Yours or Theirs

It takes money to buy a home: yours or theirs. If you're not going to pay cash for a home, you need to find out exactly what you can borrow and what it will cost before you start looking at homes.

The mortgage process is not as clear cut a path as it was a few years ago. It is certainly more complex, takes longer and assumes that you're credit worthy. If you have less than stellar credit, a trusted mortgage professional can advise you how to improve your individual situation.

You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus each year. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to get a copy of each from TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Read the reports to determine if they're accurate. Surprisingly, about 90% of all reports have errors.

You can try to correct them directly with the credit bureau, but a trusted mortgage professional can help you with this process too. They have tools that are not available to individuals. Some errors may not be serious but others will keep a person from qualifying.

Housing affordability is at a near record height due to the incredibly low interest rates and low home prices. Some areas are experiencing absorption of the inventories which could impact price. If you're going to use "their" money to buy a home, the first step is to talk to a trusted mortgage professional. Call me for the name of a trusted mortgage professional.

 

Do you know someone struggling with their mortgage?

I'm writing because our area had an alarming up-tick in foreclosures in the last 30 days. We all know someone who is struggling to make their mortgage payments. Those of us who bought a home over the past few years, had no idea about the kind of economic upheaval that was going to follow. I have been watching trends in real estate for over 25 years and while I knew a bubble was coming, even I did not see the magnitude of this mortgage crisis. In fact, it appears that no one actually anticipated what was in store for those of us here in the epicenter of the auto industry.

But here we are. An estimated one fourth of the mortgage holders in the country owe more on their home than its current market value and I suspect that number is higher in Oakland and Macomb counties. One out of seven are in some state of default or foreclosure. And possibly, the most troubling statistic of all: the vast majority of homeowners who end up foreclosing on their home, do so without ever reaching out for help or attempt a short sale. Sad!

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) it is my mission to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and to help them get their lives on a positive path. If you, or anyone you care about is faced with an unmanageable mortgage, please know that I am here to help. My team's goal is to make a positive impact on those affected here in Metro Detroit. I invite you to visit my website or forward this link www.GwenCanHelp.com, for a copy of my most recent report entitled, “Need a Helping Hand? If your Mortgage and the Market Have Tossed You a Curve, You’re Not Alone.”

More help is available for financially distressed homeowners now, than ever before. In spite of what you may read, we have been very successful in navigating these programs for our clients that are affected. This is no time to go it alone, and the time to contact me about getting on the path toward financial stability is NOW! The biggest mistake most people make is waiting until it's too late for us to be able help. Pass this along to anyone who might need advice. We're doing our part to turn the market around, one homeowner at a time.

There is hope,

"I Do" Want a Home

Forget Macy's and Crate & Barrel. Set up your bridal registry at the bank and use the funds for the FHA down payment on a home. This could be perfect for people getting married who already have their household items and really need help getting into a home.

FHA has had this little known program that allows cash gifts since 1996. Sellers, builders, real estate agents or anyone with a financial interest are restricted fom making a gift contribution. It's not difficult to set up and it's available with any FHA lender.

1. Inform your mortgage professional early of your intention to obtain all or part of your down payment from gifts to the FHA homeowner bridal registry.
2. Open a savings account at your bank named "bridal registry account"
3. Friends and family are given account deposit information

Gift registries are commonplace and really benefit both the giver and recipient. Etiquette websites like Emily Post state that alternative registries are acceptable. Couples are now suggesting to friends and family that they want help with their honeymoon, education or furnishing a home.

Interestingly, this program is not limited to people intending to be married. It is available for other situations where gifts are typically received by individuals. Other occasions could include graduation from college or graduate school.

IRS Rules Regarding a Sale by Surviving Spouse

I don't care how expected it is, the death of a spouse leaves the surviving spouse reeling and with a thousand questions. It's good to know that the IRS has given special consideration regarding the sale of their jointly-owned principal residence after the death of a spouse. If the surviving spouse does not remarry prior to the sale of the home, they may qualify to exclude up to $500,000 of gain instead of the $250,000 exclusion for single people.

• The sale needs to take place no more than two years after the date of death of the spouse
• Surviving spouse must not have remarried
• Both spouses must have used the home as their principal residences for two of the last five years prior to the death
• Both spouses must have owned the home for two of the last five years prior to the death
• Neither spouse may have excluded gain from the sale of another principal residence during the last two years prior to the death

If you have been widowed in the last two years and have gain in your principal residence, it would be worth investigating the possibilities. Contact your tax professional for advice about your specific situation. Contact me to find out what your home is worth in today's market. See IRS Publication 523 - surviving spouse.

Sale by Surviving Spouse

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