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

Tips for Home Buyers: Not Just the House - 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
    (214) 853-9497 fax

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    Rich Patterson - Dave Perry-Miller Dallas Texas Real Estate

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    Buyer Tip: Not Just The House


    After you’ve made the decision to buy a home, it pays to prioritize your needs and wants. It goes without saying that when you do this, you’ll consider standard home features, like number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, living areas, kitchens, and outdoor amenities. That covers the basics of the house itself, but what about features of the neighborhood?

    School quality is the major factor for many buyers—particularly those with children. Even people without children value good schools—they typically are one of the major factors in the home’s resale value. There are lots of ways to perform research, like visiting with school officials, talking with neighborhood residents, and using the Internet.

    School Information

    Of course, you want to feel safe in your new place, so again, talk to the neighbors and surf around on the Internet to check on various crime statistics for different zip codes.

    Dallas Crime Map

    Other factors that you may consider important are amount of traffic and access to major roads; proximity, condition, and available amenities of parks; emergency and city services; entertainment options and local nightlife; proximity to major retail shopping, a large grocery store, or a hospital. You get the idea—whatever’s important to you.

    Other Community Information

    There are so many reasons you may like or dislike a particular house or neighborhood. Having an idea of what you’re looking for is going to help you narrow your options and be a more educated consumer. After you’ve gotten all of this straight, let your Texas REALTOR® know about your needs and wants. As an expert in the local area, he can help you find the right neighborhood for you.

    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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