I hosted a "Lunch and Learn" last week on FHA for a group of my REALTOR referral partners, and there were a few additional questions regarding FHA condominium guidelines. Firstly, here is HUD's website to check current approval status of condo complexes: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.
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06/30/2010
Last Friday, we learned that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.7% in the first quarter, which was actually less than previously reported. GDP is a measure of a country's overall economic output. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment increased to 76, the highest since January 200
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06/28/2010
As of 6/22/2010, the CA State Tax Credit for 1st Time Buyers is almost gone. Out of the $100mil allocated for this credit, $91,404,000 has been claimed. Fortunately, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) site notes that although the $100mil is almost gone, they will continue to accept at least 28,000 to
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06/25/2010
Have you ever heard of Senator Henry Mello or Assemblyman Mike Roos? In 1982, they co-authored the Community Facilities District Act, otherwise known as Mello-Roos. After Prop 13 was passed in 1978, which limits the ability of local governments to use property taxes to construct public services
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06/23/2010
My wife, a Realtor with Windermere Exclusive Properties in Encinitas/Carlsbad, recently posted an article on her company's blogsite regarding her effort to become more environmentally conscious. Here is the post: I am working on being more environmentally friendly. Many of my friends in North Sa
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06/18/2010
When you purchase a home in San Diego County, the property taxes at closing are based on the current assessed value of the property. Eventually, the San Diego County Tax Assessor will re-assess the property to the most recent transfer value, i.e., purchase price. A few years ago, the new assesse
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06/18/2010
This week, mortgage rates were moved mainly by economic data. Reports showed slower than expected growth and tame inflation figures resulting in slightly lower interest rates than last week. At the Fed meeting next Wednesday, there should be little pressure on the Fed to raise the fed funds rate
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06/18/2010
The latest update from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) shows that just over $78mil of the $100mil allocated for the CA 1st Time Buyer Tax Credit has been claimed. Applications for First-Time Buyer Credit received as of 06/15/10 As of Estimated Total First-Time Buyer Applications Received57% of Esti
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06/18/2010
From Inman News, the U.S. Senate amended an earlier bill extending the closing deadline for the Federal 1st Time Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit as well as the $6,500 Repeat Buyer Credit. Originally, buyers needed to close by June 30, 2010. Many lenders are experiencing a tremendous backlog and there wa
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06/18/2010
An impound account (a.k.a. escrow account) for property taxes and insurance is required on on all FHA and VA loans as well as Conventional loans with loan to values greater than 80%. Some investors allow an impound waiver up to 90% in CA. The amount required to be in the impound account varies m
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06/16/2010
