Homeowners Association Content Index - Page 1

A homeowners association is a legal way to insure that there would be certain rules in place to govern the way people live in a particular community. It can be a high-rise building, golf course development, townhome community or traditional neighborhood. Check out our articles and blog posts for more information about homeowners associations.

**HUD Revised Streamline Refinance Transactions** Streamline mortgage refinance applications will be undergoing some changes. Under the HUD revised streamline refinance, there are changes to the mortgage seasoning, payment history requirements, and verification of assets, employment and income. For a streamline refinance without an appraisal there will be a new maximum mortgage amount, and under the HUD revisions, there is is maximum combined loan-to-value amount for the streamline refinance. Read the full letter below for more details on the changes to HUD streamline refinance applications.

**Fannie Mae Deed For Lease Program Rules.** Fannie Mae announced an innovative program designed to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Called Deed for Lease, the program allows struggling homeowners who are unable to qualify for a loan modification under the current Obama Loan Modification Plan to hand their keys over to Fannie Mae, but then rent back their house at current market rental rates. Here are the Deed for Lease program rules.

**$8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit To Be Extended and Expanded** First time home buyers and others can celebrate soon. There's movement to extend and expand the first time home buyer tax credit. But wait, there's more. The new and improved home buyer's tax credit will be expanded to include higher income earners and existing home owners. The fragile real estate may have hit a jackpot as the expanded and improved tax credit was surely supported by the real estate industry and residential mortgage brokers. It's the new and improved home buyer tax credit.

Protesting Property Taxes: Tips For Getting It Done Right. These days every penny counts and as more and more government entities need more money, many of them will rely on property taxes. That means, you have to make sure you understand what your tax bill means and how you should go about determining if your tax bill is accurate. If the bill is not accurate, you'll need to take some action by protesting or fighting your property taxes. You may need to hire someone to contest and protest your taxes or help you by appealing your property taxes, but your ultimate goal by fighting your property taxes is to reduce the amount you'll pay in real estate or property taxes on a yearly basis. As real estate taxes go up, more and more people will find themselves protesting their property taxes.

A debt management plan can help someone whose credit history and credit score have likely already suffered either because their debt-to-credit limits are out of whack or because they have started to pay some of their bills late. As personal finance advice goes, a debt management program can help you improve your credit history and credit score by helping to encourage you to pay their bills on time and in full. However, some debt management programs are really scams and they will take your money instead of helping you pay your bills. Look for a reputable credit counseling service provider.

Homeowners show optimism in the future of housing market, even if the statistics don't show the same, according to the latest Homeowner Confidence Survey from Zillow. Sixty percent of all homeowners believe their own home lost value over the past 12 months, in reality 83 percent of U.S. homes declined in value. Eighty-one percent of homeowners believe their own homes’ values will not decline over the next six months. Homeowners in the South are the least realistic about their own homes‘ values, while homeowners in the West are the most realistic.

Easement issues between neighbors can lead to problems. Big problems. the end result of these problems can be rotten neighbors. People who live near each other should avoid situations that could result in neighbor issues and neighbor problems. Don't people realize that they will end up living next door to these people for years to come?

Renovation costs have soared out of control - even in the current recession. You'd think that renovation costs would be less because fewer home improvement contractors are employed. But that doesn't seem to be the case. Consumers, mindful of renovation costs are staging their home improvement projects. Doing home improvement projects in phases lowers renovation costs.

NEW UPDATE 9/10/09: Today's update is an edited, condensed transcript of my conversation with BOA spokesperson Rick Simon. Cenlar is a legitimate loan servicing company and Roundpoint is NOT A SCAM. The situation is confusing, but not fake. 9/01/09 Yesterday, we reported that Bank of America taking over servicing rights for FHA loans and Ginnie Mae loans previously held by Taylor Bean and Whitaker Mortgage Company.Earlier this month, Taylor Bean and Whitaker Mortgage Company, which is owned by Colonial BancGroup shut its doors. Dozens of Taylor Bean and Whitaker Mortgage Company borrowers called the Clark Howard Show and Ilyce Glink Show to ask what they should do. Should they pay their old loans or new loans? How could they find out if their loans funded? The FDIC and Federal Reserve Bank have set up customer hotlines you can call to get information.

Today on the Clark Howard Show, Ilyce discusses unemployment and the economy. Scams are all the rage (ThinkGlink.com has published 10 scam stories in the past two weeks.), and we'll discuss the new IRS scams you'll want to watch out for. Is there a better way to estimate closing costs? Ilyce thinks so. Also, sign up for her Ilyce Glink Fan Page on Facebook and get a free ebook. You'll also want to check out the ThinkGlink Store. And today, Ilyce opens the doors for her latest event: HOW TO PROFIT FROM FORECLOSURES, on October 24, 2009. Early bird special starts now and WILL NOT BE REPEATED. Find out more on today's Clark Howard Show.