For the third month in a row, mortgage lates, 90 days or more, have declined. This could be another sign of recovery. With fewer defaults, the inventory level of REOs and short sales should go down as well. Could this be the bottom or is it a double dip situation. Only time will provide us with an answer. Either way, now is still a good time to purchase real estate.
In the coming months San Francisco will experience an increase in closed sales because the number of pending sales has increased by 8.9% which represents 2.6 months of the current supply of homes. If supplies continue to decrease and demand stays strong, maybe a seller’s market might be on the horizon.
The market will change if employment increases and interest rates stays affordable. However, if more distressed homes come on the market, we may not see a market shift for a long time or we may see a double dip in prices.
In January, pending home sales declined however, the data is based on contracts signed in January not closings. According to Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, “The housing market is healing with sales fluctuating at times, depending on the flow of distressed properties coming on the market,” he said. He expects the recovery will be a straight upward path because there is still an elevated level of shadow inventory of distressed homes and interest rates are still historically low.
According to the Wall Street Journal, there are plenty of signs that the housing market finally bottoming out. If investors and buyers continue to take advantage of the most affordable housing in decades, prices will probably bottom out in 2011.
Lenders have foreclosed on 78,133 properties in January, which is up by 12% from the previous month but it is 11% less then a year ago. Although there has been an increase in default notices, auctions, and bank repossessions in January, it is encouraging to know that the increase is 17% less then a year ago.
5 states are responsible for more then 50% of the nation’s total foreclosure activity; California, Florida, Michigan, Arizona and Illinois. Nevada was the hardest hit state with the highest foreclosure rate in the nation. Bank repossessions increased 16% from December which is more then 5 times the national average. Even though we are seeing more foreclosures, they are less then what it was a year ago. Let’s hope that this is a good sign that we might be on the right track to recovery.
Have you been hearing about the looming wave of foreclosures coming? Well, it’s slowly coming to the market place. With the economic problems we are facing, it is taking a toll on everybody. We are still not out of our crisis. Some areas in the country are really going through hard times. California is so lucky, we have four cities out of eight, that ranks as the most miserable cities in the United States. Let’s hope that things don’t get any worst!!!
I just want to wish everybody a happy new year. 2011 will be interesting but I hope it will be better then it has been this year. Please have a safe, healthy, and prosperious new year!
Where do you go after your home is foreclosed upon by the bank? Your credit is a mess and you may not make as much money as before, so where do you go?
The Center for Economic and Policy Research has a report, “The Gains from Right to Rent in 2010″, and has suggested to allow homeowners the right to rent their home, after foreclosure. By doing so, it may address the nation’s foreclosure problem.
HR 5028, under Right to Rent legislation, would allow the foreclosed homeowner to stay in the home as a renter for a substantial period of time. This would help the homeowners from being homeless and it will help the communities that are experiencing high numbers of foreclosures.
Are you thinking about updating or remodeling your home? Well, it can be an overwhelming task especially when you’re thinking about doing it your self. When the job becomes a major project, then you may want to hire a contractor to help you with your project. Like every industry, there are good ones and bad. You need to know what to ask when you interview them for the job; things like asking for referrals, or copy of their insurance coverage, or even if they clean up after themselves when they are done for the day. Here are 10 tips to refer to when you are planning to make changes to your home.
Everybody has gone shopping for one thing or another so this should apply to mortgage loans too. By taking the time to shop around for the best rates available, you could be saving thousands of dollars during the life time of the loan. So it pays to be aware of the cost associated in obtaining a loan. Not to mention, you will be more confident about affording and purchasing that home that says “buy me”.
After all, purchasing a property could be the most expensive thing you buy in your life time. Why not take the plunge now? With the lowest interest rates ever available and lots of homes to choose from, plus slow economic recovery of the market, this is the best time to do so.
Have you been thinking about when it may be the best time to purchase a property? Well, here’s 5 reasons why you might want to make that big step now. Don’t forget, real estate has cycles. We are now in a buyer’s cycle and it’s the best time to take advantage of the market place. Remember, not too long ago, the last seller’s market? Do you remember when prices went through the roof and properties were selling like hot cakes? Does multiple offers to buy a home and bidding over the asking price sound familiar? Well, it’s better now. If you can get into a property today, you’ll be able to ride the wave of the next seller’s market.
So how are you going to get the money to take advantage of the opportunity? Unless you have lots of cash to make that purchase, you should see your banker or loan agent to see how much you can borrow. If you need to scrape up some money for a down payment, here’s 7 ways that may help. Good Luck!
