The Environment

We cooked out for the first time this year. Hamburgers on the grill, always one of my favorites. Warmer weather makes it just so appealing. I noted that for a few brief moment the temperature inside the house was actually warmer then outside.

Many of the bulbs my Mom planted have blossomed. The new trees seem to have survived the winter and their red buds are starting into turn green leaves. The local farmers are busy with heavy equipment preparing the fields.

In other environmental news:

A major eastern Pennsylvania home builder with developments across the Lehigh Valley has shut down without warning, prompting a state investigation into complaints from homebuyers, some of whom have been left to wonder if unfinished construction work will be completed.

Fortunately this was not our builder. Our development has about thirty homes completed and most of the amenities done. We still have mounds of dirt in vacant lots, the street hasn't had the final top coat, but overall it looks 'nice'. I can't imagine what those poor folks must feel like to be abandoned in those developments not so far along.

Our builder, Ryan Homes, has discontinued its option to build new homes here. The developer, Rotelle Development Company is also a builder and has set up a temporary marketing/sales trailer near the entrance. I hope they can do as well as Ryan did.

In other news:

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, four of five mortgage applicants are homeowners seeking to refinance with today's low rates. A lot of these potential borrowers wind up deeply frustrated by high fees and confusing rules.

Over the last year or so, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been adding fees to compensate for risks. These fees are imposed on lenders, which then pass them along to borrowers...

Then there's the Obama administration's Making Home Affordable refinancing plan, which is running into more snags than a pair of silk stockings in a thistle patch. The problem seems to be a lack of communication among lenders, mortgage insurance companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the federal government.

Case in point: Borrowers with mortgage insurance are being told that they can't refinance yet under the Making Home Affordable plan. Bank of America (and Countrywide, which BofA just absorbed) says it will refinance home loans under the Obama plan in two phases: first, those without mortgage insurance, and later, those with mortgage insurance. Customers of Wells Fargo say they are told something similar.

I guess I shouldn't plan to refinance anytime soon. I have been doing some research and even applied at Lending Tree, but as before I asked for a specific rate and 'not to exceed' closing costs. Most told me I expected too much, but a few said they would call back should rates continue to decline. I've come to the conclusion that there cease to be any experts in this area. So I may as well ask for what I want and wait to see what develops.