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Archive for Credit
Jan
25
How Fair Credit Reproting Act Protects the Home Buyer
Posted by: | CommentsThere will always be various transactions that will require credit reports. Every time, you apply for a credit card, your credit reports would have to be looked into before any application is granted. If you were to rent a house, most property owners would request for a copy of your report to determine your ability to pay.
Another major financial transaction that makes use of credit reports is home buying. Buying a home is always often equated to getting a mortgage. Since mortgage naturally involves big sums of money for borrowing, lenders would definitely want to ensure their borrowers are responsible people. Before homebuyers can get their mortgage, they will undergo careful screening and evaluation. In addition, lenders perform such activities by checking their credit reports.
As a homebuyer, you should be concerned with your credit reports. Every piece of information mentioned in there will be considered. That is why it is always important to check for its accuracy.
However, in every system like credit reporting, there will always be loopholes. And these loopholes could pave way for unfair practices and fraudulent activities.
As a homebuyer, you need to be protected from these kinds of practices. Doing so would ensure a smoother mortgage application. So how do you do this? You start by knowing your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Fair Credit Reporting Act is one of the legislations that protect consumers by regulating practices in credit reporting. Homebuyers should know these things as any unfair practices could be detrimental in their mortgage applications and other financial transactions. Moreover, it protects their privacy to prevent any forms of identity theft and hard inquiries that could negatively influence credit scores.
This law can give lenders a good picture on their borrowers without any smudging their credit reputation. Thus, a more reasonable decision can be made in approving their mortgage.
Here are other ways Fair Credit Reporting Act protects homebuyers:
-Any rejections in mortgage application, which is attributed to erroneous data or other inaccuracies of the report, can be disputed. Homebuyers can also request for changes to correct such inaccuracies provided evidences will be furnished
- Any homebuyer planning to get mortgage has the right to determine their credit scores and reports by requesting it from various Credit Reporting Agencies. They can charge a fee for the request. However, every consumer is entitled to obtain a free credit report annually.
- Homebuyers can limit the inquiries made on their credit report especially when they lack permissible purpose.
- Homebuyers also have the right to know the reason why they were rejected in their mortgage application.
- They can also seek damages from the violators of Fair Credit Reporting Act, if they were adversely affected from any unfair reporting practices as well as other forms of violations.
Every Credit Reporting Agency and other users of your information are bound to follow these rules. Therefore, you have the right to exercise these laws legally for you to have a speedy home buying transactions.
Jan
23
Boise Home Buyers Aim To Do Good From Tax Credit Extension!
Posted by: | CommentsYeah! That is the sound that Some realty professions made when last years tax breaks for first time home buyers was granted a 7 month extension.
realty markets across the nation were lifted by this tax break and Many homes were sold that otherwise may not have been.
Discussions range broadly in their determination of how much impact the tax credits have had on the real estate market. The idea of the use of tax payer money going toward helping people pay for their homes has Some people up in arms. Since so Some jobs in much of the U.S. are bound to the real estate business in one way or another, the mindset that objects to the use of tax dollars to help people buy their homes is minimized.
A differing point of view is that the home buyer tax credit is going to get people who were already going to buy, to buy for the tax credit. Since the tax credit was engineered to be a quick and limited boost to the real estate market, it’s critic are missing the mark. Since Some of the buyers who are buying right now were obviously already looking, then the limited deadline of the tax credit will help them decide to buy sooner, rather than later.
Then,you have the tax frauds. Some people who do not qualify for the first time home buyer tax credit will fraudulently claim the benefits. Trading the tax credit for a stiff fine and jail time doesn’t seem like a good deal to me.
Given that realty prices were in a free fall, prior to the approval of the tax credit, it is a hard argument to make that says that they were not warranted. As the tax credit helps out the real estate business, it will also help the people who work inside the sector, which is a lot of jobs that will return to the jobs market too.
The author enjoys writing articles about Boise Id real estate and other investment areas. His useful insights, articles and comments have made many happy clients in the Boise Id real estate arena. His business accumen is saught by many in his field.
Jan
16
Boise Home Buyers Aim To Profit From Tax Credit Extension!
Posted by: | CommentsYeah! Realtors and real estate developers across the nation were relieved to learn that the first time home buyer tax breaks would be extended for 7 more months.
This tax credit is truly what lifted the realty industry by stimulating Many potential home buyers, who presumably may not have purchased without it.
The opinions on exactly how much impact the tax credit has had on the realty market cover the gamut. Some tax payers are upset at the use of their tax dollars assisting someone else purchase a home. Give that all of us benefit from the economic stability that is brought by the tax credits, especially in the real estate business, and fields tied to it.
