“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Kathy Hyatt

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is Expanding!!

02-10-09
Kathy Hyatt

1

After Years of Town Hall Discussions and Intense Home-Owner's Meetings, the Federal Aviation Administration announced its decision, that the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) has approved the proposal by Broward County to extend the airport's south runway (9R/27L).

After years of studying the potential environmental impacts of increasing the airport's capacity to meet the demand of air traffic and reduce flight delays, the FAA has determined that extending the airport's south runway (9R/27L) to a length of 8,000 feet is the federally preferred option (Option B1B) and offers the surrounding communities the least impact. 1

The decision by the FAA to extend the south runway is the same physical runway layout which was approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioner's in June 2007 and is consistent with the federally approved Airport Layout Plan.

Cities affected are Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and all the communities of the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. For more details visit: Broward.org/Airport. Kathy Hyatt, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

FHA to the Rescue for Many Homeowners

02-10-09
Kathy Hyatt

1With the Federal Gov­ernment's re-emphasis on "FHA" as the key vehicle for resuscitating the real estate market, now is a good time to review the FHA Mortgage in more detail. Let's start with the basics.

First off, the "FHA" insures loans that approved Lenders make--it does not purchase them as Fannie and Fred­die do. If an FHA insured home goes into bankruptcy, FHA pays off the mortgage to the lender, takes ownership of the home and then proceeds to sell it (a HUD home).

FHA loans are available for 1 to 4 units, owner occupied home. There are a number of FHA programs that cover the Gamut of Real Estate offerings from your "Vanilla" FHA loan to condos to REO's to reverse 1mortgages to rehab to veteran loans and more.

Over the last few months, the FHA began implementing some changes to its programs. In addition, the 2008 Housing & Economic Recovery Act placed additional changes on FHA practices, some of which modified FHA proposed changes. Here are some of those changes:

  • Converting Existing Homes to Rentals

FHA has changed its underwriting rules to limit the ability of a home-owner to use rental income from a previous residence that it converted to a rental property when applying for a new mortgage on a second property. Under the new rule, the homeowner must prove sufficient income to make both mortgage payments without the rental in­come or have an equity position in the rental property that it will not likely result in defaulting on that mortgage. (Exception to this rule is for employ­ment relocations.) No Surprise, as this change mirrors the announcement by Fannie Mae in August. Apparently, homeown­ers--in increasing numbers--are choos­ing to vacate their existing principal residence and purchase a new residence. They are then providing misleading informa­tion on the rental income of the property being vacated to justify the new mortgage. These changes effec­tively end the "bail and buy" loans.

  • Down Payment Requirements

The 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act also called for an in­crease in down payment required to 3.5%. That change went into effect January 1, 2009. Seller concessions of 6% are still al­lowed; however, down payment assistance programs have been eliminated effective October 1, 2008.

1

As with any Loan Program, there are a number of stipulations that must be met to gain ap­proval. That is why it is important to choose the right FHA approved lender. Not all FHA approved lend­ers service all FHA loan programs. Not all programs are right for you. Contact your lender for the most up-to-date information.

Kathy Hyatt, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Hyatt Extreme Christmas in South Florida

12-17-08
Kathy Hyatt

Hyatt Extreme Christmas1

My husband and I have been spreading "Joy"  to Kids Big and Small for almost 20 years now and this Year we are even Bigger and Brighter. 

  •   With well over 100,000 lights
  •   A mulitudes of Blowmolds and Inflatables
  •   A 18' Lighted Moving Ferris Wheel
  •   A 30' Green Lighted Christmas Tree 
  •   3 Windmills complete with Tulips,  inspired from "Small World" in Disney

We are proud to to provide everyone this Video Clip of what we refer to as

"Hyatt Extreme Christmas" Enjoy

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Foreclosed Properties

12-05-08
Kathy Hyatt

15 Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Foreclosed Properties

Everywhere you look Americans are reminded of the number of increasing Foreclosed Properties. But for many Real Estate Investors, one person's tragedy can be another person's good fortune. With so many foreclosures on the Market, this can be a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity for many People. Still, the purchase of foreclosed property remains a complex and involved process where plenty of would-be buyers can make costly mistakes. Here are my Top 5

1. Searching without a Realtor: While seasoned Real Estate Investors can certainly get away with going through the traditional home buying process without a Realtor, foreclosed real estate is another matter. These transactions can be complex and require the expertise of not just any real estate agent but one with a background in buying and selling foreclosed homes. Do some research and find a Realtor with foreclosure experience in your market.

2. Searching too broadly: With so much Inventory and even more coming onto the market, it's easy for buyers to become overwhelmed. Buyers should target a specific Neighborhood and contact a Local Realtor. Buyers should be specific with their Realtor as to the Preferred Location and Property type they want. Your Realtor can also set up "Automatic Searches" that meet your requirements once a property becomes available.

3. Thinking short term: Since many foreclosed properties may decline further in value in the upcoming months, it is important that Buyers approach the purchase of Foreclosed Real Estate with a long Term Goal in mind. If you are just trying to cash in on a quick flip, don't buy a foreclosure. Only Seasoned Investors with the resources or Buyers who can afford a fully amortized fixed-rate mortgage should consider buying foreclosed property.

4. Seeing only the Sale Price: While the Sales Price of many Foreclosed Properties are priced significantly less from what they were a few years ago, Buyers need to also be aware of Maintenance and Repair costs to these Properties. It is recommended that Buyers set aside anywhere from 10% to 15% of the Sales Price when considering this type of a purchase and also keep this in mind when they are negotiating.

5. Not familiar with the Law: Many Buyers are surprised to learn and find out that "Foreclosures" are indeed heavily regulated with each state having its own unique set of laws. Buyers also need to be aware that Realtors are not Lawyers; therefore serious Buyers should always review the Foreclosure Laws in their State and obtain qualified Legal advice from a Local Attorney.1

While many Buyers can certainly get good deals on foreclosed properties, it's a mistake to assume that banks will accept any and all offers. Banks have little desire to sell houses, so they typically outsource their Properties to Realtors. While Realtors do want to get the properties sold off quickly, they also want to get a good price so that the bank will give them additional business. A lot of people just assume that because this property is bank-owned they will just take half off and that's just not true.

So, my best advice would be to hire a Realtor and start building a team of knowledgeable Professionals that can help you and make sure that they represent YOU... not the bank.

How does everyone like the New Supra Key?

11-01-08
Kathy Hyatt

1How does everyone like the New Supra Key?

So I have been using my new Supra Key for a few months now and I still miss the old model. Embracing change has always been somewhat of a challenge for me; however I do the Best I can.

This is a list of my Hot Spots with the new Key:

•· The old Supra Key was small and easily fit in my purse or pockets; this new Key is much bigger, about the size of my wallet.

•· I could update the old Key at any time. Now I have to remember to charge this. (Yeah, I should have purchased that Lighter Plug)

•· I have to remember to take this out of my car. Didn't have to worry about that with the old key.1

I can admit that I really do like the little flash light especially with Day Light Savings Time starting tomorrow and I am sure I will learn to like the new Supra Key as much as my old Key. It is just frustrating, the other day when I could not remove my Supra Lock Box because my Key was not charged. Aaargh!

So tell me Active Rain, what do you think of the new Supra Key?