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Tag: Southeast Mortgage
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
The Housing Market in Retrospect
The National Association of Realtors recently produced a Market Pulse Survey that provides insight on consumers’ needs in retrospect from 2003 to 2011.
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
The New York Times Agrees: Now Is the Time to Buy
Mortgage rates are expected to rise slightly over the year and home prices are expected to rise rapidly. Many homebuyers may be wondering, “Is now the time to pull the trigger?”
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
It’s Time to Act on the Housing Market’s Opportunities
The next phase of the housing recovery is underway – higher credit costs. At first, it may seem as though higher credit costs accompany an unfavorable market. When in fact, higher credit costs are a result of a rising demand for longer-term capital investments. The financial crisis was not favorable to anyone’s means, but it […]
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
MLOs Will Become More Professional in 2013
If you want someone to renovate your house, you don’t just hire a neighborhood kid with a decent set of tools. You get references from your neighbors and hire a professional who is experienced at home renovation. So why should applying for a mortgage be any different? As we’ve written in a past Thought Leadership […]
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
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
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
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
Consumers – Data confirms Optimal Time to Buy
The Metro Atlanta Housing Market has entered a rare phase in normal housing cycles. Gradual diminishing benefit generally follows after this point is reached. Current housing data confirms housing prices are on the rise, inventory is significantly reduced, and historically low mortgage rates although slightly higher are still available. The down side risk of single […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
3 Common Misconceptions About Buying a Home
By J.D. Crowe, Senior Vice President of Southeast Mortgage Working in the mortgage industry, I can’t believe how many customers are pleasantly surprised at their ability to purchase a home. Likewise, it is unnerving to hear how many misconceptions there are about what it takes to purchase in this economy. Here are some of the […]
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, Thought Leadership
Basel III To Change Mortgage Landscape
The mortgage industry has undergone many significant changes as a result of the financial crisis. One of the less known pending changes is about to take its final form and in its current draft Basel III will increase consumer costs and reduce consumers’ choice of mortgage providers. Basel III requires that a bank must maintain common […]
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 […]
