The History of Houston Real Estate Prices! - Zeus Mortgage Blog

Have you ever wondered how much prices in real estate have changed over the last 100 years? Okay, maybe not, but I thought you might find this gem helpful or at least entertaining. This is a flyer for a home for sale in 1910. This flyer is courtesy of the Houston Fire Museum and shows the cost of building a 6 bedroom house in Houston over a century ago only ran you about $495. Yes, that is four hundred and ninety five dollars. Today's median cost of a new home is around $250,000 depending on who you ask. That's some appreciation... or is it? One thing is for sure, mortgage financing is completely differently today compared to how it was 100 years ago. What you and I regard as “normal” in Houston mortgage programs is completely different since the introduction of the New Deal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Programs like Houston FHA mortgage, VA loans, Jumbo and self-employed Super Jumbo loans were non-existent prior to the New Deal. In fact, refinances or cash-outs mortgages or home equity loans were considered lowbrow activities. www.zeusmortgageblog.com

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Prior to the New Deal by FDR, only 4 out of 10 Americans/Houstonians/Texans owned a home. Today the most popular mortgage amortization or term is 30 years, but at the turn of the 20th century 5 and 10 year mortgages were the standard. What about down payments? Well, prior to the New Deal, families had to put down 80% and finance the remaining 20% over the next 5 to 10 years at a national average of 8%. Yes, I said it right... you had to put 80% down!!!!

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Okay, well that's my best attempt at a history lesson for today.

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Enjoy the photo!

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Steven Kaufman

President of Zeus Mortgage

www.askzeus.com

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The Baldest Guy In Houston: Zeus Mortgage Complaints

The Best Houston Mortgage Company

Off The Coast of Zanzibar Book Reviews - The Baldest Guy In Houston (Zeus Mortgage Complaints)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Kaufman
steven@askzeus.com

Off the Coast of Zanzibar by Greg S. Reid & Steven Kaufman

Motivational Business Allegory Encourages Readers to Welcome Coming of Age Once Again

“Here it was. The biggest physical feat he [observant business owner, father and husband, Karl Patrick] had yet attempted. Part of him felt satisfied enough with what he had seen to turn back, grab the next flight out and go home to his family.”~ Excerpt from Off the Coast of Zanzibar

Opening at the bottom of Mount Kilimanjaro, entrepreneur Karl Patrick is in a good place. He is getting a chance to work on his bucket list while keeping his business afloat and maintaining a great relationship with his wife and son.

Despite his track record, Karl can’t seem to ignore the ever present feeling that he seems to just be floating by and dare he say it: feeling a tad empty.

The physically exhausting journey induces Karl to recall memories of trials and tribulations he had with himself and his work. At one point realizing, “I’ve been so anxious about failure lately, that I haven’t been able to enjoy my work much at all.”

As Karl negotiates each step across the terrain, he brings homage to the people he’s met and for sharing their wisdoms he found so useful at his times of hardships. He is pleasantly surprised to find those same life nuggets coming in handy during the trek.

Thus Karl comes full circle along the expedition, realizing that his times of difficulties and the growth he has endured serves as an anchor for him to move forward. He finally sees he can launch from the landing pad he has created for himself.

This fast-paced tale enlightens readers as much as the main character. Tellingly, Off the Coast of Zanzibar features expert commentary and co-authorship from a variety of great mentors who are also available for interviews and appearances:

Steven Kaufman’s insights on trusting the experience in life and business.

The story is a salute to everyone’s coming of age. As Karl Patrick’s deepest-held fears subside, readers are inspired to want more from their own lives. Just as important, like Karl, they are given a memento of tools for actively pursuing their own most fervently cherished ambitions.

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Author: Steven Kaufman, CPA is a principal in Zeus Mortgage where he has coordinated over a billion dollars in real estate financing for companies like American Express, Hewlett Packard, and Exxon Mobil. Zeus Mortgage is the 37th fastest growing private financial service firms in the US according to Inc. Magazine. Steven is frequently interviewed by local and national news organizations like FOX, ABC, CBS, CNN, and Bloomberg on the current financial markets. Steven completed the Strategic Marketing Management Program at Harvard Business School and has a Masters Degree in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston. Steven's enthusiasm, energy, and insight provide a unique experience during his discussions and presentations. Visit www.askzeus.com to contact Steven.
www.zeusmortgageblog.com

Off the Coast of Zanzibar
by Greg S. Reid & Steven Kaufman

Sherpa Press
Fiction
$16.95

Available at www.amazon.com and www.bn.com and www.zanzibarbook.com

For more information or to contact the author for media commentary,
email: steven@askzeus.com

How does the credit rating of Fannie and Freddie impact mortgages

So, everyone wants to know... okay, not everyone, but many home owners/buyers want to know how the credit ratings of the United States and Fannie and Freddie will impact their purchase or refinance, or sale. Here's a clip from my interview with ABC News anchor Jeff Ehling on how interest rates, home prices, refinancing, fast home purchasing, credit scores, jumbo financing, and FHA financing will be impacted by the credit rating changes. Zeus Mortgage reviews complaints