Home Equity Lending The

FRB: Press Release--Interagency risk-management guidance for home equity lending--May 16, 2005 Joint Press Release Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation National Credit Union Administration Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Office of Thrift Supervision For Immediate Release May 16, 2005 Agencies Issue Credit Risk Management Guidance for Home Equity Lending The federal bank, thrift, and credit union regulatory agencies today issued guidance that promotes sound risk management practices for home equity lines of credit and loans. The agencies have found that in some cases credit risk management practices for home equity lending have not kept pace with the product's rapid growth and eased underwriting standards. The rise in home values, coupled with low interest rates and favorable tax treatment, have made home equity lines of credit and loans attractive to consumers. To date, delinquency and loss rates for home equity portfolios have been low, due at least in part to the modest repayment requirements and relaxed structures of this lending. However, the agencies have identified risk factors that, along with vulnerability to interest rate increases, have attracted scrutiny, including: Interest-only features that require no amortization of principal for a protracted period; Limited or no documentation of a borrower's assets, employment and income; Higher loan-to-value (LTV) and debt-to-income ratios; Lower credit risk scores for underwriting home equity loans; Greater use of automated valuation models and other collateral evaluation tools for the development of appraisals and evaluations; and An increased number of transactions generated through a loan broker or other third party. The agencies note that active portfolio management is especially important for financial institutions that project or have already experienced significant growth or concentrations in higher risk products, such as high LTV, limited documentation and no documentation interest-only, and third-party generated loans. Like most other lending activity, home equity lending can be conducted in a safe and sound manner with appropriate risk management systems. This guidance outlines the agencies' expectations for sound underwriting standards and effective credit risk management practices for a financial institution's home equity lending activity. # # # Attachment (43 KB PDF) Media Contacts: Federal Reserve Susan Stawick (202) 452-2955 FDIC David Barr (202) 898-6992 OCC Kevin Mukri (202) 874-5770 OTS Erin Hickman (202) 906-6677 NCUA Cherie Umbel (703) 518-6330 2005 Banking and consumer regulatory policy Home | News and events Accessibility Last update: May 16, 2005

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Mortgage Research Center : Loan and Mortgage Info Contact | Mortgage Rates | Mortgage Calculators Mortgages Refinancing Debt Consolidation Mortgage Resources Loans FHA Loan VA Loan What Type Of Loan Are You Looking For? Please Select.... VA Home Loan Home Loan VA Home Refinance Home Refinance FHA Home Loan What Is The Approximate Value Of Your Property? Welcome To The Mortgage Research Center! This site is designed to help educate you about mortgages, refinancing, debt consolidation, and various type of loans. You will be provided with comprehensive information on every aspect of the mortgage process. We will give you tips on when to refinance, what costs should be included in the closing fees when completing your mortgage, and calculators to help you determine how much you can spend and save! This is your first step in helping you achieve your financial security, so good luck! Register for the Home Buying Seminar Mortgage Refinance Find out how much you can save, when you should refinance, what type of refinancing is best for you, and other information. More Information Home Mortgage Are you buying a home? We provide you with resources to help you get all of the information you need when applying for a mortgage. More Information Debt Consolidation Determine how you can get out of debt by saving hundred's of dollars per month by combining your various payments (for credit cards, etc.). More Information Loans Looking to purchase a home with a special government loan? You may qualify for a FHA loan or VA loan. More Information Mortgage Sources We provide you with a list of reputable mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, and lenders to find one that best suits your financial needs. More Information Current Mortgage Rates Get current information on today's mortgage rates and get tips on when to lock in to a great interest rate. More Information Mortgage Calculators A variety of calculators will help you figure payments, total costs of loans, and display amortization tables and other options. More Information If you have questions or would like help with your mortgage, you can call us at 800-930-9201 . "Nathan, I wanted you to know that everything went very well at our closing. It was quite pleasant. Thank you for everything." -Vicki Ficklen Mcdonough, GA More Testimonials Equal Opportunity Lender License Information We can help you find the lender (mortgage bank) that can get you the best deal for your financial situation (including setting you up with the best financing rates and loan term). MRC does not originate loans in MA, NJ, NY, ND, PA, VT, NV, WV, or DC. If you are getting a mortgage in one of these states, we will help you by directing your information to a lender in your state. Get additional information about a VA Loan , Home Loan , or 1031 Exchange : Privacy Policy .

