Virginia Real Estate and Musings

VHDA Increases Income Limits!

picture of vhda logoIn an effort to help more first time home buyers, VHDA (Virginia Housing Development Authority) – one of the only providers of no down payment loans, has increased their income limits.

Here are the new income limits:

screenshot of vhda new income limits

 

VHDA is the Virginia State mortgage finance agency and was created in 1972.  Their mission is to help residents of Virginia with low to moderate incomes acquire affordable, quality housing.  VHDA is funded though the issuance of taxable and non-taxable bonds.  They do not use any tax payer dollars.

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realtor technology spotlight awardTina Merritt and her Associates. can be reached at email:  tina@nestrealtygroup.com or 757-287-6338.

Our Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Southeast Virginia, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.  In Southwest Virginia, the New River Valley, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Dublin, Floyd, Narrows, Pembroke, Pearisburg, Glen Lyn, Rich Creek, Check, Hiwassee, Indian Valley, Parrott, Newport, Shawsville, Pilot, McCoy, Long Shop, Fairlawn, Wythe, Draper, Willis, Sowers, Elliston, Eggleston, Ironto, Riner, Auburn, Rogers, Giles County, Montgomery County, Floyd County, Pulaski County.

Visit our website:  NestRealtyGroup.com

 

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0 commentsTina Merritt - Virginia Real Estate • February 23 2010 08:18AM

Looking to Get Out of Debt in 2010? A Free Online Tool...

dollarsMany people have had a hard time financially in 2009.  Good people who have always paid their bills on time.  There has been a lot of "robbing Peter to pay Paul" going on, paying for necessities with credit cards and making attempts to cut even the smallest costs to get by.

Unfortunately, credit card debt has become the norm in American Society.  The interest rates are huge and penalties even worse.  The average consumer is carrying $12,000 in credit card debt with an interest rate of 27%.  That can take years to pay off.  The recent legislation regarding credit card fees has caused interest rates on revolving credit to increase and the rates look to go even higher in 2010.  

There are a lot of companies out there offering debt management or debt relief.  Most of these companies charge a high upfront fee and then a monthly fee.  Some attempt to get the debt charged off and then settled for a portion of what is owed and others try to get the debt managed into affordable payments.  Before signing on with any of these companies, it is highly recommended that you research the company selected and search for complaints against them.

CCCS is the Consumer Credit Counseling Service.  They are a non-profit agency and have been around for over 50 years and have over 60 offices in the United States.  You can download a copy of their brochure by clicking here.

After being overwhelmed with consumers seeking debt relief, CCCS expanded and became Apprisen Financial Advocates.  They have launched an online debt management and counseling service called WEBVISOR.  The WEBVISOR system is a very easy to use system where the consumer can remain completely anonymous.  The process is totally free and takes about 30 minutes.  Once completed, WEBADVISOR will immediately provide an action plan that summarizes your financial situation, options to improve your finances and other resources for help.  The WEBVISOR system will also let you know if you are a candidate for a Debt Management Program.

Through the Debt Management Program offered by Apprisen, they will act on behalf of the consumer working to get a mutually agreed upon payment plan which may include lower interest rates and reduced fees.  The service is very affordable with a $25 set up fee and $25/month maintenance fee (these fees can also be waived due to hardship).  Most plans are set up to have debts paid off within 48 months.  

Appisen also offers financial counseling in person and over the phone.  Just remember....to make the debt go away, you must address it.

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realtor technology spotlight awardTina Merritt and her Associates. can be reached at email:  tina@nestrealtygroup.com or 757-287-6338.

Our Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Southeast Virginia, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.  In Southwest Virginia, the New River Valley, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Dublin, Floyd, Narrows, Pembroke, Pearisburg, Glen Lyn, Rich Creek, Check, Hiwassee, Indian Valley, Parrott, Newport, Shawsville, Pilot, McCoy, Long Shop, Fairlawn, Wythe, Draper, Willis, Sowers, Elliston, Eggleston, Ironto, Riner, Auburn, Rogers, Giles County, Montgomery County, Floyd County, Pulaski County.

Visit our website:  NestRealtyGroup.com

 

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5 commentsTina Merritt - Virginia Real Estate • January 01 2010 05:02AM

The Separation of Family and Money

picture of stewie griffinI heard a very sad story earlier this week.  