An alternate standpoint is that the home buyer tax credit is enticing buyers who were already planning on buying, to purchase for the tax grant. Since the tax credit was engineered to be a quick and limited boost to the realty market, it’s critic are missing the mark. Since Most of the buyers who are buying right now were obviously already looking, then the limited deadline of the tax credit will help them decide to buy sooner, rather than later.
Then,you have the tax cheaters. Many people who do not qualify for the first time home buyer tax credit will fraudulently claim the benefits. This is, of course, tax fraud and if convicted Most homeowners will find themselves facing possible jail time and penalties that make any tax credit they may get pale in comparison.
The truth that the first time home buyer tax grants have helped lift short term realty prices is indisputable and Some whose hard earned bucks went to pay for this program know that it was a needed step to keep nations home prices from plummeting farther. As the job market starts to rebound the real estate market will find more buyers and will start to become much rosier in its projections.
The author enjoys writing articles about Boise Id real estate and other investment areas. His useful insights, articles and comments have made many happy clients in the Boise Id real estate arena. His business accumen is saught by many in his field.
Jan
15
Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension Will Assist Real Estate Markets Across The Nation
Posted by: | CommentsWhew! Many of us in the real estate industry breathed a mass sigh of relief when the government committed to continue the first time home buyer tax break initially granted last year.
This tax credit is truly what buoyed the realty market by causing Some potential home buyers, who presumably may not have bought without it.
The opinions on exactly how much impact the tax credit has had on the real estate market cover the gamut. Some taxpayers do not feel like their tax dollars should go toward giving other people a credit for something as random as buying a home. Give that all of us benefit from the economic stability that is brought by the tax credits, especially in the real estate business, and fields tied to it.
Some people point out that the tax grant simply induces people who were already planning on buying to buy. This point of view forgets that the entire point of establishing the tax credit was to help the real estate market for the short term. Since Many of the buyers who are buying right now were obviously already looking, then the limited deadline of the tax grant will help them decide to buy sooner, rather than later.
And, there is always those who try to manipulate the system. Many people who do not qualify for the first time home buyer tax break will fraudulently claim the benefits. If caught and convicted of the tax fraud involved some will face fines and jail terms that exceed any possible benefit they would have gotten.
The tax break helped save the real estate market from falling so sharply that Some Americans would lose most if not all, of their wealth, and may never want to invest in realty again. This tax break will be the first in Some steps taken by the government in assisting the realty recovery across the nation.
The author enjoys writing articles about Boise homes and other investment areas. His useful insights, articles and comments have made many happy clients in the Boise real estate arena. His business accumen is saught by many in his field.
Jan
14
Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension Will Assist Real Estate Markets Around The Nation
Posted by: | CommentsYes! Realtors and realty developers across the nation were relieved to learn that the first time home buyer tax credit would be extended for 7 more months.
This tax credit is truly what lifted the realty industry by causing Some likely home buyers, who presumptively may not have bought without it.
The opinions on exactly how much impact the tax credit has had on the realty market cover the gamut. Some taxpayers do not feel like their tax dollars should go toward giving other people a credit for something as random as buying a home. Since so Most jobs in much of the U.S. are bound to the real estate business in one way or another, the mindset that objects to the use of tax dollars to help people buy their homes is minimized.
Some people point out that the tax grant simply induces people who were already planning on buying to buy. If the tax credit wasn’t designed to be a short term help, then this point would have more credibility to it. The tax grant is supposed to push people who are on the edge of buying into making their decision to help the market short term, rather than several months down the road.
And, there is always those who try to manipulate the system. Some people who are not candidates to receive this credit will also try to cash in. Trading the tax grant for a stiff fine and jail time doesn’t seem like a good deal to me.
The reality that the home buyer tax grants have helped lift short term real estate prices is incontestable and Some whose tax funds went to pay for this program know that it was a needed step to keep the entire nations home prices from declining a lot further. As the tax grant helps out the realty business, it will also help the people who work inside the business, which is a lot of jobs that will return to the jobs market too.
The author enjoys writing articles about Boise real estate and other investment areas. His useful insights, articles and comments have made many happy clients in the Boise Idaho real estate arena. His business accumen is saught by many in his field.
