What happened to housing and how did it become such a buyer's market?

This is a topic that is widely debated and one that has drawn a lot of opinions and tons of rhetoric. But I believe that this is an important topic and one that should be addressed and understood by would-be or potential buyers. This is one of the biggest areas of what I call, "water cooler talk". Everyone's got an answer! Truth is, this is a multi-faceted crisis that we are experiencing and it was caused my a multitude of conditions and different reasons, but I will put it all in a nutshell and spare you the intricate, economic analysis and the finer details.
As probably all of us know, property values always go up and down over time, like any investment or asset, like currency values or commodities. Values rise, values decline. It's a simple economic certainty. Over the course of a long period, say 50 years, median property values rise at a pace of about 4 - 6% annually. Therefore, it is interesting to note how much property values rose in the period of mid to late 2001 to late 2006 and why they rose so steadily.
After the tragic attacks of 9/11 on our country, then Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan systematically lowered the federal funds interest rate (the rate banks charge one another on overnight loans) 17 consecutive times, thereby essentially funneling "fake money" into the economy. In hindsight, when interviewed now, Mr. Greenspan concedes this to be true and to have been his "biggest blunder" in the over 20 years he worked in the economy. This action was so zealous and (overly) eager that mortgage rate averages followed the prime rates. Extremely low mortgage rates soon triggered the beginning of a huge demand in real estate. What soon followed was an easing in the rules of mortgage lending, basically; in who gets a mortgage loan and what credentials and qualifications must they have (or in this particular case, not have!). With extremely low rates and ease of borrowing now, property values across the board almost everywhere skyrocketed at an amazing, history-defying pace. Now the boom was on in full swing, all cylinders were running & the real estate engine was full steam ahead. One factor was now feeding the other and vice versa and it is becoming multi faceted. Ease of lending and low rates increased property demand and drove values sky high, attracting not only would be family home buyers but now also many speculators (absentee investors) from everywhere. San Diego speculators flocked to buy Vegas and Phoenix properties. Speculators from everywhere bought up coastal Florida homes. Many didn't even go look at the properties they were buying! No one, or rather very few people saw an end in sight. But like everything, as we know, what goes up surely must come down and that included property values. People's incomes could no longer sustain the housing boom. People's pay raises didn't come close to matching the rise in housing values. So, as a result of home values peaking way beyond the affordability of the average American and with few if any speculators left now, the market began to soften. In some areas, mostly the Sun Belt areas which attracted the most activity during the boom were now crashing the hardest. Properties were now lasting longer on the market and drawing less interest from would be buyers. Values began to tumble, almost at the pace which they swelled back in the early years of the boom. What we are at or near now is the bottom, where we now have governmental intervention like fiscal stimulus packages, bailouts and other rescue plans. Therefore, price stabilization is now occurring and buyers are being attracted back to the marketplace with such high levels of reasonably priced housing inventory and the availability of make-sense, government-backed, secure mortgage lending.

It is important to understand that such loose lending; easy loans to anyone who can fog a mirror (what was known as "sub prime" loans), those days are long gone and hopefully will never be back. Through awareness and usage of government insured lending programs like FHA, VA and USDA Rural Development, responsible, safe lending is now securely back in place for anyone who wants to own a home. In fact, these programs have always been around. It's just that mortgage loans were so easy to get during the boom that many loan originators and brokers didn't use the government programs because they require (slightly) more paperwork!
If you or someone you know is looking at buying, be sure to pursue government-insured lending. It may just make the most sense for you. Inventory is high, programs ARE available and rates are extremely low!
To fill out a secure online application please visit:
http://www.saramortgage.com/apply.asp/Hollis/New%20Hampshire
As always, I'm here to help!
Jamie Woods ~ Senior Loan Officer ~ FHA/VA/USDA Specialist ~ SARA Mortgage & Financial, LLC ~

