Tuesday, July 8, 2008

You don't have to Lose your Home...

Contrary to popular belief, lenders "do not" want your home. Are you "upside down" in your house? Is your house currently worth less than the amount you owe? Are you losing sleep worrying about a possible foreclosure? Worry no more we're here to help. Even if you are 30, 60, 90+ days or more on your mortgage, we can help.

On most conventional loans, a lender stands to make up to 3x's the principal amount you borrowed over the life of a loan (if in fact you stay in that loan for the entire term) Therefore, it is bad business for a lender to have to foreclose on a home.

It's really simple. If you've had an unexpected life event that is causing you an unforeseen financial harship which will make it difficult to continue making payments on your home, or are in an "adjustable rate loan" and your payment is set to adjust or has alreayd adjusted and the appraised/estimated market value for your home has decreased to a point where it is less than what you owe on your loan, the lender/lenders are willing to analyze your current financial situation and make a decision on whether or not it is economically feasible to "write down" your balance and/or your interest rate/term thereby allowing you to stay in your home and avoid foreclosure.

It really is in everybody's best interest to avoid foreclosure and work together to find a common ground so that you are allowed to stay in your home that you have worked so hard to obtain and the lenders who have provided that opportunity are allowed to collect the interest and principal repayment on the loan.

Most homeowner's across the Nation do not have the time or possess the knowledge required to approach this stressful and time consuming task. That's where we can help.

We have a 95% success rate, with New Century, Home EQ, ABC Conduit, IndyMac, Countrywide and several more subprime lenders to modify loans, which have resulted in principal debt reduction and reduced interest rates and/or both.

Call now to begin the process of saving your home and securing your future at 916-253-9442 or email at patricks@wavecable.com.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

7 must-do's for 1st time homebuyers

Are you a first-time homebuyer eager to get into the market? Here are a few steps to take to help you decide whether you’re ready to take the plunge.

1. Check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area. Web sites like Zillow and Homegain can give you a general idea of what you should expect to pay. You can also do a quick search of actual Home Listings in your area on a number of Web sites, including the National Association of Realtors and www.dynastyfinancialonline.com for "FREE"

2. Use Bankrate’s mortgage calculator to get an idea of what your monthly mortgage payments would be if you bought today. You could also call us at 800-485-8740 for a "FREE" consultation. Based on your income and financial obligations we have "Rainman" standing by to give you advise without running your credit. A couple of questions and you will be able to know how much home you can afford and what your monthly obligations would be. IT’S THAT EASY AND IT’S FREE!

3. Find out what your total monthly housing cost would be, including taxes and homeowners insurance. In some areas, what you’ll pay for your taxes and insurance escrow can almost double your mortgage payment. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average yearly premium can range from $477 a year in Utah to $1,372 a year for unlucky Texans. Again speaking to an experienced agent in your market will be able to give you an idea of what Insurance will cost you.

4. Find out how much you’ll likely pay in closing costs. The upfront cost of settling on your home shouldn’t be overlooked. Closing costs include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items like homeowners insurance or homeowners’ association fees. You can see what closing costs average in your state by looking at Bankrate.com’s annual. With the market in the turmoil it is in at the moment Closing Costs are important. Getting an accurate account is key. Taxes, homeowners insurance those are fees that generally stay the same...Lenders fees are key to know. These fees can be negotiated. Over paying on Lenders fees are unacceptable in this market. Closing Costs credits are key in this market to help you come in with less money.

5. Look at your budget and determine how a house fits into it. Fannie Mae recommends that buyers spend no more than 28-30 percent of their income on housing costs. Go much past 30 percent and you risk becoming house poor. Living with in your means is a key element to Home Purchasing. Buying too much has will have it’s downfall.

6. Talk to a reputable Realtor (www.dynastyfinancialonline.com) in your area about the real estate climate. Do they believe prices will continue falling or do they think your area has hit bottom or will rise soon? Call us for a "FREE CONSULTATION" at 800-485-8740.

7. Remember to look at the big picture. While buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment can be labor-intensive and expensive. When unexpected costs for new appliances, roof repairs and plumbing problems crop up, there’s no landlord to turn to, and these costs and can quickly drain your bank account.

