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Fannie Mae Offers Closing Cost Assistance and Appliance Incentive

Welcome Back Readers!   It’s been a busy month in real estate, so many things happening both locally and nationally it seems everyday there is something new!  That’s actually the becoming the normal state of affairs nowadays and I don’t mind as it gives me lots of things to write about!

I wanted to let you know about a program announced today by Fannie Mae.  Fannie Mae has a little problem, namely 50,000 homes they now own through the foreclosure process and they are looking to move them.  You can see a list of what’s there at www.homepath.com (there are 19 Fannie Mae Foreclosures in Lancaster County Pa as of today).

That’s not the announcement though, the announcement is that Fannie Mae is now offering 3.5 % of the home’s purchase price as an incentive to buyers!  Read on after the jump to find out more!

Did FHA Just Throw First Time Buyers in Front of the Bus for a PR Gain?

 Welcome Back Readers! 

I apologize in advance for the negative tone of this post, but it is information that people who plan on buying this year need to have.  Let me start with this:  There are many solutions available to FHA’s problems, and there are other programs that allow cash poor buyers to still purchase homes.  It is not the end of the world, FHA is still a fine program, but I have an issue with their changes not offering a solution to their problem. 

Call me if you want to find out how low money down programs can still benefit you, in the meantime please be aware of the following info.

FHA has announced policy changes today that will potentially have a negative impact on the housing market.  Read on after the jump to see excerpts from a release by NAR:

Lancaster Inspector’s Corner – It’s Time to Get Down to the Hearth of the Matter

Welcome Back Readers!  It’s Friday again, not just any Friday but Christmas Day!  Don’t worry, I’m not actually writing this today, through the magic of technology I wrote your Lancaster Inspector’s Corner tip on Monday and set it to post today, so even though we are celebrating Christmas you still have a chance for Matt Steger with WIN Home Inspection to teach you something that will help you keep your home warm and safe through the holiday season!  Keep reading after the jump to find out more and have a Merry Christmas!

It Isn’t a Question of “If” Waiting Will Cost You, but Rather “How Much?”

3204081744_d411eab054Waiting.  Sometimes a wise strategy, sometimes a foolish one.  When it comes to home buying, waiting will surely cost you.  There are a number of reasons why, but before I go into that, let’s get one thing clear…. if you aren’t in a positions to buy, if you truly can’t afford it, don’t do it.  But if you are unsure, if you are “thinking about it”, if you are planning to “start looking” in a few months, you need to hop off the fence and start now.  Waiting is a mistake.  Here’s why:

HUD Secretary Donovan woke up this morning and got himself a gun……

close up … and he plans to use it to take out the US Housing Market!

I know, very dramatic.  Maybe even a little uncalled for.  On the other hand, there is really no other way to describe how potentially dangerous the policy changes that  HUD Secretary Donovan is proposing this week.  What are those changes?

The numbers are in and they’re…… not that bad!

I know, I know, not the most inspiring title but seriously, when we look at market statistics in today’s ecnomy not that bad is pretty darn good!  Read on to find out more!

It’s Back! PHFA Allows Buyers to use the First Time/Repeat Buyer Tax Credit to Close!

It’s official!  Today, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) announced that it has allocated funding in the amount of $5,000,000 for the continuation of their Tax Credit Advance (TCA) program!   This is a limited time offer, so take note, once they run out of money it will be too late, so you need to move now if you want to take advantage of it!  Read further for details!

A Whole New World – Why the New and Expanded Tax Credit May Save the US Economy!

This past Friday, President Obama signed into law H.R. 3548.  This bill, at it’s heart a bill to extend unemployment worldbenefits {which, by the way, is being completely overlooked as the critical step it was to help the unemployed workers in this country, but that’s a topic for another day (see, I’m overlooking it too!)} contained a roundly supported amendment to Extend and Expand the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit that was set to expire this month.  Unless you were hiding under a rock, by now you’ve no doubt heard countless talking heads telling you that this bill will either (A) Save the US Economy or (B) Lead the US Economy into a head on Collision with the ever growing Mountain of National Debt.

Well, if you were looking for someone to support Choice (B), you should probably look elsewhere.  But if you were looking for someone to explain just why this bill is critical to the recovery of the nation’s housing market and just may save our entire economy, then keep on reading!

Home Buyer Tax Credit Passes House 403-12!

Success!!!!With a quick and resounding “Yes” vote, the House today passed HR3548, extending and expanding the Home Buyer Tax Credit!  All we need now is for President Obama to sign the bill into law!

Home Buyer Tax Credit Passes Senate 98-0!

Large group of successful people celebratingThe Senate voted today 98-0 to pass the HR 3548.  HR 3548 is a bill  that extends unemployment benefits for an additional 20 weeks and contains an amendment that extends the existing $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit and adding a tax credit for Move Up buyers!

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