(603)-965-8241 http://www.mortgagemagician.blogspot.com
Licensed by the NH Banking Dept
To qualified applicants via USDA Rural Development
I'm considering buying a home soon. Should I save up for a down payment or should I pursue "no money down" financing?
If you are wondering this, that's a very good question. The answer though will depend on your other fiscal and lifetime strategies and goals as well as your daily and monthly cash flow and other needs. Some new families or couples starting out choose to make a small down payment or none at all. It is important to understand that for the first 2, 3 or 4 years of a mortgage loan, the home owner is paying mostly interest on their mortgage loan anyway! Very little money if any traditionally gets applied toward the principle mortgage loan balance. However, some choose to accelerate payments by paying extra either monthly or by choosing a bi-weekly mortgage. There are other ways to accelerate your equity if that's the strategy that makes sense for you.
Many 1st time buyers expect to only stay at their new home for a short period, say between 2 and 5 years. It is also noteworthy to examine not only how often the average consumer buys and sells a home (how often they move) but also how often the average consumer keeps their existing mortgage financing in place. Sometimes, when conditions allow or needs arise, homeowners may refinance their loan to change their term, lower their interest rate or sometimes to borrow additional money. So, there is no one particular answer. It's not a case of one saddle fitting every horse when it comes to down payments. Some people need the extra monthly money more than they need to accelerate equity.
Also, stay educated on the facts about down payments and mortgage financing. Many media sources and others will have some believing that no 100% financing exists anymore, that every buyer needs 20% down "just like the old days" or "just like it should be", and that is quite far from the truth! Through USDA Rural Development and the VA, 100% financing is very much alive and always will be.
In conclusion, when considering how much money to save for a down payment or whether to make one at all one must fully understand their own personal and lifetime strategies, their intentions or plans for the property and its future and be on the same page with their borrowing partner, if they have one. Run it by a Certified Financial Planner. If you don't know one, buzz me and I'll hook you up!

As always, I'm here to help!
To fill out a secure online mortgage loan application please visit:
http://www.saramortgage.com/apply.asp/Hollis/New%20Hampshire
Jamie Woods ~ Senior Loan Officer ~ FHA/VA/USDA Specialist ~ SARA Mortgage & Financial, LLC ~

(603)-965-8241 http://www.mortgagemagician.blogspot.com
Licensed by the NH Banking Dept

I have heard many of my friends who are renters asking, "The market looks ripe for buying. Can I get a house and still have a reasonable, secure, fixed & steady payment?"
Well, if you're credit and job worthy, yes! Let's compare rent averages with housing payment averages!
Rent on a 2 BR apartment in a decent section of Manchester averages: $1000 - $1200
Rent on a 3 BR apartment in a decent section of Manchester averages: $1500
One needn't be a math wiz to understand that with a rent payment of $1500 a month, they are paying their land lord $18,000 a year! Ever wonder what the land lord does with this money? He or she pays down their mortgage and frees up extra cash to enjoy life's luxuries! Over 3 years, a rent payment of $1500.00 a month equates to an unfathomable $54,000.00! That's the value of a third or a quarter of a new house of your own!
When making a mortgage payment, one can expect to pay principle and interest on the loan itself as well as what is called "escrows", which is the payment of the required property taxes to the town or city and also the hazard or home owner's insurance policy. When lenders make mortgage loans, they almost always require that the taxes and insurance get paid monthly along with the loan payment itself. This way the lender is protected against claims from the city for non payment of taxes and they also know that the collateral for the mortgage loan, the property itself, is insured against fire and damage. The loan is therefore structured to include these costs right in with the monthly payment. Say for example you want to buy a $180,000.00 house in Auburn. Say the loan interest rate is 6.5%*. The loan payment would be $1130 a month. But the annual Auburn property taxes on the home are $3500.00. That's an additional $290 p/mo. Say the hazard insurance costs $600.00 p/year. That's an additional $50.00 p/mo. So the buyer's total mortgage payment would be $1477.00. Not too bad on a $180,000.00 mortgage loan! And yes, there are homes like this, in Auburn, for example. How do I know? Because I work closely with the professional Realtors at REMAX Elite I know of one Auburn property in particular on a corner lot with 3 bed rooms on an acre of land with an in ground pool and the listing price is $189k! I bet the seller might bite at an offer from an interested and qualified buyer with $180k who needed some help with closing costs!
Take a $150,000.00 listing for example and let's look at what the payment would be on such a home with the same 30 year fixed rate mortgage loan at 6.5%*. Let's use a Manchester home in this case. Except for VA eligible buyers, no 100% financing exists in Manchester so the buyer would need a minimum of 2.25% down. So let's use a $146,000 mortgage loan with the buyer bringing the other $4k as a down payment. The loan payment would be $923 p/mo. Add Manchester taxes of about $2700 a year on such a home and an insurance policy of $500 a year. That's an additional $266 p/mo, bringing the total property payment on this $150,000.00 home to $1190. And yes, there are homes like this in Manchester, many of them in fact. And they are listed by motivated, open-minded sellers like say, banks that are driven by urgency and deadlines. (More about that will be discussed at some of our advanced seminars and in house workshops). So, a safe, secure, responsible, fixed rate loan payment at under $1200 a month on a $150,000.00 home. Who wants one?
As always, I'm here to help!
To fill out a mortgage loan application, please click on this link, print out the application, fill it out and fax it to my secure E Fax at (801)-672-7916, or scan and email it to me at jamie@saramortgage.com or call me to do the application by phone. Here is the link:
http://www.freddiemac.com/sell/forms/pdf/65.pdf
Jamie Woods ~ Senior Loan Officer ~ FHA/VA/USDA Specialist ~ SARA Mortgage & Financial, LLC ~
(603)-965-8241 http://www.mortgagemagician.blogspot.com
Licensed by the NH Banking Dept

