Thursday, January 31, 2013
Ready to sell? Five reasons you should list now!
The market is definitely picking up. KCM mentions 5 reasons to list your house for sale now...
5 Reasons You Should List Your House TODAY!
by The KCM Crew on January 28, 2013 ·
Many homeowners are waiting until the Spring ‘buying season’ to list their homes for sale. Here are five reasons why that might not make sense this year:
1.) Demand Is High
Homes are selling at a pace not seen since 2007. The most recent Existing Home Sales Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that annual sales in 2012 increased 9.2% over 2011. There are buyers out there right now and they are serious about purchasing.
2.) Supply Is Low
The monthly supply of houses for sale is at its lowest point (4.4 months) since May of 2005. The current month’s supply is down 21.6% from the same time last year. Historically, inventory increases dramatically in the spring. Selling now when demand is high and supply is low may garner you your best price.
3.) New Construction Is Coming Back
Over the last several years, most homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with a new construction project around the block. As the market is recovering, more and more builders are jumping back in. These ‘shiny’ new homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative to many purchasers.
4.) Interest Rates Are Projected to Inch Up
The Mortgage Bankers’ Association has projected mortgage interest rates will inch up approximately one full point in 2013. Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.
5.) Timelines Will Be Shorter
The dramatic increase in transactions caused many challenges to the process of buying or selling a home in 2012. We waited for inspections, dealt with last minute appraisals and prayed that the bank didn’t ask for ‘just one more piece of paper’ before issuing a commitment on the mortgage. There are fewer transactions this time of year. That means that timetables on each component of the home buying process will be friendlier for those involved in transactions over the next 90 days.
These are five good reasons why you should consider listing your house today instead of waiting.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Selling or buying a home in 2012? Here's help!
Businessinsider.com posted this article and there are some really good points for buyers and selers. Foreclosures and Short Sales are not going away and it is so important that you hire a professional that is familiar and has experience with these kinds of transactions. Contact me if I can help you with your Real Estate needs.
"To buy or sell in 2012, what with Armageddon coming and all? Absent any ancient Mayan wisdom on real estate strategies, let's just hope the real cataclysmic event in the real estate market already has passed, even if the rubble from the bubble remains.
A stubborn overstock of households with loans higher than their value will continue to restrain prices and create some major obstacles for sellers in 2012, a year that's shaping up to be another homebuyer's market. In fact, recent studies indicate that more than 20 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage are still underwater, hinting that many foreclosures and workouts are still to come.
However, even the most conservative forecasts call for growth in home sales in 2012, with some select pockets around the country already busting out where there are competitive offers on new listings. More than one-third of home resales were made to first-time buyers in 2011 -- another good sign.
Meanwhile, here are 12 tips for 2012, aimed largely at the group that needs the most help -- home sellers.
Price it right from the get-go
The old-school strategy of real estate sellers crossing their arms and holding out for a better offer will be brushed off by most homebuyers. Consider that of the homes that took four months or more to sell in the past year, almost half of their owners accepted less than 90 percent of the asking price, according to the National Association of Realtors. For a gauge, have your agent produce the latest comparable sales including short sales and foreclosures as well as a recent summary of sales prices versus original list prices. But be wary that such information doesn't reflect the homes that failed to sell.
Put your best footage forward
Prep, paint, stage, scrub, improve, repeat. Efforts can include caulking, plastering, planting flowers, adding potted plants, making the windows spotless, pressure washing that oily driveway, edging the walks, trimming the bushes and trees, and mending the fences. None of these is excessively capital-intensive, but when applied en masse, they say "buy me."
Be flexible
I'm not saying bend over backward to accommodate real estate buyers. Bend forward and sideways, too. Be ready to negotiate and offer extras such as closing costs, paid property taxes, remodeling work (or a cash credit), appliances, paid condo association/homeowner association dues, a few months of mortgage payments or even seller financing. Home sellers who've been on the sidelines and who advised their agents to ignore offers by lowballers don't have that luxury now. Instruct your agent to listen intently to prospective homebuyers' misgivings about the home and adjust accordingly and immediately.
Trump your techno-fears
Hire a listing agent steeped in mobile platforms. Sellers and buyers are routinely using Facebook and other social media to sell and seek, not to mention dozens of online selling sites. Some owners are even making YouTube videos to showcase their homes, making it easier to quickly link to potential buyers via email. There's also an abundance of smartphone apps cropping up to review real estate listings and refine searches.
Don't fall prey
Fraudsters are targeting distressed homeowners with "deals" that can sound perfectly legit. Some offer loan modifications for upfront fees while others offer fee-based "help" in navigating government housing assistance programs, sometimes claiming they're attorneys.
There are also con-artist "investors" compelling desperate owners to sign over their homes with quitclaim deeds in return for a typically empty promise to remain there indefinitely. Others are telling former owners they can get their homes back for a lump sum. Be forewarned: Never sign blank documents or documents with blank lines.
If you're unsure of an offer, have an attorney or other trusted adviser look it over. Keep in mind that a law barring firms -- except attorneys -- from charging upfront fees for mortgage relief or mortgage modification took effect in 2011. It's called the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule.
