Let's Talk Real Estate

If you follow my blog, you are well aware of the fact that the first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000 has helped to move housing inventory during an otherwise sluggish real estate cycle. Now, both legislators and the business community are hoping to build on the incentive's success by expanding it! A number of bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate that lobby for an expansion of the measure. Among the proposed changes are: Setting a new cap of $15,000 Extending the tax break into mid-2010 Making the benefit available to all home buyers, not just first-timers Offering a separate tax credit to $3,000 for borrowers who refinance Let's keep our fingers crossed! These proposed changes will benefit many home buyers and really stimulate the real estate market!

The Pending Home Sales Index , a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.7 percent to 90.3 from a reading of 84.6 in March, and is 3.2 percent above April 2008 when it was 87.5. Economists are saying that buyers are responding to very favorable market conditions. Housing affordability conditions have been at historic highs, but now the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit is beginning to impact the market. Since first-time buyers must finalize their purchase by November 30 to get the credit, increased activity is expected in the months ahead Geographic Breakdown: Northeast: The Pending Home Sales Index shot up 32.6 percent to 78.9 in April and is 0.8 percent above a year ago. Midwest: The index rose 9.8 percent to 90.4 and is 11.1 percent above April 2008. South: The index slipped 0.2 percent to 93.0 in April but is 3.5 percent higher than a year ago. West: The index rose 1.8 percent to 94.8 but is 2.9 percent below April 2008. There are numerous buyer a

On May 14, 2009, the Obama Administration announced its Foreclosure Alternatives Program (FAP) providing incentives and uniform procedures for short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure under the Making Home Affordable Program. The Making Home Affordable Program is designed to help homeowners obtain modifications to their loan so they can afford to stay in their home. Where a modification is not possible, new incentives encourage a quick private sale or voluntary transfer of property, which will save homeowners money and protect their financial future. A uniform process for handling short sales and financial incentives should help facilitate this process. Click here to view a summary of the incentives and process.

Freddie Mac reports a drop in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 4.82 percent during the week ended May 21 from 4.86 percent the prior week. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate dipped to 4.5 percent. The Federal Reserve is working to hold down rates by purchasing upwards of $1.25 trillion in mortgage-backed securities and $300 billion in Treasuries. Mortgage rate premiums have declined substantially over the last couple of months even as Treasury yields climbed.

Real estate mogul Sam Zell believes that the decrease in real estate inventory and building slowdown will soon increase demand. He predicts that the U.S. housing market will turn around this summer because the building slowdown is increasing demand. "I can't tell you if it's June 29 or Aug. 1," says Zell, who made billions in commercial real estate by buying up distressed property. Zell said the housing downturn is international, but “the U.S. will recover and recover first around the world because we have a culture and we have an environment where we face up to reality quickly and effectively.” If Zell's predictions are accurate, this may be the best time buy ever! For those of you that have been waiting to buy, you might want to start making a move soon!

Many states have already started making bridge loans available to households who want to claim the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit! With the announcement earlier this week that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allow consumers to obtain a bridge loan, repayable with proceeds from their tax credit, to help cover their down payment, consumers are anxious to "get movin’". HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan stated that guidelines for the new policy will be released shortly. But even before the announcement, nearly a dozen states were one step ahead of the department by providing similar bridge loans through their housing finance agencies. Many state REALTOR® associations were behind these proactive efforts and worked with state officials to set up programs. The Washington REALTORS® association was able to convince treasury officials that the money loaned to home buyers would not only be paid back when tax credits took effect, but also increase the state’s funds.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced this week that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment. Previously, most buyers could not receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. If consumers have access to the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans the cash can be used as a down payment. Now FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table. At this point there aren’t yet any procedures in place to accommodate the “bridge” loan. But this should be available shortly. For those of you who qualify for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit should start looking for a home now. This should prove to be a significant benefit to the Real Estate purchase

New income limits for the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Program went into effect on April 20th. This includes an increase in the income limits nationwide, as well as the implementation of the new “2-Tier” income limit structure, which will simplify program requirements and the qualification process. Previously, income limits for many counties, including Cumberland & York Counties, depended on the number of persons. There was a different income level for each additional person. The new structure only has two income levels (1-4 persons and 5-8 persons). This increases the maximum income level for most families. Cumberland & York County: $73,600 for 1-4 person household $97,150 for 5-8 person household Portland Metro: $83,250 for 1-4 person household $109,900 for 5-8 person household This is great news for many buyers! Here is the link to look up the Rural Development income limits for your area.

President Obama's "Stimulus Bill" (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009), which was signed on February 17, 2009, made significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. These changes apply to products "placed in service" in 2009. The highlights are: The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009 have been extended to 2010 as well. The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%. The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (i.e. $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost. The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1,500 total for the two year period (2009-2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum. The $200 cap on windows has been removed, but the requirements for windows has been increased significantly. Keep in mind that not all ENERGY STAR qualified windows will qualify. Click here for more specific info

Determining whether or not you are ready to buy a house can be a daunting task. But, whether you are a renter or you are aiming to upgrade to a larger home, there are signs that will indicate whether you are ready to take the buying plunge. So are you ready to make the move? You might be if you: 1. Are familiar with the market. If you have been paying attention to how much houses are listed for in the neighborhoods you are interested in and have a realistic idea of how much a house will cost you, you're in good shape. But if you're dreaming about that big corner house with no clue about the asking price, you may want to spend some more time becoming familiar with the market. 2. Have the money for a down payment and closing costs. The down payment is a percentage of the value of the property. Typically, the percentage will be determined by the type of mortgage you select. Down payments usually range from 3 to 20 percent of the property value. You may also be required to have Pri