Monday, December 15, 2014

More Americans to buy homes with 3 percent down

                                         
             More Americans to buy homes with 3 percent down

Fannie Mae and FREDDie MAC  has stated that some home buyers will be able to purchase a home with only 3% down. The current miniumm is  5% but 3.5%  down if you are utilizing  an FHA loan.

The companies announced last Monday the new guideline was designed to assist low income and first time home buyers.

The guidelines are designed to prevent the foreclosure fiasco we had in 2007-2009. The borrowers will go thru an underwriting process and must have enough income to repay loans.

Mel Watt, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency stated the underwriting guidelines will provide a responsible approach to improving access to credit while ensuring safe and sound lending practices,"

. The FHFA oversees Fannie and Freddie, which have been under government control since 2008 because of the housing bust

The new loans would be fixed-rate mortgages of up to 30 years for primary residences.

 Fannie could begin underwriting the loans before the end of the year. It said the loans would be geared toward first-time buyers, require mortgage insurance payments because of the low down payment and mandate that buyers receive complete a financial counseling program.

Fannie and Freddie own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages, worth about $5 trillion. Along with other federal agencies, they back roughly 90 percent of new mortgages.

The two companies don't directly make loans to borrowers. They buy mortgages from lenders, package them as securities, guarantee them against default and sell them to investors. That helps make loans available.

For more infor log unto the FHFA website, Fannie Mae and Freddie MAC.

Thank you,

 Ainsley Daux

Florida Realty

(813)546-1954
Tampa Bay Real Estate
Brandon, FLorida Real Estate
Dover, FLorida Real Estate

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Operation: Reveille-HELPING OUR HOMELESS VETERANS


Operation: Reveille

Tampa/Hillsborough County

 
As a member Hillsborough County  Affordable Housing Advisory Board , a Veteran and a member of Affordable Housing committee thru Greater Tampa Bay Realty Ass, I thought it was essential that I mentioned this extraordinary event that will take place next month. The event is called OPERATION: Reveille, it will provide housing to a few homeless Veterans. Below is the action plan for the program.

On November 11, 2014, as a part of President Obama’s goal to end Veteran homelessness by 2015 and the Veteran’s Administration’s 25 Cities Initiative, the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI), in collaboration with the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County, will launch Operation: Reveille-Tampa/Hillsborough County. 

 

In one day, this will bring together federal, state, and local government agencies, faith-based organizations, housing providers, intense case management, employment services, job training, legal assistance, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, social security, veterans benefits, financial counseling, health care, household supplies and other services.

 

The start of the Operation: Reveille will begin with each Veteran being assigned a volunteer, a Comrade.  Based on the Veteran’s needs, a Comrade will assist the Veteran throughout the day going through all of the available services.  They will get a hot breakfast together, followed by an assessment.  This will assist the Veterans by determining which of the on-site services are needed for housing stability.  Veterans will be able to schedule follow-up appointments with any of the 20 providers through a Case Manager that they will have assigned to them for up to 12 months.  The final assessment of the day will be “housing selection”.  Each Veteran will be presented with various housing options.  This will provide up to 12 months of housing and wrap around supportive services for 50 Veterans.  Each home will be pre-furnished and stocked with food and household supplies. 

 

 

Goals:

1.    Rapidly re-house Veterans on Veteran’s Day

2.    Bring together a wide range of partners to ensure a collaborative impact on a national level.

3.    Develop a system that ensures a Veteran never sleeps on the streets of in an emergency shelter in Hillsborough County.

Partners:

Ø U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development

Ø U.S Department of Veteran Administration

Ø Hillsborough County Department of Homeless Services

Ø City of Tampa Housing and Community Development

Ø Tampa Housing Authority

Ø Tampa Bay Rays Foundation

Ø Greater Tampa Association of Realtors (GTAR)

Ø Tampa Bay Lightning

Ø Support the Troops

Ø Rebuild Together

Ø Tampa Port Authority

Ø St. Vincent DePaul

Ø Catholic Charities

Ø Tampa Crossroads

Ø ACTS
 
 
Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Out and About in Tampa Bay

                                     
                                                      Out and About in Tampa Bay
What a great way to end the month of September! First, the Buccaneers win their first game of the season by beating the super power Pittsburgh Steelers at home.

