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	<title>Home loans &#124; Maryland Virginia D.C., PA, DE mortgage</title>
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	<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog</link>
	<description>mortgage info for the D.C. metro area &#124; guidelines, updates, news, loan officer insight &#38; approval, rates, terms, fees..</description>
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			<item>
		<title>Fed&#8217;s exit strategy will affect Rates</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2010/01/04/feds-exit-strategy-will-affect-rates/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2010/01/04/feds-exit-strategy-will-affect-rates/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:37:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lock now before rates go up]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=510</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fed&#8217;s exit strategy to impact mortgage rates
Mortgage rates remained near historic lows for most of 2009.  That was one of the Federal Reserve’s aims, a play to help the housing market stabilize.  By keeping short-term interest rates near zero, longer-term rates remained low, as well.   The Fed also kept the mortgage market directly stocked with cash, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2010/01/04/feds-exit-strategy-will-affect-rates/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Housing credit extended for active duty</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/31/housing-credit-extended-for-active-duty/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/31/housing-credit-extended-for-active-duty/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:58:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VA loan for first time buyer Maryland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=505</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Special rules for military, foreign service
The 10% federal housing credit, of up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and to $6,500 for qualifying current homeowners will be a big boost to buyers (and sellers) early in 2010. 
To qualify for the 10% first-time homebuyer credit, you must not have owned a principal residence in the three years [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/31/housing-credit-extended-for-active-duty/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Happy Holidays, give yourself the gift of Savings</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/14/499/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/14/499/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:46:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=499</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Holidays are upon us.  There are very few things we want as adults that we dream of getting for the holidays.  As kids, we would look forward to this time of the year. We looked forward to all the family gatherings and the presents.   No worries of what we would get others, we were [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/14/499/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>First time buyer mortgage options &#124; MD DC VA</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/04/first-time-buyer-mortgage-options-md-dc-va/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/04/first-time-buyer-mortgage-options-md-dc-va/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:42:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=493</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are a first-time homebuyer, be prepared to have at least 5% of the purchase price sitting in your bank account BEFORE you start looking.  As a basic proposition, lenders now want borrowers to have cash on the line when they buy a home. “Skin in the game” is the phrase of the day.  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/12/04/first-time-buyer-mortgage-options-md-dc-va/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;d like to buy a home &#124; first time buyer advice</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/30/id-like-to-buy-a-home-first-time-buyer-advice/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/30/id-like-to-buy-a-home-first-time-buyer-advice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:24:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maryland first time home buyer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=485</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are a first-time homebuyer and have never applied for a mortgage, you should understand that being totally prepared takes advance planning.  The biggest mistake for many first-time homebuyers is waiting until they start looking for a home before getting their financial house in order. 
(1) Ensure that you have a credit history.  Your credit [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/30/id-like-to-buy-a-home-first-time-buyer-advice/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>$8,000 tax credit extended</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/06/8000-tax-credit-extended/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/06/8000-tax-credit-extended/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:46:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MD first time homebuyer tax credit]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=481</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The House passed the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit earlier TODAY.   The legislation will be sent to the President, and upon his signature, made law.. 
*Recipients of the tax credit must ratify a contract no later than May 1st and close on their purchase no later than June 30, 2010.
*The tax credit gives up to $8000 [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/06/8000-tax-credit-extended/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mortgage Insurance, tax write off through 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/04/mortgage-insurance-tax-write-off-through-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/04/mortgage-insurance-tax-write-off-through-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:09:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=470</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A provision that allows homeowners to treat mortgage insurance premiums the same as interest is in place through at least 2010. The deduction applies to mortgage insurance premiums paid or accrued, including for prepaid MI, on acquisition (not on refinancing) debt.
 
The deduction is phased out for taxpayers (both single and married filing joint returns) with adjustable [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/11/04/mortgage-insurance-tax-write-off-through-2010/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>HELOC in today&#8217;s market &#124; Bob Kearns</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/11/how-well-do-you-understand-your-heloc/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/11/how-well-do-you-understand-your-heloc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:16:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BobK41</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=462</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many of you probably have a second mortgage in the form of a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit).  But do you know how it differs from your conventional loan?
