Getting a mortgage these days can leave YOU feeling overwhelmed and helpless. If only there was a way to know that you’re getting honest, accurate information to make informed, educated decisions about YOUR mortgage.

 I don’t know about you, but I really dislike buying a car. I dislike the whole process. There is a whole lot that goes on behind the scenes that I don’t understand. I never know if I can believe what the salesman is telling me. I never know if I’m getting a good deal or being taken advantage of.

Perhaps that is why I approach helping people get mortgages a little differently. I think that it’s important for you to have all of the information you need to make a wise decision. It’s your mortgage – you’re the one who is going to live with it for possibly the next 30 years.  You need to be certain that you’ve gotten the best mortgage to fit your needs, structured in the correct way to help you achieve all of your financial goals.

I believe that getting a mortgage doesn’t have to be a painful experience. You don’t have to simply turn over all of your personal and financial information and then just hope for the best…hope that your loan originator knows what they are doing – hope they are telling you the truth – hope they have given you the best advice on which loan option to choose – hope they know the best time to lock in your rate … Instead, once given the information you need, you can choose how to structure your mortgage and what rate to choose. I have the tools to help you do just that. Let me show you what I mean…

Things aren’t always as they seem.

If you’re not familiar with the terminology and the loan process,

how will you know if you are getting a good deal, or being taken advantage of?

(by the way… the man squatting in the picture above isn’t holding anything in his hands. All of the water, the drain, and the hose and reel– just a chalk drawing.)

When you work with me, I won’t just tell you what loan options you have and which one will be best for you – I’ll SHOW YOU.

Do you know the answer? Which is better – a lower rate with higher fees, or a higher rate with lower fees?

I won’t just quote you a rate and fees, I’ll SHOW YOU how much you will save each month and over the life of the loan.

Then YOU make the decision as to which loan option is best for you.

Should you ask the seller to help you with your closing costs? Or would it be better to ask them to help you buy down the rate instead? What is the best way to structure your offer so that you’ll save the most amount of money? I’ll SHOW YOU what the different options will mean to you in dollars and cents, and then YOU decide what is best.

Is now a good time for you to buy? Or would it be better to wait in case home prices decrease? I won’t just give you my opinion, I’ll SHOW YOU the numbers in black and white. Then YOU make the decision.

  How will you know who has the best rate? Is spending your time and energy rate shopping with several different lenders the only way to know? How will you know the best time to lock in the rate? I won’t just tell you what the markets are doing – I’ll SHOW YOU.

…and I’ll SHOW YOU which lenders are raising their rates, and which ones are lowering their rates – in real time. Then YOU decide when it’s the best time to lock in your rate.

Getting a mortgage doesn’t need to be a frustrating experience that leaves you feeling helpless.

I won’t ask you to trust me, I’ll earn your trust, by giving you the information you need to make informed, educated decisions about your mortgage.

First-time Homebuyers Tax Credit Extension Is Official

Great news! The extension for the First-time homebuyers tax credit is official. And it’s not limited to first-time homebuyers, either! First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last 3 years) may be eligible for the tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000.

Homeowners who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years, may qualify for a tax credit of up to $6,500.

 In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.

It’s important to remember that the tax credit is just that… a tax credit – a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability. If you owe nothing, you will receive the tax credit in full. If you have a refund coming back, you will receive the refund plus the tax credit. If you owe taxes, you will receive the tax credit minus the amount you owe.

The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased.

Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit, however, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible.

Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit, however, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sale price of $800,000.

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Remember, the new tax credit program includes a number of details and qualifications. For more information or answers to specific questions, please call or email me today.

In addition, you may be able to benefit from additional housing related provisions, including the following:

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Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs

This provision is designed to help promote energy-efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for purchases such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation.

Landmark Energy Savings

This provision provides $5 Billion for energy efficient improvements for more than one million modest-income homes through weatherization. According to some estimates, this can help modest-income families save an average of $350 a year on heating and air conditioning bills.

Repairing Public Housing and Making Key Energy Efficiency Retrofits To HUD-Assisted Housing

This provision provides a total of $6.3 Billion for increasing energy efficiency in federally supported housing programs. Specifically, it establishes a new program to upgrade HUD-sponsored low-income housing (for elderly, disabled, and Section 8 to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and frames.

Expanding Housing Assistance

This provision increases support for several critical housing programs. It includes $2 Billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to help communities purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed, vacant properties.