Christopher Shearer Structuring the Purchase There are many different ways to structure FHA purchases. As mentioned previously, how you'll want to structure the purchase will be dependent on the amount of money the borrower has to use for the purchase. It's helpful to memorize the different areas which require money from the buyer. These include money for the down payment, closing costs, escrow and tax prorations, and, one which many loan officers commonly miss, homeowner's insurance. It's very important to include homeowner's insurance in your estimate because one of the biggest obstacles first-time home buyers face is the amount of money required for closing. If someone needs an extra $800-$1,000 dollars for an insurance policy, it can be the difference between closing and not closin... 02/27/2009

Do you or anyone you know have an interest in investing in distressed properties in foreclosure?  If so, then please contact me at: 305-978-0682 or calvin.sibley@gmail.com We are finding properties for under $50,000 that are in good condition in nice neighborhoods.  These properties are selling for under $40 per square-foot.  These market conditions will not last forever, so please contact me as soon as possible to discuss the various investment options available. 02/26/2009

Christopher Shearer An Opportunity of a Lifetime Warren Buffet says, "A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful." While Mr. Buffet was writing about buying stocks, the same can be said for housing today. Housing issues have permeated the economy both locally and nationally. This week, one index that tracks housing prices, S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, indicated home values fell the most since 1968, declining 18.5% in December from the year before. Looked at from a different perspective, this means home prices have fallen to levels not seen in six to twelve years, depending on individual markets. Following the Case-Schiller report was the report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently. The NAR report... 02/25/2009

FHFA officially announced the changes to the conforming loan limits for 2009. http://www.fhfa.gov/webfiles/1279/CLLarra022309_final.pdf For the official documentation supporting the "Homeowner Affordability" plan, check out the following links: http://www.treas.gov/initiatives/eesa/homeowner-affordability-plan/ConsumerQA.pdf,  http://www.ustreas.gov/news/index2.html, and http://www.ustreas.gov/news/index3.html 02/24/2009

Government Bail-out for Home Owners Before you file your taxes this year, don't forget about the $7500 tax credit for first-time home buyers, which was enacted by the 2008 American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Act. Designed to help stimulate interest in the housing market, this temporary provision provides a first-time home buyer (someone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years) a tax credit of up to $7500 for homes purchased between April 8, 2008 and July 1, 2009. Basically the tax credit, which must be repaid over 15 years, is an interest-free loan from the government to help you offset the costs of home ownership. But here's the best part. The law allows qualified taxpayers to take the credit against either their 2008 or 2009 taxes. This means, if you qualify, you can buy ... 02/24/2009

  Are You Still Waiting for the Government?   From Christopher Shearer   America One Finance, Inc. During the first quarter of 2009, the first 100 days of the new President's term, you are no doubt going to hear a lot of news stories about the economic stimulus plan and the financial rescue package and their possible ramifications to the real estate and mortgage markets. You're going to see headlines about new incentives for home buyers and hear stories about 4% interest rates. But the truth is that right now, at the time of the writing of this article, the government already has in place one of the largest tax incentives for qualifying home buyers it has ever offered - up to an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers, and mortgage rates are within a half a point of being the lowest the... 02/20/2009

When interested Buyers contact me about Ft. Lauderdale property (Foreclosures and non-Foreclosures), they most frequently request information about property in East Ft. Lauderdale, Waterfront Homes, and Homes located downtown, near the Beach, or near Las Olas.Following is a link to view a selection of Ft. Lauderdale Condo Foreclosures, including Las Olas Foreclosures (within walking distance of Las Olas Blvd.), Condos near Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and property located close to downtown Ft. Lauderdale.  These Foreclosures in Ft. Lauderdale range in list price from $84,900 - $602,000.Ft. Lauderdale Foreclosure Listings (Condos & Townhouses)There are a number of Ft. Lauderdale Home Foreclosures available that are Single Family Homes listed for sale in East areas of Ft. Lauderdale. Their locat... 02/20/2009

