Fannie Mae has announced recently that it will suspend evictions of foreclosed single family and 2-4 unit properties from December 19, 2012 through January 2, 2013. Legal and administrative proceedings for evictions may continue, but families living in foreclosed properties will be allowed to remain in the home during this period.

“We’re taking this step in support of families who have faced financial challenges and gone through a foreclosure,” says Terry Edwards, executive vice president of Credit Portfolio Management, Fannie Mae. “The holidays are a chance to be with loved ones and we want to relieve some stress at this time of year. We encourage homeowners having difficulty to reach out for help as soon as possible.”

Previously, Fannie Mae announced a temporary suspension of foreclosure sales and evictions ^[1] in areas designated for individual assistance by FEMA due to Hurricane Sandy. That 90-day suspension will last through February 1, 2013.

Homeowners can visit www.knowyouroptions.com ^[2] for resources on how to prevent foreclosure, including contact information for Fannie Mae’s 12 Mortgage Help Centers located across the country.

For more information, visit www.fanniemae.com ^[3]

Seal air leaks around your windows and doors to prevent wasting precious home heating and cooling energy that costs you money.

Check for air leaks

With windows and doors closed, hold a lit stick of incense near window and door frames where drafts might sneak in. Watch for smoke movement. Note what sources need caulk, sealant, and weather-stripping.

Seal air leaks around windows

If you have old windows, caulking and adding new weatherstripping goes a long way toward tightening them up.

• Bronze weatherstripping ($12 for 17 feet) lasts for decades but is time-consuming to install.

• Self-stick plastic types are easy to put on but don’t last very long.

• Adhesive-backed EPDM rubber ($8 for 10 feet) is a good compromise, rated to last at least 10 years.

Nifty gadgets called pulley seals ($9 a pair) block air from streaming though the holes where cords disappear into the frames.

Seal air leaks around doors

Check for air leaks, and replace old door weatherstripping with new.

• Foam-type tape has an adhesive backing; it’s inexpensive and easy to install. If it comes loose, reinforce it with staples.

• Felt is either adhesive-backed or comes with flexible metal reinforcement. it must be tacked or glued into place. It’s cheap and easy to install, but it has low durability.

• Tubular rubber, vinyl, and silicone weatherstripping is relatively expensive and tricky to install, but it provides an excellent seal. Some types come with a flange designed to fit into pre-cut grooves in the jambs of newer doors; check your existing weatherstripping and replace with a similar style.

Check exterior trim for any gaps between the trim and your door frames, and the trim and your siding. Caulk gaps with an exterior latex caulk ($5 for a 10-ounce tube).

Seal door bottoms

If a draft comes in at the bottom, check the condition of the threshold gasket. Replace worn gaskets. If you can see daylight under the door, you may need to install a new threshold with a taller gasket ($25 for a 36-inch door). Or, install a weather-resistant door sweep designed for exterior doors ($9). Door sweeps attach directly to the door and are easy to install.

Email Me To Discuss Your Real Estate Needs – Regina@ReginaWallace.com

New Fannie and Freddie rules and bipartisan bills aim to speed the short sale process, preventing more home owners from slipping into foreclosure and keeping the economy on its feet.

Why do short sales take so long to get approved?

Short sales languish on the market or fall through altogether even when a REALTOR® has a seller and a buyer lined up, because it can take months for short sales to work through a bank’s complicated bureaucracy.
Short sales can also be held up by second mortgage lenders or mortgage-backed securities investors that refuse to accept the deal even though the bank that has the first mortgage wants to do the deal.
Currently, it can take as long as nine months to approve a short sale. That’s too long to ask home buyers to wait for a response to their offer. Can you imagine putting in an offer on a house only to be told: “We’ll get back to you in nine months?”
“The current short sale process can be time-consuming and inefficient, and many would-be buyers end up walking away from a sale that could have saved a home owner from foreclosure,” said Moe Veissi, president of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Short sale benefits
Not only does a short sale help the home owner get out of an unworkable situation, it helps the neighborhood: A short sale typically forces down surrounding home values less than a foreclosure does.
And lenders benefit, too. Foreclosures cost lenders more than short sales — they have to maintain those properties. That’s why banks are willing to do short sales at all.
Seeing Republicans and Democrats come together to offer solutions to speed up the housing recovery should give home owners hope. Although most of Washington remains paralyzed to act on most issues and both these bills are stalled, the housing economy should be one issue that Democrats and Republicans can agree on.
Congress must realize that housing isn’t a Democratic or a Republican issue — it’s a national issue.

