Robert's Blog

if you prefer to Listen to me click here or you can read belowThat title may sound a little crazy, but it appears to be a realistic possibility.  We came into 2020 with a strong housing market that has not appeared to slow down (other than a severe lack of inventory in many areas).  The economy w...

  F Words: Should I show someone a home if they are in Forbearance? what if they are furloughed?  The answer to both questions above  is probably “NO”.  F words in the mortgage world are typically bad.  The Biggie of course is Foreclosure- that causes a 7 yr waiting period for Conventional loans ...

 In today's world of "virtual everything" one thing I see missing on MOST listings in my area are floor plans. Keep in mind that I am a Mortgage Guy and my feedback is coming from my clients.  While Pictures are an ABSOLUTE Must (and quality pictures- that is the subject for another blog!) Virtua...

  I spent an hour in a conference last week with the Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers association and he provided us so much information the call could have actually been Much Longer (and welcomed believe it or not)  one of the charts he shared is this one with a bit of a rate history and ...

 I wrote a blog the end of May regarding the Mortgage relief available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a little more on that subject along with some figures and realities behind all the headlines.First the numbers from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA): From the beginning of March to M...

 I discussed Covid 19 appraisal issues in my previous blogs about Conventional and VA appraisals  here: https://activerain.com/droplet/5mMF and here: https://activerain.com/droplet/5mMD  for FHA as well: https://activerain.com/droplet/5mPx The USDA just came out with Guidance on Appraisals and Em...

  I discussed Covid 19 appraisal issues in my previous blogs about Conventional andd VA appraisals  here: https://activerain.com/droplet/5mMF and here: https://activerain.com/droplet/5mMD We now have guidance for FHA as well: FHA  Mortgagee letter 2020-05 provides guidance regarding:  Appraisal R...

 Have you ever heard the phrase: "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is."  Or: "There is no such thing as a free lunch" ?All the talk of Mortgage relief or 90 day mortgage forgiveness  today can be put under the above umbrella. It is not a handout.  It is not a freebie. It is not a gran...

 The VA just issued appraisal guidelines in response to the Covid-19 Epidemic.For the most part the guidelines are similar to the changes we have seen on the conventional side. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time the VA has allowed appraisals without an interior inspection.For Vac...

 I don't know what your thoughts are but here are a few things I never want to hear again once this is all over:Social Distancing, PPE are at the top of the list, but there are so many others. Enough of that, lets move on to the focus of this post. Even with NJ being shut down for all but "essent...