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

Tips for Home Buyers: Understanding the Lingo - Points - 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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    Buyer Tip: Understanding The Lingo - Points


    Points is a common word you’ll hear when you’re in the process of buying a home or acquiring financing. But what does it mean? A little confusion is understandable because the word can have different meanings.

    Origination points or origination fees are a part of the cost of acquiring a mortgage—they’re the fee you pay to your lender or loan officer as compensation for processing and approving the loan. These are usually a percentage of the total loan amount, but are expressed as points—one point is equal to one percent of the loan amount.

    Discount, or buy-down, points are up-front fees paid to obtain a better interest rate on a loan. Again, one point equals one percent of the loan amount. A lower interest rate results in a lower monthly payment. Each point you pay lowers your rate by specified amount, usually from 0.25% to 0.50%.

    Buy-down points are basically pre-paid interest, so unless you’re refinancing, they're usually tax-deductible. Be sure to contact your tax attorney or CPA if you have questions about deductions of this nature.

    Before you consider buying down your interest rate, it’s important to consider how long you plan to be in the loan. If you decide to refinance or sell the home before your “break-even month”, the money you spent on buying down that interest rate is gone.

    It’s also to your advantage to evaluate current market trends against historical figures. It makes sense to pay points when rates are low if you’re planning to be in the house for an extended period of time. Since it’s unlikely that rates will drop further, there will be no need to refinance.

    Conversely, if rates are high, there is a strong possibility they will come down. The chances of refinancing in the future are good, and you may not be in the loan long enough to recuperate the cost of the points.

    A loan officer should be able to explain your options in plain English … and your Texas REALTOR® can help you assess your alternatives, as well.

    Copyright 2009 TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®


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    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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