Good News for Buyers - Tax Credit Deadline Extended

Nothing like waiting until the last minute! Nonetheless, there are many happy home buyers who were anxiously waiting to know whether the tax credit would be extended, so they could close on their home. Although I personally made it to the end of June with all my home buyers able ...

Home Renovations That Increase Your Resale Value (2010 Edition)

Not all home improvements are created equal. Especially if you're looking for "resale value" back from your work.

An article from the Wall Street Journal lays it out cleanly. Function beats flash these days so be wary of where you spend.

Environmental upgrades such as home insulation and energy-efficient ...

Attention Indianapolis Homeowners - IMPORTANT NEWS

If you are an Indianapolis home owner with a current Homestead exemption on your property, please read this!!!

This past week the new tax bills were mailed and as expected, almost everyone realized a reduction in thier taxes due in 2010. Ah - the joy. Now remember to vote in November ...

7 Weeks Remain To Find A Home, Claim Up To $8,000 In Tax Credits

In November, Congress extended and expanded the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program to include a subset of "move-up" buyers -- homeowners that have owned and lived in their home for 5 of the last 8 years.

The credit ranges up to $8,000 per buyer. There's now just 7 ...

7 Ways To Protect Your Credit Score For Better Mortgage Rates

As mortgage lenders tighten approval standards in Indianapolis and nationwide, the importance of a good credit score is rising.  Credit scores not only make the difference between a mortgage approval and mortgage turn-down, but they also play a large role in determining your actual mortgage note rate.

In the 3-minute ...

Pending Home Sales Predicts A Stronger Spring Market

The Pending Home Sales Index rose slightly in December, climbing 1 percent from November.

A Pending Home Sale is a home that is under contract to sell, but not yet sold. It's a figure compiled by the National Association of Realtors® using sales data from over 100 regional listing ...

Home Values Rose In November 2009 By Another 0.7 Percent

Reporting on a two-month lag, the government said home values rose 0.7 percent in November. 

National home prices are at their highest point since February 2009.

But before we look too much into the FHFA's Home Price Index, it's important that we're cognizant of its shortcomings ...

2010 Conforming Loan Limits

A conforming mortgage is one that, quite literally, conforms to the mortgage guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Each year, the government sets the maximum allowable loan size for a conforming mortgage, based on "typical" housing costs nationwide. 

Loans in excess of this amount are typically called ...

Winning the Bid on a HUD Home

In Pursuit of a Winning Bid

For the last eight months I have been working with a first time home buyer in the $80,000 price range.  Based on her criteria, the area she wanted to live and price of the average home in the area, we knew it wouldn ...

Buying a HUD Home in Indianapolis

HUD Homes are a Good Value

HUD homes in Indianapolis generally represent a great value for the home buyer's. Since the inception of the $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers, HUD owned homes have  literally been "flying off the MLS active list", with many being sold in ...