Email: Regina@ReginaWallace.com for questions regarding a short sale purchase or sale.

Home owners who went through a foreclosure could get up to $125,000 if their mortgage servicer made mistakes. So why are so few asking for an independent foreclosure review?

There’s a big payout waiting for some of the 4.3 million home owners (and former home owners) whose mortgage servicers made mistakes during the foreclosure process or during a mortgage loan workout.

Thanks to a settlement between 14 mortgage servicers and the federal government, a home owner who was caught up in the foreclosure wave of 2009 and 2010 could receive up to $125,000.

The six-figure checks will go to home owners who were hurt the most, but even those who were only slightly harmed could get as much as $15,000 if an independent foreclosure reviewer finds in their favor.

The catch? You have to fill out a form to ask for an independent foreclosure review of your case.

Foreclosure review rules

The rules for who can ask for a foreclosure review are simple. These three things tell you whether you can get your foreclosure reviewed:

• You sent mortgage payments to one of the 14 servicers that are part of the deal.

• Your foreclosure was started, pending, or completed between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010.

• Your troubled loan was for your primary residence and not a vacation or second home.

If you can answer yes to those three questions, call 888-952-9105 right now and ask them to send you the form to request a free foreclosure review. Worst-case scenario: You fill out yet another form and don’t get anything for your trouble.

Real Estate Needs? Email Regina at Regina@ReginaWallace.com

Some homeowners may have a strong preference for selling their own properties, but a new poll by HomeGain suggests having a real estate agents improves a person’s odds of offloading their home.

HomeGain is an online marketing solutions provider for real estate agents. The firm recently conducted a survey of 400 homeowners, asking them whether they attempted to sell their homes on their own or through an agent.

About 66% of homeowners who utilized the services of a Realtor, for example, managed to sell their home — while only 30% of those who attempted to sell their own properties were successful.

22% of those who attempted to list properties on their own eventually enlisted the help of a real estate agents. Of those homeowners, 55% were eventually able to sell.

The survey period ran from July 31 through Aug. 10.

CONTACT ME FOR HELP SELLING OR BUYING YOUR NEXT HOME:

Regina Wallace
Prospect Equities Infiniti
Orland Park | Homewood
Call or Text: (708) 966-9065
E-fax: 800-654-4904
Email: Regina@reginawallace.com
Website: http://www.searchchicagohomesforsale.com

Look before you leap into a policy

All homeowners insurance isn’t created equal. That’s why it pays to review your coverage every year to ensure your policy meets your evolving needs. Begin by understanding the types of coverage available.
Actual cash value coverage reimburses you for the value of your home based on its current condition, explains Marjorie Young, senior vice president at E.G. Bowman Co., a New York City insurance brokerage. If your home was built 10 years ago, you’d receive only the depreciated value of decade-old windows, cabinets, appliances, and so on.
Most insurers recommend the more comprehensive replacement cost coverage. With it, says Young, you’ll be reimbursed for the amount it will cost to rebuild your home like new with the same kind and quality of materials. Depreciation doesn’t factor into the settlement equation.
To get the full benefit of replacement coverage, you need to purchase enough insurance to cover the total cost to rebuild your home, excluding the value of the land. Many people make the mistake of insuring at the market value, says June Walbert of USAA Financial Planning Services in San Antonio. But the amount you could sell your home for today isn’t necessarily the same as how much it would cost to rebuild.

