by Fatima Khokhar | Sep 15, 2011 | Buzz Around Naples, Global, International Travel
As we come to terms with leaving Bali and the 24 hour flight ahead of us we leave you with some of our favorite images of the beauty and stillness of this enchanting location. We started this adventure with no...
by Fatima Khokhar | Jul 12, 2011 | Banking And Finance, Buzz Around Naples
Figures from the National Association of Realtors for May 2011 are in and buyers who paid for their properties in CASH accounted for 30 percent of existing homes sales. Figures for buyers who bought brand new properties were not reported. Cash buyers have provided...
by Fatima Khokhar | Jun 22, 2011 | Buzz Around Naples, Global, International Real Estate Investing, International Travel
While we reported in our last segment that there is firm evidence that British consumers have returned to their old shopping habits, we can’t help but wonder how the property market has been impacted since the downturn in the market. Earlier this week we met with a...
by Fatima Khokhar | May 2, 2011 | Buzz Around Naples
Are Naples area buyers aware that on October 1, 2011 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will reduce the maximum mortgage loan amounts from $729,750 to $ 625,000? The end result; a borrower seeking a government-backed mortgage for a $ 1-million property will be required to...
by Fatima Khokhar | Apr 16, 2011 | Buzz Around Naples, Fannie, Freddie and the Fed
Fannie Mae has launched a special offer for buyers who purchase a Fannie Mae owned home. Purchasers will qualify for up to 3.5% in closing cost assistance provided they meet the following qualifications: Buyers submit the initial offer after April 11, 2011 and close...
by Fatima Khokhar | Feb 25, 2011 | Banking And Finance, Buzz Around Naples, Naples Area Market Conditions
Earlier this week in Naples, Chief Economist for The National Association of Realtors, Dr. Lawence Yun presented his housing and economic outlook for 2011. Naples Meridian commentary regarding the recent political unrest in the Middle East and its economic effects...
by Fatima Khokhar | Feb 7, 2011 | Banking And Finance, Buyer's Representative, Naples Area Market Conditions
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke presented his most optimistic economic outlook report at the National Press Club last week. “We have seen evidence that a self-sustaining recovery in consumer and business spending may be taking hold”. Improved business and...
by Fatima Khokhar | Nov 16, 2010 | Banking And Finance, Fannie, Freddie and the Fed, Naples Area Market Conditions
The credit crisis annihilated the jumbo loan market. Banks simply stopped making loans available for “expensive” homes”. Jumbo mortgages by definition are those that are too big to be bought by government-backed agencies, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The...
by Fatima Khokhar | Oct 4, 2010 | Banking And Finance, Naples Area Market Conditions
Since the housing bubble burst, appraisers have come under intense pressure for failing to account for actual market conditions. And while a new home valuation code of conduct was enacted in 2008 by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, controversy over home values still...
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