Staging is so popular there are even companies entirely devoted to staging homes for sale. Staging is the practice of sprucing up a home for the purposes of selling it quicker or even for a higher price. While it’s important to make a home look its best, sometimes staging can be deceptive for buyers and cover up blemishes or flaws buyers should know about. Here are some tips to see through the façade of staging. Especially when it comes to pictures, sometimes sellers will use small furniture to make a room look bigger. Large rugs can also be used to cover up bad floors. Sellers also place paintings or other decorations on walls to cover up holes or large stains. Another standard staging technique is to use large curtains to cover up rotten window sill or broken window frames. Most home ... 02/17/2009

Mortgage Tips   Having reached this point in the process, it is time to look at a few of the most important things to keep in mind when you are looking for that First mortgage. Below you will find a handy reference of quick reminders. Don't over-borrow. It's fine to want the best home you can afford, but be certain that it is comfortably affordable. Just because you qualify for a certain sum doesn't mean it will work well with your budget. Get a budget and stick to it. Review your budget and really keep to it. A working budget allows you to get the most home for your money without being "house poor." Gather documentation. You don't need to have all items on hand before you apply, but there are a number of documents you'll need eventually, so why not gather them now. Use our document ch... 02/16/2009

  No Money Down Programs for Fort Lauderdale  Home Buyers For sure, it is much easier today to be a Fort Lauderdale Florida home buyer than it was a generation ago. Even if you don't have substantial savings or perfect credit, 1st Continental Mortgage works with many Fort Lauderdale lenders still willing to make loans to Fort Lauderdale borrowers with limited cash for Downpayment In fact, today in Fort Lauderdale Florida 7 out of 10 first time home buyers make a Downpayment of 10% or less. A good many Fort Lauderdale first time homebuyers  buy their homes with no money down at all. Because most people who sell an existing home have some equity which can be applied to making the Downpayment on the new home, no down payment financing is most attractive to Fort Lauderdale Florida first tim... 02/15/2009

Fort Lauderdale FHA loan, Fort Lauderdale FHA home loan 97% financing Fort Lauderdale FL FHA Loans make buying a home easier and less expensive then other home loan programs. Minimal Down Payment and Closing Costs. •·  Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price •·  100% Financing options available •·  No reserves or required. •·  FHA regulated closing costs. •·  Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs. Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as: •·  No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements. •·  FHA will allow a home purchase 2 years after a Bankruptcy. •·  FHA will allow a home purchase 3 years after a Foreclosure.  Easier Debt Ratio & Job Requirement Guidelines such as: •·  Higher Debt Ratio's than other home loan programs. •·  Less than two years on the... 02/15/2009

            Personality Profiling   High C: The Compliant Engineer The final DiSC® personality type is the High C. These are the analytical problem solvers of the world, whose attention to detail and task-oriented approach will keep things running smoothly and accurately. General Characteristics   High C personalities are described as compulsively meticulous (i.e., anal). They are diligent in making sure they have no loose ends. They are always on time and intensely organized in all aspects. They keep their desks extremely clean. Their analytical approach ensures they think things through from beginning to end, which makes them methodical problem solvers. Communicating with a High C   When you are communicating with a High C, don't make sweeping generalizations, and do not make statemen... 02/13/2009

  Broward County FHA Loan 97% Financing, Broward County FHA home loans Minimal Down Payment and Closing Costs. ·   Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price ·   100% Financing options available ·   No reserves or required. ·   FHA regulated closing costs. ·   Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs. Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as: ·   No minimum Credit score or credit score requirements. ·   FHA will allow a home purchase 2 years after a Bankruptcy. ·   FHA will allow a home purchase 3 years after a Foreclosure.  Easier Debt Ratio & Job Requirement Guidelines such as: ·   Higher Debt Ratio's than other home loan programs. ·   Less than two years on the job is allowed. ·   Self-Employed individuals o.k. Apply for an FHA Home Loan at   www.FHAmortgagePro... 02/12/2009