Mortgage rates have plunged to record lows, below 4%. That’s great — but only if you can actually qualify for a loan, and that’s not easy. After giving away the store during the housing boom — with disastrous results — lenders have tightened their underwriting standards, leaving many would-be home buyers out of luck.
But there are steps a home buyers can take to find the right mortgage, and qualify for it. Here are seven:
1. Improve your credit score: A credit score below 620, as measured by the Minneapolis company FICO, will knock most potential buyers out of the running for a mortgage. And even if you can qualify for a loan, lenders reserve their best interest rates for borrowers with the highest credit scores — typically 740 and above. If a bad credit score pushes up your interest rate by even one percentage point, you could end up paying $85,000 more over the life of a $400,000 loan, according to Tracy Becker, president of North Shore Advisory, a Westchester credit repair company.
To see where you stand, start by checking your credit report, which is available free at annualcreditreport.com, preferably at least six months before you’re ready to shop for a home. You can get a free report once every 12 months from each of the three credit reporting companies — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Make sure there are no mistakes on the report — for example, if you see incorrect reports of outstanding balances or late payments, you should dispute them with the credit reporting company.
Matthew Gratalo of Real Estate Mortgage Network in River Edge gave an example of a client named Smith; his credit reports were full of problems, including a foreclosure and a bankruptcy, that belonged to another Smith.
These reports are the basis for the credit score created by FICO. The score, which ranges from 300 to 850, is used by lenders to determine whether you’re eligible for a loan, and at what interest rate. You can get a copy of the score for $15.95 at myfico.com.
Your credit score can be badly damaged by even seemingly minor problems, like late payments on credit cards, or a $50 unpaid medical bill, or a cellphone bill that goes to a collection agency.
If your credit profile is ugly, there are ways to beautify it, though it may take some time. One key step is to make sure to pay your bills on time. Set up e-mail or text reminders from the credit card company to let you know when a payment is due. Pay down your debt as much as you can. Don’t close unused credit cards, but don’t open new cards, either.
“You may not be a great buyer today, but you have the ability to change that dramatically,” said Al Engel, executive vice president at Valley National Bancorp in Wayne, N.J.
2. Decide what type of loan is best for you: Fixed mortgages offer the security of knowing your rate will never rise; since rates are near or at record lows, there’s a pretty good argument to be made for locking them in now. On the other hand, an adjustable offers even lower rates and might work if you expect to move within a few years.
A 30-year loan will keep monthly payments lower, but if you can swing it, a 15-year will have a lower interest rate and will save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage. For example, a $300,000 loan at 3.7% for 30 years adds up to $497,466. Choose a 15-year loan at 3% instead, and you’ll save more than $120,000.
If you have less than 20% down, you have the choice of a Federal Housing Administration mortgage or a conventional mortgage with private mortgage insurance. FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5% but carry an upfront fee of 1.5% of the mortgage amount, plus an annual fee of 1.15%, according to Keith Gumbinger of HSH.com, a Pompton Plains, N.J. company that tracks the mortgage market.
Private mortgage insurance is cheaper, typically costing less than 1% a year and varies according to the borrower’s credit score and down payment. Another advantage of PMI is that it is canceled eventually — once the home owner has 20% equity in the property. But to get a conventional loan with PMI, you’ll probably need to have 10% down and a better credit score than the FHA requires, lenders say.
3. Shop around: Check with several lenders, not just the one recommended by your real estate agent. Compare interest rates and closing costs like fees for the application, appraisals, and so on. These costs generally run around 2% of the loan amount, according to Gumbinger.
To check on the lender’s reputation, call the state Department of Banking and Insurance at 800-446-7467, though the department regulates only state-chartered, not federally chartered, banks.
There are fewer “bad actors” in the market to watch out for, after the shakeout of the mortgage industry during the housing bust, Gumbinger said.
Michael Moskowitz, president of Equity Now, a mortgage lender, encourages home buyers to ask mortgage companies for the names of previous customers and check on their experience. “You need to make sure you’re dealing with someone reputable,” he said.
4. Get a preapproval: Lenders will give prequalification letters — informal estimates of how much house you can afford. But you should go further and get a preapproval letter, which is a tentative commitment from a lender. To get one, you’ll have to show the lender documentation of your income, assets, and debts. Though a preapproval is not binding on either the lender or the home buyer, it’s a way of showing sellers and real estate agents that you’re a serious buyer.
A preapproval letter and a copy of your credit score — assuming it’s 740 or above — can be a strong argument in your favor if you’re competing with another buyer for a home, Becker said. Sellers sometimes accept lower offers from more qualified buyers who are able to show they can actually close on the deal.
5. Be prepared to show lots of paperwork: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government entities that guarantee loans, are forcing lenders to demand much more documentation these days, including pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements — “anything that can prove you are the borrower you claim you are,” Gumbinger said. And they will ask for fresh documents, like pay stubs, just before the closing, to make sure nothing has changed.
“We’ve got to be able to touch, feel, and see the source of income to repay the loan,” Engel, of Valley National, said.
Because of these tighter documentation standards, Gratalo recommends that you start saving pay stubs, bank statements, canceled rent checks, and other paperwork several months before you even start shopping for a house or a mortgage.
6. Consider locking it in: Many lenders will offer borrowers the chance to lock in their mortgage rate free for up to 45 days, and some will lock in for up to 60 days, either free or for a small fee. Gumbinger advises buyers to seriously consider locking in the rate, especially now, since there’s not much room for rates to fall.
“The odds don’t favor significantly lower interest rates,” he said. He recommends a 60-day lock-in, which should be long enough for most closings.
7. Don’t mess it up at the last minute: Once you have your loan approval and make an offer on a home, don’t throw the whole deal into doubt by making moves that will change your credit profile. Don’t quit your job or take out a big car loan, for example. Don’t apply for a new credit card, even if the merchant offers you 10% off if you do.
The lender will recheck your employment status and credit profile just before the closing. REALTOR® and lenders say closings are routinely delayed when a buyer decides to lease a new car or apply for a new credit card after being approved for a mortgage.

