FHA Policy Changes Require More Skin In the Game

January 21, 2010. Proposed Federal Housing Authority (FHA) policy changes this year will require "more skin in the game from borrowers" according to FHA Commissioner David Stevens in a statement released yesterday on the HUD website.

Following is an outline of these changes:

- New loan to value and credit score requirements. Borrowers with a credit score below 580 will be required to put a minimum 10% down. Borrowers with a credit score of 580 or above will still be allowed the traditional 3.5% down payment.

- Upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) will increase to 2.25% (presently it is 1.75% of the loan amount).

- Additionally FHA will pursue conditional legislative authority to increase the annual MIP according to the financial health of FHA: "triggered either by a decline in the capital ratio below the two percent requirement, or by a certification by the Secretary that the higher cap is necessary".

- Allowable seller concessions or seller contributions to borrowers closing costs etc. will be reduced from 6% to a maximum of 3%.

Commissioner Stevens went on to say that he hopes to implement all changes by early summer after going through the appropriate channels and notification process. He also states that these policy changes will not disrupt the housing market and will contribute to it's future sustainability.
To read the complete statement go to hud.gov.

Considering the increase in capital outlay for even the best FHA borrower any prospective borrowers should act now, or at least before these changes are implemented. If you have questions about FHA insured financing or just buying a home in todays market please call me directly at 561-306-6736 or email rebuygeorge@yahoo.com

To search for available FHA homes in Southeast Florida please visit my website at
ges-realty.com

Higher Mortgage Loan Limits

Higher Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac & FHA mortgage loan limits were set temporarily higher as part of the economic stimulus and recovery initiative. These currently higher limits are due to expire and revert back to the previous lower limits at the end of this year (2009). This week Congress approved a resolution extending the higher loan limits through 2010.



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The resolution, which needs the presidents signature, extends the present loan limits for FHA, Fannie and Freddie through the 2010 calendar year at 125 percent of local median home sales prices, up to a maximum of $729,750 in high-cost areas. The floor for FHA is $271,050; the floor for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan limits is $417,000.

For local median home sale prices in Southeast Florida call me at 561-306-6736 or email rebuygeorge@yahoo.com

Is Great Credit Still Important ?

It may seem like an odd topic for discussion or consideration at a time in our economy when overextended credit has gotten us into such a mess. If you've had a difficult time getting a loan lately it can be unsettling although there may be some comfort in knowing that your not alone. Because of the condition of the markets, getting a loan will become increasingly more difficult.

Our credit scores reflect our behavior as borrowers. You may not consider your credit score as important as it was a few years ago being that it's so difficult to get any these days. Credit and credit worthiness still matter for many reasons. You may eventually need a new mortgage because you're relocating for employment or for any number of reasons. You may need your good credit to send a child to college. You may need it to continue using credit cards because your income has fallen or disappeared for awhile. Your good credit may help get you through the difficult, unexpected times that seem to inevitably sprout up on us from time to time. We can't always know when our credit may be a factor but if a need to borrow becomes apparent it could be too late to repair any credit problems.

Our credit is something that we still have control over. We can see our credit history and credit report in the privacy of our own homes by going to annualcreditreport.com . A copy of your FICO score which is the combined credit rating from 3 reporting agencies is available also at myfico.com . Currently the median FICO score is 720 but that number may very well change in coming months. As more people default on loans the average or median score will get lower.

If your considering a new mortgage the rule of thumb now is the larger the down payment the better the rate as long as your credit is good. If you don't have a large down payment there are still good loans available. FHA insured loans require as little as 3% down even if your credit score is below average. It would be great if these conditions for lower scoring people were available for other types of loans. Until they are our credit score is crucial to our survival and we can protect it, improve it and preserve it.

Check your credit report for any possible errors. Look for accounts you may not recognize and report any discrepancy to the credit bureau. They could be an indication of identity theft. Report any incorrect late payment recordings or other derogatory errors that could negatively affect your score. They should respond to your requests in no more than 30 days. Preserving our credit may seem like an exercise now but at least it's something that we each still have complete control of.

For more information on FHA or conventional mortgage requirements or for the latest available mortgage programs and rates call or email George Sinacori 561-306-6736. Visit GES Realty online or any of my websites to search for a home in Southeast Florida.

