Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
How to Approach Real Estate in 2014 & Beyond
The
current real estate recovery is like a marathon. Last year, buyers and
sellers sprinted out of the gates at full speed, fueled by low interest rates and affordable home prices. The press and social media were full of stories about limited housing inventories, bidding wars and multiple offers. In 2013, real estate was sexy and headline-worthy.
As we move into 2014, it’s clear we’ve only run the first few miles
of this marathon. Last year’s excitement will surely wear off, and there
will be a lot less flashy magazine covers, posts, tweets or evening
news stories about real estate. Most experts predict a slower, steadier,
more even “pace” this year in most of the country, even as interest
rates and home values inch up.This doesn’t mean 2014 won’t be as good a time to buy real estate. It helps to look at the bigger picture and not get caught up in the micro stats or the latest headlines. Sure, we likely won’t see interest rates as low in 2014 as we did in 2013. But to put that into perspective, interest rates were as high as 18 percent in the 1980s, yet people still bought homes.
As you approach buying a home this year, it helps to focus on the long term by keeping the following five best practices in mind. These were best practices for home buying a generation ago. And they’ll most likely still be practical when the next generation of home buyers sprints out of the gate.
Buy when you’re ready
Just because you didn’t buy last year when the market was super hot doesn’t mean you’ve missed out. Could you have gotten in when the rates were at their lowest and values near the bottom? Sure. But were you ready to buy then? Probably not. The main thing to remember is that you should buy a home when you can afford it, you have your financing and you’ve found a home that meets your needs. That will always be the best time to buy.Home buying is a journey
Despite how quickly the world works today, you can’t force a home purchase. It’s not like buying a television or a laptop. A home is a much more expensive and complicated purchase. It’s where you can feel safe and calm from the outside world, a place you can customize to your needs, and where you will make lasting memories. Because of this, buying a home comes with emotional and practical implications on top of the financial ones. Remember that a home is your place to live first and an investment second. Take the time you need to find the right home.Don’t be driven by data
If you watch the nightly news or read news online, you’ll hear real estate market predictions and numbers on a national level. And at any given time, you’ll likely get conflicting real estate forecasts. A lot of information and data will come at you from many different angles — including social media. Don’t take anything to be an absolute. Keep your own goals and needs top of mind at all times.Real estate is local
The national real estate news headlines may be about multiple offers and bidding wars. But that situation may only be relevant to one part of the country or even to just a handful of cities. Meanwhile, the neighborhood where you want to buy a home still has distressed sales and is more of a buyers’ market.All that really matters in real estate is what’s happening in your own community. If you’re interested in getting into the market, follow the local economy and housing markets. Go to open houses and learn. Get connected to a real estate agent who has “feet on the street.”
Go with your gut
You know your financial situation better than anyone. You know your down payment amount, credit score, amount of savings and the upper limits of what you can afford to put toward homeownership every month. Apply what you know about your finances to your local real estate market. You know the neighborhoods, the commercial districts and the types of homes for sale. By merging these two, your gut will inform you on what’s a good buy, when it’s the right time to buy and how to approach a purchase.In 2014, stay focused on what you know, stay local, take your time and don’t let outside forces sway your decision to buy a home. People have bought and sold homes for years, at higher prices and with higher interest rates. If you’re in it for the long haul, consider yourself at mile 3 of a 26-mile marathon.
Friday, January 10, 2014
New Loan Requirements For Getting A Mortgage
However, for those buyers who do need to purchase a home with a loan, expect to see some changes in the loan requirements as the new year rings in. Here are a just a few of the changes that are going into effect in January 2014. Some of these requirements are already in place by lenders.
The new guidelines are being implemented under The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Qualified Mortgage (QM) and are designed to help avoid the borrowing catastrophes that caused the housing crisis. The guidelines are what the lenders use to prove borrowers' ability to repay a loan.
One of the guidelines’ requirements is that borrowers must have a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 43 percent. Debt-to-income ratios have already been in place but the new rules won't allow for any compensating circumstances. That means that not even a significant down payment or a large cash reserve will be allowed to offset a higher debt ratio.
The incentive to follow these guidelines is huge for the lender. If the mortgages don't meet the QM guidelines, the lender will be required to hold the loan as opposed to selling it to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The QM requirements potentially may have lower loan limits for conventional conforming loans. The agency that regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, The Federal Housing Finance Agency, will delay its normal adjustment of loan limits from January 1, 2014 to sometime later in the year. The agency is trying to see what kind of impact the new QM guidelines will have on the housing industry. For most housing markets, the current limits are $417,000 and up to $625,000 in high-cost areas. How these figures will change remains to be seen in 2014.
Origination fees will be limited under the QM requirements, which could make getting a smaller loan more difficult. Origination loan fees will be limited to no more than 3 percent of the loan amount. This could make mortgage lenders less likely to offer smaller loan amounts because they may not always be able to recoup their costs and make a profit.
