Housing Comp’s vs. Lender Comp’s To Realtors, a Comp (“Comparable Sold Property”) is a nearby, recently sold home similar in size, style, and condition to the “subject home” (the home being valued). What’s a “Comp” to a lender? The borrower’s annual income for any given year. Excluding a Harmful Comp Just like the key to...Read More
Allowing Enough Time Test your knowledge of the residential mortgage process, and answer the following question: For lenders underwriting a mortgage, what is the key date in a transaction? A. When the Purchase Agreement is finally accepted (it’s officially a “done deal”). B. When the Inspection Contingency is removed. C. The Written Statement deadline specified...Read More
Mortgage Rates Pop 25 Basis Points Monday “Economists have predicted nine out of the last five recessions.” –Paul Samuelson Just because economists have been predicting, wrongly, for years now that interest rates are about to rise doesn’t mean that it won’t happen. Someday. In the meantime, there are periodic tremblors, suggesting that rates won’t stay...Read More
Practice Tip for Agents Whose Listing Sold in Multiple Offers “Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.” –The Golden Rule What trumps The Golden Rule (at least temporarily)? What I’ll call “The House Key Rule”: whomever controls access to an MLS-listed home controls the sale. That’s particularly relevant in the wake of multiple offers, when...Read More
Making the Mattress Look Good “Investors are willing to lose a little to make sure they don’t lose a lot.” –“Accentuate the Negative”; The Economist (1/24/2015) Could today’s already infinitesimal interest rates ever actually fall below zero, to the point where mortgages sport negative interest rates? My knee jerk reaction is, “Of course not! That...Read More
Refinance Redux Scarcely six weeks ago, I noted that stock market turmoil was prompting a flight to safety, which in turn was driving down interest rates and serving up a golden refinancing opportunity. Guess what? After a year-end rally, global stocks are once again swooning — along with interest rates. Bottom line: if you’re sitting...Read More