July Home Sales Increase as Prices Decline

Homebuyers are taking advantage of depressed prices of existing homes. Home sales in July rose by 3.1% with many of the reported sales being foreclosed properties and private owners pressed to sell for less than they had originally paid for a home. The increase in sales is reported to be the largest single monthly increase since Feb. 2007.

Prices of existing or previously owned homes nationally were 7.1% lower in July than they were a year earlier according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as homebuyers took advantage of the lower prices and still favorable mortgage rates. Although sales have increased prices have continued to fall. The rule of supply and demand still applies and should continue putting pressure on prices as available homes for sale continue to outpace sales and more inventory comes on the market. . Anyone who does not need to sell quickly should wait until some of the dust settles before putting a home on the market.

Homebuyers may not want to wait to long on the other hand. It may be wise to grab up a property now considering some of the conditions that may affect buying ability or buying power over the coming months:

- On October 1 of this year FHA is required to have the ability to insure and refinance as much as $300 billion dollars in home loans for existing homeowners. This measure of the Housing and Economic Reform Act of 2008 could significantly reduce the number of homes entering the market over the last 3 months of this year.

- Interest rates are favorable now and may begin to rise as inflation becomes more of a threat.

- The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is available until June 30th of 2009. Taking advantage of buying this year allows the buyer to take that credit in 2008.

Anyone needing more information on available homes and prices in Southeast Florida can contact me directly either by phone 561-306-6736 or email at rebuygeorge@yahoo.com. You also may want to visit my website at ges-realty.com .

NAR has published it's June Pending Home Sales Index and it is encouraging. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing.

The June numbers don't reflect activity resulting from the Housing & Economic Reform legislation recently signed. Projections are for a improvement in existing homes sales in the months ahead and stronger gains in the fourth quarter as homebuyers begin taking advantage of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit and FHA Modernization.

According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist: " This is welcome news because a rise in contract activity is necessary for an overall housing recovery. With a tax credit now available to first-time home buyers, increases in home sales could be sustained with the momentum carrying into 2009.”

According to the report the PHSI rose 9.3% in the South and sales have remained consistently strong in areas where prices have seemingly bottomed, like Sacramento CA, Las Vegas and Ft. Myers. Yun also noted that builders are still facing higher construction costs and new home sales may not benefit as quickly as existing homes until they are able to reduce inventory and costs.
With mortgage rates remaining favorable many buyers may be sensing the bottom and recognizing that owning a home is again affordable.

contact me at http://www.ges-realty.com , email me at rebuygeorge@yahoo.com or call me directly 561-306-6736

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

One of the provisions of the new Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, signed into law by President Bush on July 30, 2008 provides a First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. The tax credit is available to qualified first time homebuyers. A first time homebuyer is anyone who has not owned any property in the past 3 years.

- As defined in H.R.3221 Section 36: " FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER

- The term `first-time homebuyer' means any individual if such individual (and if married, such individual's spouse) had no present ownership interest in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of the purchase of the principal residence to which this section applies.""In the case of an individual who is a first-time homebuyer of a principal residence in the United States during a taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for such taxable year an amount equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of the residence."
Note: the property may not quailfy for the credit if it is purchased from a relative.

The first time homebuyer tax credit is available to buyers of a primary residence purchased from April 09, 2008 through July 01, 2009. The allowable credit amount is 10% of the purchase price up to a maximum $7,500. Single tax payers with modified adjusted gross incomes up to $75,000. are eligible for the credit and married couples with combined modified adjusted gross incomes up to $150,000 are eligible. The credit is temporary and the amounts taken are recaptured (repaid) in future tax years, up to 15 years of ownership, or when the home is sold.

The new measure is part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. It should stimulate prospective homebuyers who may already recognize the bottom of the market but need another incentive to buy a home in the near future. The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is available through June 30, 2009 to qualified buyers. In all probability it will not be available beyond that date. It is a temporary economic stimulus.

Consumers are demonstrating interest in the measure according to the activity reported by the National Association of Home Builders Federal Housing Tax Credit website.

Other provisions of the H.R.3221 include FHA Modernization which increases FHA insured loan amount to 115% of an areas median home price up to a maximum of $625,500 which may in effect allow more working families to take advantage of FHA insured loans. The provision will also allow FHA to guarantee $300 billion to refinance mortgages where homeowners may be facing foreclosure.

Anyone needing more information on the tax credit or on the new loan limits and down payment requirements for FHA insured mortgages or on refinancing into a new loan can contact me directly at 561-306-6736 or email me or visit my website www.ges-realty.com