Self-employed borrowers already face tough standards and they'll likely be even more strict in 2014. In the QM guidelines, all borrowers must prove there is sufficient cash flow to make payments on their loan but self-employed borrowers' incomes typically fluctuate. These borrowers frequently have cash reserves that they rely on to pay bills when their income is off in a particular month. However, even if there is a large amount of money in reserve, it may still be difficult for the self-employed borrower to get a loan approved due to this new "ability-to-repay" QM guideline.
Expect to see changes in the loan approval process as the new year begins. However, some of the specific requirements may not be determined until later in 2014.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
How Would You Spend an Extra $82 a Week?
Fannie Mae borrowers who have refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) have saved an average of $82 per week on their mortgage payments*. That savings could pay for the average household’s weekly clothing costs or about half the weekly grocery bill.Couldn’t you use an extra $82 a week?
HARP is the government’s program that allows eligible homeowners whose homes have lost value to refinance, even if they owe more than their homes are worth. It is available to qualified borrowers with mortgages owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. If you are current on your mortgage, you should find out if HARP can help you save money, too.
Not all savings offers are scams
HARP can offer real savings almost immediately, but if you’re like many people who have received too many mailings to take any offers seriously anymore, it might be hard to know who to trust.
There are many trustworthy sources of information about HARP, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s website is an excellent place to start. On HARP.gov you’ll find facts about the program, basic guidelines on who’s eligible and tips for how to get started.
Has your current mortgage company contacted you about HARP? If so, it can help you learn more and find out if you’re eligible for a HARP refinance.
Knowledge is power
The more you know about HARP, the easier it will be to talk with lenders about whether you are eligible for the program.
For example, did you know that you don’t have to refinance into another 30-year loan? Fifteen- and 20-year loan terms are available with HARP, so you don’t necessarily have to extend the time you have left to pay on your home.
You also don’t need to bring additional money to the table if your mortgage amount is higher than the value of your home, and closing costs are generally lower than a traditional refinance.
Use the resources available on HARP.gov to learn more about the program. HARP eligibility guidelines were expanded in 2011, allowing many more borrowers to qualify. If you were turned down for HARP a few years ago, you really should inquire again now to take advantage of today’s rates.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
The 7 Steps to Buying a Home
1. Making an offer
If you’re sure the home you love is right for you, it’s time to make your move. This means writing up a formal purchase offer and signing a real estate contract.
Even though it’s early in the buying process, you still must sign a legally binding contract. With your signature, you’re committing to moving ahead with the seller. Keep in mind you can add contingencies to many real estate contracts. For example, most real estate buying offers will be contingent on a property inspection, as well as disclosure review, loan approval, appraisal and other matters. Such contingencies enable buyers to opt out of the contract if unexpected problems or concerns pop up.
2. Disclosures
In most states, sellers are legally required to provide buyers with disclosure documents, a preliminary title report, copies of city reports and any specific local documents. In California, for example, an earthquake hazards report or a geological survey is required as part of the disclosures. In some areas of the South, especially near the Gulf Coast, buyers usually receive flood maps and reports relevant to the property being considered.
In addition, sellers must disclose any known issues that might affect the property’s value or habitability. Usually, in a transfer disclosure statement, sellers must answer a series of “yes” or “no” questions about the property, the neighborhood and their experience there. If there have been leaky windows, violations from the city, work done without permits or plans for a major nearby development, the seller must disclose them. If there are significant issues, the seller’s agent would likely have brought them up before the contract signing. But if something is disclosed here that is a negative factor for you, it is your “out” of the contract.
3. The appraisal
Most buyers put a certain amount of money down toward the purchase price. The balance will come in the form of a bank loan (usually). But a bank isn’t going to hand over that money without due diligence. An appraisal is the financial institution’s way of making sure the contract price is the right price. So the lender sends out a third-party appraiser, which the buyer pays for, to confirm that the contract price is in line with the neighborhood’s comparable sales. If it’s not, the bank can deny the loan or change the terms.
4. Inspections
As part of the real estate contract, you have the right to a property inspection. The most common is a “general” property inspection, in which the inspector checks the home from the foundation to the roof and investigates all major systems and components. As the buyer, you should follow along with the inspector to learn more about the property. For example, you’ll want to know about the components (such as the water heater) and have a plan in place for maintenance.
After the general property inspection, the inspector may suggest having a specialist come out. This could be a roofer, electrician, HVAC specialist or even an engineer. Listen to the inspector and have any recommended follow-up inspections. Remember: This is your one chance to approve the property from top to bottom. If issues arise, you may be able to negotiate a fix or credit with the seller. If something major arises and it’s not what you signed up for, you can exit the contract via your inspection contingency.
