FHA Loan Change - Those who wait will pay thousands more this spring 2010

URGENT NEWS
Waiting a few extra days or weeks to purchase a home this spring could cost buyers thousands of extra dollars as the office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implements several changes for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Coming just weeks before the April 30 deadline for the Home Buyer Tax Credit and just days after the March 31 expiration of the Federal Reserve Board's mortgage backed securities purchase program (which has kept home loan rates artificially low for over a year), these FHA changes make it even more important to act now to save big.

Here are a few reasons why:

On April 5th, the cost of required up-front mortgage insurance for loans guaranteed by the FHA will increase from 1.75% to 2.25%. For a borrower purchasing a $200,000 home with a $7,000 down payment, the up-front mortgage insurance will increase by $965. Up-front mortgage insurance is typically financed in the final loan amount so the impact to a monthly payment will be minimal but overall, the increase is still borne by the borrower both upfront and monthly.

Later this spring, the amount of money that a seller can return to the buyer from their sale proceeds will be reduced from 6% to 3%. The reduction in these "seller concessions" can increase the amount of cash a buyer will be required to pay at closing by $6,000 for a home purchase of $200,000.

There is only one way to avoid being affected by all of these costly changes that lie ahead – submit all FHA mortgage applications by the last week of March.

AVOIDING FORECLOSURE in MARYLAND, 10 Steps to Take

If you are unable to make your mortgage payment in Maryland:

1. Don't ignore the problem. The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house.

2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem. Lenders do not want your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult financial times.

3. Open and respond to all mail from your lender. The first notices you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options that can help you weather financial problems. Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action. Your failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court.

4. Know your mortgage rights. Find your loan documents and read them so you know what your lender may do if you can't make your payments. Learn about the foreclosure laws and timeframes in your state (as every state is different) by contacting the State Government Housing Office.

5. Understand foreclosure prevention options. Valuable information about foreclosure prevention options can be found on the internet portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=33,717348&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

6. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need this assistance. Find a HUD-approved housing counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287 or TTY (800) 877-8339.

7. Prioritize your spending. After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses-cable TV, memberships, entertainment-that you can eliminate. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage.

8. Use your assets. Do you have assets-a second car, jewelry, a whole life insurance policy-that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job to bring in additional income? Even if these efforts don't significantly increase your available cash or your income, they demonstrate to your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home.

9. Avoid foreclosure prevention companies. You don't need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help-use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender. While these may be legitimate businesses, they will charge you a hefty fee (often two or three month's mortgage payment) for information and services your lender or a HUD approved housing counselor will provide free if you contact them.

10. Don't lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams! If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your own home! Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a HUD approved housing counselor. If you are thinking of selling your home as-is, call Robert McArtor to obtain FREE Comparables in your area so you know the prices. Some will try to put your house under contract just to try and sell it themselves and keep all the equity! If the property does not sell, you become further behind, losing time and they just walk away.

I have been asked over the past years, "Robert, we are a few months away from being foreclosed on, do you know what we should do?" Without knowing their situation, it is hard to answer without crossing the line of giving legal advice. For your further research into the subject, I would recommend the following links as a guidance through this difficult process.

Don't lose your home! Here are some guidance on default and foreclosure prevention. If your adjustable rate or interest only mortgage is about to reset, these programs may help you refinance into an affordable fixed rate mortgage. If you are looking for a trusted REALTOR or Auctioneer for a FREE consultation. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I may be able to point you in the right direction for your specific problem. Robert B. McArtor, is a REALTOR and Licensed Real Estate Auctioneer with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales, LLC. for more information, call 443-392-4833

>>>FHA Secure

>>>Maryland's HOPE Initiative

Housing Counseling Agencies - Counseling on buying, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages.

Legal Assistance in Maryland - Find free legal services in your community.

MISTAKES SELLERS MAKE WHEN SELLING THEIR HOME IN MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, HARFORD COUNTY

MISTAKES SELLERS MAKE WHEN SELLING THEIR HOME IN MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, HARFORD, CECIL COUNTY

Remember not so long ago, when you could make your fortune in real estate in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford and Cecil County. It was nothing then to buy a home, wait a short while, and then sell it at a tidy profit.
Well, as you probably know, times have changed. As good as the market is right now, home prices are still below what they were at their peak. Buyers are far more discriminating, and a large percentage of the homes listed for sale never sell. It's more critical than ever to learn what you need to know to avoid costly seller mistakes in order to sell your home in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford or Cecil County fast and for the most amount of money whether utilizing the Auction or Traditional Method of Selling.

The 7 Deadly Mistakes Most Home Sellers Make
Failing to analyze why they are selling their home in Maryland
Not preparing their home for the buyer's eye.
Pricing their homes incorrectly. MarylandHOMESTeam can help!
Selling too hard during showings.
Signing a long-term listing agreement without a written performance guarantee.
Making it difficult for buyers to get information on their home.
Failing to obtain a pre-approved mortgage for one's next home.

