year, with 2009 experiencing a 40% year over year increase. Potential homebuyers, attracted by relatively low market prices on foreclosed properties, are often left to contemplate how (and when!) they are going to be able to pay for the repairs once they purchase the house. This is not an uncommon scenario as foreclosed homes, which are often left abandoned, typically need extensive repairs. The 203(k) loan program solves this problem by enabling homebuyers to finance the construction work and start repairs on the home immediately after a loan closing. All residential properties, not just foreclosed homes, are potential candidates for the 203(k) loan program.
Continue Reading…
Related posts