$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Deadlines

The government’s First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program expires November 30, 2009 — a scant 60 days from today. In this video, Chris Brown provides critical milestone dates originators, Realtors and homebuyers must be aware of if they plan on taking advantage of the Federal $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit set to expire …

Five Factors that Make Up a Credit Score

Linda Ferarri, President of Credit Resource Corporation, is an expert on credit remediation. Watch this informative video clip now and find out what five elements make up a credit score. Five Factors that Make Up a Credit Score

Mortgage Pricing Report- October 13, 2008

If a family member asked my advice and they were scheduled to close on a mortgage purchase or refinance in the time periods noted below, I would recommend... 1-7 Days 8-20 Days 21-45 Days 46 Days Plus Locking Locking Floating Floating Check MBS pricing here. 4:22 PM EST Market News As predicted last Friday by …

Underneath The Hood of The Bailout Bill

Both the House and Senate passed the massive bailout bill this week. What caused this mess and what does it mean for everyday people like us? Take the time to listen to an interview by Brian Brady, Sean Purcell and Greg Swann addressing: "The Community Reinvestment Act (original sub-prime loans), conceived in 1977 and super-charged …

Did The Push To Make Every American A Homeowner Cause Fannie/Freddie Collapse?

I really hate getting partisan or political. Believe me when I tell you, BOTH Republicans and Democrats talk out both sides of their mouth. Yet today, I kept hearing Republicans blamed for the failure to regulate Fannie and Freddie properly and that's just a plain outright lie. Again, I'm not endorsing one party over the …

Simple Steps To Keep Home Insurance Down

As homeowners insurance premiums rise across the nation, Bankrate.com writes a helpful story on ways to keep your premiums down. The tips may surprise you. Some of the highlights include: Don't think a series of small claims is better than one big claim. The smaller clains are more expensive to process for an insurer and …

Understanding The Home-Buying Process

Buying a home can be both an exciting and stressful process. Understanding the process, the players and terminology can help take the stress out of the experience and give you the confidence necessary to make the best decision for you and your family. Be patient and know once you have passed through each stage, you're …

Understanding What A Lender Needs To Approve A Loan

Understanding what a lender needs in order to justify approval of a mortgage can be very helpful if you decide to purchase a home. The lender is looking mainly at five factors in evaluating your qualification for a home loan. Cash or Capital Assets - The funds you have available for the down payment and …

My Family Is Driving Me Crazy!

How many times do you get upset with your co-workers, clients, family and friends? If only they understood the pressure you were under and would stop being so inconsiderate. If they could only walk a mile in your shoes! Well Skippy, whenever I start thinking this way, I remind myself why I'm here. I'm here to serve others...it's a …

Are You Thinking of Moving Up?

Whether you're ready or not, as life changes, so do your housing needs. Families grow. Careers unfold. Lifestyles shift. One way or another, your circumstances change, and you may find yourself looking for a more comfortable home, one that's in a new locale, or just a better place for your current living pattern. Over the …

Are You An Optimist, Realist or Stockdale?

In the book, Good to Great, the author Jim Collins states people fall into three different categories:  The Optimist (bound to be eventually dispirited)  The Realist (doom-sayer)  The Stockdale Paradox  What Is The Stockdale Paradox  Stockdale Paradox individuals are those that retain faith they will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties AND at …

The Home Loan Process — Part 2 of Applying For Your Loan | Final Installment

This simple, four-step walk-through to loan closing will help you understand the procedure and give you an idea of what to expect. 1. Processing When we initially meet, I will request and collect the information needed to process your loan. Documentation requirements vary depending on the loan program you apply for, as well as your …

Information You’ll Need To Provide — Part 1 of Applying For Your Loan

Whether we meet face-to-face or talk on the phone my initial step will be to explain and walk you through the application process. It is a simple interview, and most of the information you'll need can be taken straight from your credit report. The amount you'll actually need to provide on your own isn't overwhelming. There are generally …

How Investment Bankers Made Suprime Loans Into “AAA” Prime Loans

This video from CNBC via YouTube does a terrific job of illustrating how sub-prime mortgage defaults are impacting mortgage rates overall. There's some jargon in there, but overall, it's very easy to follow. ______________________________________________ Serving the mortgage needs of Kennesaw, Marietta, Roswell, Smyrna, Powder Springs, Dallas, Acworth, Woodstock, Douglasville, Hiram, Austell and Atlanta. Subscribe to …

Get Pre-Approved Before House Hunting

Getting Ready To Buy A Home In Georgia? The first stop on the road to homeownership is working with an experienced mortgage professional/planner. It's extremely important you get a written preapproval letter which will show you are a serious buyer in the eyes of real estate agents and sellers. That means you can expect preferential …

Sometimes I Feel Like Michael Jackson’s Plastic Surgeon!

Over the last 16 years, I've seen far too many people financially over-extended. Fortunately, I've helped countless clients consolidate their debt utilizing strategic equity management strategies and have placed them in a situation to both save and payoff their remaining housing debt (or accumulate enough money to payoff if needed) in 10 to 20 years. Many …

Rich People Have Big Libraries…Poor People Have Big TV’s

“Rich people have big libraries...poor people have big TVs.” Now that's a bold statement? However, before getting offended, think about it. Do you spend more time/money reading and educating yourself or more time in front of the television? Do you spend more money on books or big televisions, stereos and dvd's? One thing that has …

Conventional Wisdom

Source: Canvas Beat

How To WACC Your Creditors

Brian Brady at America's Mortgage Broker wrote a masterful article explaining how to use Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) as a financial tool to calculate whether or not a borrower should refinance to consolidate their mortgages and consumer debt. Many times a potential client has an extremely low rate on their first mortgage and …

Just Follow the Instructions

Seems Ben Stein and I have a similar trait of "endlessly putting things into categories and seeking to find  patterns in life." While reading Stein's article, its theme seemed particularly appropriate to achieving any goal in which you pursue (notice a pattern).  In his article, he explains the blueprint for success in most any endeavor, field or …