Jan
06
Florida FHA home loan “No MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE”
Posted by: | CommentsFlorida FHA home loan “No MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE”
http://www.fhamortgagefhaloan.com/
Florida FHA home buyers should know the many advantages of the FHA mortgage loan programs. FHA loans were created to help increase Florida home ownership. For the Florida home buyer the FHA program can simplify the purchase of a home, making financing easier and less expensive than a conventional mortgage loan product. Some highlights of the Florida FHA loan program include:
FHA guarantees “eligible” Florida loan applicants the ability to obtain Florida mortgages with No money or Little money down .FHA loans feature low down payments and flexible guidelines to make it easier to for Florida homebuyers to qualify! FHA loans are popular with Florida first time home buyers but they can be equally attractive to Florida move-up buyers and Florida homeowners looking for a home improvement loan. With an FHA loan you can borrow up to 97% of the purchase price of the Florida home. Please keep in mind that the FHA home loan will be based on the homes purchase price or the appraised value.
Minimal Down Payment and Closing costs. Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price Gifts are allowed Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards closing and prepaid costs. 100% Financing available No reserves required. FHA regulated closing costs. Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as: No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements. FHA will allow a home purchase 1 year after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase2 years after a Foreclosure.
To take advantage of the FHA program in Florida, give us a call 1-800-570-0448 or use our quick application to find out more about the many FL mortgage programs we can make available. Or Apply now for a FL FHA home loan.
http://www.fhamortgagefhaloan.com/
When analyzing a Florida mortgage applicant credit report, it is important to focus upon the general pattern of credit behavior rather than isolated occurrences of late payments. Often times, Florida mortgage applicants will experience a period of financial difficulty in the past and does not necessarily translate into an unacceptable risk. Reasonable explanations of the credit derogatory and evidence of offsetting factors (such as a new job or promotion with greater stability and pay, for example) will be necessary. All derogatory credit information must be explained, in writing, by the borrower.
The following is a brief synopsis of the credit underwriting guidelines for FHA mortgage loans:
Lack of credit history: If a Florida mortgage applicant does not have a minimum of 3 trade lines on their credit report, alternative forms of credit may be used. This would include items such as auto insurance payment history, utility bills, etc.
Included credit obligations: Any installment loan (e.g. student loans, car loans, etc.) with less than 10 months remaining does not need to be included when qualifying for a FHA home loan. However, consideration is given to a large debt of over $100 a month, regardless of the number of months remaining. Furthermore, payments on auto leases with less than 10 months must be included in the qualifying ratios. The minimum payment on all revolving accounts (i.e. credit cards) is also factored in. If the borrower has an open revolving account without a balance, $10 per open account should be included when qualifying. Any loan where the borrower has co-signed for another party is included with their debts unless the borrower can prove that the the other party has made the payments on their own for a minimum of 12 months.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: FHA requires a minimum of 2 years since the discharge of the bankruptcy. An explanation of the bankruptcy will be required. Furthermore, the borrower should have re-established credit (i.e. secured credit card) with no late payments.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: FHA will consider a borrower still paying on a Chapter 13 bankruptcy if the payments to the court have been made for a minimum of 1 year in a satisfactory manner (as verified with the courts) and with the approval of the court trustee.
Federal Debts: A Florida mortgage applicant is not eligible for a FHA loan if he/she is delinquent or in default on any federal debt (such as a HUD or VA mortgage, student loans, SBA loans or a tax lien against his/her property). Borrowers can become eligible by bringing any delinquent accounts current, making satisfactory repayment arrangements with the creditor (generally a 3 month history will be required), or paying the account in full.
Judgments: Judgments must be paid or have 12 months of arranged payment history
Collection Accounts: Collections do not need to be paid (LOX) needed
Foreclosure: A borrower who has had a property foreclosed upon, or who has given a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure within the previous 3 years, is generally not eligible for a FHA home loan. However, if it was the result of extenuating circumstances beyond the borrower’s control (such as the death of a spouse, loss of employment, or serious long-term illness, etc.) and the borrower has since re-established good credit, an exception may be granted. However, extenuating circumstances do not include the inability to sell a house when transferring from one area to another.
Non-purchasing Spouse: If a married borrower is purchasing a property by himself/herself, the credit obligations of the spouse must be included with the application and will be factored in with the borrower’s credit obligations and used to determine the financial capacity of the borrower. Furthermore, the non-purchasing spouse may be required to sign a security instrument or documentation relinquishing all rights to the property.
To Learn more about FHA financing visit the links below
http://www.fhamortgagefhaloan.com/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Titusville/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Venice/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Vero-Beach/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Wauchula/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Wesley-Chapel/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/west-palm-mortgage.shtml
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Winter-Park/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Broward-County/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Palm-Beach-County/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Dade-County/
http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/Miami-Beach/
Jan
03
First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Extended to April 30th, 2010
Posted by: | CommentsJust recently the U.S. House of Representatives decided to pass a new bill that will grant an extension and expansion of the Federal Tax Credit for First-time Home Buyers. This extended tax credit will be good through April 30th, 2010 that now also includes a 60 day extension should there be a binding contract in place prior to the deadline.
