Harrisonblog

Back in 2009, the Home Affordable Refinance Program (otherwise known as HARP) was born. This is a government-run program that allows home owners with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans to refinance at a lower interest rate, even if their home is way under valued. HARP recently got a face-lift. It used to base qualifications [...]

[Read more →]

You may have heard about loan limits changing on FHA mortgages starting October 1st. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Shenandoah Valley — at least at this point — will not experience any changes in FHA loan limits. There is a full document on HUD’s website with the counties that [...]

[Read more →]

Most folks have to get a loan of some sort when purchasing a home because, lets face it, it is a large sum of money! In Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, it is typical to see buyers taking advantage of conventional financing, but many others are going with FHA, VA, and other types of loans. Take [...]

[Read more →]

You may have heard by now that the Mortgage Interest Deduction (aka “The MID”) is going through the wringer. Some changes to this tax deduction have been proposed by the Obama Administration, and it could effect many homeowners across the country. We’d like to describe what this deduction is and how it works, and the [...]

[Read more →]

When first time home buyers begin thinking about purchasing a home, their first thought is usually, “Can I afford it?” or “Do I have enough money?” These are valid questions, and do need to be answered before you begin your home search.
The first step in the process of purchasing a home should be visiting with [...]

[Read more →]

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has a loan program for rehabilitating homes and communities called the 203(k) Loan Program. Better known as a “Rehab Loan.” This program is meant to encourage new home ownership, rehabilitation of neighborhoods, and communities.
One advantage of this program is that “buyers can focus on the location and floorplan instead of [...]

[Read more →]

Effective January 1, 2010, changes will be made to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), which will improve the client experience with regards to choosing a mortgage loan. Essentially, these changes will allow the client to make a better informed decision about which loan to go with. Less confusion, and more peace of mind! [...]

[Read more →]

Traditional mortgages are fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), refinance loans, second mortgages, and home equity lines of credit. When looking to buy a home, it is important that you meet with a mortgage broker or bank to determine the best option for your particular needs and desires in a home loan, but here are a [...]

[Read more →]

Lets face it, the economy is cold, bad, not fun right now. When the economy goes sour, so does the financial welfare of most of us. For the housing market, this means that many folks need to sell their homes, foreclose, or do a short sale. What is the difference between a foreclosure and a [...]

[Read more →]

Do you ever find yourself having conversations in acronyms and abbreviations? I guess it makes sense to shorten phrases, especially when using those terms frequently in conversation, but not everyone knows what they are all the time. So to increase your list of known acronyms, I provide you with information about TILA, HERA, and HOEPA.
The [...]

[Read more →]