Finance 101
Realize it's harder to qualify for loans these days. Credit records are under greater scrutiny, and lenders are often demanding a 20 percent down payment and some pricing flexibility from the sellers, especially if the lender's appraisal doesn't reach the asking price.
Consider cash offers, even if they're not the highest. Reject too-low offers from homebuyers gently and with encouragement, telling them they're oh-so-close. You don't want to give away the farm, but you don't want to give it back to the bank either. These days, meeting halfway usually means meeting buyers on their half.
Be your own spokesperson
Agents once advised home sellers to retreat from view during showings, lest they disclose something unsavory or otherwise botch the deal. That's changed. If you can control your ego and emotions and come off as an earnest, flexible seller, you can serve as your best spokesperson. Be ready to answer would-be buyers' questions about the neighborhood and area schools. Be careful about making verbal promises!
Flight to quality
Worried about durability? Buyers who place a heavier focus on brick or concrete-and-steel housing may find they're more enduring, safer and quieter.
Are you worried about sustaining value? Buy near a prestigious hospital, university, large government employer or newly vibrant central business district. These entities typically aren't going away, and the demand for good housing around them won't either.
Expand your buying universe
There's still an overabundance of well-priced inventory out there, which means you needn't immediately narrow your search to the first house you fancy. That's especially the case with short sale homes, which can be a nightmare to close in a timely manner. There are some for-sale gems that need only a little polishing.
Shop around. Don't dismiss foreclosures and other bank properties, pre-foreclosures, auction homes, for-sale-by-owner or lease-to-own homes. Pick at least three favorites and work from there.
'Site unseen' equals shortsightedness
Are you perplexed by the home valuation you did on your place on the website of a large, seemingly reputable real estate organization? Puzzled how that valuation can be 25 percent or more above or below a firsthand appraisal you've had done? Well, value estimates on these sites can vary widely, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars, even by the admission of the companies themselves. There are way too many variables in the valuation game to give too much credence to blind, algorithm-based estimates that are impersonally calculated. Nothing beats a nuanced firsthand professional appraisal.
Expand your buyer's due diligence
Aside from the financial details, contracts, disclosures and protections you typically tend to as you prep to buy a home, add these to the list:
Hire a title company to check the house for liens and tax arrearages.
Hire you own inspector. Don't use the seller's!
Have the inspector check for unpermitted work such as illegal room additions and garage conversions.
Consider the overall energy efficiency of the home with an energy audit.
Be sure property lines are accurate. If there's any question, hire a land surveyor to research the original deed and to stake out the property's lines and your neighbors' property lines to avoid future disputes.
Make a quality-of-life due-diligence checklist
Go to the National Sex Offender Public Website at Nsopw.gov to search for neighborhood predators.
Spend some time around the neighborhood and briefly interview neighbors. Determine if there are noisy neighbors, signs of gang activity, nocturnal barking dogs, indigent lingerers, frequent loud parties and/or suspicious nighttime visits. Are there lots of rental homes? Is the block a cut-through point during rush hour? Does the school bus go past the block? Is there a restrictive homeowners association?
Determine what types of buildings can be constructed on vacant lots adjacent to the neighborhood. This helps avoid unpleasant future surprises. Is there constant noise from a nearby highway or busy street? Are there odors from nearby industrial plants?"
Read more: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/real-estate/12-real-estate-tips-2012-1.aspx?ic_id=Top_Financial%20News%20Center_link_1#ixzz1iJso1YOH
"To buy or sell in 2012, what with Armageddon coming and all? Absent any ancient Mayan wisdom on real estate strategies, let's just hope the real cataclysmic event in the real estate market already has passed, even if the rubble from the bubble remains.
A stubborn overstock of households with loans higher than their value will continue to restrain prices and create some major obstacles for sellers in 2012, a year that's shaping up to be another homebuyer's market. In fact, recent studies indicate that more than 20 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage are still underwater, hinting that many foreclosures and workouts are still to come.
However, even the most conservative forecasts call for growth in home sales in 2012, with some select pockets around the country already busting out where there are competitive offers on new listings. More than one-third of home resales were made to first-time buyers in 2011 -- another good sign.
Meanwhile, here are 12 tips for 2012, aimed largely at the group that needs the most help -- home sellers.
Price it right from the get-go
The old-school strategy of real estate sellers crossing their arms and holding out for a better offer will be brushed off by most homebuyers. Consider that of the homes that took four months or more to sell in the past year, almost half of their owners accepted less than 90 percent of the asking price, according to the National Association of Realtors. For a gauge, have your agent produce the latest comparable sales including short sales and foreclosures as well as a recent summary of sales prices versus original list prices. But be wary that such information doesn't reflect the homes that failed to sell.
Put your best footage forward
Prep, paint, stage, scrub, improve, repeat. Efforts can include caulking, plastering, planting flowers, adding potted plants, making the windows spotless, pressure washing that oily driveway, edging the walks, trimming the bushes and trees, and mending the fences. None of these is excessively capital-intensive, but when applied en masse, they say "buy me."
Be flexible
I'm not saying bend over backward to accommodate real estate buyers. Bend forward and sideways, too. Be ready to negotiate and offer extras such as closing costs, paid property taxes, remodeling work (or a cash credit), appliances, paid condo association/homeowner association dues, a few months of mortgage payments or even seller financing. Home sellers who've been on the sidelines and who advised their agents to ignore offers by lowballers don't have that luxury now. Instruct your agent to listen intently to prospective homebuyers' misgivings about the home and adjust accordingly and immediately.
