If you recall, last year FHA, in all its wisdom, announced intentions to drastically reduce the maximum seller concessions from 6% to 3%. Not good news for buyers, sellers or the industry in general. So many transactions rely on FHA and seller contributions, and couldn’t happen without them.

Well the troops mobilized with voices from lenders, Realtors, builders and consumers, and HUD wants you to know they’re listening. The details haven’t been finalized, but word is out that there will be higher seller concessions allowed than originally proposed. They’re talking between 4 and 5% rather than 3%. Stay tuned for the formal announcement intended to offer a good compromise for continued recovery of our fragile economy, and protection for the FHA insurance fund.

More good news yesterday from the Federal Reserve. They plan on expanding the time frame to keep the prime rate very low, through at least the end of 2014!  (Thanks to my colleague, Joan Rogliano in Colorado for sharing this with me!)

What does this mean for you?  If you’re thinking about buying, rates are low, homes are available, and rents are probably going to increase, so it’s time to get serious!  If you’re going to put your home on the market, be prepared for the possibility that a buyer may request your help with closing costs.  Remember–your goal is to sell your home, and if this is what it takes, then get in the game!

In San Antonio, we are pretty evenly balanced between sellers and buyers with approximately 6.5 months of inventory; our market is stable, so don’t hesitate to jump in!