Monthly archive for August 2014

New credit policy could make it easier to get a mortgage

By Mid America Mortgage on August 31, 2014 / Home Buying

Earlier this month, the Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO) announced a new change in credit policy that could help more people obtain home financing. According to a recent statement from National Association of Realtors President Steve Brown, Realtors are pleased with the change, which “…will no longer penalize borrowers for certain debt-collection activities when calculating credit scores.” “This move will ultimately make a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans, who have been shut out of the housing market or forced to pay higher mortgage interest rates because of flawed credit scores,” Brown continued. “Since the housing crash, overly

Obama Administration Releases July Housing Scorecard

By Mid America Mortgage on August 29, 2014 / Homeownership

Tags: foreclosures, housing, HUD, Philadelphia

Existing home sales rebound and foreclosures continue to fall, according to the latest edition of the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market on August 12. This month’s Scorecard shows progress across several key market indicators, but the improvements in existing home sales was a major positive feature. According to an August 12 press release from HUD, the Scorecard revealed that sales of previously owned (existing) homes rose for the third consecutive month in June after a lackluster performance in the previous two quarters. Furthermore,

Popular Bathroom Design Trends for 2014

By Mid America Mortgage on August 20, 2014 / Home Design

Tags: design trends, DIY, home improvements

Home design trends come and go, but for many homeowners, these spins on “classic” looks are the ultimate attention-grabbers for 2014. Take a look at the following list of popular bathroom design trends and see if something speaks to the home designer in you! 1. Asian influences If you search online for popular contemporary bathroom designs, you’ll notice almost immediately that the Asian look is in. Some homeowners opt for simplicity, with clean lines, bamboo floors, and a few small touches of decor (think potted orchid or a china vase on the vanity). Others prefer to go bold with dramatic