Rodney Mason - Conv, FHA, VA, USDA, Renovation

On December 7, 2010, a majority of all condo projects will see their FHA Project Approvals expire.  Once that happens, the project will either need a recertification or a full project approval.  You must first determine the date that the project was initially granted its FHA approval.  This can b...

Last week was an especially busy one in market news.  We will see that continue to be absorbed this week.  The new economic news front will be on the quiet side with only four trading days.  The Bond Market will be closed on Thursday for Veteran's Day.    There are no economic reports set for Mon...

Now that you have reset your clocks for Daylight Savings Time last night or this morning, its time to do one more thing.  You now need to check the batteries in your smoke detectors. Fire safety officials recommend that every change the batteries on their smoke detectors at least twice per year. ...

USDA has just announced that funding for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program is now available for the 2011 fiscal year. Purchase loans will be subject to a 3.50% upfront guarantee fee. Refinance loans will be subject to a 1.00% upfront guarantee fee. These upfront guarantees remain ...

In case you forgot, Daylight Savings Time started this morning at 2 am.  Be sure to check all of your clocks.  If not, you may be showing up an hour early for something.  As I mentioned last week in Daylight Savings Time Starts Today.....At Least Your Car Might Think So, some electronic devices m...

With temperature dropping into freeze warning conditions this week, most everyone will be turning on their heat.  Some will be using space heaters.  These space heaters can be especially dangerous if you are not careful.  The National Fire Protection Association offers several facts on heating eq...

Over the last few months, some conventional Mortgage Insurance companies have loosened up on their underwriting guidelines.  This comes after nearly 3 years of pulling back and the tightening of those guidelines. Starting November 1st, one MI company has expanded its 97% LTV program.  This new ma...

FHA New Construction Documentation Requirements   New Construction < 1 Year If property is one year old, provide Certificate of Occupancy to determine if less than 1 year. Option A - New construction (one year old or less), where the local jurisdiction issues building permits AND performs local i...

When you get in your car today, you might want to check the time on your clock.  Many cars mistakenly set time back one hour this morning.  Why is that some might wonder?  From 1987 through 2006, the beginning and ending dates for DST were the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October....

Foreclosures are cash only purchases?  Not hardly.  Distressed properties (or those just in need of updating) are exactly why FHA created the FHA 203K Renovation mortgage several years ago.  The FHA 203K Streamline allows for non-structural repairs up to $35K to be financed into the mortgage.  Th...