USDA • USDA funds status as of April 27, 2010:
Total unobligated balances remaining for USDA fiscal year 2010: $1,130,860,689.38
Purchase: $1,046,482,690.77
Refinance: $84,377,998.61
USDA anticipates that current funding will likely be exhausted by May 7, 2010.
But Wait…… The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Rural Housing Preservation and Stabilization Act of 2010 (H.R. 5017). Through this legislation, the guarantee fee in the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) Program may be raised to offset any need for Congressional appropriations. Additionally, H.R. 5017 would authorize USDA Rural Development to guarantee up to $30 billion in loans in Fiscal Year 2010. This would represent an additional $18 billion in loan making authority for the remainder of this fiscal year. Be advised that there is a requirement in this bill to increase the UPMIP from 2% to 4%. Before these changes can be implemented, similar legislative action will need to occur in the U.S. Senate.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
FHA changes for borrowers
FHA CHANGES COMING SOON!
Basic Breakdown: (we will have a new mortgagee letter tomorrow that may give more details)
1) Upfront MIP will go from 1.75% to 2.25% The initial up-front increase is included in a Mortgagee Letter to be released tomorrow, January 21st, and will go into effect in the spring.
2) Sellers contribution will go from 6% to 3% This change will be posted in the Federal Register in February, and after a notice and comment period, would go into effect in the early summer.
3) The 10% down payment will only effect borrowers below 580. Which won’t effect your borrowers since there aren’t any lenders broker or correspondent going below 620.
This change will be posted in the Federal Register in February and, after a notice and comment period, would go into effect in the early summer
As soon as I get exact dates and more information, I will get it out immediately. Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:41pm EST
•
WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Housing Administration said late Tuesday it was increasing borrowing costs for homeowners getting loans backed by the government in an effort to shore up the agency's finances and avoid a taxpayer bailout. The FHA said it would increase the up-front mortgage insurance premium, which is paid by the borrower when the loan is made, to 2.25 percent from 1.75 percent. And it would raise the minimum down payment required to secure an FHA-backed mortgage for less creditworthy borrowers.
REGULATORY NEWS | BONDS
Why is the FHA making this move?
In late 2009, an independent auditor found that the FHA's capital reserves were below the 2 percent required by Congress. In fact, the FHA has capital reserves equal to just 0.53 percent of the value of the thousands of outstanding U.S. home mortgages it insures. So, the agency is trying to increase the quality of its borrowers in order to reduce the number of loans that end up in default. But it doesn't want to seriously impact the ability of borrowers to get FHA-backed loans, which now make up half the market. So it is tweaking the rules around the edges.
What does the FHA decision to raise borrowing costs mean?
The biggest immediate change is the increase in the up-front mortgage insurance premium. For a loan of $100,000, the mortgage insurance premium would be $2,250, up from the current $1,750. A $500,000 loan would therefore be $11,250 instead of $8,750. Those fees can be rolled into the loan. The FHA also said it was cutting the amount of aid sellers could provide buyers to 3 percent of the purchase price from 6 percent. That's designed as a counterweight to inflated house prices stemming from borrowers just tacking on the closing costs to the purchase price of a home. FHA is also asking Congress to increase its second premium, the so-called annual premium which is paid over the life of the loan. FHA Commissioner David Stevens said the FHA plans to lower the upfront premium after it gets approval to raise the annual premium, currently capped at 0.55 percent of the loan amount.
How many borrowers will be affected by this decision?
Stevens told reporters on Wednesday that he couldn't answer that question. And some analysts say that's because it's almost none. The FHA is raising its minimum credit score for a 3.5 percent down payment to 580 while scores below that level would be required to have 10 percent down. But most FHA lenders won't lend to anyone below 620 so it's unclear how many borrowers would really be affected by the down payment change. And the other changes might cause some borrowers on the margins to be unable to get loans as a result of increased up-front costs but most borrowers will just have to scrape up the extra cash. FHA says that's by design. The FHA faced some pressure to raise the down payment minimum to 5 percent, but FHA says that would go against the agency's mandate to bolster housing finance for needy borrowers.
David Berenbaum, chief program officer at the National Community Revinvestment Coalition said the FHA has a difficult task of navigating its competing goals. "The burden to the individual borrower is modest and should ensure, overall, that borrowers have access to responsible credit," he said.
(Reporting by Corbett B. Daly; Editing by W Simon )
Basic Breakdown: (we will have a new mortgagee letter tomorrow that may give more details)
1) Upfront MIP will go from 1.75% to 2.25% The initial up-front increase is included in a Mortgagee Letter to be released tomorrow, January 21st, and will go into effect in the spring.
2) Sellers contribution will go from 6% to 3% This change will be posted in the Federal Register in February, and after a notice and comment period, would go into effect in the early summer.
3) The 10% down payment will only effect borrowers below 580. Which won’t effect your borrowers since there aren’t any lenders broker or correspondent going below 620.
This change will be posted in the Federal Register in February and, after a notice and comment period, would go into effect in the early summer
As soon as I get exact dates and more information, I will get it out immediately. Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:41pm EST
•
WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Housing Administration said late Tuesday it was increasing borrowing costs for homeowners getting loans backed by the government in an effort to shore up the agency's finances and avoid a taxpayer bailout. The FHA said it would increase the up-front mortgage insurance premium, which is paid by the borrower when the loan is made, to 2.25 percent from 1.75 percent. And it would raise the minimum down payment required to secure an FHA-backed mortgage for less creditworthy borrowers.
