When Will the Housing Market Rebound?

Daily Real Estate News | July 24, 2009

When will the housing slump finally end? Even the experts' crystal balls are hazy.

The Wall Street Journal, which Thursday reported its latest quarterly survey of housing data, says it depends on which city or part of the country you’re talking about.

Home sales were up compared to last year in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia, Orlando, Minneapolis, Southern California, and the San Francisco Bay area, according to findings from research firm MDA DataQuick as well as reports from local real estate practitioner organizations.

Sales declined in New York City and nearby Long Island, Chicago, and Charlotte, N.C., and the outlook was particularly bleak in Miami-Fort Lauderdale and much of Florida, Detroit, and Las Vegas.

But Jody Kahn, an analyst at John Burns Real Estate Consulting, a research organization, points out that there are variations even in the hardest-hit metro areas with the most attractive neighborhoods continuing to thrive.

Employment is the most telling factor, says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. "If people don't have jobs or fear losing their jobs, then buying homes is out of the question," he says.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty (07/23/2009)

Experts Say Now is the Time to Buy

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Experts Say Now is the Time to Buy

Many investment experts advise it's time to buy. With prices falling, it is a once-in-a-generation chance to load up on property, they say.

How much of an investment portfolio should be devoted to real estate? David Swensen, who manages Yale University's endowment, says 20 percent is a smart number.

One possibility is real estate investment trusts (REITs), which, despite the fact that they are slashing dividends to conserve cash, are still paying average yields of 7.3 percent. That’s double the yield on Treasurys.

Should a home be part of the equation? Michael Kirby, founder of Green Street Advisors, says no.

"You should own a house to provide shelter," says Kirby. "In a way, it's not an investment, and it's not part of your investment portfolio. It's really just a living expense. By owning a house you are prepaying rent."

Source: Forbes (08/03/2009)

Home Lending Rates Falling Again

Daily Real Estate News | July 17, 2009


Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages fell to 5.14 percent for the week ended July 16, down from 5.20 percent a week before and 6.26 percent a year earlier, Freddie Mac reports.

Interest on fixed home loans has fallen in four of the past five weeks, and Freddie Mac economist Frank Nothaft says rate activity during that time has lowered the monthly payment on a $200,000 loan by $56.

Here’s a look at how other mortgage rates performed this week:

15-year fixed loans fell to 4.63 percent from 4.69 percent.
One-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 4.76 percent from 4.82 percent.
Five-year hybrid ARMs bumped up a notch to 4.83 percent from 4.82 percent.

Source: Grand Junction Free Press, Wyatt Haupt Jr. (07/17/09)

5 Tips for Buyers in Negotiating a Mortgage Deal

Daily Real Estate News | July 7, 2009 |


Getting a mortgage loan these days can be a slow and frustrating experience.

Here are some things that buyers should know as they go through the application process:

1. Ask for the “Good Faith Estimate” early. It won’t be released until it is officially “complete” and all the questions are answered. Push applicants to find answers right away to all the lender’s questions.

2. Suggest they read and ask questions about the fine print. Identifying and negotiating all the fees and charges can cut an applicant’s costs.

3. Shop title insurance. Point buyers toward Web sites like Closing.com, where they can comparison shop.

4. Get a commitment. Insist that the lender or loan broker agree that there won’t be any other charges on the HUD-1, which most borrowers don’t see until they are at the settlement table. "If [the lender] won't agree to that, you have to be a little suspicious," says Claire Fennessey, senior vice president of Entitle Direct.

5. Question flood insurance. If a property requires flood insurance, point buyers (and sellers) toward a civil engineering firm with experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s resources to ensure that they aren’t paying too much. Eligibility for a preferred risk policy can cut costs substantially.

10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership

1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.

2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.

3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.

4. Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don’t forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs — including taxes, attorney’s fee, and transfer fees — average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.

5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.

6. Determine your mortgage qualifications. How large of mortgage do you qualify for? Also, explore different loan options — such as 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgages or ARMs — and decide what’s best for you.

7. Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements.

8. Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs? Check with your state and local government on down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. Or, if you have an IRA account, you can use the money you’ve saved to buy your fist home without paying a penalty for early withdrawal.

9. Calculate the costs of homeownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable.

10. Contact a REALTOR®. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help guide you through the process.(JESS MANGUBAT 626.431.2266 email jess.mangubat@dilbeck.com)

Jumbos Getting Easier to Find, Negotiate

Daily Real Estate News | July 6, 2009 |
Jumbos Getting Easier to Find, Negotiate
It’s still difficult for buyers to get jumbo mortgages, but it appears to be easier than it was six months ago.

Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are cutting rates somewhat, buying jumbo loans made by other lenders and purchasing them from brokers. One factor is that jumbo loans are not subject to new appraisal rules that are slowing much of the lending market.

"The whole jumbo market has improved in the last 90 days," says Terry Erwin, chief lending officer for KeyPoint Credit Union, a jumbo lender founded in 1979 to serve electronics industry workers in California's Silicon Valley.

Erwin says the most frequently selected loans at his company are 5/1 hybrid ARMs, which carry a fixed rate for five years before converting to a loan that adjusts annually.

Source: Inman News, Matt Carter (07/06/2009)