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Tips on Buying and Selling Your House Remarked out per Bob Gent 4/11/02 -- TIPS TO HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOME MORE QUICKLY Owners can help expedite the sale of their home by following a few guidelines to make the house more attractive to potential buyers. A thorough self-inspection and a walk-through with your real estate agent can reveal imperfections that might hinder a sale. (Please note: in Washington state, as in many other states, the seller must complete a "Real Property Transfer Disclosure Statement" form about the condition of property being offered for sale. Material defects must be disclosed.) House-hunters typically begin their inspection of a property bypreviewing its "curb appeal." A surprising number ofhomes are eliminated from consideration before potential buyersget out of their car because they find the exterior appearanceunsightly or uninviting. Following are some basic suggestions for improving the marketabilityof your home. Examine the lawn and flower gardens, making sure the lawnis mowed and free of drainage problems. Colorful flowers andshrubs can enhance the home's attractiveness. Check the sidewalks and driveway to make sure they're freeof weeds and clutter. Inspect the home's exterior, looking for loose, missing ordamaged siding and brickwork, a cracked and uneven foundation,and gutters, downspouts or fences that are in disrepair. Paintor repair any problem areas. Clear the decks! Clean decks, patios and steps, removingunnecessary furniture, toys and debris. Tidy up any pet areas. Inspect the front door. A fresh coat of paint or stain anda clean doormat can help create an inviting "first impression." Check lighting, making sure pathways and entry have adequateillumination. Inside the home, you should conduct an equally thorough inspection,since potential buyers are likely to open doors and cupboards,look into, look behind and operate everything to make sure thehome offers the space, layout and features they need. Extensiveredecorating isn't usually recommended, but all rooms should beclean and clutter-free. Think "light," "bright,""open" and "airy." Clear rooms (including closets and storage areas) of everythingbut the basics. Arrange furniture so rooms look spacious. Remove clutter from the basement and garage. Sweep floors,degrease spots and dust. Have carpets and drapes professionally cleaned. Patch walls and ceiling cracks, then repaint or wallpaper,using neutral shades. Check the basement for musty smells and signs of mildew orleaks, correcting any defects. Inspect bathroom and kitchen fixtures to make sure they sparkle,are leak-free and are otherwise functioning well. Remove stainsfrom countertops, sinks, tubs and showers. Test major mechanical components, including the furnace, waterheater and electrical system. Make sure windows and doors open and close easily. Replacecracked or scratched glass. Be aware of the amount and type of insulation. DETERMINING HOW MUCH HOUSE YOU CAN AFFORD Low mortgage rates and special incentives for first-time buyersare making the dream of home ownership a reality for more individualsand families. As you begin your search, you'll want to determinehow much house you can afford and what type of mortgage is bestfor your budget. In general, four factors will influence your ability to buy thatdream home. They are: how much of a down payment you will make. The more cash youput down, the less you'll have to borrow. the amount you need to borrow (your mortgage) to cover a monthlypayment for the loan principal (amount borrowed), interest ("price"charged for your use of the lender's money), taxes ( a portionof property taxes), and insurance. the mortgage interest rate. the repayment terms of your loan. When applying for a mortgage, your current earnings and expectedincome during the next few years may influence your borrowingpower. Outstanding long-term debt and how long you expect tostay in the home you're buying may also be considered. Most realty agents recommend getting preliminary approval fora loan, usually by getting "pre-qualified" or "pre-approved"for a certain monthly payment. Getting approved for a loan requireshaving a lender verify your financial situation, including yourcurrent assets (income, savings, investments and other sourcesof revenue) and your liabilities (existing loans, credit cardbalances and other obligations). Using this information, thelender will evaluate whether there are sufficient funds for thedown payment, whether you have adequate income to make monthlypayments, and your overall credit-worthiness, which is based ona review of your borrowing history. According to many real estate professionals and lenders, the biggestreason people get turned down for a loan is poor credit. Reviewingyour credit status and correcting any mistakes before applyingfor a loan can help you avoid surprises or disappointments. Consumersmay request a copy of their credit report from one of three majorreporting services: Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 Trans Union: 1-800-851-2674 Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742) A small fee may apply, although if you've been denied credit recently,federal law mandates that the lender tell you which company suppliedthe information. You have a right to a free copy of your reportfrom that company so long as you request it within 30 days ofthe credit denial. Pre-qualification, based on numbers you supply to a lender, isan indication of the range of what you can afford. Getting pre-qualifiedis neither a commitment to loan you money, nor is it an obligationby you to borrow from a particular lender. Lenders typically use one of two guidelines when evaluating aloan request. Most lenders will limit the loan amount to a percentageof your gross monthly income or to a multiple of your annualhousehold income. As a general rule, individuals or families can usually handlea housing payment that amounts to 25- to-28 percent of their grossmonthly income. Following this guideline, if gross monthly incomeis $3,500, monthly payments (inclusive of taxes and insurance)in the range of $875 to $980 are considered reasonable. Somelenders use an alternate ratio that allows 36 percent of totalmonthly income for housing expenses and other long-term debts,such as car loans, credit card payments and obligations for childsupport. (Monthly living expenses for utilities, groceries, entertainment,medical and auto insurance are not calculated in this formula.) Another guideline, based on gross annual household income, assumesmost borrowers can afford up to 2.5 times their gross annual income. This means a borrower with total income of $40,000 may qualifyfor a loan of up to $100,000. Whether using a "multiplier method" or a "percentagemethod," prospective home buyers should allow for closingcosts and moving expenses. (Closing costs are the fees and taxesthat are paid when the deed is transferred. These usually amountto 5-to-10 percent of the mortgage amount. Moving expenses includecosts for movers, as well as "move-in" deposits forutilities and other "necessities"). Many lenders provide work sheets and charts to help you calculateyour borrowing power, along tables so you can compare paymentsat different rates and for different loan periods. (Some realestate brokers and financial institutions even have "mortgagecalculators" on their Internet site to help you determinewhat you can afford.) Your borrowing power can be increased with favorable interestrates and terms. With lower rates, you can borrow more money. Different types of loans and the duration of the payback periodwill influence the interest rate that will be applied to yourmortgage. In general, the shorter the term of the loan, the lowerthe interest rate. There are dozens of different types of mortgage programs froma wide variety of financial institutions, including mortgage companies,saving and loan associations, commercial banks and credit unions. Prudent consumers will find it pays to compare options to findthe right loan for their particular situation. THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS) A multiple listing service is a system for collecting and organizinginformation on available properties in a given area. Such informationis shared by members who agree to cooperate with each other andto abide by certain operating procedures. This service enablesbuyers to have a vast selection of homes to consider, while sellersbenefit from having their property exposed to a large networkof real estate professionals and their clients. Most brokers in the Seattle-Everett-Tacoma area are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), formerly called Puget Sound Multiple Listing Association (PSMLA). More than 1,300 companies with approximately 15,000 licensed sales professionals currently belong to this independent association. In addition to its primary function of maintaining a comprehensive database on thousands of properties, NWMLS produces various legal forms, publications and reports for its members. The "multiple" also maintains an electronic keybox system, which allows access to listings by authorized agents. Other benefits include an array of computerized services to assist with property searches, financial analysis, communications between offices, and access to data on property taxes, local schools and other information. Ongoing training and technical support are also available to NWMLS brokers and agents.

