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Monthly Archives: October 2008

Does the Fed rate cut help mortgage rates?

29-Oct-08

Today the Fed cut both the Fed Funds Rate and the Discount Rate by .50%.  Does this mean that we are going to see mortgage rates drop by a half a percent?
First let me define the Rates that were cut today.  The Federal Funds Rate is the interest rate at which depository institutions lend balances [...]

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

28-Oct-08

One of the most exciting new provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 is the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.  If you have not heard of this or not familiar with details, here you go.  The credit is designed to encourage first-time homebuyers to go ahead and make the leap to purchase their [...]

Lower payments, afford a larger home, what is the mortgage payment you qualify for? First pay off your other debt.

18-Oct-08

When I am getting my clients approved for a mortgage, the most common question is how much can we afford?  And when I am looking at the debt ratios, I see that credit card payments are eating in to that number.  Along with car payments, student loans, and other debts that financed their toys.
While I [...]

Kansas City Home Sales for September 2008

17-Oct-08

The Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors announced today the September home sales numbers.  In going through the numbers I see several bright spots.  The first being the overall number improved 10.5%, 2,416 less homes on the market, as compared to September 2007. 
New home sales were down, but the average sales price of a new home [...]

Can You Afford It?

06-Oct-08

With the new tax credit provided by HERA for first-time homebuyers. It is a great time for the first-time buyers to get in the market. FHA and VA loans are a great options and have guidelines in place that allow for the limited credit profiles of buyers fresh out of school.Now a great idea that [...]