The Connection Between Home Prices & Family Wealth

Over the next five years, home prices are expected to appreciate 3.22% per year on average and to grow by 17.3% cumulatively, according to Pulsenomics’ most recent Home Price Expectation Survey. So, what does this mean for homeowners and their equity position? As an example, let’s assume a young couple purchased and closed on a $250,000 home in January. If we look at only the projected increase in the price of that home, how much equity will they earn over the next 5 years? Since the experts predict that home prices will increase by 4.4% this year alone, the young homeowners will have gained $11,000 in equity in just one year. Over a five-year period, their equity will increase by nearly $43,000! This figure does not even take into account their monthly principal mortgage payments. In many cases, home equity is one of the largest portions of a family’s overall net worth.

Bottom Line

Not only is homeownership something to be proud of, but it also offers you and your family the ability to build equity you can borrow against in the future. If you are ready and willing to buy, find out if you are able to today!

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Carson Becomes HUD Secretary

Dr. Ben Carson was approved by the United States Senate by a vote of 58-41, and was sworn into office by Vice President Pence.  NAR President Bill Brown had the following statement: 

“Dr. Carson should be proud of his achievement. The task at hand is a big one, and we applaud his commitment to the challenges that lie ahead.

“NAR has been the voice of real estate for over a century. In that time we’ve seen changes in markets, in Washington and in the business of our Realtor® members. But there’s a reason that homeownership is called… Read More

Pres. Trump Signs WOTUS Order

On Feb. 28, President Trump signed an Executive Order that begins to unwind the Obama administration’s controversial Clean Water Rule. Also known as the Waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS, the regulation was written by U.S. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the reach of the federal government over wetlands and waterways under the Clean Water Act.  

While the executive order cannot repeal WOTUS, which was finalized in May 2015, the Executive Order will direct EPA and the Army Corps to begin a formal review of the regulation, an important first step to… Read More

An accepted contract is just the beginning

As a homebuyer or seller, an accepted contract is exciting. But hang on … the deal’s not done.

Thankfully, if you’re working with a REALTOR®, he or she can guide you through all the potential twists and turns on the way to closing.

An option to back out

For starters, most purchase contracts include a termination option. The buyer pays the seller a fee for a specified period of time during which the buyer can cancel the contract. The buyer can exercise this option for any reason. In fact, he doesn’t even have to explain why.

A closer look at the property

Buyers usually hire inspectors during the termination-option period. Inspections that reveal items in need of repair may prompt a buyer to ask for a price reduction or repairs prior to closing. Or the buyer may simply choose to cancel the deal.

Financing considerations

Transactions sometimes unravel when a buyer cannot obtain the financing specified in the contract or the property does not meet the lender’s requirements. For example, appraisals can come in lower than the purchase price, or there may be issues with obtaining insurance for the home.

The list goes on

Option periods, inspections, and financing are three common trouble spots for transactions, but there are many others. Problems with title insurance or the survey, disagreements about items that convey, issues related to homeowners associations, or damage to the property after acceptance of the contract but before closing are a few examples of issues that can arise.

You have a valuable resource

Communicating with your REALTOR® about each stage of the transaction will minimize surprises and increase the chances that your transaction will proceed smoothly.  

Where Did Americans Move in 2016?

Some Highlights:

• For the 5th year in a row, the Northeast saw a concentration of “High Outbound” activity.
• For the first time ever, South Dakota held the top spot for “High Inbound” states.
• Much of America’s outbound activity can be attributed to Boomers relocating to warmer climates after retiring.

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Where Did Americans Move in 2016?

Some Highlights:

• For the 5th year in a row, the Northeast saw a concentration of “High Outbound” activity.
• For the first time ever, South Dakota held the top spot for “High Inbound” states.
• Much of America’s outbound activity can be attributed to Boomers relocating to warmer climates after retiring.

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Senate Confirms Carson Nomination as Realtors® Look to Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

WASHINGTON (March 2, 2017) — The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Ben Carson as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development today with a roll call vote of 58-41. National Association of Realtors® President William E. Brown, a second-generation Realtor® from Alamo, California and founder of Investment Properties, said Realtors® will work closely with Secretary Carson to support homeownership and real estate investment.

Following is a statement from NAR President William E. Brown on the nomination:

“Dr. Carson should be proud of his… Read More

Mortgage Rates Impact on 2017 Home Values

There is no doubt that historically low mortgage interest rates were a major impetus to housing recovery over the last several years. However, many industry experts are showing concern about the possible effect that the rising rates will have moving forward. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are all projecting that mortgage interest rates will move upward in 2017. Increasing interest rates will definitely impact purchasers and may stifle demand. In a recent study of industry experts, “rising mortgage interest rates, and their impact on mortgage affordability” was named by 56% as the force they think will have the most significant impact on U.S. housing in 2017. If rising rates slow demand for housing, home values will be impacted. To this point, Pulsenomics, recently surveyed a panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts, asking the question “In your opinion, at what level will the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate significantly slow home value appreciation?” The survey revealed the following:

Bottom Line

Most experts believe that rates would need to hit 5% or above to have an impact on home prices.

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Mortgage Rates Impact on 2017 Home Values

There is no doubt that historically low mortgage interest rates were a major impetus to housing recovery over the last several years. However, many industry experts are showing concern about the possible effect that the rising rates will have moving forward. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are all projecting that mortgage interest rates will move upward in 2017. Increasing interest rates will definitely impact purchasers and may stifle demand. In a recent study of industry experts, “rising mortgage interest rates, and their impact on mortgage affordability” was named by 56% as the force they think will have the most significant impact on U.S. housing in 2017. If rising rates slow demand for housing, home values will be impacted. To this point, Pulsenomics, recently surveyed a panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts, asking the question “In your opinion, at what level will the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate significantly slow home value appreciation?” The survey revealed the following:

Bottom Line

Most experts believe that rates would need to hit 5% or above to have an impact on home prices.

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Over Half of All Buyers Are Surprised by Closing Costs

According to a recent survey conducted by ClosingCorp, over half of all homebuyers are surprised by the closing costs required to obtain their mortgage. After surveying 1,000 first-time and repeat homebuyers, the results revealed that 17% of homebuyers were surprised that closing costs were required at all, while another 35% were stunned by how much higher the fees were than expected.

“Homebuyers reported being most surprised by mortgage insurance, followed by bank fees and points, taxes, title insurance and appraisal fees.”

Bankrate.com recently gathered closing cost data from lenders in every state and Washington, D.C. to be able to share the average costs in each state. The map below was created using the closing costs on a $200,000 mortgage with a 20% down payment. Keep in mind that if you are in the market for a home above this price range. your costs could be significantly more. According to Freddie Mac,

“Closing costs are typically between 2 and 5% of your purchase price.”

Bottom Line

Speak with your lender and agent early and often to determine how much you’ll be responsible for at closing. Finding out that you’ll need to come up with thousands of dollars right before closing is not a surprise anyone is ever looking forward to.

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