Orange County Appraiser - FHA Real Estate Appraisal Service for the State of California.(Licensed)

Real Estate Appraisal News

[Feature] Freddie, Fannie Intervention Means Good Time to Refinance
10/7/2008 8:08 AM
The government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could potentially increase your tax bill down the road. It can also mean it's a good time to refinance. ......

[Feature] Seller-Assisted Down Payments Still Alive
10/7/2008 8:00 AM
The Housing and Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 effectively killed off seller-funded down payments by banning their use with FHA-insured mortgages after October 1. Now, consumer groups are rallying with lawmakers to protect this form of funding for homebuyers.

[News] Loan Modifications, Not Government Bailouts May Be the Answer
10/6/2008 6:34 PM
Bank of America is to launch an $8.6 billion loan modification program. Initiated as settlement for a mounting number of predatory lawsuits inherited in the acquisition of Countrywide. This loan modification program could trigger two historic landmarks: the largest predatory lending settlement and the largest loan modification program. [Feature] Is FHASecure Helping Anyone?
10/6/2008 10:52 AM
FHASecure was touted as the federal government's plan to rescue homeowners from the teeth of foreclosure. The official word is that the program is working; but has it truly had an impact on the foreclosure pipeline? ......

[Feature] Takeover at Fannie/Freddie by the Feds
10/6/2008 10:49 AM
With the government takeover of mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage market got a needed boost. In the wake of the news, loans from the FHA and other lenders became much less expensive, and that could potentially save the ailing real estate market. [News] Understanding the Bailout Rescue Plan
10/5/2008 6:36 PM
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008-better known as the rescue plan-finally passed after causing widespread controversy in Congress and an extreme backlash from the general public. It won't cure our economic problems, but should revive paralyzed credit markets. [Feature] Presidential Politics: Views on Fannie, Freddie Bailout
10/5/2008 10:43 AM
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have given the U.S. presidential candidates another economic issue to argue. ......

[Feature] FHA Stealing Market Share from Private Mortgage Insurers
10/4/2008 10:39 AM
Companies offering private mortgage insurance (PMI) are suffering catastrophic losses due to an avalanche of foreclosure-related claims. But the FHA, which offers HUD-backed FHA loan guarantee reassurance to banks and investors, is quickly capturing that lost PMI market share. [Feature] Mortgage Rates Tumble Below Pre-Meltdown Levels
10/4/2008 10:36 AM
In the wake of the Fannie Mae takeover, mortgage interest rates declined, and the overall cost of taking out a home loan or doing a mortgage refinance fell almost 10 percent. That's unexpected good news for homebuyers, because mortgage rates are now as low as they've been since 2004. [Feature] Home Loan Shopping: Apply to Multiple Mortgage Lenders
10/3/2008 10:30 AM
The mortgage marketplace is tight. While many borrowers are just happy to get approved, there's nothing stopping you from applying to a variety of different mortgage banks for your loan. ......

Real Estate Appraisal News

Barney Frank Calls Housing Crisis Attacks Racist
10/6/2008 7:00 PM
Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank said those who try to lay blame for the current mortgage crisis on the push for affordable housing are "racist."......

Fed Tries to Unclog Credit Markets
10/6/2008 7:00 PM
Stocks plunged on Monday as the U.S. government faces increasing pressure to do more to revive financial markets. ......

Go Mobile With Your Listings
10/6/2008 7:00 PM
Many tools have debuted in recent months that allow you to provide your listings via a mobile device to prospective buyers in close proximity to a house.......

Good Neighbor Finalist: Caroline McCartney
10/6/2008 7:00 PM
The successful Norfolk, Va., real estate salesperson has netted millions of dollars for the battle against catastrophic pediatric diseases.......

Heat is On for More Americans to Pay Gas Bills
10/6/2008 7:00 PM
Households that use fuel oil can expect to spend an average of $2,388, or $449 more than last year, for the October-April heating season. ......

Seller Financing Becomes Popular Alternative
10/6/2008 7:00 PM
As credit and borrowing standards tighten, seller financing is becoming more common, particularly in transactions involving small and medium-size businesses.......

Some Housing Markets Still Thriving
10/6/2008 7:00 PM
Find out the 10 most expensive ZIP codes in the United States that are still having strong price appreciation in the last year.......

Real Estate Appraisal News

Treasury to Name Former Goldman Banker as Interim Head of Rescue Op
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
Mortgage News Daily reports: "Neel Kashkari, former vice-president at Goldman Sachs and current assistant secretary of international affairs at the U.S. Treasury, is expected to become the interim head of the $700 billion rescue package, according to anonymous sources who........

Freddie Mac Modified Appraisal Requirements
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
Looks like Freddie is requiring an appraisal update from 60 days of delivery of the mortgage. That used to be 120 days and 60 days on the conversion of a construction loan to permanent financing. Also requiring an appraisal on........

Your Road to Success Needs a Plan
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
Every time I see an Ameriprise Financial Ad, the one with Dennis Hopper sitting in the middle of a intersection, this is what I hear."So here you are a little confused, did you think the road to success was an........

Quick Turn-Around Times Will Be Essential When the HVCC Agreement Becomes Active
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
Author: Aaron O. Thomas, Certified Residential Appraiser. Aaron is owner of San Diego Appraisers, a real estate appraisal service provider specializing in residential properties located in the greater San Diego County area. San Diego Appraisers service mortgage brokers, CPAs, lawyers,........

House Approves Financial Rescue Plan in 263 to 171 Vote
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
After days of deliberation, the House of Representatives voted in favour of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 on Friday in a vote of 263 to 171, allowing the deployment of up to $700 billion to purchase illiquid assets........

Humor/Video: The Realtor
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
This is a GREAT parody of what a Realtor does on any given day! Heaven help us if anyone ever does one of these on an Appraiser!Here's just a couple of lines from the video: With a run-down home in........

Proposed Bailout Bill "Draft" Released
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
Click here for the complete 110 page document - courtesy of the Wall Street Journa......

Allegedly Inflated Appraisal Made Prior to Construction of New Home Cannot Support a Fraudulent Misrepresentation Claim: Court Endorses "Cost Approach" - TN
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
I think that appraisers will find this case very interesting from a variety of perspectives! The case went all the way to the Court of Appeals in Nashville, TN and was ultimately decided in favor of the appraiser, but not........

Solving the Fannie & Freddie Problem - Exit plan proposed
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
The Politico blog ran a story by Rep. Jeb Hensarling and Rep. Paul Ryan [Solving the Fannie Freddie Problem] on 7/23/2008. In that article they're quoted as saying: "Not withstanding these risks, Congress is now being asked to go even........

Identifying and Understanding the Relevant Characteristics of the Subject Property of a Real Property Appraisal Assignment
10/6/2008 6:37 PM
Author: Cliff Odom, RAA, IFA - Cliff Odom Appraisal Services, Inc. is a residential real estate appraisal firm serving the Birmingham Metropolitan Area in North Central Alabama. Cliff Odom is a Certified Residential Property Appraiser providing timely, accurate residential appraisals........