Trump your techno-fears
Hire a listing agent steeped in mobile platforms. Sellers and buyers are routinely using Facebook and other social media to sell and seek, not to mention dozens of online selling sites. Some owners are even making YouTube videos to showcase their homes, making it easier to quickly link to potential buyers via email. There's also an abundance of smartphone apps cropping up to review real estate listings and refine searches.
Don't fall prey
Fraudsters are targeting distressed homeowners with "deals" that can sound perfectly legit. Some offer loan modifications for upfront fees while others offer fee-based "help" in navigating government housing assistance programs, sometimes claiming they're attorneys.
There are also con-artist "investors" compelling desperate owners to sign over their homes with quitclaim deeds in return for a typically empty promise to remain there indefinitely. Others are telling former owners they can get their homes back for a lump sum. Be forewarned: Never sign blank documents or documents with blank lines.
If you're unsure of an offer, have an attorney or other trusted adviser look it over. Keep in mind that a law barring firms -- except attorneys -- from charging upfront fees for mortgage relief or mortgage modification took effect in 2011. It's called the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule.
Finance 101
Realize it's harder to qualify for loans these days. Credit records are under greater scrutiny, and lenders are often demanding a 20 percent down payment and some pricing flexibility from the sellers, especially if the lender's appraisal doesn't reach the asking price.
Consider cash offers, even if they're not the highest. Reject too-low offers from homebuyers gently and with encouragement, telling them they're oh-so-close. You don't want to give away the farm, but you don't want to give it back to the bank either. These days, meeting halfway usually means meeting buyers on their half.
Be your own spokesperson
Agents once advised home sellers to retreat from view during showings, lest they disclose something unsavory or otherwise botch the deal. That's changed. If you can control your ego and emotions and come off as an earnest, flexible seller, you can serve as your best spokesperson. Be ready to answer would-be buyers' questions about the neighborhood and area schools. Be careful about making verbal promises!
Flight to quality
Worried about durability? Buyers who place a heavier focus on brick or concrete-and-steel housing may find they're more enduring, safer and quieter.
Are you worried about sustaining value? Buy near a prestigious hospital, university, large government employer or newly vibrant central business district. These entities typically aren't going away, and the demand for good housing around them won't either.
Expand your buying universe
There's still an overabundance of well-priced inventory out there, which means you needn't immediately narrow your search to the first house you fancy. That's especially the case with short sale homes, which can be a nightmare to close in a timely manner. There are some for-sale gems that need only a little polishing.
Shop around. Don't dismiss foreclosures and other bank properties, pre-foreclosures, auction homes, for-sale-by-owner or lease-to-own homes. Pick at least three favorites and work from there.
'Site unseen' equals shortsightedness
Are you perplexed by the home valuation you did on your place on the website of a large, seemingly reputable real estate organization? Puzzled how that valuation can be 25 percent or more above or below a firsthand appraisal you've had done? Well, value estimates on these sites can vary widely, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars, even by the admission of the companies themselves. There are way too many variables in the valuation game to give too much credence to blind, algorithm-based estimates that are impersonally calculated. Nothing beats a nuanced firsthand professional appraisal.
Expand your buyer's due diligence
Aside from the financial details, contracts, disclosures and protections you typically tend to as you prep to buy a home, add these to the list:
Hire a title company to check the house for liens and tax arrearages.
Hire you own inspector. Don't use the seller's!
Have the inspector check for unpermitted work such as illegal room additions and garage conversions.
Consider the overall energy efficiency of the home with an energy audit.
Be sure property lines are accurate. If there's any question, hire a land surveyor to research the original deed and to stake out the property's lines and your neighbors' property lines to avoid future disputes.
Make a quality-of-life due-diligence checklist
Go to the National Sex Offender Public Website at Nsopw.gov to search for neighborhood predators.
Spend some time around the neighborhood and briefly interview neighbors. Determine if there are noisy neighbors, signs of gang activity, nocturnal barking dogs, indigent lingerers, frequent loud parties and/or suspicious nighttime visits. Are there lots of rental homes? Is the block a cut-through point during rush hour? Does the school bus go past the block? Is there a restrictive homeowners association?
Determine what types of buildings can be constructed on vacant lots adjacent to the neighborhood. This helps avoid unpleasant future surprises. Is there constant noise from a nearby highway or busy street? Are there odors from nearby industrial plants?"
Read more: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/real-estate/12-real-estate-tips-2012-1.aspx?ic_id=Top_Financial%20News%20Center_link_1#ixzz1iJso1YOH
Monday, July 18, 2011
Ask Your Home Inspector
This article was posted on Trulia..many buyers don't understand the purpose of a home inspection and what to ask a seller to repair as a result of one. A home inspection is not just to find out if any repairs are needed but it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the house and it's systems.
5 Questions to Ask Your Home's Inspector
Most home buyers feel like they are bona fide real estate experts after all the studying up on loans and neighborhoods, online house hunting and open house visiting it takes just to get into contract on a home these days. But for all but the most handy of house hunters, getting into contract and starting the home inspection process only surfaces how little you actually know about the nuts and bolts and brick and mortar of the massive investment you’re about to make: a home!
