Archives for August 2010

While outfitting your dorm room this fall, remember to look for environmentally friendly products. An easy way to find products that you can trust as good for the environment is to look for the ENERGY STAR. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy efficiency requirements set by EPA, so they use less energy, save money, and help fight climate change. From laptops and Continue Reading

By: Catherine Reagor - Aug. 8, 2010 12:00 AM The Arizona RepublicAmid the worst home-building slump in more than two decades, location has once again become the most important factor for metropolitan Phoenix's new-home buyers. After being pushed to the extreme edges of the region during the housing boom, young buyers are finding that prices have come down far enough to make homes in popular Continue Reading

For buyers, this means fewer homes are selling … which could mean that you have a little less competition when making offers on homes. With many banks making sure homes are FHA-approved, there is good news for buyers that the market would like to see more primary home buyers over investors. Continue to watch these numbers, as it will help you and your real estate professional understand what type Continue Reading

The month of July saw a 22.8% DECREASE in the number of closed sales. This is the lowest number since February of this year. There is no doubt that the tax credit expiration has had a dramatic impact on this; however, if you removed the months where we had the tax credit in place, the numbers for July are fairly consistent with the prior months of 2010. This will be an important trend to watch … Continue Reading

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT WASHINGTON, DC 20410-8000 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOUSING-FEDERAL HOUSING COMMISSIONER August 6, 2010 MORTGAGEE LETTER 2010 -23 TO: ALL APPROVED MORTGAGEES SUBJECT: FHA Refinance of Borrowers in Negative Equity Positions On March 26, 2010, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) announced Continue Reading

There is more change on the way for FHA mortgage insurance premiums, after legislation from the House of Representatives this past week was passed, allowing for an increase annual mortgage insurance premiums. That change will go into effect September 7, 2010. All FHA loans have two types of mortgage insurance premiums that serve to protect HUD, which backs FHA loans, to insure themselves over Continue Reading