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Home Sales Continue to Increase

MIBOR reports that September home sales for central Indiana continued on their merry way, marching 15% better than last September.  Prices moved in sync, with the median average coming in at $159,900 for the month just ended; up 8% over a year ago.

There are always fewer houses on the market come late fall and winter, and this year looks to be no exception.  There are currently 11,013 properties on the market looking for a buyer.  Yet, inventory continued to tighten; down 14% from a year ago.  Buyers need to come prepared to shop… pre-qualified, checkbook close at hand, and of a mindset to be ready to pull the trigger once they find what they’re lookin’ for!  Now I’m not saying to make an offer on something for no good reasKon, but by all means, act like a Boy Scout, “Be prepared!”

To catch other helpful blog posts, simply go to www.indyschoicerealestate.com.  And please keep in mind…  “I work harder to make good things happen!”  -Bob

Is it Time to Replace Your Front Door?

       

I just got an email in my inbox asking me if it’s time to replace my front door?  The message was kind of long and in the end, was pushing for me to buy a big ol’ expensive door.  Idk if that’s what’s needed, but I do know that if you’re selling your house you need to take a good hard look at your front door.  That old adage about “never getting a second chance to make a good first impression” sure does apply to your front door.

Potential buyers may be distracted talking while walking to the front door, but then and there they have to pause as the agent finds the keys and gets all of the locks unlocked.  Meanwhile buyers gaze around the porch area and basically stare at the front door.  Whether it looks all shiny and well taken care of or is all scratched up, dirty and full of cobwebs sets the tone for the entry into the house. Sometimes, deals are made and lost right there.  Heck, I’ve had people stop at the door and sputter, “I, uh, think we’ve changed our minds.  We’ll just skip this one.”

Don’t let that happen!  For a very minor investment you can turn a bad situation into a good one.  Spruce the Kdarn thing up!  Wash it, caulk it, paint or varnish it; but one way or another get it looking sharp.  “Small hinges swing big doors!”  This could be one of those times.

To catch other helpful blog posts, simply go to www.indyschoicerealestate.com.  And please keep in mind…  “I work harder to make good things happen!”  -Bob

 

How to Qualify for a mortgage with Student Loans

        

Getting qualified for a mortgage loan so you can buy that house you really want can be a real *#%$! challenge.  Here’s some insight that just may help you get prepared, compliments of Mike Wickham over at Caliber Home Loans (one of my preferred lenders btw).

Good Day!

You might have heard over the last 12 months or less that all loan programs have changed in regards to what lenders will use for a monthly payment when qualifying a borrower/s with student loans. Many borrower/s are on an income based repayment plan with no payment or very little. Most loans will not allow no payment or a payment that is not fully amortized. Most loans programs will require 1% of the balance or to document the fully amortized payment if less than 1%. This can really have a huge impact on the borrower/s ability to qualify. Please be aware that on Conventional loans here are the general guidelines from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:

 Fannie Mae:

  • For all student loans, whether deferred, in forbearance, or in repayment (not deferred), must include a monthly payment in the borrower’s recurring monthly debt obligation when qualifying the borrower. One of the below options below must be used to determine the repayment amount:
    • 1% of the outstanding balance; or
    • the actual payment that will fully amortize the loan as documented in the credit report, in documentation obtained from the student loan lender, or in documentation supplied by the borrower.
    • a calculated payment that will fully amortize the loan(s) based on the documented loan repayment terms; or
    • if the repayment terms are unknown, a calculated payment that will fully amortize the loan(s) based on the current prevailing student loan interest rate and the allowable repayment period shown in the table below.

Freddie Mac:

  • If no monthly payment is reported on a student loan that is deferred or is in forbearance, and there is no documentation in the loan file indicating the proposed monthly payment amount (e.g., the loan verification letter), 1% of the outstanding balance will be considered to be the monthly amount for qualifying purposes.
  • Examples of documentation of the required payment amount include
    • A direct verification obtained from the creditor
    • A copy of the installment loan agreement obtained from the Borrower, or
    • If payments are currently deferred, the payment amount that will be required once the deferment or forbearance period has ended, as stated in a copy of a financial institution’s student loan certification or the installment loan agreement.

We can use Fannie or Freddie and will evaluate each scenario to use the best route for the borrower/s.

Have a great day/week!

 

Mike Wickham
Loan ConsultantNMLS: 505614

Caliber Home Loans, Inc.
10022 Lantern Road Suite 600

Fishers, IN  46037

Mobile: 317-260-1563 |Office: 317-576-4115

EFax: 877-673-0432

E-Mail: mike.wickham@caliberhomeloans.com

Apply On-Line @ http://caliberhomeloans.com/mwickham

 

Download My Smart Phone Application:

http://mikewickham.mortgagemapp.com/

To catch other helpful blog posts, simply go to Kwww.indyschoicerealestate.com.  And please keep in mind…  “I work harder to make good things happen!”  -Bob