Kevin Sechrist's (ksechrist) Blog

Buyer Tips: 5 Things To Avoid During Application Fannie Mae recently implemented a new Loan Quality Initiative (LQI) that involves some important changes to be communicated to home buyers. Lenders will now be required to re-pull credit and re-verify employment immediately prior to closing day.  H...

New article on Excaminer.com discusses the most asked question: How in the heck do you figure my interest rate? Atlanta Personal Finance Examiner One of the first things eager mortgage shoppers want to know is, "What's the rate today?" Or more specifically, "What's MY rate?" It would be nice for ...

Highlights from the NAR report, just released. Atlanta existing-home sales increased 7 percent over March 2009. The median sales price though slipped 2.3%, to $113,600. The REO bargains are helping sales but not the median prices. Nationally, the median price was up .4% to $170,700. 14 out of 20 ...

Generate more home sales with FHA's 203-K rehab loan. This program allows qualified buyers to roll the costs of major improvements and upgrades into their mortgage.   203-K is the perfect solution for existing owner-occupied properties that require repairs that would otherwise delay or prevent th...

Mark your calendar and plan ahead for a nationwide Open House promotional event. Many Georgia real estate associations are encouraging members to participate in the unique event scheduled for the weekend of April 10 and 11, 2010. Will you participate? Open houses are usually duds, but I applaud t...

Condominiums are a unique legal entity, with different requirements in order to obtain financing approval. Condos may appear similar to townhomes, and projects may call itself one or the other in marketing pieces.  Did you know condo owners do not own the land under their condo? Both have an acti...

So you want to buy a bargain foreclosure and take advantage of a unique buying opportunity in Atlanta or Georgia? Public lender foreclosure auctions can be a great experience and offer some exceptional real estate values. Prospective buyers need to be very aware, however, and understand how to sa...

Atlanta home buyers seeking FHA financing may want to proceed now. US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formally announced changes to FHA financing Jan. 20, in an effort to strengthen their capital reserves and stability. The changes will impact all lenders in the spring. FHA-back...

Obama signed the bill last Friday to extend the $8000 federal tax credit - which included the exciting expansion of the new $6500 tax credit for current homeowners. Here's the basics on the new $6500 tax credit: •ü  Buyer must have owned a primary residence 5 consecutive years of the 8 years prio...

Barring any last minute extension, the deadline is looming for the First Time Homebuyer federal tax credit. At this point, a purchase must close and fund by Nov. 30, 2009 in order to qualify. Lenders will be cutting off applications soon, to ensure being able to close and fund by November 30. In ...