Then, Microsoft founder Billionaire Bill Gates is partnering with the Lightning owner, Jeff Vinik to reshape Channel-side, which will bring hotels, shops, restaurants and entertainment. Both events are great things for the Tampa Bay area. We also cannot forget that Derek Jeter is retiring to his Tampa Bay home on Bay-Shore Blvd.

The Tampa Bay Lightning season opener is October 10th and sports analysts are predicting a great season for them.

When we take a look around we see that Tampa really does offer many forms of entertainment, sporting events, and interesting venues.

This past Saturday, my wife and I spent the afternoon in Central Ybor City.  We walked thru historical 7th Avenue. We enjoyed dinner and a nice cold beer at the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. The Tampa bay Brewing Company offers 8 core and 38 seasonal beers along with a unique menu. The menu offers reasonably priced beer infused with great tasting food.  Although the rain brought us back inside, where else can you spend most of the day outdoors in early fall and still have a feeling of summer.
 Since the night was still young, we made our way to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. There we were able to have drinks and enjoy live music. Our gaming didn’t pay off but we still had an enjoyable evening.

Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty
Tampa Bay Real Estate
Brandon Florida Real Estate

Monday, September 29, 2014

Ten tips to save you money in your home


Ten tips to save you money in your home

 

It doesn’t matter whether you own your home or rent.  Easy approaches can help you save money within your home.  Homes.com offers some simple tips:

 

Ø Programmable Thermostats:  for about $50-$100, programmable “smart” thermostats save hundreds of dollars yearly on electric bills. Some models come with Wi-Fi so you can turn down the thermostat remotely.

Ø Low-Flow Shower:  Take an environmentally friendly step by replacing outdated showerheads with new low-flow models.  This can reduce your water use in the shower by 25%-60%, as well as increasing hot water efficiency.

Ø Extra Payment: one additional mortgage payment a year can save thousands on annual interest payments, based on a 30-year loan.

Ø Unplug:  Unplug or use a smart power strip to save an estimated 5%-10%.  Many appliances and other electrical gadgets consume power even when turned off.

Ø House Plants:  Air purifiers can cost hundreds of dollars.  Consider house- plants to help remove toxins from the air and add color, warmth and comfort.

Ø Avoid the Draft: As your home ages, hot and cold air from outside can often creep inside.  Weatherproofing is inexpensive and simple.  It can save you up to 15% of heating and cooling costs. Do your research to see what weatherproofing needs your home would benefit from.

Ø Do-it-yourself: In the mood to redecorate? Making your home feel like new can be costly. Jump on the DIY bandwagon or check out free DIY workshops at local stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. 

Ø Ceiling Fans:  Air conditioning uses 3,500 watts of energy, while a ceiling fan only uses 60 watts.  Set the fan to run clockwise in the winter to reverse the motion and push warm air down.

Ø Shop your home:  Look for budget friendly tweaks you can make before making new home accessory purchases.  Rearrange furniture and lighting to change the feel of any space.  You can even switch decorations in between rooms to make them feel different.

Ø Laundry:  Washing in cold water and using the dryer efficiently by filling but not overfilling the machine.  Some energy-efficient appliances can qualify your family for an additional tax credit.

 

Exploring ways to reduce home expenses can help you save for important upgrades in the future.

Thank you,
Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty
(813)435-3013

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Hillsborough County’s New Program HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM


Hillsborough County’s New Program

 

HOUSING

REHABILITATION PROGRAM

 

Florida Home Partnership (FHP), a nonprofit Community Housing Development Organization, administers Hillsborough County’s Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program.

 

The Housing rehabilitation program provides financial assistance to income eligible homeowners for making needed repairs on single family and town homes to meet housing code requirements.  Financial assistance is provided in the form of a 0% interest loan or grant.

 

FHP staff will work with the homeowner to create a construction repair list and to supervise the entire repair process.  To apply to the program, homeowners must…….

