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If you are considering buying a home or have spent many years saving in preparation of buying a home, the questions and process involved in buying a home can be extremely stressful. As exciting as it is to begin looking for your new home, there are many unexpected costs and details to be considered before contacting a real estate agent. Home buyers should be aware of every aspect involved in purchasing a home before they take that big step towards home ownership. You will want to get the most value possible for your money. You should be aware of every detail in regard to the home you wish to purchase. Home inspections can reveal many hidden flaws and problems that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Be aware of your right to a home inspection and contact a professional, licensed home inspector. Compare the mortgage terms and interest rates offered by various mortgage lenders. Even a slight difference in your interest rate can add up to thousands of dollars over the length of your mortgage. A pre-approval from the lender of your choice will not only give you added confidence when shopping for a new home, but could give you added leverage when bargaining with the seller. A pre-approval will let you know the exact amount you are approved for and will save you time after your offer has been accepted by the seller. Using a buyer agent is an excellent way to help protect your interests when shopping for a home. A buyer agent will be responsible for helping you get the best deal possible on your new home. While shopping for a home, be aware that certain features can adversely affect the resale value of the home. Detached garages and swimming pools can actually lessen the value of the property. Protect your investment by educating yourself on the home buying process and the way property is appraised. You can make the home buying process fast and painless if you take some precautions along the way. Choose your lender carefully. Interest rates and closing costs vary from lender to lender and the difference could mean thousands of dollars over time. There are numerous flexible loan programs available. Finding the loan that will best suit your long term needs will be of great value to you when it is time to sell the home. Just a half point difference in your interest rate will translate into a lot of money over the years. Keep in mind that there are additional costs involved in purchasing a home. Homeowners association fees, furniture, annual heating and cooling costs, and homeowners insurance need to be considered when planning to purchase a new home. Buying a new home does not have to be stressful and frustrating. Make sure you know the facts and your home buying experience will be quick and painless.
- Lawmakers set new mortgage bankruptcy bill (Washington Post)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Legislation designed to stem foreclosures by allowing bankruptcy judges to erase some mortgage debt will be introduced by Congressional Democrats on Tuesday, and hopes are high that it will pass after a similar plan failed last year.
- NY Fed begins purchasing mortgage securities (AP via Yahoo! News)
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Monday it has begun purchasing mortgage-backed securities in an effort to bolster the battered housing market.
- Fed starts program of purchases of mortgage securities (AFP via Yahoo! News)
The Federal Reserve said Monday it began buying troubled mortgage securities through investment managers, kicking off a program expected to spend up to 500 billion dollars to ease a credit crisis.
- Non-Agency Mortgage Bonds Rallied as Rates Declined (Update2) (Bloomberg)
Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. mortgage bonds without government support rose last month, as efforts by the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department to lower home-loan rates boosted investor demand.
- New York Fed Begins Purchases of Agency Mortgage Debt (Update3) (Bloomberg)
Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of New York started buying mortgage-backed securities today as part of a $500 billion program to support the U.S. housing market.
- You'll need a 40% deposit, mortgage-hunters are warned (Daily Mail: World News)
A quarter of mortgage deals are available only to borrowers with a 40 per cent deposit, it has been revealed.
- 2 NY mortgage firms agree to restitution (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Two New York mortgage brokerage firms have agreed to pay $665,000 in restitution after it was found that they charged higher fees to black and Hispanic borrowers.
- Non-Agency Mortgage Bonds Rallied as Rates Declined (Update1) (Bloomberg)
Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. mortgage bonds without government support rose last month, as lower home-loan rates boosted investor demand. Securities initially rated AAA and backed by prime- jumbo mortgages with five years of fixed rates climbed 5 cents on the dollar in December to 75 cents, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. data.
- Cuomo: Firms settle mortgage discrimination charges (Newsday)
Two mortgage brokerages have agreed to pay $665,000 in restitution to settle allegations they charged about 455 black and Latino borrowers higher fees than white borrowers with comparable circumstances, the state attorney general said Monday.
- NY Fed Begins Buying Mortgage Securities (TheStreet.com)
The Fed will start purchasing mortgage-backed securities from Fannie and Freddie as part of a new plan.
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