Mortgage Master will be closed in observance of this holiday. We will reopen for business as usual on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
A Long Overdue Friday Funny
September 4, 2009 by Leave a Comment
If you live in the Seattle area, you've most likely heard about the cougar that's been spotted in the Magnolia neighborhood…but did you know that this tricky feline has her own Twitter page?
She's been taunting trappers and posting pictures of recent tasty tidbits with Twitter updates. I'm sure this will make the evening news…in fact this kitty is following local reporter Rebeca Stevenson who recently received a tweet from King 5 (competing station and her former employer) that the cougar is on the prowl:
RT @KING5Seattle: .@StevensonRebeca — watch out for @MagnoliaCougar! Red lipstick and cocktail in hand. 🙂
It's all good fun and has really given me a good chuckle today. You can check out what the "SEEADDLE Kitteh" is up to by visiting www.twitter.com/magnoliacougar
WARNING: This kitty does like to drop the f-bomb in tweets.
Are You Doing an FHA 203k Rehab Mortgage Right Now?
August 5, 2009 by 8 Comments
If so, you may want to check with your mortgage professional to make sure they are still able to deliver this product. Yesterday, HUD suspended a major lender, TBW, from doing FHA mortgages leaving thousands of mortgage brokers and their clients in a lurch. If you're working with a mortgage broker with a standard FHA mortgage that was being brokered to Taylor, Bean, Whitaker, your mortgage originator should be able to find a new source for the financing. However, it's my understanding that for mortgage brokers, TBW was one of the few lenders offering FHA 203k's to mortgage brokers and their loyal clients.
203k mortgages have been gaining in popularity, especially the Streamlined FHA 203k, as they allow home buyers to make repairs to homes with one mortgage at a rate lower than what you would typically find with a construction loan. With the amount of homes that have been neglected due to the economy, 203k's have been a good match.
I feel badly for mortgage brokers being thrown yet another curve ball. If you are in the process of getting a 203k with a mortgage broker, hopefully everything is fine but I recommend that you contact your mortgage originator to make sure.
NOTE: TBW is not Mortgage Master Service Corporation's source for FHA 203k (or any) mortgages.
UPDATE August 12, 2009: It's my understanding that Bank of America may be taking over TBW's servicing of FHA mortgage loans.
Reminder: No Closings this Friday for King and Snohomish Counties
May 18, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Due to budget restraints in King and Snohomish Counties, the recorders office will be closed this Friday and will not reopen until Tuesday (due to Memorial Day). This means that if you are buying, selling or refinancing a home; the Deed or new mortgage (Deed of Trust) cannot be recorded on these dates. Pierce County's recorders office will remain open Friday, May 22, 2009.
The Talon Group has calendars available with recording schedules for King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties–click here. Each county is doing their own thing to their respective budgets. Just last month, Snohomish County announced that they are closing early on Friday's (if they are not on furlough).
If you have a transaction scheduled to close on property located in King or Snohomish Counties this Friday, May 22, you may want to check with your real estate and mortgage professionals.
Get Your Car Washed and Do a Good Deed in Issaquah Today
April 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Dawn Appel is a former employee of The Talon Group. She has been couragously battling leukemia. From 8:00 am – 4:00 pm today in Issaquah, you can get your car washed to help raise funds in her honor and to help support her family.
If you can't make it to the car wash but would still like to donate click here.
I’m here!
April 17, 2009 by Leave a Comment
I can't remember since Mortgage Porter's inception going so many days without writing a post…the simple fact is I have to prioritize where I spend my time and these days, it's working with people who need assistance with a mortgage for a home located in Washington State. With fewer loan originators and increased volumes, any mortgage originator who's worth their salt is inundated in business.
In addition to what's going on during this historic time in the mortgage industry, I was recently "tapped" to help the Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals to serve as their Chair of the Social Media Networking Committee. Why would I do this now? Quite simply, I believe consumers deserve the freedom to choose who they want to work with. WAMP needs help getting their message out to Washington State mortgage originators and consumers. There is so much mis-information out there about mortgage originators (especially mortgage brokers) that I feel I must dedicate a few hours a month to help my fellow Washington State mortgage originator sisters and brothers. In the end, it helps you, the consumer. Without the mortgage broker industry, you would primarily have big banks and credit unions for your mortgage selections. Mortgage brokers and correspondent lenders create competition which is always good for the consumer. I've always believed that you shouldn't sit back and complain about situations that disturb you–we must take action. Hopefully my bit to help the Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals reach out to loan originators and consumers will make some sort of positive difference.
On that note…today I'm at the Washington Real Estate Industry Summit which is featuring Dave Reichert as the Key Note Speaker. This is an all day event so I will not be posting rates today. It should be interesting event and I look forward to reporting back to you with the nitty gritty.
Spring? Forward
March 7, 2009 by Leave a Comment
With this morning's snow and potentially more on the way, it's funny to think about Spring with our wacky weather. I remember hearing one of my neices last year refer to our Spring as Swinter. Let's hope it's not like last year…I'm ready for a "real" Spring…and so are my Bleeding Hearts.
Don't forget to "Spring Forward" and set your clocks ahead one hour before you to sleep tonight.
The Seattle Boat Show
January 25, 2009 by 2 Comments
Yesterday, my husband and I went to The Seattle Boat Show which is 
taking place right now at Qwest Field Event Center. I'm not a boater. In fact, I don't even swim. I had fun checking out the sea of boats from yachts to motorized kayaks and the Junk Raft…it's pretty amazing.
Booth after booth of gadgets and classic tradeshow salespeople offering you an "almost free cookie" if you'll just stop by to hear their pitch (no thanks). I can't help but wonder how our economy is impacting this market…especially compared to real estate?
The Seattle Boat Show runs through Sunday, February 1, 2009. In addition to the indoor event, South Lake Union has a "floating" show.
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