HELOCs are just that, a line of credit. They are not an amortized loan with a fixed rate over a fixed time period.  HELOCs are adjustable.  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/11/how-well-do-you-understand-your-heloc/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>125% refinance &#124; Making Home Affordable</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/10/125-refinance-making-home-affordable/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/10/125-refinance-making-home-affordable/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:05:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia streamline rates]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=459</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fannie &#38; Freddie 125% LTV Refis
In an effort to reach out to more homeowners who are paying their mortgage, but could benefit from a refinance, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have further liberalized their underwriting rules under their special program created to help carry out the administration’s Making Home Affordable foreclosure prevention program.
Fannie’s Home Affordable [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/10/125-refinance-making-home-affordable/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Calculating Credit Scores</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/08/calculating-credit-scores/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/08/calculating-credit-scores/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:32:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BobK41</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[improving my credit scores to buy a md home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=455</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Most of the use of the new FICO 08 scores are being used by credit card companies and auto dealers. Currently, no mortgage lenders are using the new system. They are in the testing phase to see whether to incorporate it yet or not.
Changes were made available last month at all of the 3 major [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/08/calculating-credit-scores/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Good rates, good inventory, bad appraisal process</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/03/good-rates-good-inventory-bad-appraisal-process/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/03/good-rates-good-inventory-bad-appraisal-process/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:05:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maryland low appraisal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia appraisal hvcc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=438</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fall homebuyers and sellers should be prepared to deal with one very exasperating issue: off-base appraisals.  At a time when home prices have been under downward pressure, appraisers have continued to scuttle contracts with low appraisals.
The problem is the current crop of appraisers being used has included some who are inexperienced in or unfamiliar with [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/09/03/good-rates-good-inventory-bad-appraisal-process/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>$8,000 First time buyer credit &#124; Maryland Virginia</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/31/8000-first-time-buyer-credit-maryland-virginia/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/31/8000-first-time-buyer-credit-maryland-virginia/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:32:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>loan officer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=422</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are first-time homebuyer who has put off getting into homeownership, you only have a few short weeks left to take advantage of a fabulous incentive: the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit.  Because the purchase must close before December 1, you can’t delay any longer. Mortgages are taking over a month to process these days, so [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/31/8000-first-time-buyer-credit-maryland-virginia/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Getting Rid of Mortgage Insurance</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/12/getting-rid-of-mortgage-insurance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/12/getting-rid-of-mortgage-insurance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:08:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BobK41</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=400</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When am I eligible to drop my MI?
Many people want to know what the best way to get rid of mortgage insurance.  If you want to avoid PMI altogether, you must put 20% down when you purchase the property. Somewhat recently, people could get a 2nd mortgage for that 20%, but many lenders have done [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/12/getting-rid-of-mortgage-insurance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>VA loan for Home Improvements</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/10/va-loan-for-home-improvements/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/10/va-loan-for-home-improvements/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:50:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BobK41</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=391</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Updating a home can be an expensive proposition. Sometimes it is almost impossible to accomplish without some type of loan. If you or a family member happen to be a Veteran, it is possible to qualify for a VA home improvement loan. Taking out and using the equity in ones home can actually help increase [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/08/10/va-loan-for-home-improvements/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>DC Area Sales Rebound</title>
		<link>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/07/28/dc-area-sales-rebound/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/07/28/dc-area-sales-rebound/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:02:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BrentMendelson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[2) General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[md]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[private mortgage insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate trends dc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[va]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/?p=384</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When I meet people and they find out what I do for a living I usually get two questions, &#8220;what are rates like&#8221;? and &#8220;how are home sales&#8221;? After a few years of less than positive answers I finally have at least some good news to report. 
It&#8217;s still a mixed bag out there but since [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.choicefinance.net/blog/2009/07/28/dc-area-sales-rebound/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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