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All Posts in FHA

Understanding the Specification of Repairs (SOR)

February 19, 2012

FHA 203k Work Writeup – Specification of Repairs (SOR) It is imperative for the customer, Realtor and general contractor to understand the importance of the Specification of Repairs.  Unlike the bid itself from the contractor, this document is attached to the appraisal report and presented to the appraiser to assist in determining the value and future [...]

How come more people don’t use FHA 203k loans?

February 14, 2012

Knowledge & Experience Needed! How come more Realtors and customers don’t use FHA 203k loans?  It’s a great question! The answer really lies in the fact that most lenders (in house mortgage companies for the Realtors) don’t do the FHA 203k loan, or just don’t do it well. Secondly, Realtors have fear about the FHA 203k loan because [...]

What’s the downside of FHA 203k mortgages?

February 6, 2012

So, I get questions all the time about this, and people always tell me, “Jeff, everything sounds great about FHA 203k mortgages, …sounds like it’s the perfect loan for me…it does everything that I want it to do, BUT there can’t be the perfect loan- there has to be something wrong!”  And you’re right- maybe not so [...]

Weather Conditions

February 5, 2012

We get A LOT questions that come in all the time and we try to answer as many of them as we can in blog posts so future customers will be able to see these posts and potentially have their questions answered up front. Weather Conditions One of our most recent questions was from a client in New Hampshire.  The customer had [...]

FHA 203k Mortgages & Multi-Unit Family Properties

January 18, 2012

Another Great Use! Buying and rehabbing a multi-family unit property can be done using the FHA 203k loan.  I’ve done a few of these loans and they are absolutely great!  I’m currently doing one right now — it’s a four-unit property and it’s a big job. The FHA 203k loan limits, which you can check out here, are much higher as [...]

FHA Streamline Refinance without Credit Scores and Appraisal

July 31, 2011

FHA Streamline refinances typically require credit scores and appraisals – this is not the way the FHA streamline program was supposed to be used, but conduits (investors) have put their overlays on FHA mortgages. This is a shame because there are good borrowers out there who make their mortgage payments on time but who, for [...]

This week in the Mortgage Markets

July 19, 2011

Mortgage markets worsened last week as concerns for the global economy drove new rounds of “safe haven” buying. Fear continues to dominate mortgage bond market movement and Pennsylvania and New Jersey rate shoppers are benefiting. Conforming and FHA mortgage rates fell for the second straight week last week, and closed out Friday with favorable momentum [...]

Mortgage Insurance – When Can it Be Cancelled?

May 8, 2011

If you have a conventional mortgage, and put less than 20% down when you purchased your home (or less than 20% equity when you refinanced your home) your monthly payment includes “mortgage insurance“. Depending on your interest rate, for a 30- year term mortgage and if you put 5% down payment, it will take approximately [...]

Information You Should Know Before Applying for a Reverse Mortgage

April 25, 2011

Reverse mortgages are beginning to skyrocket as seniors are realizing the need for extra cash for various expenses. The money gained from reverse mortgages is often used for medical expenses, necessary home repairs, or even as a supplement to social security. Reverse mortgages can give seniors the opportunity to extract much needed money out of [...]

FHA to Increase Monthly Mortgage Insurance Rates

March 5, 2011

For the third time in 12 months, the HUD is changing its mortgage insurance costs. Effective for all FHA case numbers assigned on, or after, April 18, 2011, annual mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) will increase 25 basis points. The change will add $250 to an homeowner’s annual loan costs per $100,000 borrowed, and applies to all [...]

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