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Your source for what's going on in the Loudoun County real estate scene including statistics, data, resources and more.
Recent Posts Tagged With 'buyer resources'
First Time Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit Extended…and Expanded
The government has extended the first-time home buyer federal tax credit as well as expanded to include many existing home owners. First-time home buyers now have until April 30, 2010 to sign a contract and qualify for a tax credit up to $8,000. And ...
Putting Mortgage Rates Into Perspective
I’ve heard some folks saying, “Uh oh…mortgage rates are up!” and “Mortgage rates went up a lot (1/4 point) since last week and I’m going to wait for them to go back down.” Yes, mortgage rates may have gone u...
Freddie Mac SmartBuy, Closing Cost Assistance Program Expires This Month
Since July, Freddie Mac has been offering to pay home buyers up to 3.5 percent for closing cost assistance and a 2 year home warranty through their HomeSteps SmartBuy program. This is a huge incentive that has come in handy for those with not a lot ...
How The First-Time Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit Works
Bob and Sally show us how the first-time home buyer federal tax credit works (click here if you can’t see the video below)… Hat tip to NRVLiving.com and NVAR.com Related Articles Time’s a Tickin’ On the First-Time Home Buyer ...
Time’s a Tickin’ on the First-Time Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit
If you would like to take advantage of the first-time home buyer Federal tax credit, you’ll need to act soon because time is running out. The tax credit expires December 1, 2009, which means that you have to settle on your new home no later th...
Because Now is Much Better Than Later
An increasing number of blog readers, sellers and buyers have been contacting me for real estate help and advice. I’m glad to help whenever I can, but many contact me after the problem has already occurred. Contacting me after the fact is often...
If My Iraq War Veteran Home Buyers Just Got a 3.875% Interest Rate, Why Can’t You?
My Iraq War Veteran first-time home buyers (that’s them in the photo) and I thought we were hearing things when the lender said, “You qualify for a VA loan at an interest rate of 3.875 percent.” But we heard correctly! Qualified Vet...
How to Buy a New Home and Still Have Representation
If you’re thinking about buying a new home from a builder, check out this question posted by new home buyers on Trulia: My husband and I put an offer on a new house without representation from a Realtor. We have signed a builder’s contrac...
When Does the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Credit Expire?
You’ve probably heard about the $8000 first time home buyer credit (click here if you haven’t or would like more information about it). But do you know exactly how long you have before it expires? IMPORTANT: This is how long you have unt...
Home Buyers: Are You Worth $17.50?
Here’s a question for Loudoun and Fairfax County home buyers: “Are you worth $17.50?” “Duh!” Of course you are! So why would I ask such an obvious question? Because you may be shocked to hear who doesn’t think you...
Buyers Lose Offers, Pay More Thanks to New HVCC Appraisal Rules
The new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) rules that went into effect May 1, 2009 were supposed to protect consumers purchasing and refinancing homes by eliminating fraud and inflated appraisals. But the new appraisal rules are having a completel...
Beazer Homes to Pay $50M to Victimized Home Buyers
I’ve warned homebuyers before, “Don’t get taken to to the cleaners by home builders and their lenders”. And here’s why: In order to avoid prosecution on criminal fraud conspiracy charges, Beazer Homes agrees to pay $50 m...
“On The Streets” of the Loudoun County Housing Market
You read the news and see the statistics. You hear what you’re neighbors and friends are saying. But what is really happening “on the streets” of the Loudoun County housing market? Here you go… Buyers looking to get a great de...
How To Buy Homeowner’s Insurance
Here’s a good video explaining what homeowner’s insurance is and how to get it (if you can’t see the video, click here)… If you’re a renter, make sure you get renter’s insurance (similar to homeowner’s insur...
HUD Approves First Time Homebuyers, Lenders Using Tax Credit as Down Payment
Looks like I spoke too soon… HUD has approved first time home buyers and lenders (mortgagees) using the up-to-$8000 first time home buyer tax credit as a down payment, to pay closing costs and/or buy down the interest rate. The official HUD let...
What’s Up With the $8K Homebuyer Tax Credit Being “Monetized”?
On May13, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is going to permit its lenders to allow first time home buyers to use the $8000 tax credit as a down payment (aka “monetize” the tax credit). The nex...
The Home Buying Timeline
So you’re thinking about buying a home, but you’re not quite sure what all it involves. Well, here’s a “Home Buying Timeline” that outlines the various steps to buying a home… 1) Get Pre-Approved – This step inv...
1st Annual Dulles Home Fair Offers Free Classes for Consumers
The 1st Annual Dulles Home Fair, presented by the Dulles Area Association of Realtors, will offer free classes to consumers on a variety of real estate related topics. Some of the topics being taught/discussed are: Keeping Score: How to Monitor ...
5 Things Not To Do Before Buying a Home
There’s a great article over at The Consumerist on 5 things you should avoid doing before buying a home. It’s a definite “must read” for all those considering buying a home. Here’s an excerpt: 1) Don’t apply for n...
How New Appraisal Guidelines Will Affect You
The way appraisals are done and handled is changing dramatically thanks to the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). Rhonda Porter wrote a good post explaining the changes over at Rain City Guide. Here’s an excerpt: In a nutshell, mortg...
Loudoun County Zip Code Boundary Map via ZipMaps
If you’re looking for a tool that will show you the boundaries of every zip code in Loudoun County, look no further. Thanks to ZipMaps, a Google Maps mashup, you can now get a map of zip code boundaries of any zip code in any state in the U.S...
FHA to Allow $8K Tax Credit as Downpayment
There is great news for first time home buyers… HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is going to permit its lenders to allow first time home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a downpayment. Donova...
The Skinny on the $8000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
You may or may not have heard…there is an $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit some of you may qualify for and may want to take advantage of. In case you missed it, here’s the skinny on it… Who - Taxpayers who have not owned anot...
Are Loudoun Home Prices Where They Should Be?
A question on most people’s mind is, “Will home prices in Loudoun continue to fall?” That’s a great question and one which nobody can answer with complete certainty. But one thing to look at that will help you make an educate...
Buyer Resources
Thinking about buying a home? Check out the Buyer Resources section of Loudoun Scene. You’ll find several years worth of posts filled with information, resources and tips to help home buyers like you navigate througout the entire real estate se...
Are You Looking at the Right Assessed Value?
Many home buyers use the assessed value of a property as a guage to determine whether an asking price is reasonable or when trying to determine its market value. And many listing agents are putting remarks in their listings such as, "Priced...
Are You Looking at the Right Assessed Value?
Many home buyers use the assessed value of a property as a guage to determine whether an asking price is reasonable or when trying to determine its market value. And many listing agents are putting remarks in their listings such as, "Priced $90K belo...
Northern Virginia Leads DC, MD in Housing Recovery
The Northern Virginia area is ahead of Maryland and Washington, DC when it comes to the housing market (including a bottom and an eventual housing recovery). This is according to an article in the Wall Street Journal by Thomas A. Lawler, founding mem...
Where Are All The Homes For Buyers To Choose From?!
The few weeks ago, I wrote a post entitled, "Loudoun is a seller's market? Are you crazy?!" in which I discussed the current market conditions in Loudoun County - low inventory and high buyer demand - and how the amount of supply versus demand techni...
Fannie Mae Gets Friendlier With Real Estate Investors
Fannie Mae's currently policy only allows real estate investors to own up to four properties backed by Fannie Mae. This policy has limited many investors and hindered the absorption of real estate inventory throughout the country. But that's changing...