Having an experienced Agent on your side is key. It’s important to use an Agent you feel comfortable with and knowledable with the market and fully understands what your goals are and help you accomplish them. Visit us on the web at www.dynastyfinancialonline.comor call us TOLL FREE at 800-485-8740. We’re looking forward to taking the next step with you.
Are you a first-time homebuyer eager to get into the market? Here are a few steps to take to help you decide whether you’re ready to take the plunge.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Didn't make a Mortgage Payment in 2007? It's now TAX FREE

Mortgage Workouts, Now Tax-Free for Many Homeowners; Claim Relief on Newly-Revised IRS Form

IR-2008-17, Feb. 12, 2008WASHINGTON — Homeowners whose mortgage debt was partly or entirely forgiven during 2007 may be able to claim special tax relief by filling out newly-revised Form 982 and attaching it to their 2007 federal income tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service.Normally, debt forgiveness results in taxable income. But under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, enacted Dec. 20, taxpayers may exclude debt forgiven on their principal residence if the balance of their loan was less than $2 million. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return.

Details are on Form 982 and its instructions, available now on this Web site.“The new law contains important provisions for struggling homeowners,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff. “We urge people with mortgage problems to take full advantage of the valuable tax relief available.”The late-December enactment means that reporting procedures for this law change were not incorporated into tax-preparation software or IRS forms. For that reason, people using tax software should check with their provider for updates that include the revised Form 982. Similarly, the IRS is now updating its systems and expects to begin accepting electronically-filed returns that include Form 982 by March 3. The paper Form 982 is now being accepted, but the IRS reminds affected taxpayers to consider filing electronically, which greatly reduces errors and speeds refunds.The new law applies to debt forgiven in 2007, 2008 or 2009. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, may qualify for this relief. In most cases, eligible homeowners only need to fill out a few lines on Form 982 (specifically, lines 1e, 2 and 10b).

The debt must have been used to buy, build or substantially improve the taxpayer's principal residence and must have been secured by that residence. Debt used to refinance qualifying debt is also eligible for the exclusion, but only up to the amount of the old mortgage principal, just before the refinancing. Debt forgiven on second homes, rental property, business property, credit cards or car loans does not qualify for the new tax-relief provision. In some cases, however, other kinds of tax relief, based on insolvency, for example, may be available.
See Form 982 for details.Borrowers whose debt is reduced or eliminated receive a year-end statement (Form 1099-C) from their lender.
For debt cancelled in 2007, the lender was required to provide this form to the borrower by Jan. 31, 2008. By law, this form must show the amount of debt forgiven and the fair market value of any property given up through foreclosure.
The IRS urges borrowers to check the Form 1099-C carefully. Notify the lender immediately if any of the information shown is incorrect. Borrowers should pay particular attention to the amount of debt forgiven (Box 2) and the value listed for their home ( Box 7).

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Yet another Interest Rate Cut..Yawn!

Isn't crazy how there was yet another Interest Rate decrease, but yet everyone is standing still?
How, I don't know maybe I'm venting or moody or I don't know, but it seems to me that Bernake, Greenspan, These Politicians etc...They say they are smart want to solve our Economy issues etc...Yet they cut the Interest Rate down and wonder why nothing is jump starting our Economy, World Economy and People confidence!


I'll tell you why...because we are in a "Credit Crunch" How are people supposed to re-fi or buy a home if the "Lenders" guidelines have tightened so much you can't stick a needle through it! Duh! This is simple, give a little slack to "Lenders" I'm not saying go all creative again and some stupid lending practices that existed before, but let's go back to common sense lending!

Lets go back to if you have a decent credit score and make enough money and can live within your means, then you buy a house! Not these stupid "I work at Taco Bell as a cashier and now I own a $500k home"! Let's go back to hey you qualify for a $150k mortgage and that what you can afford and presto, you have a new house!

How are people/consumers supposed to have confidence if if "Big Wigs" making decisions don't!
It's time for them to get their head out of their butts and do something and do something now, doing it next year is to late!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Lower Rates...Does that mean buy a Home?

Tuesday was a big day for the Fed Reserve, they dropped the Lending Rate 3/4 of a point and with an another expected Rate drop early next week, what does it all mean?

Well, it means if you are thinking about buying a home and your credit score isn't higher 680 there is no way to get 100% financing.

So, if you are going to be in the market for a new in the next few months there is still time to fix some credit issues and be able to buy a home before summer ends or before.

Few things to keep in mind:

1. Run your credit, know what your credit score is. Once you've run your credit you know your issues and what you need to do to fix. (That's where I come in, I have names of some companies that work with you to fix your credit, and I also have ways you can fix it yourself) You can be on your way to bringing up your credit score.

2. Tax season is coming and (let's keep our fingers crossed on that emergency surplus bill gets to us on time.) you are going to need to show your Lender that you have some money in the bank. You will need to have between 3-6 months Reserve, that's 3-6 months worth of Mortgage Payments.

3. Closing costs is some cases...Closing Costs are still being given out buy Banks/Lenders and Home Sellers, but you do want to have a little extra cash on you. Putting down 20% is ideal, but lets face it, not very many people have 20% to put down on a home, but doesn't mean you can't afford a home just because you don't have it on you.

