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        <title>Marin Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/marin-mortgage-news/</link>
        <description>Marin Modern Real Estate blog about the real estate market in Marin County, including blog commentary on modern, mid-century modern and architecturally unique properties.</description>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/the-best-mortgage-ratesever.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/the-best-mortgage-ratesever.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>The Best Mortgage Rates....Ever?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  










Although
I rarely comment on interest rates, historic developments cannot be ignored.
Yields on 10-year treasury notes reached their lowest point ever today,
dropping to 1.70. And mortgage interest rates, which move in tandem, followed
suit. We are currently seeing the lowest mortgage rates ever, and with the
European Union’s crisis of confidence caught in a tail spin, there is a fair
chance interest rates may drop farther.

&nbsp;





The last
time we saw int... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 23:17:30 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/comparing-15-year-and-30-year-fixed-mortgages.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/comparing-15-year-and-30-year-fixed-mortgages.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>Comparing 15-Year and 30-Year Fixed Mortgages</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  






There are many different types of mortgage financing
options, each geared to serving certain goals. None are bad, though it is sometimes a difficult task to choose the one that is best suited to your
particular needs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) and their interest only
cousins are often maligned and passed over without consideration, but may be the best option for anyone
planning to sell or refinance within a shorter timeframe. But, with long-term
rates at historic lows, ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:40:11 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/90-jumbo-financing-available-for-purchases-to-972775.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/90-jumbo-financing-available-for-purchases-to-972775.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>90% Jumbo Financing Available for Purchases to $972,775</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  






A great new jumbo loan
product offers 90% financing on purchase prices as high as $972,775. Qualified
borrowers with limited down payment funds are now able to support significantly
higher purchase prices. Until recently, buyers with 10% down payment funds buying in this range were
relegated to FHA loans, which top out at $729,750 and limit purchase prices to
just $810,833. This new loan not only increases purchase power by over
$160,000, but also carries lower closing cos... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:52:09 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/pending-fha-mortgage-insurance-increases-will-raise-borrowers-costs.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/pending-fha-mortgage-insurance-increases-will-raise-borrowers-costs.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>Pending FHA Mortgage Insurance Increases Will Raise Borrowers' Costs</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  






Changes recently implemented
by HUD will increase the cost of upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums
for FHA insured loans with case numbers assigned on or after April 9, 2012. A
second round of increases will go into effect for jumbo FHA loans assigned on
or after June 11 with loan sizes ranging above $625,500 up to the maximum loan
size of $729,750. These increases are geared to replenish the FHA's mortgage
insurance fund, which was recently assessed at having a 50%... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:41:20 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/how-to-improve-credit-scores-to-get-the-best-mortgage.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/how-to-improve-credit-scores-to-get-the-best-mortgage.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>How to Improve Credit Scores to Get the Best Mortgage</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Having good credit is more important than ever to those seeking mortgage financing. A few points either way in one's credit rating can result in significant differences in the interest rate one would receive, or even the ability to qualify for the mortgage at all. To illustrate the value of good credit (or the cost of poor) let's apply standard Fannie Mae adjustments to a purchase scenario with a twenty percent down payment and varying credit scores. Beginning with the current baseline measure ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:48:37 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/succeeding-in-marin-real-estate-market-alternate-ways-to-finance-a-home-purchase.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/succeeding-in-marin-real-estate-market-alternate-ways-to-finance-a-home-purchase.html</link>
            <author>Jonathan@MarinModern.com (Jonathan Jacobs)</author>
            <title>Succeeding In Marin Real Estate Market | Alternate Ways To Finance A Home Purchase</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 


Apparently, some lenders have started doing stated income
loans again. To some, this is a sign that the home loan crisis might be over. Interest
rates are at an all-time low, but there have been whispers that rates will
finally start to increase this year. There are still great deals on Marin
homes, but prices are starting to inch up. As we head out of winter and into spring,
the real estate market usually experiences higher volume, which is another reason
to consider buying now. 


... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:56:46 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/loan-approval-check-list-heres-what-youll-need-to-get-pre-approved.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/loan-approval-check-list-heres-what-youll-need-to-get-pre-approved.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>Loan Approval Check List: Here's What You'll Need to Get Pre-Approved</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  






About once a month, a client is
referred to me who is not only seeking mortgage pre-approval, but who already
has an accepted offer. My surprise is twofold - first, I’m shocked to learn that
they actually managed to get their offer accepted and, second, I’m shocked that
they would even want their offer accepted without being pre-approved! Entering into a purchase agreement
is a serious contractual obligation. As I review their contract, I can hear the
clock ticking… fin... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:35:13 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/financing-for-foreign-nationals-and-us-citizens-living-overseas.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/financing-for-foreign-nationals-and-us-citizens-living-overseas.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>Financing for Foreign Nationals and U.S. Citizens Living Overseas</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Although never a mainstream
lending program for residential properties, many of the larger national banks
used to offer loans for foreign nationals. Amid the major setbacks experienced
by the housing and financial sectors over the past few years, most of these
loan programs were discontinued. Nowadays, even U.S. citizens living abroad
have a tough time securing financing and most foreign nationals eligible for
any level of financing will find themselves obligated to put down at least 50%
... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:10:29 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/increased-fha-limit-to-729750-greater-purchase-power-with-less-money-down.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/increased-fha-limit-to-729750-greater-purchase-power-with-less-money-down.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>Increased FHA limit to $729,750 - greater purchase power with less money down</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  
In a welcome reversal to loan
limit reductions of $625,500 that were imposed on FHA, high balance, and super
conforming loans on October 1, 2011, the FHA increased its high balance limits in
mid-November to the former threshold of $729,750. The increased FHA limit
should be effective throughout 2012, however both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s
high balance and super conforming products currently remain fixed to the lower
amount.



 



The FHA’s higher limit of
$729,750 affords ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:18:22 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/new-conforming-loan-limits-for-single-to-4-unit-properties.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.marinmodern.com/blog/new-conforming-loan-limits-for-single-to-4-unit-properties.html</link>
            <author>nballard@calmtg.com (Nicholas Ballard)</author>
            <title>New conforming loan limits for single to 4-unit properties</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 

Beginning October 1, 2011,
new limits will be implemented for conforming and FHA loan sizes. These changes
will apply to single and multi-family properties (1 to 4-units) and will result
in sizeable loan reductions for many counties. Loans above these limits are
referred to as &quot;non-conforming&quot; and will still be widely available. Non-conforming
loans, however, generally carry higher rates and are somewhat more demanding
with respect to qualifying requirements.





The new ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:08:50 -0500</pubDate>
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