So, you hire a home inspector, but it seems like they’re speaking an entirely different language - riddled with terms like “serviceable condition” and “conducive to deterioration” - about your dream home! Here are 5 questions you can use to decode your home inspector’s findings into knowledge you can use to make smart decisions as a homebuyer - and homeowner.
1. How bad is it - really? The best home inspectors are pretty even keeled, emotionally speaking. They’re not alarmists that blow little things up into big ones, nor do they try to play down the importance of things. They’re all about the facts. But sometimes, that straightforwardness makes it hard for you, the home’s buyer, to understand what’s a big deal and what isn’t so much - the information you need to know whether to move forward with the deal, whether to renegotiate and what to plan ahead for.
I’ve seen things categorized in home inspection reports under “Health and Safety Hazards” that cost less than $100 to fix, like replacing a faucet that has hot and cold reversed. And I’ve seen one-liners in inspection reports, like “extensive earth-to-wood contact” result, after further inspection, in foundation repair bids pricier than the whole cost of the home!
In many states, home inspectors are not legally able to provide you with a repair bid, but if you attend the inspection and simply ask them whether or not something they say needs fixing is a big deal, nine times out of ten they will verbally give you the information you need to understand the degree to which the issue is a serious problem (or not).
2. Who should I have fix that? I always ask this question of home inspectors, with dual motives. First, very often, the inspector’s response is - “What do you mean? You don’t need to pay someone to fix that. Go down to Home Depot, pick up a ___fill in the blank__, and here’s how you pop it in. Should cost you $15 - tops.” And that’s useful information to know - it eliminates the horror of a laundry list of repairs and maintenance items at the end of an inspection report to know that a number of them are really DIY-type maintenance items. Even buyers who are really uncomfortable doing these things themselves then feel empowered to either (a) watch a few YouTube vids that show them how it’s done, or (b) hire a handyperson to do these small fixes, knowing they shouldn’t be too terribly costly.
And even on the larger repairs, your home inspector might be able to give you a few referrals to the plumbers, electricians or roofers you’ll need to get bids from during your contingency period, which you may be able to use to negotiate with your home’s seller, and to get the work done after you own the place. Dropping the inspector’s name might get you an appointment booked with the urgency you need it order to get your repair bids and estimates in hand before your contingency or objection period expires.
And same goes for any further inspections they recommend - if neither you nor your agent knows a specialist, ask the general home inspector for a few referrals.
3. If this was your house, what would you fix, and when? Your home inspector’s job is to point out everything, within the scope of the inspection, that might need repair, replacement, maintenance or further inspection - or seems like it might be on its last leg. But they also tend to be experienced enough with homes to know that no home is perfect. Many times, I’ve asked this question about an item the inspector described as “at the end of its serviceable lifetime” and had them say, “I wouldn’t do a thing to it. Just know that it could break in the next 5 months, or in the next 5 years. And keep your home warranty in effect, because that should cover it when it does break.”
This question positions your home inspector to help you:
•understand what does and doesn’t need to be repaired,
•prioritize the work you plan to do to your home (and budget or negotiate with the seller accordingly),
•get used to the constant maintenance that is part and parcel of homeownership, and
•understand the importance of having a home warranty plan.
4. Can you point that out to me? Often, when you attend the home inspection, you’ll be multi-tasking, taking pictures of the interior, measuring for drapes or furniture, even meeting the neighbors, or fielding several inspectors at a time. Worst case scenario is to get home, open up the inspector’s report and have no clue whatsoever what he or she was referring to when they called out the wax ring that needs replacement or the temperature-pressure release valve that is improperly installed.
Your best bet is to, at the end of the inspection and while you’re all still in the property, just ask the inspector to take 10 or 15 minutes and walk you through the place, pointing out all the items they’ve noted need repair, maintenance or further inspection. When you get the report, then, you’ll know what and where the various items belong. (One more best practice is to choose an inspector who takes digital pictures and inserts them into their reports!)
5. Can you show me how to work that? Many home inspectors are delighted to show you how to operate various mechanical or other systems in your home, and will walk you through the steps of operating everything from your thermostat, to your water heater, to your stove and dishwasher - and especially the emergency shutoffs for your gas, water and electrical utilities. This one single item is such a time and stress saver it alone is worth the lost income of missing a day of work to attend your inspections.
5 Questions to Ask Your Home's Inspector
Most home buyers feel like they are bona fide real estate experts after all the studying up on loans and neighborhoods, online house hunting and open house visiting it takes just to get into contract on a home these days. But for all but the most handy of house hunters, getting into contract and starting the home inspection process only surfaces how little you actually know about the nuts and bolts and brick and mortar of the massive investment you’re about to make: a home!
So, you hire a home inspector, but it seems like they’re speaking an entirely different language - riddled with terms like “serviceable condition” and “conducive to deterioration” - about your dream home! Here are 5 questions you can use to decode your home inspector’s findings into knowledge you can use to make smart decisions as a homebuyer - and homeowner.
