We’re all trimming our budgets these days, which also means we’re steering clear of any wallet-draining vices like a dieter avoiding a donut shop. And that’s a shame because that daily latte habit and bottle of weeknight wine gives us something to look forward to during tough times.
Fortunately, there’s no need to cut out all of life’s pleasures, large or small. Even if you need to tighten the purse strings this year, you can indulge in your vices by employing tricks to make them cost less.

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Immaculate Colonial Cape, 3/4 BRS Boasts A Brand New Kitchen w/Granite Counters & Stainless Steel Appliances. Large Front to Back LR/FR w/FP. Huge 4 Season Sun Room. Hardwood Floors. Newer Mechanics & Roof. Partial Finished Basement. North End Area.

Washington, February 02, 2010

Pending home sales have leveled from a market swing driven by response to the home buyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in December, increased 1.0 percent to 96.6 from 95.6 in November, and remains 10.9 percent above December 2008 when it was 87.1. In November, the monthly index had fallen by 16.4 percent from surging activity in preceding months.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said it’s important to recognize how the tax credit is skewing market data. “There are easily understood swings in contract activity as buyers respond to a tax credit that was expiring and was then extended and expanded,” he said. “These swings are masking the underlying trend, which is a broad improvement over year-ago levels. December activity was the fifth highest monthly tally in two years.”

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2010/02/stabilize_remain

HOUSE HOLD TIP via Your Home and Lifestyle.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today outlined future changes to the FHA home loan program.  The changes first were proposed last month by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shaun Donovan.

Rising defaults on FHA loans have led to the FHA’s cash reserves falling below federally mandated levels.  FHA officials hope that policy changes will ensure borrowers have a stronger equity position and are less likely to default.

Policy changes include:

Raising the up-front mortgage insurance premium: The premium will rise to 2.25 percent from its current 1.75 percent.  HUD is expected to release a Mortgagee Letter on Jan. 21 making the premium increase effective in the spring.

Raising the minimum credit score requirements: New borrowers will be required to have a minimum FICO score of 580 to qualify for the FHA’s 3.5 percent down payment program.  New borrowers with less than a 580 FICO score will be required to put down at least 10 percent.  FHA expects this to take effect in early summer after it goes through the normal regulatory process.

Reduce allowable seller concessions:  The agency is lowering the maximum permissible level to 3 percent from its current 6 percent limit.  FHA expects this to take effect in early summer after it goes through the normal regulatory process.

Source: C.A.R.

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