The tax credit for first time home buyers will still stand at a tax credit of up to $8,000. Existing homeowners however, will receive a reduced credit of up to $6,500. In order to for existing homeowners to be eligible for the $6,500 tax credit, they have lived in their current residences for at least five years. Another change in the bill is an increasing of the qualifying income limits. Single tax filers’ income limits were once $75,000 and joint filers were once $150,000. The new qualifying income limits are $125,000 for single tax filers and $225,000 for joint filers. The purchase price of the home is capped at $800,000. These new changes are aimed to encourage existing home owners to sell their first homes in exchange for purchasing larger and more expensive homes, basically their dream homes.
Additional stipulations in the bill include the ability for taxpayers to claim the credit on purchases that are completed in 2010 on their 2009 income tax returns. The bill also maintains that the home buyers utilize the home as their primary residence for 36 months after its purchase; otherwise the credit must be repaid. However, for any active duty military personnel this requirement is waived should they need to move due to military order.
So far this tax credit has had great success. According to the California Association of Realtors, “nearly 40 percent of first-time buyers said they would not have purchased a home if the federal tax credit for first-time home buyers was not offered. This underscores the significance of the federal tax credit to the housing market’s recovery in California.”
For more information on the extended First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit contact the experienced and knowledgeable agents at Realty Executives Dillon. The agents at Realty Executives Dillon can offer you an expertise that is unsurpassed in the San Diego County real estate field. There are hundreds of property listings all throughout San Diego County and seasoned real estate agents are exactly what you are going to need to navigate your way. So for the best San Diego real estate services you could hope to find, visit Realty Executives San Diego at www.realtyexecutivesdillon.com.
The author of the article knows all about San Diego County Real Estate. He has provided San Diego Real Estate Services for many years now. He is one of the best Realty Executives San Diego.
Jan
01
Are Non-Profit Credit Counseling Agencies a Better Bet for Consumers?
Posted by: | CommentsNon-profit credit counseling agencies enjoy special benefits because of their status. There is a tax advantage; non-profits enjoy tax exemptions on both a state and federal level. Non-profit agencies are also eligible for both public and private grants to support their mission.
Non-profit agencies have a better reputation among both creditors and debtors. In order to initiate Fair Share contributions, non-profit status is mandatory. Some states even allow non-profit agencies greater freedom from consumer protection laws. Debtors feel more comfortable dealing with a non-profit agency than one with a more commercial focus.
Most major credit counseling agencies flaunt their status as non-profits, but some fail to live up to that promise. Some unscrupulous agencies are using their non-profit status to lure in unsuspecting clients and to fleece them. Debtors need to look beyond the non-profit label and investigate the agency before enrolling in a credit repair program.
Some consumer credit counseling agencies are truly in it to help people get back on the road to financial well-being. Agencies accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies offer reputable services to their clients. Such agencies will not make false claims about fixing credit histories or credit scores; they will paint a realistic picture of your situation and tailor their actions to meet your needs.
Before enrolling in a credit counseling program, you should research the agency carefully. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the agency has a history of complaints. Visit online forums to read reviews from former clients. Make sure that the agency is reputable and reliable before granting access to your financial information.
Solid, reputable credit counseling agencies are an invaluable resource for debtors who have reached the end of their financial rope. A good credit counselor will work with you to create a personalized budget and debt management plan, while working with your creditors to reduce monthly payments. Lowering interest rates and erasing finance charges and late payment penalties are another way a reliable counselor can help you. A counselor’s ability to eliminate phone calls and dunning letters from creditors is enough to make most consumers glad they chose to enter credit counseling.
Michael Martin is a knowledge seeker and publisher of FinancialKnowledgeCenter.com. Here he provides more information on credit cards, credit counseling and The How To’s of Credit Counseling Agencies that will engage your curiosity and stimulate your mind.
Dec
23
First Time Home Buyer: Get a Free Credit Report
Posted by: | CommentsYou’ve probably seen the many advertisements that promise, a free credit report. You may have asked yourself, how is it possible for all these companies to offer these attractive free services? The answer is, like a lot of things; there is a catch. The catch, of course, isn’t an obvious one, when it comes time to sign up for a free credit report. What many of these unscrupulous companies do is they get you signed up for a free credit report first. Many consumers are finding out the hard way that they have been taken with things like recurring billing and the like. This is how a large number of companies offering free credit reports make their money.