With falling home prices, this really is the time to buy. Home ownership is never a bad investment, one thing to keep in mind is that if you buy a home you are going to have to plan on living in that home for 3-4 years to realize your equity gain. You will not see an equity gain in less than 1year as you did in 2003-2005.

There are still great deals out there and by the end of the 1st quarter and 2nd quarter foreclosures and defaults will have risen again, and Lenders/Home Sellers will start slashing prices and that is our expertise...Negotiating for you the get the deal of a lifetime...Home ownership!

Friday, January 18, 2008

What should the Feds do...

People are predicting that Fed Chief Ben Bernake will cut rates next week when they meet again.

He's insinuated that something drastic needs to be done, do you think he'll drop the rate by another 1/8 or 1/2 point? Or do you think it needs to be more dramatic to see a change in consumer spending?

The last time the Feds dropped the Bank Rate, the Banks saw a little help but didn't help the consumer too much, nothing really changed for us the Consumer.

Do you think people will start buying homes or spending money on say entertainment, shopping etc... if The Feds were to lets say drop the rate by maybe a "Whole Point"? I found it hard to believe that if they were to drop rates and bring them back to what they used to be in say 2004 and 2005 that the "Whole Country" would crash and burn.

This new "Emergency Surplus" they have in mind of doing is only about $800 a family. what happens when the $800 is gone, which in most cases are gone in less than a week, with gas going up and groceries. They basically gave money for less than a month, to help out the travel industry, stores like Walmart, Shopping malls, but after that month is over then what? What are we supposed to do?

Recession is inevitable if something isn't done, not a band-aid, but a real solution.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

10 Reasons to buy a Home Today!

Why you should get excited about buying a home today!


1. Selection, selection, selection. There are in Northern California alone upwards of 40,000 resale homes on the market. Regardless of the price range a buyer desires, there are plenty of houses from which to choose. Just a few years ago the resale inventory dropped below 2,000 units. A buyer was forced to make compromises if they were going to locate the home of their dreams. There is a great selection of attached homes, condos, and townhouses. You can find large lots, small lots, and a lot that will accommodate your boat or RV. There are lots of options in this market.

2. No Bidding Wars. In 2005 we had one client that made an offer on ten homes. They lost the first nine to the 'feeding frenzy' that existed. Other buyers bid the properties up substantially from the original listing price. There were escalation clauses where buyers authorized their agents to outbid other offers by thousands of dollars. There is NO competitive bidding in this buyer's market.

3. You can make an offer. A few years ago when you made an offer, the only question was how high above the list price could the buyer reach in hopes of being the best offer on the table. Today the sell price list vs. price ration is about 96%. A seller will not be insulted if you 'make them an offer they can't refuse'.

4. Patience is tolerated. In the hot seller's market that existed everything was rushed. Find a house before other buyers did. Hurry up and make the offer. Today a buyer can take their time. Look at several homes and think about your decision for a few hours.

5. Due diligence is welcomed. In this market a buyer is encouraged to obtain a home inspection, termite inspection, and appraisal. In 2005 many buyers waived these contingencies in order gain an advantage with multiple offers.

6. There are plenty of specs. In the not too distant past buyer had to 'play games' if they wanted a new home. There were lotteries and waiting lists in order to obtain new construction. Some buyers slept in their cars in order to get to the head of the lines. Today, Builders have thousands of specs ready for immediate occupancy. Do you know with a Seasoned Real Estate, they can still negotiate with a builder and get a better price than walking in out of the street buy yourself!
7. Repair requests are welcomed. After a buyer completes a home inspection, they are allowed to submit a repair request to the seller. In the past a seller might insist the home was sold 'as is'. Many times, there were back-up buyers waiting for a primary buyer to upset the seller whose home was increasing in value almost daily.


8. Few, if any investors. It is estimated that one third of all sales in 2005 were to investors. These non-owner occupied buyer caused the market to inflate and affordability to decline. Mortgage fraud became commonplace. It's a great time to buy without having to compete with hundreds of prospective landlords.

9. Location, location, location. Today's buyers can find homes closer to work. In this market, reasonably priced homes are within biking or walking distance to schools, rapid transit lines, and relatives.

10. Real Financing is available. The 'wink, wink' zero down, no doc, adjustable, sub-prime loans are gone. Fixed rates are back. FHA financing, first time homeowner bond programs, special loans for teachers, and police officers are back in business. It's a great time to buy real estate!

We're here to answer your questions, so call or email us. www.dynastyfinancialonline.com or 800-485-8740