An analysis of home loans showed that 1 in 5 current mortgages would not meet the qualified mortgage safe harbor standard that goes into effect in January. What the New Rule Means for Borrowers:  AOL Real Estate: Under a provision in the Dodd-Frank Act, lenders must verify a mortgage applicant's ability to repay the loan. A borrower's debt-to-income ratio must be 43 percent or lower, plus the mortgage rate needs to be close to the national average prime mortgage rate (within 1.5 percentage points for first-lien loans and within 3.5 percentage points for subordinate-lien loans). The new QM thresholds take effect Jan. 10, 2014, which will not only impact lenders' liability, but also consumers' ability to qualify for home loans. Read more: http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/10/23/dodd-fra... 10/25/2013

Government Shutdown Won't Shutdown FHA – Inman News, Sep 30, 2013 Despite reports to the contrary, the Federal Housing Administration will not stop processing loan applications in the event of a government shutdown …Read the article: http://www.inman.com/2013/09/30/government-shutdown-wont-shut-down-fha/ Government Shutdown Risks Hurting The Housing Recovery – Forbes, Oct. 1 2013 …. New loans will continue to push through most government agency pipelines. What will change is how long the process takes, as many agencies expect to experience delays. … Read the article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/morganbrennan/2013/10/01/heres-how-the-government-shutdown-will-affect-housing/ 10 Most Cities Most At Risk To A Government Shutdown - Forbes, Oct. 1 2013 …. Trulia chief economist Jed Kolko bro... 10/01/2013

BE SURE TO CLICK THE LINK BELOW THE IMAGE TO SEE PROPERTY IN THE AREA!       http://www.randolphrealtyteam.com              The Savannah Real Estate Market is ever-changing in this beautiful and historic city. For such a historic city, there is also a lot new growth in this jewel of the South. Many suburban areas are springing up all of the place. Along with the history of Savannah, many homes have great historical significance in such an old city. So wheather you prefer a traditional estate downtown or new construction in the suburbs, this unique city has much to offer! Indeed, the Savannah Real Estate Market will keep you on your toes!          First, there is the historical side of Savannah. Wheather it is a historically protected residence or a property in need of some restoration, ... 09/30/2013

BE SURE TO CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE PROPERTY IN THE AREA!     http://www.randolphrealtyteam.com          When you think of the Savannah area, many images probably come to mind. One of the most popular images that comes to mind, however, is the unique homes Savannah has become famous for. Its cultural and historic buildings make Savannah Real Estate famous in the region. So have you considered a move to this beautiful area? With new renovation and historical preservation in many areas, this great city is a jewel in the South.         An upgrade or renovation to a Historic Savannah home is an investment indeed, but the payoff is well worth it. Many of theses home are protected by the Historical Association and evoke emtional response to visitors. In a tourism driven city, and investmen... 09/27/2013

As Realtors and agents we are aware of the daily challenges in the industry, specifically national issues beyond our control that impact our individual business. One of these of late is mortgage rates. Trying to keep up with the current news on the rates I find that opinions on where the rate is really varies.  It seems that it really is about perspective, which is a great lesson to adapt in our daily lives. Mortgage Rates Are Interesting Here are some recent headlines from national real estate news sources:   Mortgage Professionals of America: 9/20/2013 - Mortgage Applications Head Up as Rates Edge Down Mortgage applications were up last week as interest rates crept down, according to a survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association.  Read the article: . http://www.mpamag.com/mortgage-i... 09/24/2013

Home for sale in Southbridge Golf Course community Savannah GA  Southbridge has a long reputation of being the  most highly acclaimed golf course in the Savannah GA area.  Legendary architect Rees Jones' wanted to  to develop this fine masterpiece through a tract of dense  South Georgia woodlands.   Southbridge Golf Community is Conveniently located within a few minutes of Savannah Georgia's historic district. Southbridge is a Savannah jewel - a treat for both the eye and the golf game.  Our manicured golf course with large beautiful greens, strategically placed waters and contoured fairways winding thru the beautiful  live oak trees and Georgia pine trees  provides golfers of all skill levels an fabulous golf experience.   This wonderful home for sale in Southbridge,  is a well-appoint... 09/09/2013

