Buyers and Sellers Beware the Next Tax Credit Deadline.
Update: GAME OVER. NO MORE FREE CASH. Only active duty millitary and government employees need inquire about $8000 tax credit.
Buyers and sellers beware the next tax credit deadline. If next summer yields the buying and selling frenzy many real estate professionals are hoping for, home buyers and sellers should plan ahead now. Waiting until the last minute to close for first time homebuyers wanting the $8,000 tax credit or move up buyers wanting the $6,500 tax credit is a big mistake. Banks have proven to me that they are having major trouble making closing dates. I have had buyers turn over completed files to lenders in record time only to have the file sit in some office for over two weeks before anyone put a set of eyes on the file.
The major draw back for buyers and sellers alike is what to do if the file is unexpectedly closing late. Buyers have leases they are working with and sellers are also faced with moving out early to turn over the property on time. In many of the situations my clients faced this year temporary lease backs and buyer leases were worked out. However this may not be an option for everyone, due to the risk involved. The best advise I can give for buyers is to shoot for a close 30 days before you have to give up your lease. Sellers should consult with the listing agent to keep tabs on the status of the loan to time up their move.
Covenant Partners
http://www.sahomelocator.com
Hurry up and wait for your loan
Hurry up and wait for your loan home buyers.
The same bad news goes for sellers these days as well so don’t worry you won’t be alone if it happens to you. I’m waiting for a late closing due to loan issues at this very moment. In fact, all but a couple of my closings this quarter have been late (30, 60 and 90 days late).
“So, what’s the deal?” my clients ask.
Well, if we subtract any lost time the buyer contributes to the process we are left with:
1. rookie loan officers (lenders are cutting expensive people to be more profitable)
2. rookie processors (again more expense cutting)
3. new federal regulations (they mean well but they slow the process down with more hoops for loan officers and processors to jump through)
“So, what do we do?” my clients ask.
A. Shop for a lender early. This is not a new piece of advice, it’s just much more important these days because of all the new changes. Not all lenders have sent their studs packing. You can still find a good loan officer, but you have to look. Chances are if you can find a good loan officer you will find a good processor or a loan officer who has a good relationship with the processor.
B. Start a file right away with all your important docs. Ask your lender for a check list and keep your file up to date as you shop. Getting your docs scanned to your self as an e-mail for easy access is also a good idea especially if you work a tight schedule. I can not tell you how many times we needed a docs to be resubmitted because it got misplaced at the lender office. Doing this will make it easier for you to forward any docs to the processor from work via e-mail right away.
C. Finally be as patient as possible. If you start early enough and keep organized this will be much easier. Remember that everyone else wants your deal to close too. I know I do. 
Earnest Money home buying tips for buyers
Earnest Money home buying tips for buyers. This short video will help you understand and protect your earnest money when buying a home from the prospective of a San Antonio TX, Realtor. This video is for informational purposes and is not intented to be a substitute for legal advise from an attorney. If you do not understand information in a real estate contract, consult your attorney.
Home buyer tax credit
First time home buyers
Contact your tax professional or your local Realtor for details on how you can take advantage of this new incentive this year when purchasing a home.
Krishna Perkins, Realtor
NACA
In todays mortgage climate many buyers who would normally be able to purchase a home have gone into hiding until the financing loosens up or the buyers can make the necessary changes to meet the new expectations. What many buyers don’t know is that their is an alternative.
I have sent many of my buyers through this program and I have seen some amazing results. NACA is a non profit organization making housing affordable to more Americans. They have attacked unfair lending practices in the past and continue to do so today in the refinancing of balloon mortgage notes. You don’t hear about them much unless the local news is covering them because of the non existance of advertising.
There are some pros and cons to working with NACA you need to be aware of. I’ll start with the pro’s first: #1 no credit score requirments #2 You can buy your interest rate all the way down to zero #3 The lender pays all closing cost, down payment and title policy. This results in a zero down home purchase. #4 You can use this loan for any home purchase up to 205K, new, used, reo, hud, etc.
Ok, now for the cons: #1 it’s a none profit so you need to keep your apointments, and stay on top of your paper work with them or you will get lost in the shuffle. #2 You have to attend a four hour work shop on a Saturday to get started. Many people get lazy on this and never go. #3 The program is not available in all states yet. You can view this info on the website. #4This really isn’t as bad as it sounds, but they require you to attend up to 5 events or refer to them 5 people a year. I do not believe they hard line this requirment but I believe the interest rate and terms are worth the effort for any buyer.
My recommendation for anyone considering this program is to have a Realtor refer you to the program. I do it all the time. If you go in alone without a realtor you will automatically have to work with one of their in house agents who is required to kick back 33% of the commission to NACA which leaves you with little to no wiggle room to negotiate other items important to you. Items you may need may include: lease buy out options, relocation fee reimbursment, appliances etc. If you’re unsure how this works let me know and I’m happy to explain requardless if you use me or not.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!
Krishna Perkins
Many home buyers are still eligible for zero down fianancing
Many home buyers are still eligible for zero down financing. Some home buyers have the option of using the credit for only a limited time using the temporary $8,000 tax credit for down payment and closing cost. Other home buyers will continue to see 100% financing in select areas with approved credit. Ask your Realtor or contact me for further details.
Krishna Perkins, Realtor
Visit http://www.sahomelocator.com
