Can You Get an FHA Mortgage during the Government Shutdown?

The simple answer to that question is YES!  HUD drafted a 67 page contingency plan in the event of a government shutdown. The HUD 2013 Contingency Plan Draft 9/25/2013 states the Office of Single Family Housing will:

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 30, 2013: Mortgage Rates Trending Lower

mortgageporter-economyThe debt ceiling is influencing the markets today with the potential threat of the government shutting down at midnight tonight. Did you know that Congress is exempt from furloughs and will still be paid if the government shuts down?

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Seattle Real Estate Chat: When your Real Estate Agent or Mortgage Originator “wears two hats” [Video] #SeattleREchat

Our most recent episode of Seattle Real Estate Chat focused on real estate agents or lenders who wear two hats. Jim Reppond of Coldwell Banker Danforth and I discuss transactions where a buyers lender is also their real estate agent OR when the buyer works with the listing agent (listing agent is both sellers agent and buyers agent). Sometimes a buyer may believe the listing agent is working for them, when the listing agent may only be working for the seller. It can be a complicated situation.

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Reader question: What can we do during the waiting period?

MortgagePorterHourGlassHouseIf you’ve had a bankruptcy, short sale or foreclosure, there is a waiting period that must take place before you can start the mortgage process. Wait periods vary depending on the type of derogatory event and the mortgage program. This reader’s excellent question is from an article I recently wrote about FHA’s “Back to Work” program.

We will reach our 1 year mark on January 30. Can we do anything before then to get the process started or do we have to wait until January 31?

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What May Impact Mortgage Rates this Week: September 23, 2013

mortgageporter-economyMortgage rates are improved after last week’s Fed Meeting with the indication the Fed will delay tapering off their purchase of mortgage backed securities. Watch for news regarding whether or not Congress is going to raise the debt ceiling to avoid a government shut down on October 1 as this may impact the direction of mortgage rates.

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