* The rates used in this article are rate averages on 30 year fixed loans from the period of Novemeber 2008. Rates change with economic trends and market activity. The rate average does not depict any particular rate offer to any applicant. Rate averages as of April 2009 are in the upper 5s!
Renting again but considering maybe buying or looking into buying? Do you have questions about whether this is a good time or not? Are you torn between media hysteria, water cooler talk, and the FACTS? You do know that there is no "THE" market, per se, right? Too often people refer to housing as "the" market! But the reality is every real estate market differs based on its area and numerous other factors, and I mean literally on a town-by town and neighborhood basis! Make sure your co-workers at the water cooler know that, too!
Don't fall prey to the rumor mill or the media hype about the end of lending or the implosion of housing altogether. Through government-insured programs such as NH Housing, HUD/FHA and USDA Rural Development Guaranteed financing, there are plenty of programs available for home financing including low and no money down, 30 year fixed rate programs. There are also programs available for bank-owned properties as well as programs to acquire "as is" properties and to secure the funds needed to improve or renovate them. Let us help put the pieces of the home buying and financing puzzle together for you!
Inventory is high, rates are low and programs ARE available. Call now to book your spot at our informative seminar on Wed, Feb 25th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in Hooksett. There will be an "intermission" for chat, it will be a casual setting and refreshments will be served. There will be helpers such as professional Realtors with sensible, GORGEOUS listings in your range, a professional property inspector to explain the importance of getting an inspection and what issues to look for, a credit repair specialist, and government program lending specialists. Those in attendance can expect to be informed on topics such as:
- Purchase Negotiating
- Optimizing government, state and municipal programs like NH Housing and FHA
- Choosing a Realtor that works for only you
- Interest rate movement and rate locking
- Credit remediation and credit improvement tips
- Using your Realtor to find motivated, open minded sellers
- Low and zero down mortgage programs
- Which property type is right for me
- The different types of manufactured homes such as mobile and modular
- Finding "fixer-uppers" and also arranging financing to cover improvement costs
- Multi family and income-producing properties
As always, I'm here to help!
Jamie Woods ~ Senior Loan Officer ~ FHA/VA/USDA Specialist ~ SARA Mortgage & Financial, LLC ~
(603)-965-8241 http://www.mortgagemagician.blogspot.com
Licensed by the NH Banking Dept

