“Strategic Foreclosure”: Is walking away in your best interest?
Homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than the actual house value are considered “underwater” or “upside down.” The number of Americans in this situation is ever increasing: Today, at least one in five homeowners owes more than their home is worth.The action these homeowners are considering taking is just walking away from their obligation, what is known as a strategic [...]
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Five body language secrets
Body language: We all “speak” it, but do we always know how to interpret it?Eyes – Unless on drugs, dilated pupils indicate that the person is interested in what you’re saying. Stong eye contact also shows the listener is engaged and exudes confidence.Hands & Arms – Open palms suggests the person is relaxed and comfortable. [...]
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How to properly screen a prospective tenant
According to the National Association of Realtors®, “distressed homes” represented nearly two of every five home sold in January 2010. Clearly, real estate investors are taking advantage of good deals on cheap property. This NBC Today Show interview first ran in March 2009, featuring real estate expert Barbara Corcoran. Despite its age, [...]
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Fannie Mae to help struggling Florida homeowners; go nationwide
A new Mortgage Help Center in Miami, FL is looking to speed up the loan modification process for struggling Florida homeowners with mortgages held by government-run Fannie Mae (FM). Working in conjunction with local civic leaders, the goal is to educate and assist those who are having difficulty paying their mortgage or facing foreclosure.Fannie Mae has [...]
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How rising consumer sentiment is linked to higher home prices
Consumer sentiment has been on the rise since last February and it’s something to which home buyers should pay attention. The affordability of your next home may hinge on consumer confidence.As the economy recovers from the recession, many of the elements of a full recovery are in place. Business investment is returning, [...]
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What buyers of new homes want in this uncertain market
The National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders Show was held last month in Las Vegas. It hosted approximately 55,000 builders, remodelers and other members of the home building industry. There were more than 1,100 exhibitors showcasing energy retrofitting, marketing, financial resources and design trends.Steve Kerch of MarketWatch reported that what Americans are looking for in [...]
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Administration providing $1.5 billion to assist homeowners in select states
Last week, President Obama announced a plan to direct $1.5 billion in aid to distressed homeowners in states hit the hardest by the housing crisis. During a town hall meeting held in suburban Las Vegas, the President stated, “Government has a responsibility to help deal with this problem.”The money is earmarked for Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan [...]
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Where in the world are the most livable cities?
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the “world’s foremost provider of country, industry and management analysis. For over 60 years, the EIU has delivered vital business intelligence to influential decision-makers around the world.”Each year the EIU ranks 140 cities, worldwide, on liveability.Each city is given a score for more than 30 qualitative and quantitative factors [...]
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Homeowners are paying credits cards before their mortgage
TransUnion, the third-largest American consumer credit reporting agency, has recently released a report showing more and more consumers are paying their credit card bills instead of their mortgages. The study revealed that Americans who are current on their credit cards but delinquent on their mortgage increased from 4.3 percent in the first quarter of 2008 to 6.6 [...]
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Separating FHA fact from fiction: mortgage insurance premiums
The mortgage lending landscape changes a lot. Rates and guidelines are in constant flux, and it creates preparedness challenges for buyers who aren’t paying in cash.The loan you get today won’t always be the loan you get tomorrow.Because of how frequently bank rules are changing, it can be hard for home [...]
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