How Does Federal Housing Bill Affect You?
On June 26, 2008, the Senate passed a housing bill that will offer up to $300 billion in loans for troubled hsomeowners and establish a government rescue plan for mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The President will roll over once again - but this time to the benefit of the economy and the consumer. At first, Bush said he would veto the bill, but after consulting with his "advisers" he will concede this coming week and sign the bill into law.
The bill will take effect October 1st, 2008.
What does all of this mean to you, the consumer?
For Distressed Home Owners
Some folks may be able to cancel their old mortgages with high interest rates and replace them with new fixed-rate loans lasting at least 30 years...with some caveats:
1) New loans would be no more than 90 percent of what the borrower's property is worth currently;
2) Loan must have originated on or before January 1, 2008;
3) The loan must be on the borrower's primary residence;
4) Income verification is required, which might be an issue for subprime borrowers who did not have to disclose their income to receive their current loan;5) Your housing payment has to be at least 31 percent of your monthly household income;
6) You cannot take out a home equity loan for at least five years;
7) Appreciation made on the home within five years goes back to the government;
8) Fifty percent of any appreciation after five years must go to the government.
For Home Buyers
1) Conforming loan limits increased permanently to $625,000 (great for California!)
2) The bill includes a tax refund for first-time home buyers worth up to 10% of a home's purchase price but no more than $7,500 (The refund, however, serves more as an interest-free loan, since it would have to be paid back over 15 years in equal installments. )
3) The bill eliminates a program that has allowed sellers to provide down payment assistance.
For Veterans
1) Lenders will have to wait nine months, not 90 days, before beginning foreclosure proceeding on homes owned by someone returning from the military.
2) Lenders will have to wait a year before raising interest rates on a mortgage held by someone returning from military service.
I will continue to learn more about this legislation. If you have any questions, or if I can help you in any way, please call or e-mail me...I am here to help!
On June 26, 2008, the Senate passed a housing bill that will offer up to $300 billion in loans for troubled hsomeowners and establish a government rescue plan for mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The President will roll over once again - but this time to the benefit of the economy and the consumer. At first, Bush said he would veto the bill, but after consulting with his "advisers" he will concede this coming week and sign the bill into law.
The bill will take effect October 1st, 2008.
What does all of this mean to you, the consumer?
For Distressed Home Owners
Some folks may be able to cancel their old mortgages with high interest rates and replace them with new fixed-rate loans lasting at least 30 years...with some caveats:
1) New loans would be no more than 90 percent of what the borrower's property is worth currently;
2) Loan must have originated on or before January 1, 2008;
3) The loan must be on the borrower's primary residence;
4) Income verification is required, which might be an issue for subprime borrowers who did not have to disclose their income to receive their current loan;5) Your housing payment has to be at least 31 percent of your monthly household income;
6) You cannot take out a home equity loan for at least five years;
7) Appreciation made on the home within five years goes back to the government;
8) Fifty percent of any appreciation after five years must go to the government.
For Home Buyers
1) Conforming loan limits increased permanently to $625,000 (great for California!)
2) The bill includes a tax refund for first-time home buyers worth up to 10% of a home's purchase price but no more than $7,500 (The refund, however, serves more as an interest-free loan, since it would have to be paid back over 15 years in equal installments. )
3) The bill eliminates a program that has allowed sellers to provide down payment assistance.
For Veterans
1) Lenders will have to wait nine months, not 90 days, before beginning foreclosure proceeding on homes owned by someone returning from the military.
2) Lenders will have to wait a year before raising interest rates on a mortgage held by someone returning from military service.
I will continue to learn more about this legislation. If you have any questions, or if I can help you in any way, please call or e-mail me...I am here to help!