REGULATORY NEWS | BONDS
Why is the FHA making this move?
In late 2009, an independent auditor found that the FHA's capital reserves were below the 2 percent required by Congress. In fact, the FHA has capital reserves equal to just 0.53 percent of the value of the thousands of outstanding U.S. home mortgages it insures. So, the agency is trying to increase the quality of its borrowers in order to reduce the number of loans that end up in default. But it doesn't want to seriously impact the ability of borrowers to get FHA-backed loans, which now make up half the market. So it is tweaking the rules around the edges.
What does the FHA decision to raise borrowing costs mean?
The biggest immediate change is the increase in the up-front mortgage insurance premium. For a loan of $100,000, the mortgage insurance premium would be $2,250, up from the current $1,750. A $500,000 loan would therefore be $11,250 instead of $8,750. Those fees can be rolled into the loan. The FHA also said it was cutting the amount of aid sellers could provide buyers to 3 percent of the purchase price from 6 percent. That's designed as a counterweight to inflated house prices stemming from borrowers just tacking on the closing costs to the purchase price of a home. FHA is also asking Congress to increase its second premium, the so-called annual premium which is paid over the life of the loan. FHA Commissioner David Stevens said the FHA plans to lower the upfront premium after it gets approval to raise the annual premium, currently capped at 0.55 percent of the loan amount.
How many borrowers will be affected by this decision?
Stevens told reporters on Wednesday that he couldn't answer that question. And some analysts say that's because it's almost none. The FHA is raising its minimum credit score for a 3.5 percent down payment to 580 while scores below that level would be required to have 10 percent down. But most FHA lenders won't lend to anyone below 620 so it's unclear how many borrowers would really be affected by the down payment change. And the other changes might cause some borrowers on the margins to be unable to get loans as a result of increased up-front costs but most borrowers will just have to scrape up the extra cash. FHA says that's by design. The FHA faced some pressure to raise the down payment minimum to 5 percent, but FHA says that would go against the agency's mandate to bolster housing finance for needy borrowers.
David Berenbaum, chief program officer at the National Community Revinvestment Coalition said the FHA has a difficult task of navigating its competing goals. "The burden to the individual borrower is modest and should ensure, overall, that borrowers have access to responsible credit," he said.
(Reporting by Corbett B. Daly; Editing by W Simon )
Friday, November 6, 2009
First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Update & Changes
THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT IS BEING EXTENDED!
Here is the brief version, see below for all of the details
There have been some slight revisions “Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers — or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years — would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30. The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.”
Tax Credit for Homebuyers
First-Time Homebuyers (FTHBs): First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000.
Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.
Current Owners: The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.
Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.
What are the New Deadlines?
In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.
Tax Credit Versus Tax Deduction
It’s important to remember that the tax credit is just that… a tax credit. The benefit of a tax credit is that it’s a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a first-time homebuyer were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.
Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little income tax liability. For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!
Higher Income Caps
The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased.
Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible
Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.
Maximum Purchase Price
Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sale price of $800,000.
------------------------
Remember, the new tax credit program includes a number of details and qualifications. For more information or answers to specific questions, please call or email me today.
In addition, you may be able to benefit from additional housing related provisions, including the following:
------------------------
Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs
This provision is designed to help promote energy-efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for purchases such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation.
Landmark Energy Savings
This provision provides $5 Billion for energy efficient improvements for more than one million modest-income homes through weatherization. According to some estimates, this can help modest-income families save an average of $350 a year on heating and air conditioning bills.
Repairing Public Housing and Making Key Energy Efficiency Retrofits To HUD-Assisted Housing
This provision provides a total of $6.3 Billion for increasing energy efficiency in federally supported housing programs. Specifically, it establishes a new program to upgrade HUD-sponsored low-income housing (for elderly)
Here is the brief version, see below for all of the details
There have been some slight revisions “Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers — or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years — would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30. The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.”
Tax Credit for Homebuyers
First-Time Homebuyers (FTHBs): First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000.
Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.
Current Owners: The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.
Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.
What are the New Deadlines?
In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.
Tax Credit Versus Tax Deduction
It’s important to remember that the tax credit is just that… a tax credit. The benefit of a tax credit is that it’s a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a first-time homebuyer were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.
Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little income tax liability. For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!
Higher Income Caps
The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased.
Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible
Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.
Maximum Purchase Price
Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sale price of $800,000.
------------------------
Remember, the new tax credit program includes a number of details and qualifications. For more information or answers to specific questions, please call or email me today.
In addition, you may be able to benefit from additional housing related provisions, including the following:
------------------------
Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs
This provision is designed to help promote energy-efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for purchases such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation.
Landmark Energy Savings
This provision provides $5 Billion for energy efficient improvements for more than one million modest-income homes through weatherization. According to some estimates, this can help modest-income families save an average of $350 a year on heating and air conditioning bills.
Repairing Public Housing and Making Key Energy Efficiency Retrofits To HUD-Assisted Housing
This provision provides a total of $6.3 Billion for increasing energy efficiency in federally supported housing programs. Specifically, it establishes a new program to upgrade HUD-sponsored low-income housing (for elderly)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Condo changes coming, Hang on for the bumpy ride!
If you would like a copy of the full letter from hud on these changes, please email me or call me and I would be happy to get it to you.
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