Waiting a few extra days or weeks to purchase a home this spring could cost buyers thousands of extra dollars as the office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implements several changes for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).Coming just weeks before the April 30 deadline for the Home Buyer Tax Credit and just days after the March 31 expiration of the Federal Reserve Board's mortgage backed securities purchase program (which has kept home loan rates artificially low for over a year), these FHA changes make it even more important to act now to save big.Here are a few reasons why:On April 5th, the cost of required up-front mortgage insurance for loans guaranteed by the FHA will increase from 1.75% to 2.25%. For a borrower purchasing a $200,000 home with a $7,000 do... 03/16/2010

My website and blog have been recently redesigned.  Check out www.SearchTheCedarValley.com for a great new look.  Stop by for a great MLS search system for the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area and to see the latest real estate news on my blog.   Thanks, Carl Oakridge Realtors Cedar Falls, Ia 50613 Licensed in Iowa 10/07/2009

Price: $330,000 FIZBER.com ID 11648384 Acreage/Land with 3 bed, 3.2 bath, in 12344 WELLMAN ROAD La porte city, IA, 50651 http://www.fizber.com/11648384/ 12344 WELLMAN ROAD - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Acreage/Land Address: 12344 WELLMAN ROAD, La porte city, IA, 50651 Sq footage: 2600.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 3.2 Bedrooms: 3 Year built: 2000 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more Iowa homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: 4 Acres/Home Built in 2000 Spacious 2600 sq ft above, 1300 below, home with 3 BR, 3.25 Bath, Master BR with whirlpool tub and walk in closet, Kitchen has eat in bar, Vaulted ceiling in entry with sky light, Gas FP in LV, Laundry on main floor, French doors from dining room leads to back deck, oak trim throughout. 2 ca... 09/14/2009

Mortgages are in the news again today...but this time, the news is good! Especially for people looking to buy or refinance a home, as interest rates have dropped to the lowest levels seen since April. You've probably heard that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taken over or "bailed out" by the Federal Government over the weekend. The announcement came as the government felt that both of these institutions were potentially unable to meet their obligations. These agencies must pay off maturing Bonds every month, and they do so by selling new Bonds. But during the last twelve months, investor appetite to purchase new mortgage-backed security Bonds has deteriorated. As such, it has become more difficult for Fannie and Freddie to replenish capital to fund more loans. If both Fannie and Freddi... 09/16/2008

Real Estate Auctions Why auction Real Estate?  Yes, some people still ask this question.  The answer is simple: An Auction Sale is the most effective way of establishing the value of a property while simultaneously producing a ready, willing, and able buyer for it.  A seller can quickly sell a property at 100% of its value, and a buyer can easily purchase a property for what they are willing to pay.  The Auction Method of Marketing is the fairest, most transparent, most efficient economical system in the world.  Auctions.......bring Action!  All prospective buyers know that if they have an interest in a property going up for auction, they MUST attend the auction and bid their price or they will miss the opportunity to buy! ‘Traditional' real estate brokerage's method of ‘listing' homes ... 08/11/2008

     The annual return of 12,000 college students to the Cedar Valley is quickly approaching.  The Cedar Falls and Waterloo communities will soon feel the positive energy of so many young people.  Faculty return from vacations and trips abroad to further join our community in a celebration of its vitality. [IMG]http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc330/VersaLand/UNI_Dome_Cedar_Falls_Iowa.jpg[/IMG]    The signs of an approaching autumn are everywhere.  From moving vans, to the crisp anticipation of football season, college is soon to be back in session.     The UNI Panther Football team will again be competing for a national championship, as has become an increasing trend.  UNI Panther Volleyball is as competitive as ever. It's August, It's Hot, and it's Great to Live in the Cedar Valley!... 08/08/2008

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a tool that consumers can use as a starting point to compare loan programs. However, it's important to keep in mind that APR is not a perfect system, and not all lenders calculate APR in the same way. While the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act does require any mortgage broker, banker or lender to disclose APR to the consumer, there is no rule written in stone for calculating this number that each and every lender agrees upon. The point of calculating APR is to let the consumer know what the actual cost of their financing is in the form of a yearly rate. APR factors in certain closing costs and fees associated with the loan, and spreads this total over the life of the loan along with the actual note rate. The objective is to give the consumer a clearer picture... 07/30/2008

Buyers are thinking ahead to spring and it shows! January has been a busy month in the local Waterloo-Cedar Falls real estate market, as it seems to be every year about this time. My theory? Cabin fever over the holidays, coupled with New Years Resolutions, make for some antsy buyers come January. Throw in rock bottom interest rates and a healthy inventory of houses, and you have the recipe for a strong real estate market. Buyers, don't drag your feet or else you might miss out on the perfect home. They seem to be selling fast! Sellers, this is a perfect opportunity to spruce up your home for showings, because they're likely to pick up if they haven't already. Busy spring, here we come! 02/03/2008

Thanks for stopping by my ActiveRain real estate blog.  For all your Cedar Falls and Waterloo, Ia real estate news and listings please visit www.searchthecedarvalley.com.Thank you,Carl EricsonOakridge Realtors 02/22/2007