A father opened up a savings account for his son at a local bank.  The son was leaving for college and the father wanted to be able to deposit funds for his son.  The account was in the names of both father and son with the father's good intention of providing spending money to his son when needed.

The son got mixed up with a bad kid.  The kid opened up a checking account at another local bank.  The kid wrote a bunch of checks on the checking account (which didn't have any money to cover the checks). The son deposited them into his savings account and the two of them immediately withdrew as much cash as they could.

Now, the father must file charges against his son to protect himself from being held responsible for the bad checks.  The father's credit will be damaged and it will be a lot of work to get it fixed.

We always hear of nightmare stories where a parent has co-signed on a loan for a child.  This story shows it can also be risky to even have a joint bank account with a child or anyone else for that matter.

Tina in Virginia

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realtor technology spotlight awardTina Merritt and her Associates. can be reached at email:  tina@nestrealtygroup.com or 757-287-6338.

Our Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Southeast Virginia, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.  In Southwest Virginia, the New River Valley, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Dublin, Floyd, Narrows, Pembroke, Pearisburg, Glen Lyn, Rich Creek, Check, Hiwassee, Indian Valley, Parrott, Newport, Shawsville, Pilot, McCoy, Long Shop, Fairlawn, Wythe, Draper, Willis, Sowers, Elliston, Eggleston, Ironto, Riner, Auburn, Rogers, Giles County, Montgomery County, Floyd County, Pulaski County.

Visit our website:  NestRealtyGroup.com

 

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7 commentsTina Merritt - Virginia Real Estate • October 24 2009 09:11PM

New FHA Condo Guidelines Pushed to November 1, 2009

It has came to my attention that some agents and buyers are still unclear with the new condo changes that are coming up for FHA.  Deadline has been pushed from October 1st to November 1st, 2009.

 

In the past, you only needed to satisfy one of the following two criteria to finance a condo unit using FHA financing.

1.) The Condo Project has a FHA warranty

- This requires the Homeowners Association of the condominium project to apply and receive a warranty on the project from the HUD.

2.) The unit must pass a questionnaire called a “Spot Check” done on an individual basis

 

As of right now, after November 2nd 2009 FHA is voiding all condo project approvals that were done BEFORE October 1, 2008.  This means FHA loans will not be able to be done in an ineligible project until it is re-approved which will be a difficult and lengthy procedure!  A project approval will cost $1,500 and up and FHA is now going to require an attorney's opinion letter, which can be another $800 or higher.

Spot FHA condo approvals will no longer be allowed

  • This means that if you are a buyer or an agent with a condo client who wants to buy or sell FHA, you should get them to do it NOW. After November 2nd, the whole project will have to be approved for just one FHA loan and it will be a long and tedious process.

·         Project approvals are currently taking 6-8 weeks. If FHA holds to their current November 2nd rules, and some 55,000 condo projects nationwide have to get re-approved, who knows how long an approval may take.

Only 30% of the loans in any project will be allowed to be FHA loans

  • For example in a 30 unit project only 9 FHA loans will be allowed. Since FHA is the preferred program currently for most condo buyers, condo sales for the remaining 21 units will be difficult.

 

 

The official mortgagee letter is found here http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/09-19ml.doc  for more eligibility requirements

 

FHA Link to check if the condo is approved https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condo1.cfm

 

For more information, contact: 

Justin Williams

Home Mortgage Consultant

Prosperity Mortgage Company

M8612-011

4701 Columbus Street Suite 300

Virginia Beach, VA  23462

(757) 490-9200 Tel

757-692-3464 Cell

1-866-922-5123 Fax

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realtor technology spotlight awardTina Merritt and her Associates. can be reached at email:  tina@nestrealtygroup.com or 757-287-6338.

Our Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Southeast Virginia, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.  In Southwest Virginia, the New River Valley, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Dublin, Floyd, Narrows, Pembroke, Pearisburg, Glen Lyn, Rich Creek, Check, Hiwassee, Indian Valley, Parrott, Newport, Shawsville, Pilot, McCoy, Long Shop, Fairlawn, Wythe, Draper, Willis, Sowers, Elliston, Eggleston, Ironto, Riner, Auburn, Rogers, Giles County, Montgomery County, Floyd County, Pulaski County.

