Real Estate Home Mortgages/Expert Profile


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Expertise

Real Estate Financing of all types/styles--Government & Quasi-Governmental loan such as FHA & VA; Conventional "Fannie Mae" & "Freddie Mac"-backed Mortgages & all sorts of "Creative Financing" techniques! Credit Underwriting & Property Value & Condition Requirements of standard Home Loan Programs. Purchase Money Mortgages or Refinancing! Gale, shown with me here, has been a licensed Real Estate Agent & Office Administrator & my Research Assistant over the years!

Experience in the area

Over 30 years as a "Real Estate Professional," including Real Estate Marketing & Sales, Mortgage Banking & Residential Appraisal businesses.Past certifications as a Mortgage Co. Manager, Underwriter, Staff Review Appraiser, Compliance Inspector & Loan Officer with a nationally known Mortgage Company. 12 of the 30 plus years of experience was with the Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) as a Homeownership Program Officer, trained & proficient in all aspects of the Real Estate Sales,Appraisal, Inspection & Financing areas.

Organizations

Former Member of Nat'l Ass'n of Realtors (NAR)& Mortgage Bankers Ass'n of America.(MBAA) Currently with National Ass'n of Review Appraisers & Mortgage Underwriters.(NARA/MU)

Publications

Published in local, regional & national Real Estate industry magazines & newsletter on various Real Estate-related topics.Co-authored numerous Goevernment Manuals, Handbooks & Panphlets on Home Mortgage Programs while with HUD/FHA.

Education/Credentials

Associate Degree with emphasis in Real Estate Studies plus: Over 20 "Special Courses" relating to Real Estate, including Financing, while in Private Sector & with HUD's FHA Homeownership Division. Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications & Masters Degree in Education/Teaching.

Awards and Honors

Professional Designations include: Certified Resiential Originator (CRO) with MBAA,Registered Mortgage Underwriter (RMU)& Certified Review Appraiser(CRA) with NARA/MU. Past awards include Outstanding Performance Awards for 10 of the 12 years with HUD/FHA & numerous Real Estate Sales,Appraisal Reporting & Mortgage Loan Origination awards while in "private practice"

Past/Present Clients

Currently Director of a Company that provides Professional Development Seminars & Workshops to Real Estate Agents, Appraisers & Mortgage Lenders & both free(as needed) & fee-paid (sliding scale)consulting & inspection services to the general public.This "Expert" is a "Disinterested Third Party" who will not try to sell you Real Estate, nor Appraise or Inspect your Home, nor attempt to put you into a Mortgage Loan--all questions will be answered with your best interests in mind!

What do you like about this subject?

I both like & dislike the "too many" different Home Loans being offered these days, in that it makes it difficult to "keep up" with all of them.I dislike that because it forces me to research continuously!I like it for the same reason,though-- because I'm usually more knowledgeable about "your options" than the "average" Loan Officer!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I hope to continue to learn something new eevery day--and to be able to pass on my knowledge to those needing it.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

That the "best deal" a Loan Officer says he or she can give you, may or may not be just that! Shopping around for the "best deal" is in the prosapective Borrower's best interests!

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Who's going to "pay the points or loan costs?" is always a controversial & provacative question.Know that the Borrower, the Seller, the Agents &/or the Lender CAN pay these points/loan costs--NEGOTIATE!

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

Read More Comments

    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
Zak10/17/0910101010 
Kristopher10/17/0910101010Thank you Jim--may be utilizing your number .....
J.10/09/0910101010Thank you for your help. The contacts .....
Esther09/09/0910101010Excellent advice! I get so many e-mails .....
Krista08/03/0910101010Thank you so much! VERY helpful!

Recent Answers from Jim Root

2009-10-16 HECM Short Sale:

DANA-In my nearly 15 years as a Housing Official with HUD's FHA Division, your PLAN to use a non-family member as a "Straw Buyer" and then purchase the Home from them, would be considered as an "Intent

2009-10-14 condo purchase:

Erica-- Certaily you may buy investment property(s)in GA or elsewhere whie residing in CA--but it's my understanding that to be considered a FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER to qualify for ANY of the Federal,State

2009-10-11 G.C. & 203k guidelines:

Hey KRIS-- The Mortgage Lender that will be doing the 203K Loan for your potential Customer is required to have a "K-Loan Borrower" hire an FHA-Approved Rehab Loan Consultant who "handles" all of the

2009-10-08 Refinance:

Hi J.-- Laws relating to REAL ESTATE vary from state to state, so if your "source" of the info on the 6 month time period is a Texas-based Real Estate Pro of one sort or another, (ie. Realtor, Mortgage

2009-07-30 Mobile hom/property loan:

SEE ADDITIONAL INFO AFTER THE ORIGINAL RESPONSE BELOW--jr KRISTA-- Yes, it's difficult to get financing for a Mobile Home/Land Package as many Lenders will NOT do these kids of loans

 

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About Real Estate Home Mortgages
This topic answers questions related to purchasing a home, owning a home, home ownership, mortgage education, mortgage applications, and mortgage needs whether buying a first home or refinancing a current loan. Issues related to home ownership, home equity, mortgage education, refinacing options, home improvment finacing, first time home loans, home equity loans, vactation home loans, and mortgages for investment homes are dealt with here also. Though not the primary focus of this topic, Home Equity Lines of Credits (HELOCS), reverse mortgages, and calculating home equity may also be asked. If you do not see your home mortgae, home finacing, or home equity question answered in this area then please ask a question here

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