Selling in the Winter Attracts Serious Buyers

A recent study of more than 7 million home sales over the past four years revealed that the season in which a home is listed may be able to shed some light on the likelihood that the home will sell for more than asking price, as well as how quickly the sale will close. It’s no surprise that listing a home for sale during the spring saw the largest return, as the spring is traditionally the busiest month for real estate. What is surprising, though, is that listing during the winter came in second!

“Among spring listings, 18.7 percent of homes fetched above asking, with winter listings not far behind at 17.5 percent. While 48.0 percent of homes listed in spring sold within 30 days, 46.2 percent of homes in winter did the same.”

The study goes on to say that:

“Buyers [in the winter] often need to move, so they’re much less likely to make a lowball offer and they’ll often want to close quickly — two things that can make the sale much smoother.”  

Bottom Line

If you are debating listing your home for sale within the next 6 months, keep in mind that the spring is when most other homeowners will decide to list their homes as well. Listing your home this winter will ensure that you have the best exposure to the serious buyers who are out looking now! The study used the astronomical seasons to determine which season the listing date fell into (Winter: Dec. 21 – Mar. 20; Spring: Mar. 21 – June 20; Summer: June 21 – Sept 21; Autumn: Sept 21 – Dec. 20).

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When Is a Good Time to Rent? Not Now!

People often ask if now is a good time to buy a home. No one ever asks when a good time to rent is. However, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent. The Census Bureau recently released their third quarter median rent numbers. Here is a graph showing rent increases from 1988 until today: As you can see, rents have steadily increased and are showing no signs of slowing down. If you are faced with the decision of whether you should renew your lease or not, you might be pleasantly surprised at your ability to buy a home of your own instead.

Bottom Line

One way to protect yourself from rising rents is to lock in your housing expense by buying a home. If you are ready and willing to buy, meet with a local real estate professional who can help determine if you are able to today!

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4 Reasons to Buy Your Dream Home This Winter

As the temperature in many areas of the country starts to cool down, you might think that the housing market will do the same. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Here are 4 reasons you should consider buying your dream home this winter instead of waiting for spring!

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.3% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.2% over the next year. The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates are Projected to Increase

Your monthly housing cost is as much related to the price you pay for your home as it is to the mortgage interest rate you secure. Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage are currently at 4.08%. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac & the National Association of Realtors are in unison, projecting that rates will increase by this time next year. An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way You’re Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either yours or your landlord’s. As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to have equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person with that equity. Are you ready to put your housing cost to work for you?

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise. But what if they weren’t? Would you wait? Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide whether it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

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4 signs the home you’re considering might need a foundation evaluation

While kitchen countertops, flooring, and bathroom fixtures might be top of mind during your home tour, you should also consider the foundation. Foundation problems can be costly, and difficult to address. Here are four signs that could indicate foundation trouble:

• Cracks in a home’s walls—especially around doors, windows, or corners—can indicate foundation damage.
• Doors and windows that don’t properly align can indicate foundation damage that has become more severe.
• If there are indications that water is moving under or toward a home’s foundation, there may be ongoing damage occurring.
• A chimney separating from the home might be a problem with the chimney itself or could indicate foundation issues.

Even if you don’t see any of these signs on your tour, it’s always wise to have a professional home inspection to identify potential problems with a property. Learn more about these tips at permapier.com.

FHA 2017 Loan Limits

On Dec. 1, 2016, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released its 2017 Loan Limits. In high-cost areas the FHA national loan limit “ceiling” will increase to $636,150 from $625,500. The “ceiling is set at 150 percent of the national conforming limit of $424,100, which increased from $417,000 this year and was the first increase in the national conforming limit since 2006. FHA will also increase its “floor” to $275,665 from $271,050. The “floor” is set at 65 percent of the national conforming limit of $424,100. The standard loan limit for lower… Read More

IRS Clarifies Debt Tax Relief

The Internal Revenue Service announced this week procedures designed to aid as many homeowners as possible who are facing the year-end expiration of a tax provision that excludes from income mortgage debt forgiven in connection with the Principal Reduction Modification Program (PRMP) and the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).

The Good News.  The IRS notice offers clarity and assurance to homeowner-borrowers that if they are in the trial period of the PRMP or HAMP programs, or will enter into the trial period before the end of 2016, even if the debt… Read More

Comment on FHA Condo Rule

On November 28, 2016, NAR submitted a comment letter to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) regarding proposed changes to FHA Condominium certification requirements. Many of the proposed changes align with areas REALTORS® have expressed a need for more lenience and reflects NAR advocacy on these matters. The NAR letter specifically asks FHA to:

• Remove the strict requirement on owner-occupancy levels, with a minimum of implementing HR 3700 standard of allowable 35% owner-occupancy without additional requirements;
• Allow 100% FHA loan concentration in… Read More

NAR Joins Coalition Letter Opposing Data Breach Legislation

NAR along with nine other trade associations submitted a letter opposed to  draft data breach legislation in the House and attempting to move this year because it fails to 1) establish a uniform nationwide law; 2) provide reasonable data security standards; 3) maintain an appropriate FTC enforcement regime and 4) ensure that all breached entities have notice obligations.

NAR will continue to work in the new Congress on sensible data breach legisaltion that works for the real estate industry.

… Read More

New Home Sales Race to Keep Up with Demand [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

• Many buyers who are searching for their dream homes are turning to new home construction after 10% of all new home buyers sighted a lack of inventory of existing homes as their reason for purchase.
• The median home price decreased slightly from September’s high of $314,100 to $304,500 in October.
• The West saw the largest month over month jump in sales at 28.7%.

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5 Reasons Why Homeownership Is a Good Financial Investment

According to a recent report by Trulia, “buying is cheaper than renting in 100 of the largest metro areas by an average of 37.7%.” That may have some thinking about buying a home instead of signing another lease extension. But, does that make sense from a financial perspective? In the report, Ralph McLaughlin, Trulia’s Chief Economist explains:

“Owning a home is one of the most common ways households build long-term wealth, as it acts like a forced savings account. Instead of paying your landlord, you can pay yourself in the long run through paying down a mortgage on a house.”

The report listed five reasons why owning a home makes financial sense:

1. Mortgage payments can be fixed while rents go up.
2. Equity in your home can be a financial resource later.
3. You can build wealth without paying capital gains.
4. A mortgage can act as a forced savings account.
5. Overall, homeowners can enjoy greater wealth growth than renters.

Bottom Line

Before you sign another lease, perhaps you should sit with a real estate professional in your area to better understand all your options.

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