Your Opportunity to be on HGTV

BUYING YOUR FIRST PLACE?

Then HGTV is looking for you!

MY FIRST PLACE, HGTV’s hit series, is coming back for a eleventh season and we’re looking for first-time homebuyers (and their agents!) in the Dallas-ft. worth area RIGHT NOW!

We are looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the home-buying process for their first place and would like to share their story with HGTV! Our goal is to capture all the trials and tribulations of looking for, bidding on and buying your first place.

Taping takes place this fall and winter.  Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic buyers with a unique story to tell and a desire to share their experiences! Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply!

Candidates who complete taping will receive a monetary gift as part of the show and also a DVD copy of their episode to document their first home- buying experience for all time!

Request an application by emailing:

krichert@highnoontv.com

                            Or call kathryn richert at (303) 872-8764

If you are currently working with me or considering working with me I would be happy to forward the application as well. Please feel free to call or email.

Be Cautious of the Forensic Loan Audit Scam

In this scam organizations claim they can review a home owner’s mortgage documentation to determine if the lender complied with federal and state laws. These organizations charge as much as $3,000 and promise to help the home owner receiving loan modifications.

Complaints against these types of companies have flooded the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau since the start of the year.

To read more about the Forensic Loan Audit Scam follow the link below

Source: “Home Owners Beware: Forensic Loan Audit Scam,” AOL Real Estate (Sept. 26, 2011)

August 2011 e-Report

To see this month’s e-Report or my Housing Trends News Letter go to www.bretwilson.net

Local North Texas Schools Raise Funds

Denton Guyer High

Denton Guyer High School choir and orchestra programs will host a Fall Festival featuring arts and crafts, cars, and motorcycles on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Activities include classic cars and motorcycles, horseback rides, bounce houses, live music, arts and crafts, a blood drive and so much more.

For additional information about this event go to www.guyerchoircraftshow.com

Argyle High

Argyle High School students sell mini homecoming mums for a donation of $10 or more to support UNICEF. All funds donated with this project go directly to the UNICEF organization.

For additional information about who UNICEF is go to www.unicefusa.org

Why I Work By Referral

Dear Friends and Family, I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the North Texas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in its efforts to save lives and  end breast cancer forever.  For my part, I've signed up for the Komen North Texas Denton Race for the Cure on Saturday, September 24th. Please help support me in this important effort by contributing generously to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Texas Affiliate. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund local breast health education, screening and treatment programs. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below. More information on Komen North Texas and its programs can be found at www.komennorthtexas.org. My personal fundraising goal is $____.  Please help me get to the finish line. Whatever you can give will help and it all adds up! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress. Sincerely, Bret Wilson To donate online, click here. To send a donation: Make all checks payable to: Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Texas Affiliate Mail to: Bret Wilson 3111 Unicorn Lake Blvd Ste 110 Denton, TX, 76210-0118

Freddie Macs Newest Loan Modification Option

Freddie Mac will offer a home loan modification program for borrowers who are ineligible or in default of the HAMP program. This new option The Standard Modification will set interest rates on the modified loans at 5 percent and extend the amortization period to 40 years from the time of the modification; Cash incentives of up to $1,600 per approved home owner will be paid to lenders.

For additional information about this program please follow the link: Freddie Offers New Loan Mod Option,"

Source: "Freddie Offers New Loan Mod Option," NASDAQ (09/13/11)

Lowest Levels Recorded for New Home Sales

New home sales are on pace to reach the lowest levels on record this year. This years sales rate of new homes as of July is about 298,000 with sales of new homes peaking in 2005 at 1.3 million units.

For additional information about this subject please look at the link provided.

Source: Some Home Builders Run Out of Lifelines The Wall Street Journal (Aug. 31, 2011)

HUD Home Affordable Modification Guidelines (HAMP)

Numerous Homeowners have found it difficult to make their monthly mortgage payments on time with issue such as increase in variable interest rates and less income. (HAMP) Home Affordable Modification could provide home owners with more affordable mortgage payments.

Additional information about this program can be found on the HUD site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/lossmit.cfm

The following information is a list of HAMP requirements

HUD Home Affordable Modification Guidelines (HAMP)

1. Your home must be your primary residence

2. The first mortgage amount must be equal to or less than $729,750

3. You must be experiencing a hardship such as reduction in income, increase in loan payment, or increase in other payments like medical bills.

4. Current mortgage must have started before January 1, 2009

5. Mortgage payment (including taxes, insurance, and homeowners association dues) must be more than 31 percent of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income.