There was a surge in the number of buyers who signed contracts to purchase existing homes in the U.S. in October compared to the previous month. This has given hope to a…
Home Price Drops in Tampa Favorable to Buyers
Although the home price drops in Tampa are hurting home sellers, real estate professionals and the overall housing market, these price decreases are helping the market in another way – making Tampa…
Comparing Sales of New and Existing Homes in October
When comparing existing home sales and new home sales announced for the same month, remember that these figures may be representing data during different months. Counting of New and Existing Home Sales…
Vacation Homes – Dreams Fulfilled During the Downturn
A large number of people who’ve dreamed of buying a vacation home near the beach, beside a lake, in the mountains, or in the center of a resort city have fulfilled their…
Tampa Safest Among Five Most Populated Cities in Florida
Tampa had the lowest crime score among the five most populated cities in Florida, namely Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Orlando last year, based on the FBI report “Crime in the…
Higher Jumbo Loan Limits Extended to 2011
Prospective buyers of higher-priced homes in high-coast areas can still depend on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans after the Federal Housing Finance Administration extended the granting of higher conforming loan limits…
Biggest Lenders Require Higher FICO Scores for FHA Loans
The country’s two biggest mortgage lenders have raised their standards for Federal Housing Administration loans. Weeks after the FHA increased its minimum FICO score requirement for its low down payment loans to…
Freddie Borrowers Refinancing Into Fixed Rate Mortgages
Nearly all Freddie Mac-backed mortgage borrowers who refinanced their loans in previous quarters have chosen to shift from adjustable-rate to fixed-rate mortgages or to remain users of fixed-rate loans. In the third…
Half of 155 Large Metro Areas Posted Home Price Increases
Despite the continued price reduction impact of distressed homes nationwide, the prices of pre-owned single-family homes in 77 of 155 major metropolitan areas surveyed by the National Association of Realtors increased in…
Checklist for Documents You Need When Applying for a Loan
Gathering and organizing your financial documents before applying for a home loan benefit you in many ways. As you gather your data, you’ll see things you probably haven’t considered before, such as…