Portland Metro/Tigard Real Estate News

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Thursday, May 14, 2009

Great News For First Time Home Buyers!

GREAT NEWS FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS!

Great news for first-time home buyers. This week, Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development stated that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is now going to permit it's lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8000 tax credit as a down payment. Previously, buyers had to wait to file their taxes to take advantage of the tax credit, which hindered some home buyers from buying.

By allowing buyers to utilize the tax credit as a down payment, money will now be freed up for the buyer that would otherwise be needed at closing. This will allow the first-time home buyer to save their money for a rainy day or for home improvements.

I believe this new program will further stimulate the already improving real estate market, attracting even more first-time home buyers.

There couldn't be any more incentives for first-time home buyers, considering that interest rates are at an all time low, home prices are not over inflated and there are plenty of homes to choose from. Sellers would have to give the home away for free for there to be a better deal. This is the absolute best time to be a first-time home buyer.

Consumer confidence needs a boost and I feel that this is just the news that will do it or at least light a fire. Now, if only the news media such as the TODAY Show would report on this great news instead of always reporting on the negatives about the real estate market, consumer confidence would increase.

If you are a first-time home buyer, get out there and find your home before this tax credit is gone in November.


Mortgage Interest Rates*
Rates as of Wednesday, 13th May, 2009:


Conforming APR Payment per
$1,000
Jumbo APR Payment per
$1,000

Conforming FNMA Fixed 5.0% 5.088% $5.37 % 0.000% $0.00
FHA 97% Fixed 4.875% 4.962% $5.29 % 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 15 Fixed 4.625% 4.711% $5.14 0% 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 3 year ARM 4.5% 4.585% $5.07 % 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 5 year ARM 4.5% 4.585% $5.07 % 0.000% $0.00
Jumbo Fixed 7.0% 7.099% $6.65 % 0.000% $0.00
Jumbo 5 year ARM 6.125% 6.219% $6.08 % 0.000% $0.00
*Rates are subject to change due to market fluctuations and borrower's eligibility.

Information provided by...

Kevin Donahue
Executive Mortgage Advisor
Wealthbridge Mortgage
Phone: 503.501.6468
Fax: 503.597.7525
kevin.donahue@wealthbridge.com
http://www.wealthbridge.com/ <http://portal.mxlogic.com/redir/?FTujKDuX8USDtYQsEEIEzzhOr016fQ-pcx6i17-nMTvHTLuX3XNEVsdTdPZlo_p_g57RS4WRf8l3-ndEIe9I6QkS4QSbI9LCQNNIb7Xek6Rkzh02ZDVEw2qO6PYQg0LZgb6V-7PNo_pgdECQjqtTPhOyyOyMyrD06O>

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1 comment:

Richard Stabile Bergen County Real Estate said...

My only worry here as the market starts to pick up and clean up some inventory is that interest rates don't creep up. The way many countries are investing in our treasuries which hold our rates down seem to be a bit shaky.
Our home sale in Bergen County New Jersey are doing well now in late mid spring. I just hope it continues.