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 […]
Tag: Real estate
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
New Year’s Goals Should Be Long-Term And Sustainable
The holidays have passed and our focus is now on the year ahead. At this time, many people begin hitting the gym more, eating healthier, or making other lifestyle changes — a result of New Year’s resolutions. Studies show that on average, nearly 80 percent of those who set a New Year’s resolution fail. A […]
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
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
Election Outcome Doesn’t Really Affect Home Prices? Or Does it?
With polling results reflecting an extremely close presidential race, we are not predicting a winner. But one thing we can predict is that no matter whether there will be a moving van driving up to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January or the Obamas will be in residence, the housing market may suffer. The cyclical nature […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader, Thought Leadership
Avoid Being a Victim of Mortgage Fraud
Just this week a federal judge sentenced a former Auburn attorney to nearly four years in prison for mortgage fraud. James Boyd Douglas Jr. handled mortgage refinancings and real estate closings and was found guilty of embezzling $2.3 million from clients. An Atlanta area woman and her brother ran a real estate scam in Baldwin County […]
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
The Value of Industry Partnerships
Every month a few members of the Client Relationship Management team from Southeast Mortgage pack up their professional photography equipment and head to Alpharetta where they host a social for Realtors and take new headshot portraits of anyone who wants one. The events have been very well received, as the Realtors and real estate agents […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Finding the Right Lender
A homeowner in Florida was puzzled to receive a condolence letter for his wife’s death from his mortgage lender. Why were they sorry for his loss? His wife was very much alive. But because their lender declared her deceased, they were unable to get a loan modification and despite repeated phone calls and a visit […]