1. How bad is it - really? The best home inspectors are pretty even keeled, emotionally speaking. They’re not alarmists that blow little things up into big ones, nor do they try to play down the importance of things. They’re all about the facts. But sometimes, that straightforwardness makes it hard for you, the home’s buyer, to understand what’s a big deal and what isn’t so much - the information you need to know whether to move forward with the deal, whether to renegotiate and what to plan ahead for.
I’ve seen things categorized in home inspection reports under “Health and Safety Hazards” that cost less than $100 to fix, like replacing a faucet that has hot and cold reversed. And I’ve seen one-liners in inspection reports, like “extensive earth-to-wood contact” result, after further inspection, in foundation repair bids pricier than the whole cost of the home!
In many states, home inspectors are not legally able to provide you with a repair bid, but if you attend the inspection and simply ask them whether or not something they say needs fixing is a big deal, nine times out of ten they will verbally give you the information you need to understand the degree to which the issue is a serious problem (or not).
2. Who should I have fix that? I always ask this question of home inspectors, with dual motives. First, very often, the inspector’s response is - “What do you mean? You don’t need to pay someone to fix that. Go down to Home Depot, pick up a ___fill in the blank__, and here’s how you pop it in. Should cost you $15 - tops.” And that’s useful information to know - it eliminates the horror of a laundry list of repairs and maintenance items at the end of an inspection report to know that a number of them are really DIY-type maintenance items. Even buyers who are really uncomfortable doing these things themselves then feel empowered to either (a) watch a few YouTube vids that show them how it’s done, or (b) hire a handyperson to do these small fixes, knowing they shouldn’t be too terribly costly.
And even on the larger repairs, your home inspector might be able to give you a few referrals to the plumbers, electricians or roofers you’ll need to get bids from during your contingency period, which you may be able to use to negotiate with your home’s seller, and to get the work done after you own the place. Dropping the inspector’s name might get you an appointment booked with the urgency you need it order to get your repair bids and estimates in hand before your contingency or objection period expires.
And same goes for any further inspections they recommend - if neither you nor your agent knows a specialist, ask the general home inspector for a few referrals.
3. If this was your house, what would you fix, and when? Your home inspector’s job is to point out everything, within the scope of the inspection, that might need repair, replacement, maintenance or further inspection - or seems like it might be on its last leg. But they also tend to be experienced enough with homes to know that no home is perfect. Many times, I’ve asked this question about an item the inspector described as “at the end of its serviceable lifetime” and had them say, “I wouldn’t do a thing to it. Just know that it could break in the next 5 months, or in the next 5 years. And keep your home warranty in effect, because that should cover it when it does break.”
This question positions your home inspector to help you:
•understand what does and doesn’t need to be repaired,
•prioritize the work you plan to do to your home (and budget or negotiate with the seller accordingly),
•get used to the constant maintenance that is part and parcel of homeownership, and
•understand the importance of having a home warranty plan.
4. Can you point that out to me? Often, when you attend the home inspection, you’ll be multi-tasking, taking pictures of the interior, measuring for drapes or furniture, even meeting the neighbors, or fielding several inspectors at a time. Worst case scenario is to get home, open up the inspector’s report and have no clue whatsoever what he or she was referring to when they called out the wax ring that needs replacement or the temperature-pressure release valve that is improperly installed.
Your best bet is to, at the end of the inspection and while you’re all still in the property, just ask the inspector to take 10 or 15 minutes and walk you through the place, pointing out all the items they’ve noted need repair, maintenance or further inspection. When you get the report, then, you’ll know what and where the various items belong. (One more best practice is to choose an inspector who takes digital pictures and inserts them into their reports!)
5. Can you show me how to work that? Many home inspectors are delighted to show you how to operate various mechanical or other systems in your home, and will walk you through the steps of operating everything from your thermostat, to your water heater, to your stove and dishwasher - and especially the emergency shutoffs for your gas, water and electrical utilities. This one single item is such a time and stress saver it alone is worth the lost income of missing a day of work to attend your inspections.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Homeowners and tax benefits..
For many homeowners, the tax benefits are still offering relief in this tough economic time..
Tax Time Less Taxing for Home Owners
Washington, March 15, 2011
“Owning a home offers myriad benefits throughout the year, but some of the financial advantages of home ownership are most apparent at tax time,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “As many of today’s hard-working American families are feeling a financial squeeze, the tax benefits that can come from owning a home can be a welcome relief.”
A number of tax deductions and credits are still available for home owners; these include deductions – with specific limits – for mortgage interest and capital gains on home sales, and credits for certain energy-efficient home improvements. Even with these benefits, home owners pay 80-90 percent of all U.S. federal income taxes.
“It’s been suggested that many of today’s tax incentives for home ownership primarily benefit wealthy individuals, but that’s simply not true,” said Phipps. “As today’s public debate continues about what home ownership means for families, communities, and the nation’s economy, there’s no question that for many, owning a home is still the best way to begin building wealth.”
Ninety-one percent of home owners who claim the mortgage interest deduction earn less than $200,000 a year, and the ability to deduct the interest paid on a mortgage can mean significant savings at tax time. For example, a family who bought a home in 2010 with a $200,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, assuming an interest rate of 4.5 percent, could save nearly $3,500 in federal taxes when they file this year.
