Robin CBW Blog

We seem to have a few silver linings breaking through the rain clouds of housing news.  Reports out today show               pending home sales rose unexpectedly in February as well as mortgage loan applications. The National Association of Realtors said its Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in February, increased 2.1 percent to 90.8.  … Continue reading »

Credit scores aren’t fixed in stone. Because they’re calculated based on your current credit report, they change every time your credit report changes. While this change may be very slight, it can also be much more dramatic. Here are some things some financial advisers say to do to try to improve your score: Review your … Continue reading »

Credit scores aren’t fixed in stone. Because they’re calculated based on your current credit report, they change every time your credit report changes. While this change may be very slight, it can also be much more dramatic. Here are some things some financial advisers say to do to try to improve your score: Review your … Continue reading »

If you aren’t careful about your credit, you could end up paying dearly for a low credit score. Not only can a low score stand in the way of getting a loan for your dream home or dream car, but even if you do get the loan, a less-than-stellar score will make it expensive. As … Continue reading »

Although there are several scoring methods, most lenders use the FICO method from Fair Isaac Corporation. Each of t­he three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) worked with Fair Isaac in the early 1980s to come up with the scoring method. A credit score is determined much like a grade in school. Consider how … Continue reading »

We depend on credit for so many important things in life — whether it’s for buying a car, house or computer or getting a student loan. A three-digit number — your credit score — can determine whether you can do these things and even how much it will cost you. How can a simple number … Continue reading »

( Taken from CFA News ) The Federal Housing Finance Agency subpoenaed firms that sold mortgage-backed securities to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as the regulator aims to determine whether issuers can be held liable for losses on the debt. FHFA, which has overseen the government-sponsored mortgage companies since they were placed under conservatorship in … Continue reading »

The Pending Home Sales Index noted that contracts for pending sales of previously owned homes plunged a record 30 percent in May, (The index is 15.9 percent lower than May 2009 and fell sharply in all regions of the country) far more than expected after the tax credit expired at the end of the prior … Continue reading »

This is a re-Post of a past Blog.  I am reposting it due to the fact.. that not much has changed on a positive side of lending since this was written a year ago.  In fact… with the new appraisal changes and the daily underlying investor changes, short sales and distressed properties and property owners,  things … Continue reading »

I usually try to keep my opinions out the daily commentary. But I am really becoming irked by the press. One day they complain about our industry having foreclosure problems and the credit crisis here in the US and in the world. And then the next day they complain about the declining rate of mortgage … Continue reading »

 Here is a some positive news for you to today.  On Wednesday, November 25th, 2009, the Commerce Department stated that has been a rise of 6.2% in New-Homes Sales.  This is a seasonally adjusted annual rate in the amount of 430,000 from an upwardly revised 405,000 in September. There were 239,000 new homes for sale at the end of October 2009, … Continue reading »

Guest Writer for e-PropertyLinks Blog, Rob Chrisman For archived commentaries, check http://www.robchrisman. How much money are mortgage bankers, including management, making? According to the MBAA, average profit per loan is up nicely versus the first quarter moving to over $1,300 on each loan originated in the second quarter. In addition, production volumes were up and … Continue reading »

  Guest Writer for e-PropertyLinks Blog, Rob Chrisman For archived commentaries, check http://www.robchrisman. Sorry the commentary is a little late today. I was trying to track my Chia Pet order. Who could resist? www.chiaobama.com Don’t be the last one on your block to own one! (These may have contributed to the strong Retail Sales number … Continue reading »

In many parts of the country, 1,000,000 can go a long way.   However in other areas, a seven-figure price tag you are willing to plop down simply won’t get you an super luxury apartment or big house in the suburbs with a pool or a house in the Valley with a view of the mountians out one window and the … Continue reading »

  Guest Writer for e-PropertyLinks Blob, Rob Chrisman The scene from this movie was obviously a horrible period in history, but this take on it cracks me up every time:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNmcf4Y3lGM My uncle used to say, “Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.” Or bigger, for that matter. Speaking of big, … Continue reading »

Ted Collins Inspection Services Newsletter – Owner/Operator/Inspector ICC Code Certified, FHA/HUD Certified, Class A Contractor, BS Construction  Engineering Technology, 703-777-9222   www.TedCollins.com   Ted@TedCollins.com  Ted Collins Inspection Services offers numerous property inspections for your home and/or commercial property. We are “licensed in Virginia/Maryland/DC” and have 30 years’ experience, having performed thousands of inspections. I’m a “Certified Combination … Continue reading »

Did you read it?   Did you hear the good news?   No?   That doesn’t really surprise me.  When we are bombarded with such constant negativity by a media that thrives on posting “Toxic Headlines” it is only natural that when we read positive news that comes out, it does nothing to improve our spirits or outlook … Continue reading »