Certified Residential Appraisal Team @ Bennett Appraisals

Skagit County Housing Market

Here is some helpful and interesting housing data for Skagit County WA

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Second Quarter Housing Analysis; Skagit County home re-sales were down - 8.3% from the previous quarter, and down -33.5% from the second quarter in 2007. Statewide home re-sales were down -8.5% from the previous quarter and down -31.7% from the second quarter in 2007. Overall building permits in Skagit County are down -29.5% from the second quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -29.7% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Skagit County is $269,500, below the statewide average of $291,900. The 2008 second quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 93.5 for Skagit County, slightly lower than the statewide index of 95.5.

See all WA Counties: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/2008Q2/Snapshot_2008Q2.pdf

Whatcom County Housing Data

Here is some interesting and helpful housing data:

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Second Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales were down - 14.7% from the previous quarter, and down -26.5% from the second quarter in 2007. Statewide home re-sales were down -8.5% from the previous quarter and down -31.7% from the second quarter in 2007. Overall building permits in Whatcom County are down -42.9% from the second quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -29.7% reduction statewide. The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County is $280,000, below the statewide average of $291,900. The 2008 second quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 90.9 for Whatcom County, slightly lower than the statewide index of 95.5.

See all county info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/2008Q2/Snapshot_2008Q2.pdf

A listing appraisal supports your asking price

If you're selling your home, how can you be sure the asking price is accurate? Did you take the advice of a real estate agent, ask around in the neighborhood, or even check the most current tax assessment? While all of these methods can be helpful, the only true way to know is to get a listing appraisal. A listing appraisal from Bennett Appraisals is a full appraisal of your property similar to one a buyer would receive on the purchase of your home, but with a few additional benefits for you:

You'll have a valuable negotiating tool once you have a potential buyer

You'll make yourself aware of any problems and eliminate last-minute repair hassles that might delay a closing.

Decrease the chances of unknown problems that cause sales to fall through

You'll have all the current market data with verified status of all the comparable sales so you can differentiate your property from other properties on the market And a listing appraisal from Bennett Appraisals gives you an expert opinion, an opinion that is unbiased, from a certified residential appraisal team like us. Our only job is providing customers with accurate property values. Banks and mortgage companies always use appraisers to value homes before they approve a loan. Why? Because they want to know what it's worth.

Call us at (360) 746-0224 or visit our website at http://www.bennett4appraisals.com to learn more about our company and to place your order online. We look forward to doing business with you.

To order an appraisal online click here: http://www.bennett4appraisals.com/ClientLogin

Bennett Appraisals
1 Woodrush Ct Bellingham, WA 98229
360-746-0224
bennettappraisals@comcast.net
www.bennett4appraisals.com

Are you paying for Private Mortgage Insurance unnecessarily?

PMI, also known as Private Mortgage Insurance, is a supplemental insurance policy you may pay for to protect your mortgage lender in the event of your default. PMI is provided by private (non-government) companies and is usually required when your loan-to-value ratio - the amount of your mortgage loan divided by the value of your home - is greater than 80 percent. PMI isn't a bad thing - it allows lenders to accept lower down payments on homes than they would normally be comfortable with. But you may be paying it unnecessarily!

How is PMI calculated?

PMI is calculated by your mortgage lender and covers the lender for a percentage they think will make them whole if they have to sell your property in foreclosure. Your PMI premium is fixed based on plan type (loan-to-value ratio, loan type, loan term, etc.) and is not related to your particular credit history or other individual characteristics. PMI typically amounts to about one-half of one percent of your mortgage amount, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the premium payment is usually rolled into your monthly mortgage payment. On a $200,000 mortgage, you may be paying $1,000 per year for PMI.

How can you eliminate your PMI insurance?

For loans made after July 1999, lenders are required by federal law to automatically cancel PMI when the loan balance falls below 78 percent of your purchase price not when you achieve 22 percent equity, which will happen much more quickly with rising property values. (Certain "higher risk" loans are excluded.) But you have the right to cancel PMI (for loans made after July 1999) once your equity reaches 20 percent, irrespective of the original purchase price.

Keep track of your principal payments. And keep track of what other homes are selling for in your neighborhood. If your loan is under five years old, chances are you haven't paid down much principal - it's been mostly interest. But property values in many parts of the country have gone through the roof lately. And that can earn you 20 percent equity even if you haven't paid down much principal.

When you think you've reached 20 percent equity in your home, you can begin the process of freeing yourself from PMI payments! You will need to notify your mortgage lender that you want to cancel PMI payments and you'll need to submit proof that you have at least 20 percent equity. A state certified appraisal on the appropriate form (URAR񮆼 uniform residential appraisal report for single family homes) is the best proof there is - and most lenders require one before they'll cancel PMI.

We can help you eliminate PMI!

If you think you've got at least 20 percent equity in your home by now, you can call or send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to schedule an appointment to appraise your home. If you'd like more information about the appraisal process, or if you'd like to order an appraisal for your property to see if you can eliminate your PMI insurance, please visit our website at www.Bennett4Appraisals.com. Or you can always contact us at the e-mail address or the phone number below. Don't delay! If you can avoid paying hundreds of dollars a year to insure someone else's risk, it's worth starting right away.

Jeremy Bennett
Bennett Appraisals
1 Woodrush Court
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 746-0224 (360) 990-7296
bennettappraisals@comcast.net
www.Bennett4Appraisals.com

There is a popular option for borrowers aged 62 and older; The (HECM) FHA insured reverse mortgage. This is an option for homeowners owners age 62 and older to convert the equity in their home into monthly streams of income and/or a line of credit to be repaid when they no longer occupy the home. The loan, commonly known as HECM, is funded by a lending institution such as a mortgage lender, bank, credit union or savings and loan association. Interested parties can get help and counseling by a HUD-approved HECM counselor and they will help you see if you qualify.

Homeowners who meet the eligibility criteria can complete a reverse mortgage application by contacting a FHA-approved lending institution such as a bank, mortgage company, or savings and loan association. For a list of HECM FHA approved lenders go to: http://www.hud.gov/ll/code/llplcrit.html

Borrower Requirements:

Age 62 years/older, own your property, live in the property as a primary residence and participate in a consumer information session w an approved HECM councelor.

Mortgage Amount Based On:

Age of the youngest borrower, current interest rate, lesser of appraised value or FHA insurance limit.

Financial Requirements:

No income or credit qualifications are required of the borrower, No repayment as long as the property is the primary residence, closing costs may be finance in the mortgage.

Property Requirements:

Single Family home or 1-4 unit with one unit occupied by the borrower, HUD approved condos, Manufactured homes and leased land, Must meet FHA property standards and flood requirements.

For more information on FHA and HECM Reverse Mortgages see helpful links below:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/hecmhome.cfm

For information on all FHA loans go to:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/insured.cfm

Call Bennett Appraisals for all of your FHA and Appraisal Needs 360-746-0224

Website: www.bennett4appraisals.com