Ever heard of HARP? It is the Home Affordable Refinance Program, a government-run program that allows folks with a Fannie-Mae or Freddie-Mac guaranteed loan to refinance at a lower, fixed rate. Instead of refinancing at a max of 105% loan-to-value (LTV), it is now capped at 125%. This means that...
Issues
HERA, TILA and HOEPA: Making Sense of These Acronyms
Do you ever find yourself having conversations in acronyms and abbreviations? I guess it makes sense to shorten phrases, especially when using those terms frequently in conversation, but not everyone knows what they are all the time. So to increase your list of known acronyms, I provide you with information...
A Brief On The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC)
If you keep up with real estate news, you’ve surely heard about the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). If you don’t keep up with that stuff, you’re in the right place! Here is a brief summary on what this is, what it means to you, and how things are...
Cost of Living in The Shenandoah Valley
Moving to a new area can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to figure out how your new lifestyle will compare to your old one, especially in terms of cost of living. To help, I’ve put together a little chart comparing different areas within the Shenandoah Valley. This will assist...
Rent-to-Own: Is It a Good Choice?
Renting-to-own is an option that many have been considering lately, especially with the economy the way it is. So, what are the pros and cons of this option? Is it a good choice for you? These deals, also called rent-to-own and lease-option, usually require buyers to pay extra rents each...
The Truth About Radon
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and it is nearly impossible to tell if your home is emitting radon unless you test for it. According to Radon.com, Radon is defined as follows: Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or...