Visit our website:  NestRealtyGroup.com

 

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1 commentTina Merritt - Virginia Real Estate • September 29 2009 02:31PM

Take Advantage of the 5% increase in Energy Efficient Mortgages & Tax Credit

 

Via Justin Williams - Loan Officer (Prosperity Mortgage):

What is a Energy Efficient Mortgage? *FHA & VA Only*

In simple terms, An Energy Efficient Mortgage is financing improvements for your Home that is Energy Efficient.  Becoming Energy Efficient reduces your monthly utility costs and can ultimately increase your home value.

Below are some examples of what to improve to become more Energy Efficient.

  • Windows and Doors
  • Insulation & Cooling
  • Roofs
  • Lighting

EEM increases to 5%

Previously, Energy Efficient Mortgages were capped at $4,000 or $8,000 in improvements, whichever was greater.

June 10 2009 HUD released the change to The maximum amount of the portion of the EEM for energy improvements is the lesser of 5% of:

• the value of the property, or

• 115% of the median area price of a single family dwelling, or

• 150% of the conforming Freddie Mac limit

 

So now you can make some great improvements to your home and go for a combo to get an additional tax credit on top of that!

 

Up to $1,500 Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency Improvements

Tax credits are now available for home improvements which must be "placed in service" from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

Most all Energy Efficient Improvements (Please Check with your Tax Advisor) will allow 30% of cost, up to $1,500 to be claimed as a Tax Credit.

 

The Ultimate Combo Example

So realistically you could get the following:

  1. Buy a home and repair all the windows by financing the repair cost in an Energy Efficient Mortgage.
  2. Get the $8,000 tax credit as a first time home buyer
  3. Get the $1,500 tax credit as an Energy Efficient Improvement

Total = $9,500 Tax Credit!!

How would you like that? 

So take advantage of this great offer as most people don't realize it's still out there!!

_______________________________________________________________________

Thanks for checking out my blog! Feel free to leave a comment or subscribe, much appreciated!

Just-In-Time Loans - Mortgage Needs and Advice on Time. (757) 692-3464

 

 

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realtor technology spotlight awardTina Merritt and her Associates. can be reached at email:  tina@nestrealtygroup.com or 757-287-6338.

Our Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Southeast Virginia, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.  In Southwest Virginia, the New River Valley, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Dublin, Floyd, Narrows, Pembroke, Pearisburg, Glen Lyn, Rich Creek, Check, Hiwassee, Indian Valley, Parrott, Newport, Shawsville, Pilot, McCoy, Long Shop, Fairlawn, Wythe, Draper, Willis, Sowers, Elliston, Eggleston, Ironto, Riner, Auburn, Rogers, Giles County, Montgomery County, Floyd County, Pulaski County.

Visit our website:  NestRealtyGroup.com

 

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0 commentsTina Merritt - Virginia Real Estate • September 18 2009 07:54AM

Virginia Beach Mortgage Update

mortgage updateToday's mortgage rates are holding flat. 

Even though price action in the secondary market was choppy and economic reports were better than expected, conventional 30 year par mortgage rates held steady near 5.00% as prices of mortgage backed securities managed to end the week higher.   

The calendar is busy this week with Friday providing the most noteworthy event...the Employment Situation report.  

If you purchased a property over the weekend, today is good day to lock in your rates. 

 

 

Justin Williams

Home Mortgage Consultant

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

M8612-011

4701 Columbus Street Suite 300

Virginia Beach, VA  23462

(757) 490-9200 Tel

757-692-3464 Cell

1-866-922-5123 Fax

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realtor technology spotlight awardTina Merritt and her Associates. can be reached at email:  tina@nestrealtygroup.com or 757-287-6338.

Our Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Southeast Virginia, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.  In Southwest Virginia, the New River Valley, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Dublin, Floyd, Narrows, Pembroke, Pearisburg, Glen Lyn, Rich Creek, Check, Hiwassee, Indian Valley, Parrott, Newport, Shawsville, Pilot, McCoy, Long Shop, Fairlawn, Wythe, Draper, Willis, Sowers, Elliston, Eggleston, Ironto, Riner, Auburn, Rogers, Giles County, Montgomery County, Floyd County, Pulaski County.

Visit our website:  NestRealtyGroup.com

 

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0 commentsTina Merritt - Virginia Real Estate • August 31 2009 11:14AM