 

·        Live in unincorporated Hillsborough County or the cities of Temple Terrace or Plant City.

·        Live in homes that meet property eligibility requirements.   Mobile homes are not included.

·        Have lived in their home for at least two years prior to date of application.

·        Not have received financial assistance within the last 5 years through another program from the Affordable Housing Services.

·        Be current on their existing mortgage and property taxes.

·        Have incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.

 

Contact Florida Home Partnership for more information and to schedule an appointment.

813.672.7889

www.flhome.org


Please fee free to call or email:

Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty
(813)546-1954

Sunday, June 15, 2014

What is a HUD HOME

What is a HUD Home?

A HUD home is a residential home backed by an FHA insured mortgage that has been foreclosed by HUD. HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim. HUD is a government entity that stands for Housing and Urban Development; there are many different sectors under the HUD umbrella including foreclosures owned by HUD.

HUD Announces Launch of HUD Home Store

A few years ago launched a listing site for its list of homes it acquired thru foreclosure. The site, HUD Home Store.com  provides a list of their homes. This new site provides the public, brokers, state and local governments and nonprofit organizations a centralized location to search the inventory of HUD properties for sale. In addition, registered real estate brokers and other approved organizations can place bids on behalf of their clients to purchase a HUD property.
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 Can I buy a HUD Home with a $100 Down?

Yes you can. Its not  a myth.
The program is for owner occupants purchasing a HUD HOME with FHA financing. Normally when purchasing a home using FHA, the required down payment is 3.5% of the purchase price. The $100 Down Program helps promote home ownership and minimizes out of pocket expenses for the buyers.
There are some requirements for this incentive program. The property must be a HUD home and purchased by an owner occupant who will live in the home for at least one year. The buyer must qualify for a loan through FHA financing or FHA Home Repair financing (203k). The buyer must bid f through a HUD-registered Broker/Agent.
HUD also allows for up to 3% toward closing costs if requested.
For more information, please visit www.HUDHOMESTORE.com
Please feel free to call or email with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,

Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty
HUD Registered Brokerage
Lic Realtor
(813)546-1954

 

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Lenders are Lowering their FICO scores

                          Lenders are Lowering their FICO scores
 
 
FICO stands for Fair Issac and Company.
FICO provides analytics and decision making services which includes credit scoring, it measures the credit risk of an individual and report them to the 3 credit bureaus which are: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion
 
It appears that the market is bouncing back, higher sale volumes and now more banks are lowering minimum FICO score requirements. By lowering the FICO score, it should assist underserved borrow to hopefully purchase a home

I just read yesterday Carrington Mortgage Services  lowered its minimum FICO score to 550.


Wells Fargo, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, said in February that it was lowering its minimum FICO score requirements on FHA-backed mortgages from 640 to 600.

According to Carrington, one in three consumers has a FICO score below 650. Saying that, I believe it’s a great ideal to reach out to those consumers with lower scores just they a lower does not mean they can not pay their mortgage.   I’m certain the lenders  will factor other conditions  other tha just the FICO score to determine a prospective buyer will qualify. According to Carrington, which says it’s refocusing its business on the underserved segment and eliminating conventional and jumbo loans. In addition to accepting more lower-score borrowers, it’s also limiting its acceptance of wholesale submissions with FICO scores above 680 starting April 1, except for VA loans, HousingWire reports.

Ray Brousseau, executive vice president of Carrington’s mortgage lending division.  states“Effectively meeting the needs of clients in the underserved market requires the ability to both originate quality loans and appropriately service them after the fact with them.”

This new initiative will give the market a good boost, although the sales volume has picked up, there is still ahugh inventory of vacant and distressed homes out there..

Source: “Carrington Ups Ante on Wells Fargo by Lowering FICO Standard,” HousingWire (March 24, 2014

Please feel free to call or email with any questions or concerns regarding your real estate needs.