5. Loan approval or commitment
In addition to making certain the property appraises at no less than the contract price, the bank will want to fully approve your credit, debt and income history. The bank will also want to approve the property’s preliminary title report to make sure there are no liens recorded against the property that might affect its value. The bank can take up to 30 days to complete its review, which should result in a loan commitment or full loan approval. Once that’s completed to the bank’s satisfaction, you’re guaranteed a loan, and you’re one step closer to closing.
6. Final walk-through
Just before closing, you should walk back through the property to make sure it’s in the condition it was when you last saw it. Make sure the seller didn’t remove any fixtures, make modifications or leave behind garbage or debris. You also want to be sure any fixes you negotiated with the seller have been completed.
7. The closing
Depending on the market, the closing may happen at an attorney’s office or with an escrow officer at a title company. In some jurisdictions, the buyer and seller don’t ever meet. Each goes in to sign their closing papers separately. In others, the buyers and sellers sign the closing documents together. Also, thanks to current technologies, some closings can now happen remotely using wire transfers and overnight delivery of documents.
Regardless of how a closing happens, if you’re a buyer and getting a loan, plan on signing dozens of documents at closing. You’ll need to show photo ID, as your signature will be notarized. Prior to the closing, your real estate agent, attorney or escrow officer should send over a closing statement to review. The statement details your final closing costs and the money you need to bring to the closing. The funds can be wired in or paid with a cashier’s check on closing day. Be sure to ask for the statement early, so there aren’t any last-minute surprises.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Deal Makers For Home Buyers
Friday, January 3, 2014
Record rebound in home equity gives owners new options
This is a record rebound for a 12-month period. And it's crucially important in personal financial terms for hundreds of thousands of owners who for years have been underwater on their mortgages, meaning their homes wouldn't sell for enough to pay off the loan. They now have options they didn't have before: They can sell their homes and not have to bring money to the closing. They may be able to borrow against their equity to help pay for college tuition, home improvements and other purposes. They may be able to refinance their mortgages without having to use a government-aided program.
Home equity is the difference between the mortgage debt outstanding on a residence and the current market value of the home. If your house is worth $300,000 and you owe the bank $150,000 — whether from a single mortgage or multiple loans — you have $150,000 in equity. If your mortgage debt totals $350,000 on a $300,000 house, you have $50,000 in negative equity. Equity generally grows in several ways: You lower your debt by making payments to your lender, the value of your house increases because market conditions improve, or you raise the home's sales value by remodeling or upgrading it.
Growing home equity not only signifies widespread recovery in household personal wealth, but also provides an important boost for the ongoing economic recovery. Consumers who have a cushion of equity in their homes are more likely to spend money on goods and services than those who don't. The latest Fed "flow of funds" calculations show that owners have now seen their equity stakes grow more than $3.2 trillion from the post-bust low point in the first quarter of 2011.
During the financial crisis of 2008-11, millions of American owners fell into negative equity positions as the sale value of their homes plummeted. With the recovery that took hold in 2012, values began to turn upward again — dramatically so in some of the hardest-hit areas where prices had fallen fastest.
A new study released by CoreLogic, an Irvine real estate and mortgage data firm, estimated that 791,000 homes moved from negative to positive equity status during the third quarter of this year alone, and more than 3 million have done so since the beginning of 2013. Though 6.4 million homeowners continue to be underwater on their mortgage debt — in 13% of all homes with a mortgage — that is down from 7.2 million (nearly 15%) as recently as the end of the second quarter of this year.
CoreLogic researchers found that among the states that experienced the most severe property devaluations during the bust and have recovered impressively, some continue to have persistent hangovers of negative equity. In Nevada, nearly a third of all homeowners are underwater, despite price gains. In Florida, nearly 29% are still in negative equity, and in Arizona it's nearly 23%.
In California, which suffered deep equity losses in non-coastal areas from 2007 to 2010, home values have roared back in the last two years. Now the state has just a 13% negative equity rate — significantly lower than Ohio (18%), Michigan and Illinois (both 17.7%), Rhode Island (16.6%) and Maryland (15.6%).
The states with the highest rates of homeowner equity are Texas and Alaska, where 96.1% of all owners with mortgages are in positive territory; Montana (95.8%); North Dakota (95.7%); and Wyoming (95.4%).
Other findings from the CoreLogic study:
•People with higher-priced homes are somewhat more likely to have positive equity than owners of lower-cost houses. Whereas 92% of all mortgaged homes in the country valued at more than $200,000 have positive equity, just 82% of homes valued at or below $200,000 do.
•Though homeowner equity wealth has increased rapidly in the last year, 10 million homeowners still have only modest equity stakes — less than 20% — and that puts them at risk should property values tumble again.
But another bust is nowhere in sight, thanks to tougher underwriting and regulatory oversight. So whether you're one of the recent arrivals to positive equity status, or you've enjoyed it all along, the new year looks encouraging.
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