Tybee Island will be transformed into a beach bash on September 7th for a very special group of kids. The beach by the pavilion will be filled with families, volunteers and children, special needs children who have a chance to feel the sweet taste of success, fun and self-confidence by learning how to surf. Surfers for Autism, a non-profit organization, will be hosting the event from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The therapeutic benefits of the surfing activity to children and young adults within the autism spectrum cannot be put into words and must be experienced. At a Surfers for Autism event, the surfers are provided a safe, fun, judgment free environment where highly skilled surf instructors carefully guide the children into waves. Each child is accompanied with two or three volunteers and a ... 09/06/2013

Buying a home will likely be the biggest purchase you’ll ever make and the biggest debt load you’ll ever carry. Unfortunately, almost 75% of buyers admit they never truly understood all the ins and outs of their mortgage before signing on the dotted line. Most people think a mortgage is like a promissory note, where you owe the bank money that is paid back over an agreed upon period of time. Technically speaking, a mortgage isn’t a loan. It’s a document that you actually give a bank that says they have the right to use your home as collateral in the event you don’t repay the loan. Given that there is so much at stake it’s highly recommended to know what type of mortgage to use in the purchase of your new home. Two of the most popular are a fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages but th... 08/28/2013

Listing Details 406 Selier Ave, Savannah, GA 31401 Bedrooms: 2 Baths: 1 Year Built: 1900 Living Area 1242 Sq. ft Offered at: $100,000  MLS Number: 113332 Renovated With Hardwood Flooring Throughout Short sale! This beautifully renovated end-unit townhome is located in desirable Baldwin Park. The charming living room with fireplace and refinished hardwood floors creates a cozy room to relax or entertain in. Off the living room and through the arched doorway is a separate dining room with plenty of room for dinner guests. The bright kitchen is fully equipped, with ample cabinetry a small breakfast bar and access to the rear porch and courtyard.  Master Bedroom Has Special Features The two bedrooms and one full bath with separate shower and tub are located upstairs. The Master bedroom has ... 08/23/2013

Historic Savannah is an extremely beautiful southern city, with its squares, 18th and 19th century architecture, and oak tree lined streets dripping with Spanish moss. An unpublished fact about Savannah is what a bicycle and walking friendly city it is.  A Very Accessible City Every street has a sidewalk creating easy accessibility to shops, hotels, restaurants, galleries and down to River Street on the waterfront. Tourists love the fact that it is a wonderful walking city, Savannah is small enough that one can walk to just about anywhere. The infamous Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has the city as its campus. SCAD buildings are sprawled throughout the city inhabiting some of the older historic buildings. Students either bike, walk, ride scooters or take the local city buses ... 08/22/2013

Thinking of purchasing a short sale because you think you can get a good deal? It can be a very complicated process filled with many possible pitfalls.  A short sale means the seller is about to go into foreclosure, they owe more than the home’s current worth.  The seller’s lender must agree to accept less than the amount owed to pay off the loan now, rather than taking the property back by foreclosure and trying to sell it later. Lenders agree to a short sale because they believe it will net them more money than going forward with a lengthy and costly foreclosure process. This means when purchasing a short sale property you are actually negotiating with a bank – not the seller. Given this it is important when making an offer you consider things from the banks point of view. It is also ... 08/13/2013

Think you’re great at recycling? How providing charitable gifts or donations to the non-profit or school of your choice with your recycled garbage? That’s a win-win isn’t it?! Well check out TerraCycle Inc. a highly-awarded, international upcycling (using every aspect of waste as value) and recycling company that collects difficult-to-recycle packaging and products and repurposes the material into affordable, innovative products. Their mission is to eliminate the idea of waste, and they do this by creating waste collection programs (called Brigades). They provide incentive to receive your waste with free shipping and by awarding TerraCycle points for the waste received which can be redeemed for charitable gifts or a payment of $.01 per point to the non-profit or school of your choice.  ... 07/29/2013

So you’re on your way to buying a new home. You've reached a written purchase agreement with the home seller, so what is next? Your purchase agreement is most likely contingent on a home inspection, which is for your own protection. The purpose of the home inspection is to identify items of concern and safety issues. It is also to give buyers and sellers a better understanding of the home’s condition. An inspection will run about $400.00, however if it turns up an issue you may want to start another round of negotiations for the home. Or perhaps it changes your mind about the property, either way it could be the best $400.00 you ever spend.    The inspection will be performed by a trained professional. If you do not have one in mind your real estate agent will be able to recommend one f... 07/24/2013