The purchase of a house that needs repair is often a catch-22 situation, because the bank won't lend the money to buy the house until the repairs are complete, and the repairs can't be done until the house has been purchased. Also, in today's quirky market, getting home improvement money from a bank or lending source if one already owns the home is near impossible because banks and lenders are only issuing (approved) home equity or standalone second loans up to 75%, sometimes 80% of the properties current market value, and even if such a loan is made, the rates and terms are daunting, thereby putting such loans out of reach for most homeowners. Credit card companies are reducing people's limits, always changing their terms and are not viable options for home improvements. Not to mention, who can or wants to borrow megabucks on a credit card?
However, HUD's 203(k) program can help you with this quagmire and allow you to purchase or refinance a property plus include in the loan the cost of making the repairs and improvements. The program is available for those who wish to occupy the home only, no investor deals! Also, it is important to understand that while the FHA insured 203(k) loan is provided through select approved mortgage lenders nationwide, very few sources know this program and its intricacies, how it works and how to successfully and easily execute it on behalf of both the homeowner or buyer as well as the participating contractor(s). My team and I are one of these very few sources.
The down payment requirement for an owner-occupant (or a nonprofit organization or government agency) is approximately 3.5% of the acquisition and repair costs of the property.
In short, the 203(k) loan includes the following steps:
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A potential home buyer locates a fixer-upper
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The home buyer (or owner) then selects an FHA-approved 203(k) lender or broker such as HeritagePlus Mortgage and arranges for a detailed proposal showing the scope of work to be done, including a detailed cost estimate on each repair or improvement of the project. |
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The appraisal is performed to determine the as is value as well as the value of the property after renovation. The after improved value will be certified by HUD as the as is value plus the dollar cost of repairs. |
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If the borrower passes the lender's credit-worthiness test, the loan closes for an amount that will cover the purchase or refinance cost of the property, the remodeling costs and the allowable closing costs. The amount of the loan will also include a contingency reserve of 10% to 20% of the total remodeling costs and is used to cover any extra work not included in the original proposal. |
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At closing, the seller of the property is paid off (or the existing homeowner's mortgage lender, if applicable) and the remaining funds are put in an escrow account to pay for the repairs and improvements during the rehabilitation period. |
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The mortgage payments and remodeling begin after the loan closes. The borrower can decide to have up to six mortgage payments (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) put into the cost of rehabilitation if the property is not going to be or cannot be occupied during construction, but it cannot exceed the length of time it is estimated to complete the rehab. |
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Escrowed funds are released to the contractor during construction through a series of draw requests for completed work. To ensure completion of the job, 10% of each draw is held back; this money is paid after the lender determines there will be no liens on the property. For jobs under $35,000.00, no inspector is required and only two draws/disbursements occur: one at loan closing (up to half of the money) and the other when the work is complete.
If you are a homeowner or prospective buyer of a "fixer upper" and you are seeking home improvement money, you should strongly consider exploiting this resource. Note: self employed applicants are extremely difficult to qualify due to their absence of declared net income. These are fully documented loans only, no "stated income" or "ALT-A" home improvement loans like this exist, unfortunately. If you are a home improvement specialist that is losing jobs because of the demise of homeowner equity and a lack of payment options, you really should read up on this a bit more. If you are a Realtor who knows of fixer upper properties, you also should research this a bit more, and of course, call me with any questions! I originate 203(k) loans all over NH and have for years, and I have them processed, underwritten, funded and serviced with a solid, stable, HUD/FHA-approved bank. For additional free recorded info about HUD 203(k) financing and how to make it work for you whether you are a home buyer/homeowner looking for repairs and the financing or you are a Realtor, Contractor or other industry insider, please call my Better Business Bureau accredited team and I today! As always, we're here to help!
Jamie Woods ~ Senior Loan Officer ~ FHA/VA/USDA Specialist ~ SARA Mortgage & Financial, LLC ~ (603)-965-8241 http://www.mortgagemagician.blogspot.com Licensed by the NH Banking Dept For a more in depth, close up look at the HUD 203(k) home improvement loan including what types of improvements are financed (almost all are), please see my blog at: http://mortgagemagician.blogspot.com/2008/05/need-home-improvements-why-not-apply.html
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