Posted by admintom on Apr 1, 2010 in Naples Homes Blog | Comments Off
Mark Weber, Broker/Owner of White Sands Realty, enjoys reviewing articles and information that is relevant to buying or selling homes in Naples.
The recent New York Times article featuring Naples, Florida gave some insight on the writer’s experience when spending “36 Hours In Naples” getting a feel for the community. The journalist made a comparison between Naples and Miami… saying Naples is “Miami without the Glitz” and noted how many affluent Mid-westerners chose Naples for it’s luxury lifestyle without all the hustle and bustle of a big city like Miami.
New York Times journalist Ted Loos commented, “IF you filtered all the glitz out of Miami, you’d get Naples, Fla. This small Gulf-side city has a pleasingly anodyne quality that’s worlds away from the cosmopolitan bustle found only a two-hour drive due east, on the opposite coast. Affluent Mid-westerners, who have adopted Naples as a getaway from nasty Northern weather, bring a certain oh-gosh air to town. Don’t be surprised if you keep seeing the same faces over and over — these snowbirds might move at a slower pace than the Miami set, but they get around.”
Mr. Weber agrees with that assessment and adds, “Naples has the sophistication and luxury homes but is more laid back than the East coast of Florida. We see many home buyers coming to Naples to get away from the congestion and “glitz” of Miami. It’s funny says Mr. Weber, “people in Miami come to Naples to vacation for the weekend and we go there for a day. I’m seeing more east coasters come to my office on a quest to come to Naples permanently. They love Naples for it’s cleanliness, great dining and it’s peaceful atmosphere. We’re laid-back here but we still have all the luxury and high-end homes with some of the best beaches on the Gulf of Mexico — and the world.”
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2010 in Naples Homes Blog | Comments Off
by Simon Volkov – (submitted 2010-03-31)
Making Home Affordable offers four programs; three of which help homeowners obtain reduced mortgage payments and prevent foreclosure. Home saving options include loan modifications, mortgage refinance, and second lien modification. A fourth program, Foreclosure Alternatives, is available to borrowers who can no longer afford to stay in their home.
The eligibility criteria for Making Home Affordable programs are somewhat limited; especially for borrowers who are currently delinquent with mortgage payments. In order to obtain foreclosure assistance through Home Affordable programs, homeowners cannot have been more than 30 days late on loan payments within the previous twelve months and must be current on their mortgage loan.
Qualified borrowers must submit applications for Making Home Affordable programs through their mortgage lender. The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) extends through December 31, 2012, while Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) expires on June 10, 2010.
“Local Naples Real Estate Broker, Mark Weber, of White Sands Realty stays on top of the trends in Naples Foreclosures and Short Sales. Please contact Mark Weber directly at 239-417-1115 with any questions related to Naples, Florida homes for sale or foreclosures.”
Home Affordable program participation is voluntary, so borrowers first need to determine if their lender is participating. The exception to this rule is lenders offering mortgages secured by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac are required to offer Home Affordable options to borrowers. The Making Home Affordable website provides a list of participating mortgage lenders via their website at MakingHomeAffordable.gov.
Borrowers that apply for Home Affordable programs are subjected to standard lending procedures and required to provide financial documents and income verification. Borrowers applying for a loan modification will need to provide a Request for Modification and Affidavit (RMA) form, Internal Revenue 4506 tax form, and wage records. Many lenders also require a loan modification hardship letter which provides an explanation of events which caused financial hardships.
Home Affordable Modification Program is available to homeowners whose primary residence is a single family home consisting of no more than four units. Borrowers can apply for a loan modification under HAMP if the balance due on the first mortgage is within program limits. HAMP limits are: $729,750 for single family houses, $934,200 for two-unit houses, $1,129,250 for three unit houses, or $1,403,400 for four unit homes.
Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is available to homeowners with mortgage notes for residential homes consisting of up to four units. Mortgage refinance criteria requires homeowners be current with home loan payments; have no payment delinquencies of more than 30 days within the previous twelve months; and owe less than 125-percent of the current market value.
Borrowers in preforeclosure should contact their bank’s loss mitigation department immediately to discuss available options or apply for Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program. Homeowners can learn more about Home Affordable programs and eligibility requirements by visiting MakingHomeAffordable.gov.
About the Author
Author and real estate investor, Simon Volkov, provides additional details about Making Home Affordable program, along with foreclosure prevention alternatives and how to short sale real estate via his website at www.SimonVolkov.com.
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