Does the arrival of retail establishments increase property prices within that same area? Of course chic, boutique- and bistro-filled neighborhoods have higher property values than less-vibrant areas. But what about large national retail stores? There is one particular company that has a proven track record of revitalizing neighborhoods and jump starting development:  Whole Foods Market. A Whole Foods Market will open its first store in Savannah on Aug. 13, more than a year ahead of schedule. Atlanta-based developers Knightswood and S.J. Collins Enterprises demolished Backus’ trademark pink buildings on Victory Dr. and several neighboring structures to construct the Victory Station shopping center. Whole Foods is the anchor to the center which will also have a PetSmart , and a handful o... 07/23/2013

Savannah is a beautiful historical city with its own unique culture, full of local color and haunting tales. In Savannah tourism is an active and rapidly growing segment of the economy. The city's attractiveness as a visitor destination is enhanced by its charming historic district, accommodations, tree lined drives, unique rural settings, and downtown art scene. Savannah GA has frequently become the setting, or subject in popular culture media such as; works of literature, music, film, and television.Artists and authors are attracted to living in this beautiful city with its rich history and coastal beauty. Local and distant authors have helped make Savannah a famous literature destination. The most well-known is the 1994 nonfiction novel and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Ev... 07/18/2013

Steeped in art, history and culture, Savannah offers a unique blend of bright talent, cool creativity and an exceptionally high-quality of life. With Savannah’s mild climate, fascinating architecture, well preserved history, and southern charm, it’s not a wonder that The Conde Nast Traveler magazine Rated the city one of the top ten cities in the USA (Oct. 2009) The average seasonal temperatures are 66 degrees in spring; 81 degrees in summer; 68 degrees in fall and 51 degrees in winter making outdoor activities possible year-round. Because of that local officials made sure to provide numerous parks in the city so there is always a place to play ball, tennis or simply stroll under the oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.   Strong Economic Base Savannah boasts a flourishing economy balan... 06/26/2013

These days it is so easy to get caught up with our own lives and forget the recent tragedies that others are still recouping from. Just over a month ago so many residents of Moore Oklahoma lost their homes, and with it their way of life. We were all mesmerized with the media’s footage of the EF 5 tornado’s destruction, and survivor’s tearful stories of loss and reunions of family members.  The destruction of their homes and loss of their precious belongings was catastrophic. However within a few days the media and our attention turned to other more immediate matters. Gone from our minds are the empathizing feelings for the survivors of one of the worst tornados in history.  Personal Experience Spreads Well not everyone has forgotten the tragedy that has befallen families in Moore OK.  I... 06/24/2013

203k consulting software and training nationally I was just reading another blog on linkedin and someone was asking if consultants had created their own spread sheet for completing the draws on their 203k projects. I have to laugh when I see things like this. Are they really serious?  If you are a 203k consultant and using this as a means to achieve your draw requests... you are like a cave man using a wheel barrow to get around rather than a brand new Cadillac. Our complete, the most complete software for consultants available today, is so much more than an excel spread sheet there is no comparison whatsoever.  If you are a certified 203k HUD consultant and are in this category please request a FREE trial of our "award winning software".  If you are a consultant and don't have a clue a... 06/23/2013

Midtown Savannah has some of the most sought after neighbors to live in. Baldwin Park, Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent and Parkside are the neighborhoods considered midtown and are all in a historic district.  Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent was developed beginning in 1910 as two adjacent planned subdivisions, a twentieth century variant of Oglethorpe’s original city plan. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is a center mall lined with palmettos starting at The Savannah Arts Academy and ending at Tiedeman Park. The neighborhood borders Victory drive, a main artery through Savannah that goes out to Tybee Island. North of Chatham Crescent, on the other side of Victory Drive is Baldwin Park which was originally the northern portion of Chatham Crescent. Baldwin Park is a narrow strip running fr... 06/18/2013

Victory Heights Best Kept Secret Victory Heights, named because of its location to one of the main arteries of Savannah; Victory Drive, is one of the best kept secrets of the midtown neighborhoods. The Victory Heights area established in the late 40’s and early 50’s is nestled between the Thunderbolt, Avondale, and nearby Gordonston neighborhoods, and backed by Bonaventure Rd/Cemetery.  With easy access to Victory Dr. the neighborhood is only about a 20 minute drive to Tybee Island. The quiet neighborhood would not reveal its close proximity to the Victory Square Shopping Center (Victory Dr and Skidaway Rd) which hosts Home Depot, Target, Stapels a movieplex, and numerous places to eat. Around the corner from the square is the soon to be home of Pet Smart, and Whole Foods.  Historic Daf... 06/12/2013