Today, I am trying something different. I have done all of my Search Engine Optimization (SEO) over the past several years and it has been an uphill battle trying to figure out what Google is going to be doing next. It is necessary to be 100% SEO friendly with your posts.  I read the articles about how to make your website stand out and overall, I have been pretty successful in getting my brand out there by consistently updating my information and continuing to write articles that I feel are relevant to the issues at hand, FHA loans and changes in the mortgage market.

Today, I actually paid to have one of my websites, this one, included in a directory showcasing the information available through the website.  I decided to go with a business web directory, Jasmine Directory, for several reasons, one of them being that they gave me a five deep URL coding on their site. This means that not only is the main URL posted on the directory, but five other included URLs are also posted. 

I looked over their site and was impressed with what it had to offer. It is W3 css and HTML valid allowing an automatic thumbnail with the listing. Their pricing is also very reasonable. The site itself is very clean and responsive.  I was also intrigued with their comment about how today’s lifestyles can be very time consuming, and it is. They are doing the legwork for us.

Before they accepted my blogsite for inclusion to their directory, they reviewed my site to make sure that it fits into the guidelines for their site, not just because I applied. That gives me a bit more credibility in the marketplace.

I look forward to seeing how the use of the directory will increase the traffic to my website. In today’s marketplace, it is necessary to take advantage of all of the ways to make your site stand out. From what I have seen, this directory could very well be a great way to do that. Please visit www.jasminedirectory.com and let me know what you think of it.

Also, if you are in need of any information about FHA loans, especially in Oregon or Washington, feel free to drop me an e-mail here, or call me at 541-221-3455. I like to help people solve their problems and make the home buying experience easier.

Developing a web presence–Jasmine Directory, a review is a post from: FHA Loans Oregon

The plan calls for anyone with an FHA mortgage funded before June 1, 2009 to be able to refinance at a lower mortgage insurance rate than currently available. This will allow homeowners with FHA mortgages to refinance at the historic low rates available and not see the huge jump in mortgage insurance that are now in effect for both purchase and refinance.

Under the plan, borrowers who refinance their existing FHA loan will pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of only .1% of the mortgage amount plus the annual fee of .55%. This compares to the 1% UFMIP and annual fee of 1.15% in effect until next month when it goes up.

This plan has been suggested in the industry for several months, recently by the guys on Think Big, Work Small, TBWS in this video:

According to CNN Money:

This FHA refinance fee reduction is the latest in a long line of administration initiatives intended to jump start the housing market and, by extension, the economy.

The new policy will also make it easier for the banks to refinance loans because it directs the FHA to not count these refinanced loans toward the lender’s “compare ratio.” That calculates the performances of loans issued by the lenders and compares it to other lenders’s performances.

If you have an FHA loan that was completed prior to June 1, 2009, contact me today to get started on the refinance process. Details of the HARP 2.0 process should also be out this month. This is for underwater conventional refinances. You can reach me at 360-682-6913 or 541-221-3455 cell or by e-mail. I am here to assist in your refinance or purchase needs.

FHA Changes Streamline Refinance Mortgage Insurance for Eugene/Springfield is a post from: FHA Loans Oregon

I have written a couple of blog posts on FHA Loans Oregon, where I announced the raise in mortgage insurance premiums from before and wondered how long it would be before HUD came back to the well to get more from home buyers. This obviously answers that question. Here are my comments from that blog posting:

When HUD went to Congress last year for permission to raise mortgage insurance rates, they got a pretty open checkbook at the time that allows them to raise the yearly premium all the way to 1.55% if they want to. I went back to my post at the time and here is what I had to say:

I am not saying that FHA will increase to the limit, but I am concerned that they can. I have not seen many instances in the past where a government agency took less than the maximum allowed. That concerns me.

The interesting thing for me is that it took less than a year before HUD is back to the well to get more money from the home buyer. I don’t like what is happening, but have no power to stop it. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for HUD to come back for the other .4 increase. Kind of like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.

The quote from the post above was just about a year ago and it referred to the raise that started a year before that. Another year and FHA will probably have taken all of the amount that Congress authorized. What happens then? Back to the well again.

FHA continues to be an excellent way to purchase your new home with limited down payment, only requiring 3.5% down and allowing gift funds to be used for the down payment. However, VA and USDA loans require no down payment and VA doesn’t require mortgage insurance, and the amount of USDA guarantee fee (mortgage insurance) is much lower than FHA.

I would suggest using a professional that can weigh the different programs available and make suggestions to help you in your home purchase. I am such a professional and am standing by to help in any way. Reach me through the office at 360-682-6913 or my cell at 541-221-3455 or send me an e-mail. With historically low mortgage interest rates and reduced home prices, it is a great time to consider purchasing. Also, in so many cases, it is cheaper to buy than to rent. Call me today to set up an appointment.

Eugene/Springfield FHA Mortgage Insurance jumps in April is a post from: FHA Loans Oregon