They say what goes up must come down. The reverse is true of mortgage rates. We’ve been enjoying historically low rates but it seems that they are on the rise.
Tag: www.southeastmortgage.com
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Survey Says Homebuyers Not Educated on Mortgage Process
If someone asked you what type of home you would like to buy, you’d probably know the answer. But if someone asked you what type of mortgage you want, could you answer the question just as quickly?
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Housing Market Turnaround Takes Time
The lack of construction right now could be in part due to the need for the employment rate to go up – and whether or not the growing workforce will move at the same pace of needed construction.
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
New Internet Scam Hits the Housing Industry
Internet scams are seeping into the housing industry as housing gains momentum and more buyers begin their search online.
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Happy Employees Lead to Happy Customers
What’s the secret to building a successful company? Make your employees happy. A happy workforce raises sales by 37 percent, productivity by 31 percent and accuracy on tasks by 19 percent.
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
New Office Concept Is Enriching Relationships
The new Social Max Centers aren’t something created while waiting for the tide to rise – they are evidence of company growth rooted in sustaining relationships.
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, 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 […]