“Realtors® see the very real positive impact of home ownership every day with our clients,” said Phipps. “Recent proposals to reduce or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and remove government support of the housing finance market could have disastrous consequences for the economy, not to mention making it harder or nearly impossible for millions of families to own their own homes. We believe America must continue to invest in home ownership, for the future of our families and our nation.”
For home owner tax season tips, visit www.HouseLogic.com. HouseLogic is a free source of information from NAR that helps home owners maintain and enhance the value of their homes and engage in issues that affect their local communities.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
# # #
Tax Time Less Taxing for Home Owners
Washington, March 15, 2011
“Owning a home offers myriad benefits throughout the year, but some of the financial advantages of home ownership are most apparent at tax time,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “As many of today’s hard-working American families are feeling a financial squeeze, the tax benefits that can come from owning a home can be a welcome relief.”
A number of tax deductions and credits are still available for home owners; these include deductions – with specific limits – for mortgage interest and capital gains on home sales, and credits for certain energy-efficient home improvements. Even with these benefits, home owners pay 80-90 percent of all U.S. federal income taxes.
“It’s been suggested that many of today’s tax incentives for home ownership primarily benefit wealthy individuals, but that’s simply not true,” said Phipps. “As today’s public debate continues about what home ownership means for families, communities, and the nation’s economy, there’s no question that for many, owning a home is still the best way to begin building wealth.”
Ninety-one percent of home owners who claim the mortgage interest deduction earn less than $200,000 a year, and the ability to deduct the interest paid on a mortgage can mean significant savings at tax time. For example, a family who bought a home in 2010 with a $200,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, assuming an interest rate of 4.5 percent, could save nearly $3,500 in federal taxes when they file this year.
“Realtors® see the very real positive impact of home ownership every day with our clients,” said Phipps. “Recent proposals to reduce or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and remove government support of the housing finance market could have disastrous consequences for the economy, not to mention making it harder or nearly impossible for millions of families to own their own homes. We believe America must continue to invest in home ownership, for the future of our families and our nation.”
For home owner tax season tips, visit www.HouseLogic.com. HouseLogic is a free source of information from NAR that helps home owners maintain and enhance the value of their homes and engage in issues that affect their local communities.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
Foreclosures 26% of 2010 sales
This article didn't surprise me at all..When I search for properties for my buyers, a good percentage of them are either short sales or foreclosures. In order for market values to start increasing, these distressed properties have to get sold..it's a tough situation for sellers but for buyers, it can be the deal of a lifetime.
RISMEDIA, February 24, 2011—RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its Year-End and Q4 2010 U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report, which shows that foreclosure homes accounted for nearly 26% of all U.S. residential sales during the year, down from 29% of all sales in 2009 but up from 23% of all sales in 2008. The report also shows that the average sales price of these foreclosure properties was more than 28% below the average sales price of properties not in the foreclosure process—up from a 27% average discount in 2009 and a 22% average discount in 2008.
A total of 831,574 U.S. residential properties either owned by banks or in some stage of foreclosure—default or scheduled for auction—sold to third parties in 2010, a decrease of 31% from 2009 and a decrease of nearly 14% from 2008. Meanwhile, sales volume of non-foreclosure properties in 2010 decreased nearly 19% from 2009 and nearly 27% from 2008.
A total of 149,303 foreclosure sales were recorded in the fourth quarter, down 22% from the previous quarter and down 45% from the fourth quarter of 2009—despite a 21% monthly uptick in foreclosure sales volume in December. Mirroring the year-end statistics, foreclosure sales in the fourth quarter accounted for 26% of total sales, and foreclosure properties sold for an average sales price that was 28% below the average sales price of properties not in foreclosure.
“Foreclosure sales in the fourth quarter faced the twin headwinds of the expired home buyer tax credit—which began to stifle sales volume during the third quarter—and the foreclosure documentation controversy, which hit in the fourth quarter and temporarily froze sales of foreclosures from several major lenders,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. “Given those factors, it’s not surprising that in the fourth quarter foreclosure sales volume hit its lowest level since the first quarter of 2008.
“Still, foreclosures continue to represent a substantial percentage of all U.S. residential sales and continue to sell at an average sales price that is significantly below the average sales price of properties not in foreclosure—the result of a bloated supply of foreclosures and weak demand from home buyers,” Saccacio continued. “The catch-22 for 2011 is that while accelerating foreclosure sales will help clear the oversupply of distressed properties and return balance to the market in the long run, in the short term a high percentage of foreclosure sales will continue to weigh down home prices.”
Foreclosure sales by type
A total of 512,886 bank-owned (REO) properties sold to third parties in 2010—down nearly 32% from 2009—at an average discount of 36%, up from an average discount of 33% in 2009. REO sales accounted for 16% of all sales in 2010, down from nearly 18% of all sales in 2009 but still higher than the 13% of all sales they accounted for in 2008.
In the fourth quarter, a total of 95,683 REO properties sold to third parties, down 17% from the third quarter and down 43% from the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter REO sales accounted for nearly 17% of all sales during the quarter at an average discount of nearly 37%.
