If you don’t have 20 percent for a down payment – don’t worry! The high cost of living combined with steep purchase prices proves a challenge for many Flagstaff homebuyers to avoid paying mortgage insurance. What is mortgage Insurance? Mortgage insurance is simply an insurance policy that protects the lender if you default on your mortgage payments. There are two types of mortgage insurance: private mortgage insurance (PMI) and government issued mortgage insurance. The primary government … [Read more...] about Understanding Mortgage Insurance
mortgage
Real Estate Professionals Point to Silver Lining
The Northern Arizona Association of Realtors (NAAR) recently released annual home sales figures for 2011. Comparisons of 2011 real estate home sales (including Flagstaff, Williams and Winslow) to the previous year revealed some good news for Northern Arizona. “There were lots of positives last year,” said realtor Jeff Ross of Realty Executives Flagstaff pointing to the report. “More homes were sold in 2011 than the previous year.” The number of total homes sold was up 10.6 percent over 2010. … [Read more...] about Real Estate Professionals Point to Silver Lining
McCain-Rockefeller Amendment Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate today approved an amendment offered by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) prohibiting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives from receiving future multi-million dollar bonuses as long as the government-backed mortgage companies remain in federal conservatorship. It was recently reported that the Federal Housing Finance Agency approved $12.8 million in bonuses to ten top Fannie and Freddie executives. “Today’s vote in the Senate to stop high-paid … [Read more...] about McCain-Rockefeller Amendment Passes Senate
Flagstaff Habitat for Humanity Seeking Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona was started in 1994 and is one of 2,000 affiliates throughout the world. We invite people of all backgrounds, races, and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Through sweat equity, 1% down payment and a 0% interest mortgage, Habitat families receive a hand up, not a hand out. Partnerships with local businesses, service providers, and national retail outlets help us contain costs, encourage community involvement, and … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Habitat for Humanity Seeking Volunteers
Refinancing While Under Water
In many cases, you can lower your interest rate even if you owe more on your home than it's worth. As low as they may be, I still don't think jumping into an adjustable rate mortgage makes sense. But, getting a six-percent rate or even a high-five-percent rate down into the four percent range DOES make sense. Don't let the fact that your home is "underwater" hold you back from exploring the possibility. Do your calculations carefully. No doubt you will be adding … [Read more...] about Refinancing While Under Water
Reclaiming the American Dream
In generations past, home ownership was a goal sought after by most families. Owning your own home with a yard, a picket fence, maybe a front porch is a cornerstone of the American dream. And building equity provided a path to the middle class, a way to finance college for the kids and build a nest egg for retirement. A home would be the single biggest investment we'd probably make in our lifetimes. One mortgage crisis later and many people's dreams lie shuttered in foreclosure or in … [Read more...] about Reclaiming the American Dream
Foreclosure Intervention Options for Troubled Borrowers
When President Barack Obama announced help for struggling homeowners in April 2009, millions of homeowners facing foreclosure or payment resets breathed a collective sigh of relief. What most of them didn’t expect was how much time, effort and paperwork would be involved, and how difficult it would be to qualify for many government assistance programs. That’s where foreclosure intervention counselors come in. They help troubled borrowers understand their options, assemble their documents and … [Read more...] about Foreclosure Intervention Options for Troubled Borrowers