Broward County Mortgage Lender offers  97% Financing, Broward County Mortgage Loans Broward County Mortgage Lender offers  97% Financing, Broward County Mortgage Loans Minimal Down Payment and Closing Costs. ·   Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price ·   100% Financing options available ·   No reserves or required. ·   FHA regulated closing costs. ·   Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs. Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as: ·   No minimum Credit score or credit score requirements. ·   FHA will allow a home purchase 2 years after a Bankruptcy. ·   FHA will allow a home purchase 3 years after a Foreclosure.  Easier Debt Ratio & Job Requirement Guidelines such as: ·   Higher Debt Ratio's than other home loan programs. ·   Less than two years on the job ... 02/12/2009

    The Art of Database Management Part I: Working Smarter The relationship you develop with your customers, combined with the personal information you are constantly collecting, can be a goldmine for future business. The fact is most business professionals spend a significant amount of money marketing to people they don't know in an effort to procure new business. Wouldn't it make more sense to go deeper with your existing clients.to really understand their needs.and spend your marketing dollars on people you already have a relationship with? In Bill Gates' book,     Business at the Speed of Thought ,* he states: "How you gather, manage and use information to serve the needs of your customer will determine whether you win or lose in your business."     Look for more Business Boosters a... 02/12/2009

Trigger Leads Can Cost You Business and Referrals   Did you know that the credit bureaus sell your clients' personal information? It's true! The same agencies that possess your clients' most vital credit information will flag the files of those applying for home loans and sell their personal information as leads to the highest bidders. With a price tag of $25 to $100 or more, your clients' names and certain specifics about their credit reports, including addresses, phone numbers, mortgage histories, and even FICO score ranges, are sold to unscrupulous mortgage companies which then blindly solicit their business. The practice creates "trigger leads" of your clients, causing a flood of unwanted phone calls and mail offers which they may wrongly attribute to you. This could result in a si... 02/11/2009

I wanted to share this great story with everyone.  It has long been said that burying a St. Joseph statue in your yard is supposed to help you sell your home.  One of my sellers listed his condo for sale on July 2, 2008.  Despite numerous showings since then, we hadn't had any success selling his unit.  Someone told him the story about St. Joseph and he purchased one at a religious shop on January 14th.  He was at home opening up the package and was about halfway through reading the prayer that is included when there was a knock on the door, an unexpected showing with a buyer from out of state.  Well long story short, 16 days later we received a cash offer, fully executed on the 4th of February and scheduled to close 23 days later on February 27th!  What a great story-if you are local t... 02/11/2009

Broward County FHA Loan 97% Financing, FHA Mortgage Lender in Broward County Florida For Broward County Florida banks and other mortgage lenders, FHA mortgage loan financing offers the security of a government insured Mortgage. Win/Win! To learn more, just use our fast and easy quick application! Minimal Down Payment and Closing Costs. •·     Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price •·     100% Financing options available •·     No reserves or required. •·     FHA regulated closing costs. •·     Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs. Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as: •·     No minimum Credit score or credit score requirements. •·     FHA will allow a home purchase 2 years after a Bankruptcy. •·     FHA will allow a home purchase 3 years after a Forecl... 02/07/2009

Here is some big news this morning.  A new homebuyer's tax credit is being added to the stimulus package that will be voted on.  According to the AP the proposal would allow a tax credit of 10 percent of the value of new or existing residences, up to a $15,000 limit. Current law provides for a $7,500 tax break but only for first-time homebuyers. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090205/ap_on_go_co/congress_stimulus  02/05/2009

  Shopping for a mortgage when buying your home or refinancing is not as easy as some of you think. First off, you should get yourself pre-qualfied at least 3 to 6 months before you actually go out and look for a home. Especially if your credit is less than perfect. Secondly, you need to make sure that you are dealing with a mortgage professional. Yes, it's good to be referred to someone. But just a fyi, that doesn't mean that they might be the best for you. I could give you stories. If you don't feel comfortable, it doesn't hurt to talk to at least 2 more individuals.     With 16 years in the mortgage industry, I have heard many stories of bad experiences from borrowers, realtors, and title clerks. And in my professional opinion and experience, there are 3 major things that aggravate m... 01/25/2009