Call Robert B. McArtor today for questions you may have concerning selling your property. Call 410-879-0622 or simply email him at robert@harfordadvantage.com

Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

RELOCATING to HARFORD COUNTY, JOPPA MARYLAND HOME SEARCH STATISTICS

RELOCATING to HARFORD COUNTY, JOPPA HOME SEARCH STATISTICS, REALTORS and AGENTS

Relocating to Joppa Maryland Real Estate in Harford County, Homes for Sale, Realtors and Auctioneers, Home Stats for zip code 21085 as of January 2008
2008 2007 % Change
Total Sold Dollar Volume: $ 472,000 $ 2,743,800 - 82.80 %
Average Sold Price: $ 236,000 $ 274,380 - 13.99 %
Median Sold Price: $ 236,000 $ 266,500 - 11.44 %
Total Units Sold: 2 10 - 80.00 %
Average Days on Market: 159 133 19.55 %
Average List Price for Solds: $ 249,900 $ 297,710 - 16.06 %
Avg Sale Price as a
percentage of Avg List Price: 94.44 % 92.16 %
Joppa real estate agents in Maryland, Find and Search for Joppa homes for sale, and Joppa home values in Harford County. Get access to Joppa real estate listings on our website, including the MLS and Homes Database, We are Joppa REALTORS. Find new homes and foreclosures, investment properties with Maryland HOMES Team and Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. Our real estate services feature all Joppa and Maryland cities and suburbs. We can help you Find Joppa school district information, including elementary, middle and high schools. We also have information on Joppa home selling, home buying and mortgages, movers and other realty services for anyone looking to sell a home or buy a home in Joppa Maryland. Become a VIP Buyer and start receiving HOT NEW LISTINGS that match your home buying criteria. Start searching for Homes in Joppa today!
Maryland HOMES Team provides Joppa, Maryland real estate information and resources to guide homeowners and homebuyers through the process of selling and buying a house, condo, town home, land or other Joppa realty property. Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. has services to help you find a Top Joppa real estate broker or agent, get the value of your Joppa home and a comparative market analysis (CMA), view Joppa real estate and MLS listings, prepare and stage your home for sale, and lots more.
Our real estate library of valuable information located at www.VIP.MarylandsHomeTeam.com which contains articles to help anyone selling a home or buying a home learn more about Joppa realty services, and how to choose a work with Robert B. McArtor, your Joppa REALTOR. Through our Team Members, we also provide real estate and financial services to our clients looking for houses for sale or selling their home in Joppa, MD, such as mortgages, credit history, new homes, foreclosures and other services. If you plan to do for sale by owner (FSBO), with Robert B. McArtor, you are connected to Joppa real estate companies, agencies and resources to sell or buy a home. Whether you say REALTOR®, reality, realety, realty, real estate or realestate, Maryland HOMES Team will speak your language. Contact us Toll Free at 1-877-421-SOLD or Robert McArtor directly at 443-392-4833. Robert B. McArtor is also available for BPO's and REO listings in the Baltimore Metro, Baltimore County, Cecil County areas, Harford County

MARYLAND NON-RESIDENT SELLER WITHHOLDING TAX, REAL ESTATE

CHANGES TO THE MARYLAND NON-RESIDENT SELLER WITHHOLDING TAX, REAL ESTATE
Please note upcoming changes to the Maryland Non-Resident Seller Withholding Tax and the Prince George's County Recordation Tax rates for 2008
Maryland Tax Rate Changes
The Maryland Non-Resident Withholding Tax Rate will increase from 6.75% to 7.5% for individuals. The new rate is effective with settlements taking place on or after July 1st. (The 8.25% rate for entities remains unchanged.)
Additionally, the Prince George's County Recordation Tax will increase from $4.40 per $1,000 of sales price to $5.00 per $1,000 effective with settlements taking place on or after July 5th. 2008
Information provided by Robert B. McArtor, REALTOR® with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and a Licensed Real Estate Auctioneer owner of Advantage Real Estate Auction Sales, Inc. in Maryland serving all counties including Harford, Baltimore and Cecil County, City. If you are relocating to Maryland contact us today! 410-879-0622.

Harford County - Your Community - My Profession

First let me say thank you for reading my first posting. I have been asked by several of my past and present clients, "You know, you should share your thoughts". I will be adding more and more to my blog. Some topics you will be reading will deal with...

BRAC

Lending

Buying and Selling Opportunities
When is the Best Time To Sell.....(There is a certain Month you want to list your property in!)

My Performance Guarantees...

And Many Others.........

I look forward to meeting and or hearing from many of you.

Robert B. McArtor