Greg Zaccagni's Discussions

Over simplification of a more complicated issue.  Conforming purchase loans up to 90% CLTV are available for buyers with > 680 credit scores and up to 97% for buyers down to 580 credit with FHA insured loan products.  Also the rate of decline depends on the portion of the country where you live and connot be generalized to include everbody.  My area (in the midwest) appears to be on it's way back up and statistics likes these available here suggest I'm not alone.   Look at the rise in midwest & Southern values on these graphs: http://www.realestateabc.com/outlook/overall.htmwww.GregZaccagni.com 

I'm not sure about that.  Here is some language from this act and a link to the website for your review.Features of FHA-insured loans under the new program include:30-year, fixed rate mortgage;Maximum 90 percent loan-to-value ratio;No prepayment penalties;$550,440 maximum mortgage amount;Extinguishment of any subordinate liens; andNew home appraisals from FHA-approved appraisers. http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=73,3947211&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL  

Here in IL the legislatures don't seem to care about the consequences of their actions on landlords.  Here is what I see going on.http://activerain.com/blogsview/560940/IL-SB-1167-for 

Depends on what you are doing with the money and what type of cash flow you are likely to have after doing so.  If you still have a posotive cash flow or have confidence that your other investments will be able to support a negative cash flow then perhaps it's OK for your situation.  Remember though that you do not receive dollar for dollar credit for your rental income so if you need to refinance this or other properties in the future you will likely increase your overal debt to income ratio and may make it more difficult to qualify for other mortgage loans.  Then again perhaps you can raise rents and offset the potential problem? 

K101 the answer to your question is that individuals with good credit and those challenged using FHA or VA are looking at around 6.5% for a Fixed rate.  From a historical perspective that is still an excellent interest rate.  What's a "historically low" mortgage rate?http://activerain.com/blogsview/154831/What-s-a-historically As far a predicting the bottom just like the stock market experts will still be debating when long after it has passed.  The question is whether real estate is a good investment always comes down to location and the amount of time you keep it. Is real estate still a good investment?http://activerain.com/blogsview/563767/Is-real-estate-still www.GregZaccagni.com  

Any real estate agent should be able to tell you which listings in you area are foreclosures by sifting through the MLS data.  You can also check your local newspapers as this is usually listed in the public notice section of the classifieds.  Consider checking out my blog comparing short sales & REO (bank owned properties) for buyers.http://activerain.com/blogsview/608616/Comparing-REO-s-Short [content removed by moderator for being self promotional] 

Here is a list of 10 common mistakes make evaluating investent properties.http://activerain.com/blogsview/533939/1-most-common-mistakes 

Flippers have a place in the evolution of a property.  Somebody has to update these homes and many working families don't have the money or time to do it themselves.  Flippers just have to buy better like REO's or short sales to make attractive returns on investment.  Anybody had any experience using FHA's 203k program to flip or is the owner occupancy guideline too much of a turn off for this crowd?http://activerain.com/blogsview/534192/FHA-Still-offers-rehab 

Why not have the seller pay closing costs & doscount points up to 3% of the value and get the rate you really want?www.MortgageAdvisor.info 

I see a summary tab for articles.  Can I submit blog articles to zillow for publishing?  If so - How?