Rich Patterson, Realtor, RE/MAX Urban, Downtown Dallas, Uptown Dallas, Oak Lawn, Oak Cliff

Tips for Home Buyers: Closing Costs - Contact Rich Patterson, Downtown / Uptown Dallas Realtor

Saturday, 05/19/2012


Real Estate News
Dallas & National


Market Update

March 2012

176 New Listings
17 Active Foreclosures
80 Sold

  • 94.76% of List Price
  • 111 Average Days on the Market
  • 23 Median Days on the Market
  • Stats shown include Downtown Dallas, Uptown, Victory Park and Oak Lawn.

    Read more about current Dallas Real Estate Market Activity.


    2011
    Annual School Report

    This Annual School Report is provided by my friends at Republic Title


    WR Starkey Mortgage News

    HUD has come out with more major changes that will have an impact on files with case number ordered on or after April 1, 2012 (April 9. 2012 for UFMIP and MIP). Case numbers stay with the property, not the client. Case numbers may not be ordered until there is a fully executed contract in place.

    #1- Increase in Upfront and Monthly MIP

    The UFMIP will be increased from 1 percent to 1.75 percent of the base loan amount. This increase applies regardless of the amortization term or LTV ratio. FHA will continue to permit financing of this charge into the mortgage. Again, this change is effective for case numbers assigned on or after April 9, 2012. In addition, the monthly MIP will increase by .10.

    #2- Dispute Accounts OR Collection Accounts Must be Paid if over Cumulative $1000

    If the borrower has individual or multiple disputed credit accounts or collections with singular or cumulative balances equal to or greater than $1,000, the accounts must be resolved (e.g. payment arrangements with a minimum three months of verified payments made as agreed) or paid in full, prior to, or at the time of closing. The lender must obtain documentation supporting the payment arrangements or that the debt has been paid off. The payments arranged for the accounts must be included in the calculation of the borrower's debt-to-income ratios.

    Disputed credit accounts or collections resulting from identity theft, credit card theft, or unauthorized use, etc., will be excluded from the $1,000 limit under the terms shown below.

    The mortgagee must provide in the case binder, a credit report or letter from the creditor, or other appropriate documentation, to support that the borrower filed an identity theft or police report to dispute the fraudulent charges. Mortgagees must provide documentation in the case binder to show all disputed or collection accounts are resolved, verified as not a debt to the borrower, arrangements made for payment, or paid in full.

    This update is provided by my friends at WR Starkey Mortgage. Contact Susan Moore with WR Starkey for your loan approval and call or email me to help you find and close the sale on your new home.


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    Rich Patterson

    REALTOR®
    Dave Perry-Miller & Associates
    (214) 563-1667 mobile
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    Buyer Tip: Closing Costs


    Everyone knows that in most cases you’ll need at least a small down payment to purchase a home … but that’s not all. You’ll also need to come to the transaction with money for closing costs, which can be sizeable.

    Your lender is required by the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) to provide a good faith estimate of your closing costs. This estimate is an itemized list of fees you’ll pay to get a loan.

    Mortgage closing costs cover things like appraisals, attorney fees, title insurance, taxes, and other expenses associated with getting a loan.

    A property appraisal is generally required by a lender before loan approval to ensure that the mortgage loan amount is not more than the value of the property. An appraiser is needed to make this determination.

    A survey of the property is usually required to verify that boundary lines for your property, easements, and fences are where they’re supposed to be.

    You’re about to buy the home … after that, you’ll own it, right? Well, in some cases, there may be a lien on the property, or some historical dispute to your right of possession. A title search fee is paid to the title company for doing detailed research on the property records for your home. The title company will look at prior deeds, court records, property and name indexes, and many other documents. This is to ensure that there are no liens or problems associated with your ownership of the property.

    You’ll need homeowner’s insurance, which covers the costs of rebuilding should an insured event occur. In some cases, your first year's insurance may be paid at closing.

    Other fees that you may see include attorney fees, courier fees, pest inspection, plat drawing, underwriting, flood-zone certification, document preparation, and others.

    It’s important to check your lender fees and closing costs carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice … the only bad question is one that you don’t ask. This is where your Texas REALTOR® can really help.

    Copyright 2009 TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®


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    Connecting home buyers and sellers in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding Metroplex communities.

    Dave Perry-Miller & Associates
    2828 Routh Street, Suite 100
    Dallas, Texas 75201
    Texas License #0578882
    (214) 563-1667 mobile
    (214) 853-9497 fax
    (214) 303-1133 office

    Send Email to Rich Patterson


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