About the Author
James K Barath, CMPS
As a graduate of Purdue University, the Dale Carnegie Human Relations Course, and the CMPS Institute, in addition to being a licensed Realtor and an alumnus of Phi Delta Theta, I am a loving husband to Phuong Pham and a nurturing father to Jai Phuoc. I am also proud to operate on the following core values:
RELATIONSHIPS * POSITIVE ATTITUDE * DYNAMIC * SUCCESS * EXCELLENCE
More than likely, this is one of the largest and most important financial transactions you will ever make. Always make sure you are working with a certified, mortgage professional. The largest financial transaction of your life is far too important to place into the hands of someone who is not capable of advising you properly and troubleshooting the issues that may arise along the way.
But how can you tell?
Be Smart...Ask Questions...Get Answers!
You might do this only four or five times in your entire life but CMPS professionals do this every single day. It's your home and your future. It's my profession and my passion. I am ready to work for your best interest.
My Contributions
1 In Every 418 U.S. Homes Recieved A Foreclosure Filing
According to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings topped 300,000 for the 12th straight month last month as 1 in every 418 U.S. homes received a foreclosure filing. It’s a small improvement from January and a just 6 percent increase over February 2009. On a per-capita basis, foreclosure density varied by state: Nevada : 1 foreclosure filing per 102 homes Florida : 1 foreclosure... [Read more]
Don’t Rush to Refinance that ARM – It May Go To 3% or Less
If your mortgage is set to adjust this year, the smart move may be to let it. Today’s conforming adjustable-rate mortgages are adjusting lower than ever before in Northwest Indiana – as low as 3 percent. It may not be what you expected when you signed for your ARM several years ago. The reason why ARMs are adjusting lower is because of how they’re made. When conforming adjustable-rate... [Read more]
7 Weeks Left to Find Home and Up To $8,000 in Tax Credits
In November, Congress extended and expanded the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program to include a subset of “move-up” buyers — homeowners that have owned and lived in their home for 5 of the last 8 years. The credit ranges up to $8,000 per buyer. There’s now just 7 weeks left to take advantage. To be eligible, home buyers must be under contract for a new home in Chesterton,... [Read more]
What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week: March 8th
Mortgage markets improved last week in low-volume trading. Between Monday to Thursday, Wall Street focused on the upcoming jobs reports and mortgage markets gained while traders jockeyed for position. Mortgage rates drifted lower through Thursday afternoon. But, then, after a better-than-expected Non-Farm Payrolls report Friday morning, mortgage markets — and mortgage rates — reversed. Overall,... [Read more]
Pending Home Sales Tank, Actual Home Sales Should Rise
Fewer homes went under contract in January as the housing market continues to limp through the winter months. According to the National Association of Realtors®, the Pending Home Sales Index fell to its lowest level in 3 quarters this January. By contrast, in October 2009, the index had touched a 3-year high. The Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of homes that have gone under contract to... [Read more]
Friday’s Jobs Report Can and Will Impact Mortgage Rates
Conforming and FHA mortgage rates have improved over the last 10 days, but that could all change this Friday with the release of February’s Non-Farm Payrolls report. Non-Farm Payrolls is the official name of the government’s monthly jobs report and, given the fragile state of the U.S. economy, Wall Street and Northwest Indiana will be watching it closely. Mortgage rates could spike come... [Read more]
Practical Home Buying Tips for Real Estate Investors
According to the the National Association of Realtors®, “distressed homes” represented nearly 2 of every fifth home sold in January 2010. Clearly, real estate investors are taking advantage of good deals on cheap property even here locally in Northwest Indiana. But there’s risk involved. This NBC Today Show interview first ran in March 2009, featuring real estate expert Barbara... [Read more]
