Joe Knows Mortgages

Brevard county is a great community, with excellent local networks.   I wanted to highlight one organization called the Young Professionals of Brevard.  This is a great local organiztion with the mission statement “To inspire and empower career-minded individuals to engage in civic, social and professional development.” 

With frequent events, the YPB is an outstanding venue for young professionals to get togther, meet others in the community, and get involved.    If you have never been to an event before, I have listed two upcoming events below.

Members only networking @ the Brevard Art Museum

 
Join other ypB members on July 22nd from 5:30 to 8:00pm. Get to know more about what the Brevard Art Museum has to offer. Get to know museum board members as they will be on hand for networking as well. Hors dourves and drinks will be provided by the Museum.

If you are not a member, however, still want to attend an event, the monthly social event is next thursday.  Here is the info:

July Networking Social

 
Join other YPs from throughout Brevard for our next social networking event at The Getaway Martini Bar (7720 N Wickham Rd Melbourne, FL 32940) on Thursday, July 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. 

You’ll enjoy meeting up with friends and making new ones while you enjoy a free beverage and feast on complimentary hors d’oeuvres, provided by The Getaway.

As always, no need to RSVP. Admission is still free for ypB members and $10.00 for nonmembers. Everyone’s invited, so bring your friends along! 

I hope to see you there!!

Did you know that if you have not owned property in the last 3 years that you are considered a first time homebuyer?  That means that you may be eligible for the $8000 first time homebuyer credit if you purchase a home before December 1^st, 2009.

The program is fairly simple: 

·Must be first time homebuyer – That means you haven’t owned a home in the past three years, and your spouse hasn’t either if you’re married.

· Purchase home before December 1^st 2009

·File an amended return on your 2008 tax return, or wait to file on your 2009 tax return

·The credit is for 10% of the purchase price, up to $8000

· The credit amount starts phasing out if you make more than $75,000, or $150,000 if you’re filing a joint return.

·Enjoy the benefit of an $8000 tax credit

With interest rates at historic lows, homes being aggressively priced, and an $8000 tax credit, now is an outstanding time to be a first time homebuyer!  But don’t forget, this offer does have an expiration date.  To be eligible for this money, you must purchase before December of this year.  So call a Mortgage Professional, get pre-approved, and go out there and find your dream home!

There is much new regulation coming down the pipe for the mortgage industry with Regulation Z changes, and RESPA changes; many of my peers are beside themselves and raving mad about the changes.  In the next years many of the rules that hold professionals in the mortgage industry accountable will become stricter.  This may sound crazy, however, I invite the changes with open arms.

 

Why are Mortgage Professionals any different than other professionals?  It is my job to be as exact as possible.  Wouldn’t you be upset if an engineer or architect got “close” to building the road or building correctly?  If you got in any legal trouble you’d be hoping your attorney got better than “close” on the facts.  Certainly if you were sick and needed an operation you would be looking forward to your surgeon being well prepared and informed in the profession he chose, and was exact on his procedure.  

 

Long gone will be the days that someone can make a living in this profession without knowing what they are doing.  Also, I truly hope that those who made boat loads of cash by misleading their clients have also left the industry.  To be a professional means that you study the trade, learn the rules, and know you business just like other professionals.   The public has requested more attention to detail in the mortgage profession and I for one think that’s what they should get.

 

While I am not a fan of rules, regulation, and government intervention, I also believe that the clients should be protected.  We have gone way to long with many making a bad name for few. I think it is time for those many un-professionals to play by the same rules that the true professionals have been playing by all along.  If these rules will weed out the un-professional, and protect the clients, than I welcome them with open arms.

Single Family Residence Sales for May 2009 Show Continued Increase

                The Brevard county real estate market continues to improve at a rapid pace.  Looking at the data for May 2009, sales are up 7% over April 2009.  Sales are also up over 18% year to date through May verses last year.  Sales are up, rates are low, and prices are still favorable.  This is a great time to buy a house.

                Even if you think that prices may still drop, the impending increase in interest rates will more than likely outweigh a small decrease in price (check out this article on this subject).  And with sales on the rise, it is only a matter of time before pricing rebounds.

                While most of the single family residences sales in May seem to be below $100,000, 62% of the sales are above $100,000.  The properties below $100,000, in addition to the first time homebuyer credit, still present an excellent opportunity for those first time home buyers.  If you want to buy a house, but are waiting, you may lose $8000.

                Don’t forget, contrary to popular belief, financing is still available.  66% of those homes purchased in May of 2009 were financed.  Rates are still historically very low, and people are closing on homes with financing.  It is always in your best interest to consult a mortgage professional to go over your purchasing power and financing options.

                     Homes are still priced very aggressively, and interest rates are also at historical lows.  If you have the means to do so, or are even thinking about it, you need to speak with a professional to see if you can make it happen.  Not only will we not see these low prices again, we may not see these low interest rates; and if you are a first time homebuyer, or have not owned a property in three years you may be entitled to an $8000 tax credit.  Now go out there and buy a house!