 

Ainsley Daux

Florida Realty

(813)546-1954

902 w Lumsden rd

Brandon, FL. 33511

I serve the Tampa Bay Area

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

WHAT IS THE BIGGERT-WATERS FLOOD INSURANCE Reform Act of 2012

              WHAT IS THE BIGGERT-WATERS FLOOD INSURANCE  Reform Act of 2012

The Biggert-Waters Flood Ins act was passed in July 2012 by Congress. The act calls on FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other agencies involved in insurance to make changes to the way the National Flood Insurance Programs works.
The most important factor of the act states that National Flood Insurance Program is to raise rates to reflect true flood risk, and figure out how to make the program more affordable. Once the changes are implemented, it will mean increase in insurance premium rates.
Its imperative that a prospective buyer and current home owner speak to an  insurance agent to determine if a policy will be affected.
For more information go directly to FEMA's site reformhttp://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance-reform
or speak to a Home insurance agent...

Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty
(813)546-1954



Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Conventional Loan Update


                                            Conventional Loan Update

You can finance the purchase of your home plus repairs on a Conventional loan (Not an FHA 203K)
Below are the down payments required...
 
5% Down Owner Occupied
10% Down Second Homes
20% Down Investment Properties ($100,000 minimum loan amount for investment properties)
 
Must have a licensed contractor complete the repairs. Buyer can not complete the repairs. As long as the repairs are supported by the appraisal and connected to the property, there is no limitation to the repairs that can be financed. Unlike FHA, luxury items such as swimming pools can be financed.
I am not a loan officer, for more direct information, please contact a mortgage broker or loan officer
Thank you,
 
 
Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty
(813)546-1954
 
Tampa Bay Short Sale Guy
 
902 w Lumsden rd
Brandon, Fl. 33511
ste: 103

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

2013’s biggest mortgage lenders

2013’s biggest mortgage lenders

According to Mortgage Daily’s Mortgage Origination Survey and an analysis of earnings data at mortgage-related firms Residential loan originations were down more than 14 percent in 2013.In the final three months of 2013, almost all mortgage bankers saw a sharp drop in originations

One of  the main reasons for the down turn is  interest rates is because 30-year fixed rates increased from 3.666 percent at the end of 2012 to 4.808 percent by the end of last year, according to the Mortgage Market Index from Loan Sifter and Mortgage Daily.

Wells Fargo holds the No. 1 lender spot, closing 19 percent of all home loans last year.

The five-biggest mortgage lenders were collectively responsible for 43 percent of 2013’s activity.



Originations (billions)
Wells Fargo: $351
JPMorgan Chase & Co.: $168
Bank of America Corp.: $90
U.S. Bank Home Mortgage: $85
Quicken Loans Inc.: $79




 Ainsley Daux

Florida Realty

813-546-1954
www.brandonpremierrealestate.com

Brandon Real Estate

902 w Lumsden rd

Brandon, Fl .33511

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

First Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Available

First Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Available, The $10,000 can now be used towards the minimum down payment on a Conventional loan. This program offers reduced mortgage insurance premiums.
 
·        Available for First Time Homebuyers (Must not have owned a home in the past three years, Veterans are exempt from being First Time Homebuyers)
·        640 Credit Score for 5% down payment, 680 Credit Score for 3% down payment ($10,000 assistance can be used towards the down payment)
·        Reduced Mortgage Insurance Premiums
·        30 Year Fixed Rate
·        Income and Purchase Price Restrictions vary per County
 
For more information, please call or email.
Thank you,
 
Ainsley Daux
Florida Realty
813-546-1954

Friday, January 17, 2014

Down Payment Assistance/Hillsborough County

Hillsborough county is offering down payment assistance to first time home buyers who qualify...Is it a myth or a legend..No its not a myth nor a legend. Ive closed many deals representing buyer that utilized the Down Payment assistance or DPA for Short. Today's deal I was representing the seller the buyer was utilizing the DPA. The buyer received 40k in down payment assistance. She was ecstatic. She closed hte1st loan with her lender than the county representative came by the closing with the check and their documents which is considered a 2nd mortgage..
For more information on down payment assistance please feel free contact me.
Thank you,

Ainsley Daux
FLorida Realty
(813)546-1954