A total of 318,688 pre-foreclosure properties—in default or scheduled for auction—sold to third parties in 2010, down nearly 30% from 2009. Pre-foreclosure properties in 2010 sold at an average discount of 15%, down from an average discount of nearly 17% in 2009. Pre-foreclosure sales accounted for nearly 10% of all sales in 2010, down from nearly 11% of all sales in 2009 and virtually the same percentage of sales as in 2008.
In the fourth quarter, a total of 53,620 pre-foreclosure properties sold to third parties, down 29% from the previous quarter and down 49% from the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter pre-foreclosure sales accounted for nearly 10% of all sales during the quarter at an average discount of nearly 13%.
Nevada, Arizona, California post highest percentage of foreclosure sales in 2010
Foreclosure sales accounted for 57% of all residential sales in Nevada in 2010, the highest percentage of any state, but still down from a peak of 67% of all sales in 2009. Fourth quarter foreclosure sales accounted for nearly 59% of all sales in the state, up from nearly 54% in the third quarter.
Arizona foreclosure sales accounted for 49% of all sales in 2010, the second highest of any state but down from a peak of 54% in 2009. Fourth quarter foreclosure sales accounted for 55% of all sales in the state, up from 46% in the third quarter.
California foreclosure sales accounted for 44% of all sales in 2010, the third highest of any state but also down from a peak of 57% in 2009. Fourth quarter foreclosure sales in California accounted for 45% of all sales, up from 40% in the third quarter.
Other states where foreclosure sales accounted for at least one-quarter of all sales in 2010 were Florida (36%), Michigan (33%), Georgia (29%), Idaho (28%), Oregon (28%), Illinois (26%), Virginia (25%) and Colorado (25%).
10 states post foreclosure discounts of more than 35 percent in 2010
Ohio foreclosures sold for an average discount of nearly 43% in 2010, down from an average discount of nearly 47% in 2009, but still the highest of any state. Kentucky foreclosures sold for an average discount of more than 40% in 2010, the second highest of any state and up from nearly 38% in 2009.
Eight other states posted average foreclosure sale discounts of 35% or more in 2010: Tennessee, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin.
RISMEDIA, February 24, 2011—RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its Year-End and Q4 2010 U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report, which shows that foreclosure homes accounted for nearly 26% of all U.S. residential sales during the year, down from 29% of all sales in 2009 but up from 23% of all sales in 2008. The report also shows that the average sales price of these foreclosure properties was more than 28% below the average sales price of properties not in the foreclosure process—up from a 27% average discount in 2009 and a 22% average discount in 2008.
A total of 831,574 U.S. residential properties either owned by banks or in some stage of foreclosure—default or scheduled for auction—sold to third parties in 2010, a decrease of 31% from 2009 and a decrease of nearly 14% from 2008. Meanwhile, sales volume of non-foreclosure properties in 2010 decreased nearly 19% from 2009 and nearly 27% from 2008.
A total of 149,303 foreclosure sales were recorded in the fourth quarter, down 22% from the previous quarter and down 45% from the fourth quarter of 2009—despite a 21% monthly uptick in foreclosure sales volume in December. Mirroring the year-end statistics, foreclosure sales in the fourth quarter accounted for 26% of total sales, and foreclosure properties sold for an average sales price that was 28% below the average sales price of properties not in foreclosure.
“Foreclosure sales in the fourth quarter faced the twin headwinds of the expired home buyer tax credit—which began to stifle sales volume during the third quarter—and the foreclosure documentation controversy, which hit in the fourth quarter and temporarily froze sales of foreclosures from several major lenders,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. “Given those factors, it’s not surprising that in the fourth quarter foreclosure sales volume hit its lowest level since the first quarter of 2008.
“Still, foreclosures continue to represent a substantial percentage of all U.S. residential sales and continue to sell at an average sales price that is significantly below the average sales price of properties not in foreclosure—the result of a bloated supply of foreclosures and weak demand from home buyers,” Saccacio continued. “The catch-22 for 2011 is that while accelerating foreclosure sales will help clear the oversupply of distressed properties and return balance to the market in the long run, in the short term a high percentage of foreclosure sales will continue to weigh down home prices.”
Foreclosure sales by type
A total of 512,886 bank-owned (REO) properties sold to third parties in 2010—down nearly 32% from 2009—at an average discount of 36%, up from an average discount of 33% in 2009. REO sales accounted for 16% of all sales in 2010, down from nearly 18% of all sales in 2009 but still higher than the 13% of all sales they accounted for in 2008.
In the fourth quarter, a total of 95,683 REO properties sold to third parties, down 17% from the third quarter and down 43% from the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter REO sales accounted for nearly 17% of all sales during the quarter at an average discount of nearly 37%.
A total of 318,688 pre-foreclosure properties—in default or scheduled for auction—sold to third parties in 2010, down nearly 30% from 2009. Pre-foreclosure properties in 2010 sold at an average discount of 15%, down from an average discount of nearly 17% in 2009. Pre-foreclosure sales accounted for nearly 10% of all sales in 2010, down from nearly 11% of all sales in 2009 and virtually the same percentage of sales as in 2008.
In the fourth quarter, a total of 53,620 pre-foreclosure properties sold to third parties, down 29% from the previous quarter and down 49% from the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter pre-foreclosure sales accounted for nearly 10% of all sales during the quarter at an average discount of nearly 13%.
