As a thought leader in the mortgage industry, I was recently asked to comment on what the increase in mortgage rates means for homebuyers right now. A reporter from Fox 5 came to the Southeast Mortgage offices to interview me on the topic and the segment appeared on “Good Day Atlanta,” in a report by […]
Tag: Home Purchase
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Realtors Confidence Index Supports Optimism in Industry
According to the Realtors Confidence Index produced by the National Association of Realtors, Realtors’ confidence in the market stems from strong buyer demand and a tight inventory.
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Housing Takes the Lead in Economic Recovery
Housing is leading the way in the economic recovery because of the ripple effect it’s creating for corporations. The Wall Street Journal reported the phenomenon and explained how many corporations have reported increased sales and earnings as an effect of the housing market picking back up. “While the incoming data continue to be mixed, evidence […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
The Digital House Hunt Increasing in Popularity
As consumers scan the Internet for best deals on products, informative how-to videos and advice columns, it should come as no surprise that they also use the Internet as a tool when making a significant financial decision like buying a home. Reports in 2012 showed an increase in homebuyers beginning their home search on the Internet. […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Increase in Construction Good for Housing, Economy
As the year winds down, the housing market is revving up. In recent reports, we have seen an increase in buyers, home values and construction starts. A recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated housing starts in metro Atlanta increased 50.3 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago. The […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
The Buyers and Sellers of 2012
The National Association of Realtors 2012 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is out and it offers some interesting insight on the market’s activity in 2012. The annual profile measures the demographics, preferences, motivations, plans and experiences of recent buyers and sellers. Research for this year’s report was conducted by distributing surveys to a sample […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Tales From First-Time Homebuyers
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Now is a great time to buy a home. At Southeast Mortgage, we recently had several team members buy their first home. The current market provided each of them a unique and affordable opportunity they couldn’t pass up. One member of the Southeast Mortgage team bought […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Boomerang Buyers Ready to Enter the Market Again
Everyone loves a comeback story. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported on buyers that are making a comeback – “boomerang buyers.” These buyers aren’t new to the market but they are experiencing home buying differently the second time around – with a foreclosure in their past. While it seems like just yesterday […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Why the Housing Recovery Matters
Recently news outlets have been reporting small gains across the country in the housing market. Home prices improved in 20 cities, including Atlanta, and reporters were quick to add that an improving housing market will benefit the economy as a whole. No one followed up with an explanation of why a healthy housing market has […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader, Thought Leadership
Consumer Will Benefit From Simpler Mortgage Disclosure Form
For more than 35 years, two federal laws (the Truth in Lending Act or “TILA,” and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act or “RESPA”) have required lenders and settlement agents to give consumers who take out a mortgage loan separate but overlapping disclosure forms regarding the loan’s terms and costs. This duplication has long been […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Now’s the Time for First-Time Homebuyers
If only the experts could agree. In Monday’s paper, The Wall Street Journal covered five personal finance topics, finding completely opposite opinions on each topic. Should you purchase long-term care insurance? Are variable annuities a good investment? There was even a debate over whether children’s allowances should be tied to chores. Of course the one […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Thirty Days is Long Enough for Mortgage Closing
For as long as I can remember – and I expect much longer than that – contracts for the purchase of residential real estate in Georgia have been written for 30 days as a normal practice. Today, we are seeing many real estate professionals writing extended contracts, for 45 to 60 days, and even longer […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Tips for Applying for a Mortgage
While most of us have never had the unpleasant experience of sitting in a police interrogation room, fans of crime TV shows like me will recognize this scenario. “I’ve already told you what I witnessed on the night of October 22, 2011 seven times,” says the frustrated and exhausted witness. “Well, it’s time to tell […]