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.

When looking for your new house, make sure to take into consideration how long you plan to stay there. Image: Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you want at the best price. These eight tips will guide you through a smart homebuying process.
1. Know thyself
Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you’re leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?
2. Research before you look
List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you’d like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto REALTOR.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you’d like to view.
3. Get your finances in order
Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you’re comfortable spending each month on housing. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to investigate financing.

Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you’re eligible to borrow. The lender won’t necessarily consider the extra fees you’ll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you’re comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.
4. Set a moving timeline
Do you have blemishes on your credit that will take time to clear up? If you already own, have you sold your current home? If not, you’ll need to factor in the time needed to sell. If you rent, when is your lease up? Do you expect interest rates to jump anytime soon? All these factors will affect your buying, closing, and moving timelines.
5. Think long term
Your future plans may dictate the type of home you’ll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you’ll still love years from now.
6. Work with a REALTOR®  — Call/Text/Email Regina Wallace 

Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Unlike listing agents, whose first duty is to the seller, buyers’ reps work only for you even though they’re typically paid by the seller. 
7. Be realistic
It’s OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don’t be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded.

On the flip side, don’t be so swayed by a “wow” feature that you forget about other issues—like noise levels—that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there’s no such thing as the perfect home.
8. Limit the opinions you solicit
It’s natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you’ve identified as important.

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With vacancies declining and rental prices rising, the climate in the housing industry is clearly warming up to rental properties. According to Moody’s Analytics, “weak income gains, favorable demographics, and the foreclosure crises” are all causing people to choose renting over buying, and demand for rent will remain solid over the next two years.

Between 2000 and 2008, real per capita income grew at an annualized rate of 2 percent compared to 0.8 percent in 2010 and 2011, according to the report. In addition, many households simply don’t have enough for a down payment, and until households gain more in terms of finances or confidence in the economy, fears of homeownership won’t be put aside.
A survey released by Integra Realty Resources reported 31 percent of respondents said a lack of a down payment was the main reason holding them back from making a purchase, 24 percent said it was the fear of making a bad investment, and 21 percent said the uncertainty of the economy was the main reason.
Another reason the rental market is booming is because of the emergence of a younger age group heading households. The younger age group are the least likely to own a home and more likely to rent, according to Moody’s.
While the overall rental rate is 35 percent, the renter rate for those between the ages of 25-29 is nearly 65 percent, and for those under 24 years old, it is 77 percent, according to the Census Bureau.
And, growth for those between the ages of 20-29 is not likely to slow down, either. The report stated that this group has been growing at an average pace of 0.9 percent from 2007-2011 and grew only 0.3 percent between 1990 and 2006.
Another factor helping to strengthen demand for rent is the foreclosure crises. As many former homeowners who were foreclosed on search for a new residence, single-family rentals have become the next best thing to owning a home since a previous foreclosure makes it difficult to obtain a mortgage. Foreclosures stay on one’s credit for 7 years, and some lenders do not approve of a loan within that period.
While rent is strengthening, Moody’s stated new construction is being developed that will keep rent prices from escalating. According to the report, developments with five or more multifamily units have increased from an average of 67,000 at the end of 2009 to 221,000 in the three months ending in April.
On the other hand, Moody’s waved away concerns for the increasing pace of multifamily construction and said apartment construction has actually fallen short of its normal pace. All the while single family rentals are also tightening as shown through the declining single-family vacancy rates.