Unanimous Vote For FHA Condo Legislation
Both the House and the Senate approved a bill by unanimous consent that will change FHA condo rules. New legislation will streamline the FHA’s certification requirements, relax owner-occupancy requirements, and make condo financing more accessible. On July 14, 2016, the Senate passed H.R. 3700, the “Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act” that has been […]
Property Tax Benefit For Seniors
Two California initiatives provide senior residents with property tax savings. If you are over 55, find out how to transfer your property tax rate to a new home! California has a program where senior residents can roll-over low property tax rates to a new home, a practice that saves homeowners thousands per year. For […]
Demand Wanes For Luxury Homes
A surplus in the market of high-end homes may mean big deals for homebuyers. The U.S. has seen a growth in inventory of high-priced homes. Homes for sale between $500,000-$750,000 rose 15.9% in March compared to the same time last year, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Homes over $1 million rose […]
Wire Fraud Warning For Homebuyers
The threat of wire fraud is real. Find out how to identify home buying scams and protect your money from scammers. In our ever-advancing hi-tech society, much of our information is shared online and via email. Real estate transactions are no exception, with electronic signatures and online wire transfers becoming the norm. As […]
12-Month Home Buying Countdown
The home buying process is not one to enter lightly. Start planning early for your new home to avoid unexpected hang-ups and frustration. If your goal is to own a home in the next year, here is your preparation timeline: 12 Months Out Check your credit score. If you are applying for a […]
What Brexit Means For U.S. Real Estate
Britain’s vote to exit the European Union may have positive consequences for the U.S. real estate market. It’s still business as usually even after the recent Brexit vote 2 weeks ago. Economists are still uncertain of both the short-term and long-term affects of the U.K. seceding from the E.U. But some speculation suggests this […]
FHA Tightens Eligibility Requirements
It just got a little harder to get an FHA loan as the Federal Housing Administration tightens eligibility requirements. FHA mortgages account for nearly 1 in 4 mortgage loans nationwide. FHA loans are attractive to borrowers for the low 3.5% down payment, and attractive to lenders as payment is insured by the Federal […]
Buy Your Home With Only 1% Down
In an effort to provide as many options as possible to potential homeowners, Quicken Loans has collaborated with Freddie Mac to provide a purchase mortgage loan that only requires a 1% down payment. Here is yet another example of why you should shop around to find the best mortgage loan to suit your […]
What Is A Home Warranty?
Whether you are buying your first home or selling a home and moving into another, a home warranty could be a valuable protection for your finances and your peace of mind. A home warranty plan appears on the standard California purchase agreement under “other costs,” and may be paid by the buyer or […]
How To Hire A Moving Company
You've decided to hire movers. What do you do now? What’s the worst part about a new home? The move! But you’re an adult now; it’s time to stop banking on your friends and any acquaintance with a truck to help lug your furniture across town (and offering pizza and beer as compensation). […]
