The housing market has been in a downward trend for four years. There is some speculation that inventories will not reduce any time soon which will be necessary for prices to rise. However, there are other factors that can increase the cost of housing, specifically mortgages. FHA accounts for a large percentage of the current […]

Meet Joe Cerami. He’s 85 year young and has owned his Minnetonka home on Sparrow Road for over 40 years. Besides being a veteran, successful businessman, and retired, Joe is most proud of  his family, especially his 13 grandkids. Over the past four decades his home has had a lot of sentimental value:  raising four […]

Ever Thought About Being A LandLord? Meet John & Andrea Nelson, clients of mine who recently saved for a downpayment to buy a new home for their growing family. They knew because of low interest rates and the large inventory of homes on the market that this was one of the best times to purchase […]

Rarely, does one size fit everyone and the same goes for advice. The following suggestion is not right for everyone. However, for people with job security and who don’t own a home; for people with good credit and enough savings for a down payment, there may never be a better time to buy a home. […]

It all seems perfectly reasonable: one person is not satisfied with what he can earn currently in the market and another wants to find the most attractive mortgage to purchase their home. It can be a good match but the IRS has specific rules that govern the transaction. The loan must be done in a […]

It takes money to buy a home: yours or theirs. If you’re not going to pay cash for a home, you need to find out exactly what you can borrow and what it will cost before you start looking at homes. The mortgage process is not as clear cut a path as it was a […]

I’m writing because our area had an alarming up-tick in foreclosures in the last 30 days. We all know someone who is struggling to make their mortgage payments. Those of us who bought a home over the past few years, had no idea about the kind of economic upheaval that was going to follow. I […]

Forget Macy’s and Crate & Barrel. Set up your bridal registry at the bank and use the funds for the FHA down payment on a home. This could be perfect for people getting married who already have their household items and really need help getting into a home. FHA has had this little known program […]

I don’t care how expected it is, the death of a spouse leaves the surviving spouse reeling and with a thousand questions. It’s good to know that the IRS has given special consideration regarding the sale of their jointly-owned principal residence after the death of a spouse. If the surviving spouse does not remarry prior […]

Do you remember going to the State Fair or Six Flags as a child? There was a terrific ride your older siblings were going on but there, at the entrance gate, was a sign that read “You must be this tall to ride.” After standing in line and thinking you had just about made it, […]

People are staying longer in their homes according to the National Association of Realtors and the U.S. Census. Over time, even a modest appreciation could result in a significant gain and homeowners should have a strategy to minimize possible taxes. Maintenance on a principal residence is not deductible but improvements can add to the basis […]

FHA loans that originated with lower interest rates have great advantages for buyers and sellers. Interest rate won’t change for qualified buyer Lower interest rate means lower payments Lower closing costs than originating a new mortgage Easier to qualify for an assumption than a new loan Lower interest rate loans amortize faster than higher ones […]

With the exception of a mortgage payment, the largest homeowner expense is utilities; and energy is the major component. There are lots of contributing factors such as air leaks, insulation, heating and cooling equipment, water heaters and lighting. It’s estimated that 75% of the electricity to power home electronics is consumed when the products are […]

What’s keeping you from taking advantage of the low prices and mortgage rates available today? Concerned that you may need to sell in a few years and won’t be able to get your equity out of your home? Suppose a buyer purchases a home and finds out that they need to move in two years. […]

It’s not fair! 29% of all sales made in June and July 2011 were cash. How does a buyer who needs a mortgage compete with a cash buyer? You’ve been looking for a home for months after thinking about it for years. You’ve found the home you want and meets your family’s needs. You write […]

“The significant problems you face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking you were at when you created them.” Albert Einstein   The housing market has definitely caused significant problems for some people but is also providing some amazing opportunities for others. Agents aren’t like retailers who wake up one day realizing […]

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and toxic. It’s called the “silent killer” in homes because some victims are not even aware that the deadly condition exists. Homeowners must be concerned about unmaintained furnaces, water heaters and appliances that can produce the deadly gas. Other sources could include leaking chimneys, unvented kerosene or gas space heaters […]

If you had a 3.5% mortgage on your current home and were buying another home, transferring your low interest rate mortgage would be ideal. Unfortunately, lenders don’t allow that. When buying a home today, it would be smart to think about selling it in the future. To have a good home with unique features makes […]

To say the investment market is unsettling is an obvious understatement. The market is down 8% in the last ten days and the news doesn’t give much hope that things are going to get better in the near term. Preservation of capital is probably today’s most important investment consideration and making a profit would be […]

Uncertainty as to whether prices will continue to fall has to be one of the most common causes of buyer procrastination. Paying too much wouldn’t be a smart thing but price isn’t the only factor to consider. Interest rates have as much effect on housing costs as price. A small increase in mortgage interest rates […]

There are homeowners that would like to have a larger/nicer home but are patiently waiting for the market to improve. A frequently heard objection is that they can’t sell their home for what it is currently worth. Buying up in a down market is actually advantageous because while you might get less for the home […]

Two great videos about Mortgage Loans