Legality of Thousands of Mortgages Thrown Into Question!

Robo-signing has been around a lot longer than originally thought, and could jeopardize the legality over the deeds of tens of thousands of homes dating back more than a decade ago, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

County officials across the country are finding mortgage paperwork that were improperly notarized or signed without proper review, dating as far back as 1998, the AP has found in its analysis.

For example, in Guilford County, N.C., about 74 percent of 6,100 mortgage documents filed since 2006 were found to have questionable signatures. 

New Home Market Shows Signs of Stabilizing!

Purchase decisions influenced by social media up 14% in last six months!

The process of making purchase decisions

You’ve all been told you need to be using social media and some have even pitched to you that it is the end all be all, and although we wildly disagree and remind people it’s simply a communication channel people are coming to expect you to be on (much like when telephones were introduced, people slowly adjusted as did business). But does social media have enough of an influence over purchase decisions (like hiring a Realtor or where to buy) to demand your presence?

Buyers Better Hurry…..Rates Reach New Lows!!!

Here’s a closer look at mortgage rates:

The Impact of Dodd-Frank on Real Estate!

Although the 2,314-page Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act signed into law last year doesn’t affect real estate brokers and agents as much as, say, mortgage originators, it does have some significant implications for the industry, said Phillip Schulman, a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm K&L Gates LLP.

In his remarks at the Real Estate Services Forum Thursday during the REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings, Schulman told attendees that the mortgage lending sector was targeted by many of the bill’s provisions.

Foreclosures…..Is the Worst Behind Us?

Last year was a rather volatile one for the economy. While the economy did improve, unemployment remained at elevated levels. Housing affordability was at record levels and mortgage rates extremely favorable for homebuying – but even some qualified borrowers had challenges in obtaining mortgages. Inflation remained tame, but consumer confidence still struggled to improve.

2010 was a volatile year for foreclosures as well. Last year around this time we examined the question of shadow inventory. We noted then that shadow inventory could be defined in a number of ways. Some consider all loans with at least one missed payment as part of shadow inventory while others account for cures through modifications and short sales in determining shadow inventory. In terms of foreclosures, things appeared quite dismal last March. So, is the worst behind us?

Negotiate your best house buy!

10 Common Errors Homeowners Make When Filing Their Taxes!

Okay folks, we are approaching tax time again!  Each year many of us dread the very thought of having to go through that process…again!  But this year it’s going to be different.  Your not going to rouse the IRS nor pay more taxes than you actually owe.  Why?  Because its your money and you will be well armed with information that will advise you on the score on each home tax deduction and credit. 

Recently, I can across an article in the National Association of Realtors (NAR) about the 10 most common errors that homeowners will make when filing their taxes.  I hope that you will take a look at this article prior to filing your taxes this year!

Main Street to get Bailout?

Okay folks by a show of hands, “How many of us believed that the bailout of wall street helped stop another great depression?”  Hmmmm…..That’s what I thought!  Well, regardless of what your or my opinion may be on the bailout or the current administration and its policies….what about the notion of a bailout for main street?  No I’m not kidding!  Really? 

Check out this article from James Pethokoukis with Reuters:

Fayette County Tax Appeal Information…April 1st Deadline Approaches!

Greetings all home owners in Peachtree City, Georgia and specifically those living in Fayette County, Georgia. 

As of January 1 of every year, it is the responsibility of the Fayette County Board of Assessors to fairly and uniformly establish a value of “real” and “personal” property throughout the entire County, at what is known as “fair market value” — the value one would be able to sell the property for. This appraisal process ensures that all property owners pay only their proportionate share of tax. In May of each year, the Office of the Assessors mails a “Notice of Value” to all taxpayers whose value has increased from the previous year. This document is commonly known as an “Assessment Notice”. If the notice a taxpayer receives declares a value for property that is higher than the taxpayer believes is valid, the taxpayer can file a written appeal of that value within 45 days of the date of the Assessment notice from the County. Georgia law sets out a specific process that occurs whenever a taxpayer files an appeal.

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