by Brian P. Forrester on January 26, 2012
If Extreme Couponing can be a reality show, just think what some down payment assistance can do for your real reality. Both Pasco and Pinellas counties in Florida have revamped their programs and have rolled out some really impressive down payment assistance from their respective counties.
Pasco County’s down payment opportunities can range from $20K to 30K while the program in Pinellas ranges from 5K to 20K.
What makes these programs even more attractive to home buyers interested in living in Pasco County is that the qualified properties have been rehabilitated and remodeled and probably require very little to do in the way of repairs and overall beautification. (What more could you ask for?)
I’ve always believed home ownership is the best gift anyone can give themselves. I don’t say that because it’s my business, I say that because that’s the reason why I’m in this business. But still, it’s a consumer purchase and should be considered as you would anything you buy; is it the right fit and are you getting the most for your money?
At the end of the day, I prefer to consult with clients as soon as they are considering a purchase so we can get them the best bang for their buck.
by Brian P. Forrester on January 19, 2012
In a perfect world I would tower over most at an imposing height of 6’5”. In that same perfect world potential home buyers wouldn’t have to contend with credit disputes. Lately I’ve seen a lot of hiccups in mortgage processing with Fannie, Freddie and FHA due to judgments and liens and even minor credit disputes that hold up the works.
These are the types of “gotchas” we must get our arms around as soon as possible. It’s one of the many reasons I conduct such a thorough consultation/investigation when I first meet with a client.
The Mortgage Process is Like a Project
With the ultimate goal in mind, you must assemble the steps that constitute the plan while giving priority to long-lead items. By allowing sufficient time to complete those tasks they cannot pose conflict with subsequent ones.
What I’m saying is, even if it means paying off a minor balance you are disputing or submitting a letter to rescind a dispute so your mortgage process can proceed, you can move on with your life (and home purchase!).
How do our friends at Wikipedia define playing chicken? “The principle of the game is that while each player prefers not to yield to the other, the worst possible outcome occurs when both players do not yield.”
At the end of the day, sometimes you need to back down in order to win.