Fortunately, there is a solution to this. Due to numerous consumer complaints the government has provided a resource that allows you to get a truly free credit report. By going to annualcreditreport dot com you can get a free credit report, thanks to our government. The only drawback, however, is that you can only get one free credit report once a year from each of the three credit reporting bureaus.
So, you may be asking, why is it important first time home buyer to get a free credit report? Your credit report shows a complete history of your credit. In some cases, this is gratifying, and others it is disturbing. Regardless of how great you think your credit is it’s always a good idea to check your credit. With identity theft on the rise, checking your credit regularly is more importance than ever. Getting a free credit report, the right way, doesn’t cost you a thing. What it does for you is allow you to see if there are any issues on your credit history. This can be particularly important for the first time home buyer. If you have unresolved issues looming on your credit report it could negatively affect your credit score, resulting in a higher mortgage rate. And assuming that getting the lowest rate on your mortgage is important, you’ll want to make sure your credit is squeaky clean.
It is not at all uncommon for individuals to find mistakes on their credit report. These mistakes can be cleared up, relatively easily with your creditors. You may have an unresolved bill that’s holding your credit down. Even the smallest of unpaid bills can have a negative affect on your credit. All these things can go unresolved if you’re not on top or credit report. Discovering these issues helps in the process of improving your credit so that you get the lowest interest rate possible on your home loan.
Things are hard enough the first time home buyer. You have to come up with a large down payment. You have two get approved for a loan. You have to cover closing costs. The list goes on. Getting your credit straightened out is one of the easiest ways to get on track for the first time home buyer.
After you make sure you have no credit issues, or you get any unresolved issues straightened out, you’ve taken the all-important first step. There are many first time home buyer programs available. Some allow for lower down payments or lower interest rates when it comes to buying your first home. You can withdraw money from qualified plans early if you’re a first time home buyer. There are even some grants in specific states available. Do some homework and be sure to take advantage of these programs, it can save you substantially. And with the cost of real estate, and just how hard it is to be a first time home buyer, you’ll need every advantage you can get.
If you’re a First Time Home Buyer looking to buy your first home you can visit the site for more details. For more on how to get a Free Credit Report you can get more specifics on that as well.
Dec
22
First Time Home Buyer Stimulus – Tax Credit Deadline Extended
Posted by: | CommentsOwning one’s own home is a dream of every individual. But as fate would have it, the current economic crisis with rampant job cuts in the US have made this dream a distant reality for many. The introduction of President Obama’s home stimulus package has, however, made this goal significantly more achievable for first time home buyers.
The first time home buyer stimulus package offers individuals a tax credit of 10% on the purchase price of a home (with a maximum amount of $8000) for homes purchased between January 1st, 2009 and April 30th, 2010. For those of you already familiar with this program, recent legislative changes have extended the previous purchase deadline of December 1st, 2009. Sales occurring by June 30, 2010 are also covered provided a binding contract is entered into by April 10, 2010.
A key point to mention here is that this credit is a grant which does not need to be paid back (unless the home is sold within the first three years). The entire credit amount is deducted from the total taxes owed to the government. Therefore, an individual qualifying for this credit who owes the government $8,000 in taxes would then owe nothing.
There are certain criteria that have to be met to qualify for this tax credit. First and foremost, you must meet the definition of a first time home buyer. For the purposes of the stimulus package, you are a first home buyer if you have not bought a home as a primary residence in the three years prior to your purchase. This applies to both you and your spouse if you are married. Therefore, if you have not purchased a home as a primary residence in the last three years but your spouse has, then you do not qualify. A primary residence does not include vacation homes; therefore if you own such a property you may still qualify for the credit. There are also no restrictions on the specific type of home (e.g. townhouses, condominiums, mobile homes, houseboats, etc) that can qualify as long as it is your primary residence.
You must also be within certain income limits (i.e. not earn above a certain amount) to qualify for this tax credit. For home purchases after November 6th, 2009, the income limit is $125,000 per year for single tax payers and $225,000 for couples filing jointly. These limits have also been amended recently from the previous limits of $75,000 for single tax payers and $150,000 for couples filing jointly.
I hope you found this overview of the first time home buyer stimulus package to be useful. There are many nuances surrounding the home stimulus legislation and it is always challenging to keep up with all the changes going on. Just make sure you do all the necessary research, stay up to date on the latest developments, claim your credit on your next tax return, and enjoy your new home!
To find out whether you qualify for the home stimulus tax credit and stay on top of all the latest news, tips, and developments, visit our home stimulus guide at Homebuyer’s Stimulus Guide