Nevada, Arizona, California post highest percentage of foreclosure sales in 2010
Foreclosure sales accounted for 57% of all residential sales in Nevada in 2010, the highest percentage of any state, but still down from a peak of 67% of all sales in 2009. Fourth quarter foreclosure sales accounted for nearly 59% of all sales in the state, up from nearly 54% in the third quarter.
Arizona foreclosure sales accounted for 49% of all sales in 2010, the second highest of any state but down from a peak of 54% in 2009. Fourth quarter foreclosure sales accounted for 55% of all sales in the state, up from 46% in the third quarter.
California foreclosure sales accounted for 44% of all sales in 2010, the third highest of any state but also down from a peak of 57% in 2009. Fourth quarter foreclosure sales in California accounted for 45% of all sales, up from 40% in the third quarter.
Other states where foreclosure sales accounted for at least one-quarter of all sales in 2010 were Florida (36%), Michigan (33%), Georgia (29%), Idaho (28%), Oregon (28%), Illinois (26%), Virginia (25%) and Colorado (25%).
10 states post foreclosure discounts of more than 35 percent in 2010
Ohio foreclosures sold for an average discount of nearly 43% in 2010, down from an average discount of nearly 47% in 2009, but still the highest of any state. Kentucky foreclosures sold for an average discount of more than 40% in 2010, the second highest of any state and up from nearly 38% in 2009.
Eight other states posted average foreclosure sale discounts of 35% or more in 2010: Tennessee, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin.
Existing-Home Sales Rise Again in January
With the holidays behind us, I can already see the real estate market activity picking up here in the Tidewater area. The phones are ringing again!!!
The uptrend in existing-home sales continues, with January sales rising for the third consecutive month with a pace that is now above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2011/02/january_above
The uptrend in existing-home sales continues, with January sales rising for the third consecutive month with a pace that is now above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2011/02/january_above
Monday, January 31, 2011
Buy! Don't Rent!
It's a great time to buy a house. Interest rates are still incredibly low and available homes are abundant. Personally, I can see the market is improving and business has really picked up. What great news!
A lender sent this article to me today and thought I'd share.
Homeownership Makes $ense
Bring on the buyers! At last, the housing market is beginning to make sense again. The ownership line is finally crossing over the rental line on the great Homeownership graph.
It is now more expensive to rent than to buy a home in 72% of major metropolitan areas across the US, according to the Trulia Rent vs. Buy Index released Monday.
This is due to rising demand for rentals and falling home prices combined with low interest rates.
Pete Flint, chief executive and co-founder of Trulia says: "Since the start of the Great Recession, many former homeowners have flooded the rental market… Following the principles of supply and demand, renting has become relatively more expensive than buying in most markets."
The index compared the median list price and rent paid for a two-bedroom home in 50 cities. It then assigned a price-to-rent ration to each city with 15 signifying a buyer's market and 21 or more signifying a renter's market. The space between the two numbers signifies a balanced market.
The cost to rent includes rent and insurance. The cost of ownership includes mortgage principal and interest, closing costs, property taxes, hazard insurance and any homeowner association dues.
Not surprising, the most affordable markets are Las Vegas and Miami where the price-to-rent ration is 6 and where the foreclosure rates have topped the charts. Las Vegas was atop the foreclosures list in Q3 with one in every 25 homes was in foreclosure.
The index reported that homeownership was cheaper in the metro areas of San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Kansas City, MO, all of whom had price-to-rent ratios over 21.
Other metros like Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix are experiencing elevated rates of unemployment or foreclosures and close economic centers with projected job growth are still more affordable to renters.
This is truly great news for the Housing Industry.
A lender sent this article to me today and thought I'd share.
Homeownership Makes $ense
Bring on the buyers! At last, the housing market is beginning to make sense again. The ownership line is finally crossing over the rental line on the great Homeownership graph.
It is now more expensive to rent than to buy a home in 72% of major metropolitan areas across the US, according to the Trulia Rent vs. Buy Index released Monday.
This is due to rising demand for rentals and falling home prices combined with low interest rates.
Pete Flint, chief executive and co-founder of Trulia says: "Since the start of the Great Recession, many former homeowners have flooded the rental market… Following the principles of supply and demand, renting has become relatively more expensive than buying in most markets."
The index compared the median list price and rent paid for a two-bedroom home in 50 cities. It then assigned a price-to-rent ration to each city with 15 signifying a buyer's market and 21 or more signifying a renter's market. The space between the two numbers signifies a balanced market.
The cost to rent includes rent and insurance. The cost of ownership includes mortgage principal and interest, closing costs, property taxes, hazard insurance and any homeowner association dues.
Not surprising, the most affordable markets are Las Vegas and Miami where the price-to-rent ration is 6 and where the foreclosure rates have topped the charts. Las Vegas was atop the foreclosures list in Q3 with one in every 25 homes was in foreclosure.
The index reported that homeownership was cheaper in the metro areas of San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Kansas City, MO, all of whom had price-to-rent ratios over 21.
Other metros like Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix are experiencing elevated rates of unemployment or foreclosures and close economic centers with projected job growth are still more affordable to renters.
This is truly great news for the Housing Industry.
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