FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages for California Homes

FHA's Energy Efficient Mortgage program (EEM) helps California homebuyers or homeowners save money on utility bills. This is done by enabling them to finance the cost of adding energy efficiency features to their house as part of their FHA insured loan. EEMs recognize that reduced utility expenses can permit a homeowner to pay a higher mortgage to cover the cost of the energy improvements on top of the approved mortgage. FHA EEMs provide mortgage insurance for a person to purchase or refinance a principal residence and incorporate the cost of energy efficient improvements…
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FHA delays HVCC for Bay Area Home Loans

FHA delays HVCC for San Francisco (SF) Bay Area Home Loans until February 15, 2010. FHA announced today that the enactment of Appraiser Independence has been delayed. This was originally planned for a January 1, 2010 implementation. On the lines of HVCC, the FHA policy prohibits mortgage brokers and commission-based lender staff from the ordering the appraisal or communicating directly with the appraiser at any stage during the transaction. Since implementation of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) for conventional loans in May 2009, many challenges and difficulties with appraisals have been…
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Seller Rent Back on a Bay Area Purchase

In home purchase transactions in San Jose and rest of the Bay Area, there are many times when the buyer and the seller are simply unable to agree upon a specified closing date. The Real Estate Agent involved can negotiate a 'rent back' period that is agreeable to both parties. This means the transaction technically closes, the loan for mortgage financing is funded, and ownership of the property is transferred into the buyer's name. However, the buyer does not take occupancy of the property until several days later. Instead, the buyer sets up…
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Affordability Index Dropping in Santa Clara – Why is that a bad news for First-Time Buyers

Affordability Index has been dropping in Santa Clara county. California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) measures First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index (FTB-HAI) on a quarterly basis. This measures the percentage of households that can afford to purchase an entry-level home in California. The higher the index, more affordable it is for a first time buyer to buy a home. Before getting into the numbers, lets first quickly understand how it is calculated. The measurement is based on three main factors: Median Price of existing Single-Family homes (based on C.A.R.'s monthly existing home sales survey)…
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FHA waives 2nd appraisal requirement for Bay Area

Effective immediately, FHA has rescinded the second appraisal requirements for properties located in San Jose and rest of the Bay Area (Considered declining markets). For Bay area borrowers where loan amounts can generally exceed $417,000 2nd appraisal requirement was a problem on 2 counts:
  • Increased fees towards appraisal (2 appraisals hence double the fees)
  • Danger of loan getting declined or loan amount reduced if the value of the second appraisal came lower at the last moment
The 2nd problem was a bigger risk if the borrower had removed his/her appraisal or loan contingency. It could potentially result into loss of earnest money deposit. The new rule would make it easier for borrowers to bring in the minimum down payment of 3.5% even if the loan amount is >$417,000 and not worry about 2nd appraisal. Here are the highlights of the new rule:
  • For properties located in declining markets, FHA no longer requires second appraisal for loan amounts greater than $417,000 and LTVs greater than 95%.
  • Cash-out refinance transactions no longer require second appraisals for loan amounts greater than $417,000 and properties located in declining markets.
  • Effective for all FHA loans registered on or after Monday, November 30, 2009, some lenders may still require an appraisal from a lender-approved appraisal management company when any loan amount exceeds $417,000 and the property is located in a declining market. However, a second appraisal will no longer be required.
(more…)
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First Look by Fannie Mae – Great News for First Time Home Buyers in Bay Area

Fannie Mae announced a program called "First Look" which will help First Time Home Buyers compete with investors for foreclosed homes in San Jose and rest of the Bay Area. Under the program, dubbed First Look, Fannie plans to consider offers only from potential owner-occupants and certain public-housing entities during the first 15 days in which a foreclosed home is on the market. Many investors can move faster on home purchases because they are able to pay cash and don't have to wait to qualify for a loan and get an appraisal. If…
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Existing Home Sales Jumps 10.1%

Home sales jumped in October, rising far more than expected as First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit offset fears about joblessness. Sales of existing homes increased by 10.1% to a 6.10 million annual rate from 5.54 million in September, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) said Monday. Total housing inventory at the end of October fell 3.7 percent to 3.57 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 7.0-month supply at the current sales pace, down from an 8.0-month supply in September. The supply of homes on the market is now at…
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Update to FHA Condo Approval Process for San Jose

This update contains the temporary changes to the FHA Condo Approval Process for San Jose and rest of the Bay Area as outlined in Mortgage Letter 2009-46 B. Here are the 6 things you need to know about these changes: 1. These temporary changes are effective on December 7th, 2009 through December 31st 2010; except for Spot Loan Approvals. 2. Spot Loan Approvals will be eliminated as of February 1st, 2010. 3. FHA loan concentration may be increased to 100% if the following criteria are met: a. Project construction has been 100% complete…
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San Jose Conforming & FHA Loan Limits extended through 2010

President Obama signed the congressional resolution extending through 2010 the current conforming loan limits of $417,000 for most areas in the U.S. and $729,750 for high-cost areas, including San Jose. The counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo, San Francisco & Contra Costa in the Bay Area will have the maximum loan amount at $729,750.Yesterday actions extends the higher conforming loan limits for Fannie, Freddie, and FHA loans through 2010. The floor for FHA is $271,050; the floor for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan limits is $417,000. "Home sales have shown…
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