INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:
"A man's reputation is the opinion people have of him; his character is what he really is."
- Jack Miner, conservationist (1865-1944)
http://www.nathanbangs.com/morning-coffee
HOW'S YOUR CREDIT?
NathanBangs.com Facebook Twitter Tampa Bay Real Estate TV
Are You Facing Foreclosure Click me? Analysis of your Tampa Bay Homes Value
|
|
|
|
This Month in Real Estate ............................................................................................................................................... Commentary December closed out the year with further indications of a budding recovery, illustrating we've come far from the pessimistic outlook this time last year. Soft home prices, affordable financing conditions as well as the government's tax break targeted at the housing market have contributed to providing the much needed boost to the housing market. Solid gains in home sale activity helps to pare down inventory to a healthier level, which in turn will likely bring more stability to home prices. The most recent Federal Reserve meeting indicated a more positive outlook about our economic condition as they pointed to plans to reel in emergency programs. Mortgage rates, which have hovered around 5 percent for most of 2009, are starting to climb again. Economists expect these unprecedented rates to go back up as Fed's program to purchase mortgage-backed securities expires in March and private investors are demanding higher returns. According to Nar 2009 President Charles McMillan, "Even with price declines in recent years, the typical home seller saw their equity increase 27 percent." NAR's most recent Home Buyers and Sellers survey reported that 87 percent of survey respondents consider their home a good investment, and more than half see it as a better investment than stocks. This indicates that Americans still see homeownership as a source of steady long-term wealth accumulation. Employment will continue to be closely watched and steps on the road to recovery will likely continue to come one-by-one. Although concerns remain, many experts are hopeful of a brighter year in 2010. The Housing Market Existing Home Sales - Up 44% from last year •· Existing home sales surged a record-breaking 44 percent from a year ago, the highest annual gain since NAR started tracking the data in 1999. The strong gain can be attributed to first-time buyers who accounted for 51 percent of all home sales, the highest on record dating back to 1981, as they rushed to beat the deadline for the first-time buyer tax credit that was due to expire November 30. The previous high was 44 percent in 1991. Sales activity is at the highest level since February 2007 when it reached 6.55 million.
Median Home Price - Very favorable •· Low home prices continue to add the extra boost to home sales. Existing-home price was $172,600 in November, 5 percent higher from its low in January. While still 4.3 percent down from a year ago, it is the smallest decline in two years. Distressed properties, which accounted for 33 percent of all transactions in November, continue to hold down the median home price, as they typically sell for 15 to 20 percent less than traditional homes. Inventory - Lowest level in almost 3 years •· The supply of homes is now at the lowest level in almost three years. The supply of existing homes for sale at the end of November declined 1.3 percent to 3.52 million, representing a 6.5-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a seven-month supply in October. Generally, a six-month supply is considered balanced. Compared to a year ago, there are now 15 percent fewer homes on the market.
Mortgage Rates - Inching Up •· Mortgage rates have begun to inch back up as government support runs its course and interest rates rise. On December 24, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 5.05 percent, the first time it has gone above 5 percent since the end of October. According to Amy Crews Cutts, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac, "Extraordinary resources have been put into keeping the rates down and supporting the mortgage market, and it's hard to imagine that the rates can go much lower than they are." Affordability - Best since 1970s •· Affordability continues to be at a record level thanks to unprecedented interest rates, low home prices, as well as the first-time buyer tax credit. So far this year, the home price-to-income ratio has fallen well below the historical average of 25 percent. The ratio now stands at 15 percent. Sources: National Association of Realtors, Freddie Mac Government Action Residential Retrofit Program Vice President Biden recently announced a program called "Recovery Through Retrofit." In addition to creating energy performance labels, it will create national energy performance measures for existing homes. It will provide the following:
The goal of the imitative is to create more energy efficiency in homes to benefit the country's energy consumption. Retrofits include but are not limited to energy efficient heating, cooling, and water systems, insulation, roofing, flooring, windows, and solar panels. Source: National Association of Realtors Cash for "Clunky" Appliances In efforts to vamp up energy efficiency, the federal government is implementing a rebate program for appliances. People can swap in their old appliances for new energy-efficient ones, saving electricity and saving on monthly bills. A 20-year-old fridge can use three times as much energy as a new Energy Star-approved fridge. The age of your appliances impact your actual savings, so check into it before purchasing. Important things to know:
Source: The Associated Press Government Calls for Increased Lending by Banks According to the FDIC, lending has fallen for five consecutive quarters - even though banks have become profitable again and have started to repay government loans. Banks lent $600 billion less from September 2008 to September 2009, representing a 7 percent decline. Banks site a lack of qualified borrowers as the primary reason and point to the trend of decreased borrowing during recessions. The goals of banks and the government appear to be in line now with each bank representative talking about getting aggressive with small business lending over the next year. Goals for 2010 small business lending include $5 billion for Bank of America and $4 billion for Chase. As banks continue to be profitable, they can be expected to use the proceeds to repay the government as well as increase their efforts to make good loans. Small business owners should expect an increase in the amount of loans available during 2010 compared to 2009. Holding true to the trend in 2009, a good credit score and steady employment will likely continue to be important conditions of obtaining a mortgage. Sources: The Washington Post, FDIC Topics For Buyers & Sellers
Energy Savers for Buyers to Keep an Eye Out For
Making Home Maintenance Routine Home ownership has its wonderful benefits, and as one of the single biggest financial assets many people own, preparing, planning, and making home maintenance a routine are important. Personal finance experts recommend setting aside at least 1 percent of your home price each year in a separate account for maintenance and repair costs. Automatically deducting the funds from your paycheck or automatically transferring it between accounts each month can make this easy. Some years homeowners will have less than 1 percent in maintenance costs or repairs and some years they will have more. When something big and unexpected happens; for example it's finally time to replace the roof; this will provide the financial cushion to take care of it and the peace of mind knowing one of their biggest assets is well taken care of. Source: MSN Money |
Contact me, your local real estate expert, for information about what's going on in our area.
Newsletter Contents 1. Commentary 2. The Housing Market 3. Government Action 4. Topics for Buyers
|
|
|
|
|
For a more detailed report with additional graphs and government action, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report. |
Tampa Bay Office - 813.739.5965 / Buyer Hotline - 813.739.5925
NathanBangs.com Facebook Twitter Tampa Bay Real Estate TV
Are You Facing Foreclosure Click me? Analysis of your Tampa Bay Homes Value
Welcome to a new week, Realtor friends.
I have been faced with a big problem in the past few months..... How low will you go?
OK what I mean is what is the lowest priced listing you will take that is a Short Sale? Over the past few months I have turned down 20 + short sale condo listings that are CASH ONLY communities.
Why would anyone turn down business? Margin!
Example a $30,000 condo at 3% commission if the bank allows it is, $900.00
Take out Keller Williams Reallty Fees
Take out Transaction Fees
Take out Marketing Fees
Take out Show Service Fees
Take out my Assistant's Labor
Take out Taxes on the Net
and before you add in my time you NET = NOTHING!!!!
So the question is what are you doing about this issue?
To make it worse what happens when you get a referral for a cheap low priced listing like this? Cannot afford the referral fee.
Work 1 year on a Short Sale to "pay" to sell it is the way I feel. So I am walking from the listing... who is helping owners with these condos? Cheap houses?
Ideas please!
Thanks,
Nathan Bangs
 |
|
|
Top Tampa Bay, Florida Realtor with BA from Loyola University of New Orleans. We are a team of Buyers Agents, Listing Agents and Full Time Staff for all of your Real Estate Needs.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2012 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
