Marita Topmiller's Blog (17)

No one likes it when changes to mortgage underwriting make it harder for

working households to secure safe and affordable home financing.



FHA has announced that they may be doing just that. And in fact, have

already begun. The policy changes if/when they come are designed to

shore up the FHA's capital reserves and help the agency do a better job

of managing risk. However, many households will be adversely

affected because FHA Buyers will have to…

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On the Reservoir in Indianapolis and Fishers



After shoveling out from under more snow and cold this year than last,

I took a look at the stats, expecting to see more sales last year during

the period from 1/1/09 - 3/7/09 than this year for the same period.



Imagine my surprise and delight to see just the opposite. As we have struggled through

the economic morass, we have begun to learn the terrain, see the possibilities, find…

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Woodland Springs in Carmel - a wonderful place to live. It is Home to

many professionals, a local recording artist featured on the nationally

syndicated Bob and Tom show and people of all ages. The lake at the

center of the neighborhood is surrounded by a walking path reserved for

the folks who live there. Located: just south of 116th in Carmel and

about .4 miles east of Keystone Ave, behind a Chinese Church, it…

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This is a snapshot of the Z'ville market for 1 level homes under $200k.

I took a new listing in Z'ville's Royal Run neighborhood at 6511 Sussex Dr. It is a 1 level

1862sf home with stone and vinyl facade, 2-3 bedrms, 2 full baths and has a small,…

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Comparing Indianapolis’ Unemployment Rate



As reported by Indianapolis Economic Development, Indianapolis’ most recent unemployment rate puts it as the second lowest among large cities. According to the latest unemployment data, the Indianapolis MSA has the second lowest unemployment rate among the 13 largest cities in the U.S. The area's current rate is 8.1 percent, second only to San Antonio, Texas.



1 San Antonio, Texas 7.1



2 Indianapolis, Indiana… Continue

Double Digit Increases Dominate November Market in Central Indiana



Units sold and units pended both increased by 16 percent in the three

months ending in November according to a review of BLC® listing service

market data by Mibor. Average sales price increased by 2 percent

while median price rose by 4 percent at the same time new listings

dipped 5 percent to bring months of inventory for central Indiana

down to 7.8 months. Total… Continue

Top Economist Offers Housing Insights



Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of

REALTORS® (NAR), addressed a packed crowd at the NAR Convention;

Expo Nov. 13 with his insights on the national economy, predictions for

success of the extended/ expanded tax credit and 2010 housing forecast.



Yun predicted that the tax credit will have additional positive impact

on the economy as a middle class wealth building mechanism.… Continue

Mortgage Rates Continue To Rise: Are Sub 5 Rates Gone Forever?

Posted: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - 0 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ]

Category: Mortgage/Lending

So are sub 5.0 rates gone forever? The short answer is probably yes. While

rates might briefly fall below 5 in the next month for the most part the era

of sub 5.0 rates is over. Mortgage rates rose for the third straight week.

The thirty year rate rose from 5.00 to 5.03. The 15 year… Continue

The Great Recession is not the great American equalizer after all. It's been

widely reported recently that this recession hit middle and low income

families the hardest, while the wealthy have continued to prosper. It may

be chic to save and everyone brags about coupon clipping, but the idea

that "we are all in this together" may not actually be the case.



According to the Associated Press, incomes have declined across all

demographics, but at a greater… Continue

As reported by the National Association of Realtors®, the Pending Home

Sales Index posted its 8th consecutive monthly gain in September.



It’s the longest winning streak in the history of the index and Pending Home

Sales are now at their highest levels since December 2006.



A Pending Home Sale is a home under contract to sell, but not yet closed.



Trade group data shows that nearly 80 % of “pending” homes close within

2 months. The majority of those… Continue

First time home buyer tax credit gets unanimous Senate approval A measure to extend and expand the first-time home buyer tax credit won unanimous Senate approval Wednesday on a 98-0 vote, and House passage would send it to President Barack Obama for his signature into law.



House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, said the chamber may act on it Thursday.



If passed into law, the new tax credit would extend the existing credit for first-time… Continue

The FIVE “DO’s” every Home Buyer should know right now:



1. Do buy in 2009... or you will definitely whine! What I mean is,

there has not been a buying opportunity like this one in DECADES. Homes

are ON SALE NOW! NAR's Housing Affordability Index rose 13.6 %

points in January to 166.8, a new record high.



2. Do understand that the Government will Stimulate things... Lot’s

of things.Governments think they can “buy” their way to… Continue

What To Do: Trouble keeping up with mortgage payments? Notice from your lender asking you to contact them?

• Don't ignore the letters from your lender

• Contact your lender immediately

• Contact a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency

• Toll FREE (800) 569-4287

• TTY (800) 877-8339



1. Don't ignore the problem.

The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your… Continue

Homebuyer and Homeowner Credit to Economic Stimulus Bill 2/17/09

http://www.recovery.gov/



Here it is so far. I welcome questions and comments.



THREE WAYS the STIMULUS PLAN BENEFITS HOME BUYERS AND OWNERS



Benefit #1 – Expansion of Home Improvement Tax Credit



The tax credit for making energy efficient home improvements is now 30%

of the cost of the improvements up to a maximum of $1500. This means

that if the improvements cost you… Continue

Social Networking: Lessons 1 2 3 It's natural.



Lesson One: Expanding our Network.



We begin our social networking on our mother's knee, after all. What would life be without friends and family? I still remember the eureka moment I felt as a babe in my mother's arms when I realized a strong connection between my mother and two other people. My father picked me up from my crib and passed me to one of the people in the room, who held me, spoke to me, then passed me to the… Continue

The Melody Inn is not just for Punk Rock anymore. Downtown professionals have found it the perfect place to get down and swing
to the Blue Grass Fusion sounds and comedy of The Cousin Brothers and our own David Bagdade, last Friday each month. You've laughed at their home made music on 103.3, now see them in person. R rated

Indy Star article about Chris Sullivan's performance which I attended at the Bean Cup. In my comment below the article I mention smallerindiana.