Re: 'New broker model: An alternative to the alternative' (Jan. 30)

Dear Editor:

This model on the surface seems legit but what happens if the buyer does choose another lender? Will they still buy the rate down? I doubt it. It sounds like it is "free" only if the buyer uses the company that Sawbuck is partnered with.

Is it credit-based? Will a non-"A" paper client get the same benefit as an "A" paper client?  more...

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Re: 'Market bear says housing recession worst in history' (Jan. 30)

Dear Editor:

Makes for good headlines. Taking a look at all that goes into a price is more important than one issue.

It's wages, land, population, replacement of units burned or zoned out of use, and many other factors.

I have learned that after 42 years in the business, and still very active, that when median income and average home prices meet this is the plateau range of the market.  more...

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Re: 'Fate of plan to raise conforming loan limit in doubt' (Jan. 28)

Dear Editor:

As we move forward, one of the issues that we need to bear in mind is "affordable housing." Raising the conforming loan limit may seem like an interesting option in the current conditions. Long-term wages have not kept up with home prices. We need to proceed with caution and good sense.

Phyllis D.
RealEstate.com Realtors
Buckeye, Ariz.

Dear Editor:  more...

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Re: 'Schwarzenegger joins push to raise conforming loan limit' (Jan. 23)

Dear Editor:

I am a loan officer and many new clients are coming to me for refinances to lower their rates and payments. Many purchased during a time of high prices; their loans were approved; their mortgage balances are higher than their home values; and now they're unable to pay their mortgages during this recession.  more...

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Re: 'House leaders back $625,000 conforming loan limit' (Jan. 24)

Dear Editor:

They are just asking for more trouble with this one. Why do they feel that they need to "bailout" those who knowingly were buying more than they could afford. This action will just complicate the current situation further. Let the market correct itself; it will take time but it will be the most effective way to fix the mistakes of the past 5-6 years.  more...

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Re: 'Foreclosure fix: 'The Last Chance Mortgage'' (Jan. 11)

Dear Editor:

I agree with these statements.

I sell REO properties exclusively. The worst part about my job is having to force families out of their homes. Very few people I encounter are investors. On many occasions one of the spouses had walked out on his or her family, leaving the remaining spouse with the task of paying the full mortgage plus taking care of the kids. Both had full-time jobs.  more...

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Re: 'Should seller pay buyer's closing costs?' (Jan. 8)

Dear Editor:

I offer two responses concerning the question poised by the reader.  more...

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Re: 'Home loan refinance goes terribly wrong' (Jan. 18)

Dear Editor:

Another borrower who did not take the time to at least ask to have the lender review the terms of his loan -- the three-day right to rescind gave him time to review his documents after signing and cancel the transaction.  more...

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Re: 'No new housing initiative in Bush's $150 billion stimulus plan' (Jan. 18)

Dear Editor:

To paraphrase William Shakespeare, "a rose by any other name is still a rose" never seemed more appropriate than today. Bailout, stimulus package, rebate -- call it what you will. The bottom line is that we are in an economic mess.

Election-year politics again rears its ugly head.  more...

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