Displaying blog entries 651-660 of 706
The NAR released their November numbers for existing home sales... (keep in mind, these numbers reflect October's Sales Reports)
Looking for some good "Ipad reading"? - The Texas A&M Real Estate Center - I've said it before.... when these guys speak on TX Real Estate, even the "experts" listen! Great info for any one interested in TX growth, economy, & housing projections from nationally recognized gurus.
Here is their 2014 Economic & House Forecast (presented on 10/16/2013) - be sure to check out page 25 to see the Projected Growth by County!
Each year Realtor.com tracks the most searched zip codes in the nation... every year North TX commands a spot or two. This year, Realtor.com's list of top 5 zip codes counts McKinney TX as number 2!
Named by CNN's Money magazine in 2012 as a Best Place to Live in America (for the 3rd time), and the seat of government for Collin County... McKinney's popularity is no secret. Lightly rolling terrain, mature trees, extensive green-spaces, parks, & the award winning Heard Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary certainly help make McKinney Unique by Nature.
You can view the list full & article here. With all that McKinney has to offer, the city's recognition is very well deserved.
I remember when Frisco, TX was the place people went bird hunting. It was a few small communities and a hodge-podge of ranches; one famous and a few infamous..... When I moved here from Plano the population was around 28,000 - when the EDC was formed the population was about 6,000!
Everyone knows Frisco's growth has been record breaking, but is our potential fully realized?
Having attended a development round-table earlier this week, I am delighted to share a few "Frisco Facts," of which I was reminded or only just learned:
Congratulations to both Frisco & McKinney! Seems the rest of the nation is learning what we already know...
Movoto.com conducted a recent study of the top 100 Mid-Sized cities based upon Cost of Living, Unemployment Rate, Median Income, Crime Rating, School Quality, & Number of Homes for Sale per Capita.
The Top Ten:
How did the competition stack up? - view the article here
TEA finally made the change to the new rating system. How does the new system stack up?
New 2013 School Accountability Ratings
The Texas Education Agency has released the 2013 state accountability system ratings for school districts throughout Texas. Districts receive one of three ratings under the new accountability system: Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard, or Improvement Required. The MS* denotes that the campus received Met Standard rating plus distinctions under the 2013 state accountability system.
The Distinction designations recognize outstanding academic achievement in reading, English language arts and mathematics on various indicators of postsecondary readiness. Campuses that receive an accountability rating of Met Standard are eligible for Distinction designations in 2013. The individual Distinction designations are listed on the TEA website.
Thank you to Marcel Deitrich of WR Starkey!
The mortgage market is changing again. Over the next two months, we have several changes that will affect mortgage options for consumers.
Because the FED did not begin the tapering of Quantitative Easing, interest rates have lowered a bit, and are now at 6 week lows. It was a shock to most who were expecting the tapering to begin, which means the FED may also shock and start the tapering when most now do not expect it. Quantitative Easing is the 85 Billion Dollars that the US Treasury is putting in to bonds and mortgage backed securities monthly meant to artificially keep interest rates low and stimulate housing and the economy.
On October 1st, the government will be shut down if the our politicians do not come to an agreement on raising the debt ceiling and Obamacare. Part of this shut down could be the IRS. This is important to home buyers because lenders have to verify filed tax returns through a transcript they order from the IRS. If the IRS is closed, it would stop mortgages where the lender had not received those transcripts.
FHA starting on October 15th is changing their rules with regard to collection accounts. After that date, collection accounts over $2,000 will have to be paid off, or 5% of the collection balance will put in the debt to income ratios, meaning buyers will qualify for a lesser loan. The is true not only for the home buyer, but also for a spouse not on the loan.
On November 15th, Fannie Mae is changing their Automated Underwriting system. It will no longer allow for the very popular 3% down conventional loan program. Buyers interested in using the conventional 3% down program must act quickly.
That wraps up my Mortgage Minute.
Give me a call if you have any questions.
MARCEL DEITRICH
SENIOR LOAN OFFICER
Just click & go!
Real-time updates! Latest MLS based info! Easy to use! Map searches!
Outlining search areas is as easy as drawing with your finger!
Displaying blog entries 651-660 of 706
