Just when you think you have all the bases covered in applying for your mortgage loan, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have added another stumbling block into the application process. Seems some unscrupulous individuals figured out that by disputing an account claim and having a notation added to your credit report removed that tradeline from being taken
into credit scoring consideration and thus was left out of the automated loan approval process.

Now, just exactly how they were getting these disputed tradelines on credit reports past the lenders underwriting process that is supposed to occur on all automatically approved DU or LP files, were not sure. Typically, if there is any question about a tradeline, an underwriter will request more information and require documentation to verify the veracity of the disputed account. But hey, in this day and age, we guess anything is possible.

Tags: credit reports, mortgages

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced yesterday they are adopting a new Cash for Keys program whereby lenders will pay borrowers with FHA-backed loans $2,000 for agreeing to turn their property over to the lender by using a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. By applying for and getting an approved deed-in-lieu under this program, borrowers will be released from their obligation to repay the mortgage and may also have their deficiency judgment waived too.

To qualify for the program, borrowers must be facing long-term financial hardship, had their house on the market at a fair price for at least 90 days, and not have any other additional claims or liens (other than the first FHA mortgage) outstanding against the house. In addition, the borrower must vacate the property and leave it in broom clean condition.

Tags: FHA, foreclosures, HUD, mortgages

We wrote a blog post a while back about how if you are purchasing a condo in Florida, mortgage financing is tougher than ever before. Well, it just got even harder to get condo financing, thanks to a new rule set to take effect on November 1, 2009.

The new rule will put an end to “spot approvals” for condo complexes and thus make it harder for buyers to qualify for these types of property loans. The rule disallows FHA underwriter’s ability to approve individual condo units rather than an entire condo complex. The reason spot approvals were originally granted was because of the costs and paperwork involved for a condominium association to get an entire complex approved by the FHA is outrageous, costing tens of thousands of dollars for things like appraisals, structural engineering reports, audited financial reports etc. Spot approvals only required a condo or HOA representative to spend about 15 minutes filling out a one page questionaire.

Tags: FHA, Florida, HUD, mortgages

The FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Loan program may be right up your alley if you are buying a foreclosure as your primary residence. That’s because The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is encouraging the use of its little known 203(k) loan which allows a primary owner-occupant* to borrow money for both the purchase and renovation of a property all in one loan. And, you only have to have 3.5% of the total purchase price (acquisition and repair costs) as the down payment. In addition, the program can be use to include cosmetic improvements as well as major renovations like replacing a roof or fixing up the properties plumbing or electrical systems.

Tags: FHA, foreclosures, mortgages

We often get asked a lot of questions about the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Program. Obviously, it is a little confusing to many folks. Upon reviewing our email and phone logs regarding the questions we have received, here are some explanations about the program requirements we hope you may find useful.

• For married couples, both have to qualify as first-time buyers to get the tax credit.
• For non-married couples, only one buyer has to qualify. So, in some cases it may be beneficial to buy a home before you get married.
• If both buyers qualify for the tax credit, only one of them can actually get it. There is one credit per household.

Tags: Florida, mortgages

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the new Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loan limits for single-family homes set to begin January 1, 2009. The change was required under the guidelines set forth in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.The Act sets the national conforming mortgage loan limit to a house price index chosen by the new Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). For 2009, the national conforming mortgage loan limit will remain at the current level of $417,000. It also requires that FHA mortgage loan limits to be set at 115% of the median house price in a given area with a floor of 65% and a ceiling of 150% of the national conforming mortgage loan limit.

Tags: FHA, HUD, mortgages

According to their annual loan closing costs survey, Bankrate.com had Florida ranked number three behind only New York and Texas for being a high loan closing cost state. The new ranking was the second year in a row Florida held the number three postion and is up from being ranked number 5 in 2006.

This year’s top ten states included:

• New York - $4,016
• Texas - $3,975
• Florida - $3,683
• Oklahoma - $3,558
• New Mexico - $3,047
• New Jersey: $3,432
• Pennsylvania: $3,411
• Alaska: $3,409
• Colorado: $3,358
• California: $3,321

The bottom five states included:

• North Carolina -$2,650
• Kansas - $2,669
• Missouri - $2,758
• Maine - $2,793

Tags: Florida, loan closing costs, mortgages