Investment Property With full

Property Investment UK Capital Gains Tax Inheritance Tax Corporation Tax Property Tax Tax Advice Property Investment UK Click here to view the entire range Property Investment Guides Here you will find our unique range of UK property investment guides written by leading experts and packed with tips and tricks of the trade. Property Investment Strategy Workshop Save thousands in property seminar fees with this comprehensive "property workshop in a book". Click here Off-Plan Property Investment This unique new book tells you everything you need to know about investing in off-plan and new-build property. Click here How to Avoid Property Tax This unique and comprehensive guide is essential reading if you want to protect your property profits and income from the taxman. It contains vital information for buy-to-let landlords and those climbing the property ladder. Click here Using a Property Company to Save Tax Currently a "hot topic" for those putting money into property, this guide shows how you can boost your rental income by almost 34% by setting up your own property company. Click here How to Avoid Stamp Duty This guide shows you how to use little known but perfectly legal trade secrets to reduce your stamp duty bill when buying or selling property. Click here Property Capital Gains Tax Calculator This powerful piece of software will calculate in seconds the capital gains tax payable when you sell a property. Click here Insider's Guide to Property Investment Little-known secrets of successful property investors. A "must read" for anyone interested in making big profits and avoiding costly mistakes. Click here Insider's Guide to Property Investment - Part II How the experts make millions by using simple but clever techniques to find, buy, manage and sell property. Click here Property Profit Manager This fantastic spreadsheet programme will help you calculate the annual rental profit or sale profit of any property within minutes. Click here 63 Common Defects in Investment Property With full colour illustrations, this unique guide will save you thousands by steering you clear of no-hope property investments and towards bargain-priced gems. Click here -- As Featured in... THE SUNDAY TIMES BBC RADIO THE GUARDIAN and others.... © Taxcafe UK Limited 1999-2005 Affiliate Programme | UK Tax | Links | Contact Us | Disclaimer

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