Remember, housing will likely be in a much better position in the second half of the year and at that time rates could be a bit higher. Now’s the time to take advantage of the combination of low rates and affordable housing.
This increase could cost your buyers more money each month for their total monthly mortgage payment. What can your buyers do? If they are close to contract, advise them to buy now before the new mortgage insurance premium takes effect. They must have an active loan application for the subject property prior to April 18, 2011.
Even if you use traditional credit very little, now you can build a good history by having your rent payments reported to the credit bureau.
three little known down payment grants for home buyers in Raleigh North Carolina
Q&A: Identity Protection? QUESTION: How can you protect yourself from identity theft? ANSWER: According to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Justice, about 1.6 million households experience theft of existing accounts other than a credit card (such as a …
How can you protect yourself from identity theft? (via the Raleigh Mortgage Guy) Read more »
Even if a friend or relative has recommended a contractor that he or she has used before, you should establish some minimum credentials. Get the full company name and address, and make sure that the firm has a current state license and adequate insurance coverage. (Typically, this means at least a million dollars in liability and worker’s compensation coverage.) Get license and policy numbers, then verify that they are current. Determine whether any formal complaints or legal actions have occurred in the past or are pending.
If you are a typical Raleigh family who lives in Wake County and is a first time home buyer with two children and a household income that is less than $62,500 you could qualify for assistance Down Payment Grant from the State of North Carolina of up to $8,000 to be used towards the purchase of a new home priced up to $220,000 or an existing home up to $210,000! Another little know down payment grant is available from the Federal Home Loan Savings Bank of Atlanta that will actually give you a five to one (5:1) matching program towards your down payment, points and closing costs!
Scam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict there will even more of them due to tough economic times. While they tend to prey on the elderly, anyone who is not cautious and informed is a potential victim. Your best defense is a skeptical mind and knowing what to look out for when you hear that offer that’s “too good to refuse.” Here are some of the most popular, and costly, home improvement scams.
North Carolina homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments due to job loss or temporary financial hardship. For qualified homeowners, the fund can provide an interest-free loan of up to $36,000 to pay your mortgage and other related expenses for up to 36 months.
According to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Justice, about 1.6 million households experience theft of existing accounts other than a credit card (such as a banking account), and 1.1 million households discover misuse of personal information (such as their social security number) annually. Here are some important tips for keeping your information safe and sound: