Good News on FHA Property Flipping Policy for Sales Price Exceeding 20% over Acquisition Price

This is great news!! We are proud to announce that we can now close FHA purchases that are to be sold under the 90 day seasoning rule. This is good until February 11th 2011.

The best part is that we CAN go over the 20% increase in price! 

The seller will have to show proof of receipts and the required 2nd appraisal must verify these repairs along with the value.

Here are the requirements for the standard FHA purchase under 90 days seasoning and also below the 20% increase. The requirements for above a 20% increase are below.

  • All transactions must be arms-lengths, with no identity of interest between the buyer and seller or other parties participating in the sales transaction.
  • The Seller holds title to the property.
  • The transaction is not a simultaneous closing.
  • The contract of sale for the purchase of the property is fully executed and dated between Feb.1, 2010 and Feb.1, 2011.
  • LLC’s, corporations, or trusts that are serving as sellers were established and are operated in accordance with applicable state and Federal law.
  • The LLC’s Operating Agreement or documentation that reflects membership in the LLC must be reviewed to determine the transaction is non-arms length to ensure the borrower is not affiliated with the LLC.
  • There is no pattern of previous flipping activity for the subject property, as evidenced by multiple title transfers within a 12-month time frame (chain of title information for the subject property can be found in the appraisal report).
  • The property was marketed openly and fairly, via MLS, auction, For Sale by Owner offering, or developer marketing (Not allowed, any sales contracts that refer to an “assignment of contract of sale,” which represents a special arrangement between seller and buyer).

 

Here are the guidelines when the property is over a 20% increase. It must have a 2nd appraisal and the seller will be required to pay for it.

Justifies the increase in value by retaining in the loan file a second appraisal which verifies that the seller completed sufficient legitimate renovation, repair, and rehabilitation work on the subject property to substantiate the increase in value or, in case where no work is performed, the appraiser provides appropriate explanation of the increase in property value since the prior title transfer; and

 

Orders a property inspection and provides the inspection report to the purchaser before closing. The lender may charge the borrower for the inspection. The use of FHA-Approved inspectors or 203(k) consultants is not required. The inspector must have no interest in the property or relationship with the seller, and must not receive compensation for the inspection from any party other than the lender.

Also, the inspector may not compensate anyone for the referral of the inspection.

Additionally, the inspector may not receive any compensation for referring or recommending contractors to perform any repairs recommended by the inspection. At a minimum, the inspection must include:

i. The property structure, including the foundation, floor, ceiling, walls and roof;  

ii. The exterior, including siding, doors, windows, appurtenant structures such as decks and balconies, walkways and driveways;

iii. The roofing, plumbing systems, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning systems;

iv. All interiors; and

v. All insulation and ventilation systems, as well as fireplaces and solid-fuel-burning appliances.

I know that we have had to turn down many loans due to this seasoning issue but look forward to helping all of our Realtors close some more deals this year.

Please contact me if there is anything I can do to help or if you have any questions or concerns.

 Tim Hart

239-910-5668

thart453@vnadykmortgage.com

Homebuyer Tax Credit Expires on June 30th 2010!

This is just a reminder to all potential homebuyers and investors about the Home Buyer Tax Credit.

You must have a signed contract by April 30th 2010 and closed on your home by June 30th 2010.

Here is the timeline for a typical home buyer in our market so you can be prepared.

Pre-Approval Process: 24 to 48 hours

Shopping for a home and having your contract accepted: 30-60 days

Loan Underwriting and Closing: 30-45 days

As you can tell by our timelines the total process can take well over three months.

If you want to buy a house and need financing the time to start the home buying process is February 1st or even better TODAY.

This gives you enough time to get the home you want and close your loan on time.

With whole country trying to close their loan before the June 30th deadline to take advantage of the amazing tax credit you don’t want to be  stuck in the middle of that log jam!

Let’s get started today! Use our Free Purchasse Assistant to start the pre-approval process.

Click Here to get Pre-Approved!

There are now two different tax credits available for home buyers.

The original tax credit is the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and you can receive a tax credit up to 10% of the sales price or $8,000 whichever is less.

Click Here to learn more: First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

The newest Tax Credit is for Move Up/ Repeat Home Buyers. You can receive up to 10% of the sales price or $6,500, whichever is less.

Click here to learn more: Move up/Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit  

Hope this helps you make an informed decision and please call me with any questions or concerns.

You can reach me at 239-437-4278 ext 11 or on my cell phone at 239-910-5668.

Good Luck!

Tim Hart

Santa Land at Sun Splash in Cape Coral

If you live in Lee County and are looking for some family Christmas fun this weekend you may be in luck!

The City of Cape Coral will be holding a new event at Sun Splash called “Santa Land”.

The event will be from 12/18- 12/23 starting at 5pm to 11pm.

It will include a  mini-carnival, train rides around the park, visits with Santa, a children’s craft area, and a Waltzing Waters liquid fireworks display.

$10 each will get you in the doors and allow you to do everything the event will offer and all the proceeds go to the Sunshine Kids.

For more information, call Cape Coral Parks & Recreation at (239) 573-3128.

Foreclosure Filing Fell 8% in November for the 4th Month in a Row!

 

CNN.com is reporting that foreclosure filings fell by 8% in November, making it the fourth consecutive month of improvement in the housing market.

This is great news for our nation and with it being the 4th month in a row we hope it continues to decrease.

As the housing inventory is lowered you will see prices stabilize and even increase.

This will allow for prices to rise up and will bring the option of building a home back to our market.

Remember when people built homes??

It seems like a long time ago for SW Florida Real Estate but it will happen once the current inventory has run out.

With the First Time Home Buyers tax credit being extended and the super low real estate prices we truly expect 2010 to be a great year for us and the real estate buyer in Lee County!

Here is the entire article from CNN.com: http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/10/real_estate/Novermber_foreclosure_report/index.htm

Jeff Kottkamp Speaks About Chinese Drywall in Lee County

 

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp made an appearance at the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers to discuss what homeowners should do if they have Chinese Drywall.

We know several clients and friends of ours who own homes in Cape Coral and Fort Myers that are either uninhabitable or utter money pits.

Hopefully something happens soon to help these homeowners out who have been affected by this major problem.

It is pretty crazy to see that Jeff Kottkamps own house has Chinese drywall. I guess it can happen to anybody!:)

In the meantime if you are out looking to buy a new home, do yourself a favor and have a chinese drywall inspection. It could save you thousands of dollars or more!

Here is the entire article from the News-Press: http://www.news-press.com/article/20091205/NEWS0111/91205020/1076/HOMESCAPE99

Job Alert for Nurses in Lee County!

We just heard that Express Personnel Services on College Pkwy is looking for 200 licensed nurses in Lee County to give the H1N1 vaccine. The hours can be flexible and the pay is around $17 to $20 an hour.

 

Their phone number is 239-277-9675 and they are taking calls and applications for this job right now.

 

Good luck!