Blog Category

Buying a First House: Do You Know Anyone Who Should Consider It

The Federal Government has offered a tremendous incentive with its $8000 tax credit to any first time home buyer who buys before November 30, 2009.

Read more...

We occasionally receive referrals from homeowners facing economic hardship calling about loan modifications. Recently we stumbled across a Department of Justice media release that speaks to this question and we thought it worthy of passing on to you. Read on for more…

Read more...

Jeff and Mary came into my office. They had filled out a Personal Overview and had brought with them much of the paperwork needed to make a mortgage application. We spent about an hour together and after careful consideration (along with some pecking on the calculator) it became clear that they could just qualify for a starter home.

Read more...

“Mortgage. Yikes! It is hard to imagine looking at my credit report and seeing a six-figure line item. That is six-figures that I need to pay back. Sure I have had school loans in the thousands and some credit card debt but this, this is something totally different. Is mortgage debt good?”

Read more...

Just signed and sealed…a $787 Billion Stimulus Plan made up of tax cuts and spending programs aims at reviving the US economy. Although the package was scaled down from nearly $1 Trillion, it still stands as the largest anti-recession effort since World War II.

Home owners and potential homebuyers stand to gain from key provisions in this stimulus plan. Here is what we know as of today… (Read more…)

Read more...

We would love to get all philosophical with you about financial health and planning. And it is true that we want every friend and client to be in a secure and wise loan. But the reality is RATES ARE GREAT. We are looking at rates that are at some all time lows. Yes, there are some unique challenges right now. (read more…)

Read more...

There is one big issue that comes up over and over within our Equity Design Community: What is the next Priority in my financial Plan?
We have written an article to answer that very question.

Read more...

All over the financial news this week we read of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the swift move of the government over the weekend to all but nationalize these two entities. There are and will be many ramifications from this move, but uncertainty abounds on the medium and long term effects. One thing is for certain though - rates have dropped on average .5%.

Read more...

FHA loans have become more prominently used in the recent few months because of the various underwriting flexibilities that conventional loans do not have. Many of these flexibilities used to be found in ALT-A & subprime mortgage programs but because of the credit collapse these loans are no longer available. Read on to learn more about FHA loans in today’s market…

Read more...

Questions and answers about the Hope for Homeowners Act of 2008, passed by Congress last weekend to try to steer as many as 400,000 struggling homeowners away from foreclosure:

Read more...

We live in tricky times. There is no denying that our current economic environment offers hurdles (and opportunities). The combination of the slowed housing market (Portland has flatlined and in some areas homes have lost value) coupled with the credit crunch, has infused fear into the American population.

Insecurity and fear are often cured by self-examination and intentional living.

Read more...

Andi came into my office the other day. She had been recommended to us through a member of the Equity Design community. Andi has a dream…

Read more...

There are the typical issues that every mortgage plan needs to consider: cash flow, time frame, program, leveraged reserves, underwriting requirements and return on investment.

In addition to these, there are many other essential elements we need to consider. Check out our video on the subject:

Read more...