Prices Coming Down?

One approach some people are thinking of now is sell and then rent for a while so that all their gain can be invested in a cheaper home when the prices come down. But as this says, that may be nothing more than speculation, especially when you're dealing with your primary residence. If you have an investment property, a rental, a second home, that strategy may work, especially if you're considering a 1031 exchange. It's not recommended for your principal residence if you're planning on staying in the same area.

Why are long-term interest rates declining?

The 30-year fixed is at 5.09%, and what does this mean for now? It means a reduction in your monthly mortgage payment, and this is a great time to take advantage of that. Click here for Bankrate.com's analysis, but see me, your Realtor, for how to take advantage of this great opportunity. At a time when adjustable rate mortgages make up 63% of new loans, take advantage of getting a fixed rate loan at the lowest rates ever.

National Association of Realtors is concerned about the Realtors' right to do business in these bills and rightly so. Allowing banks to conduct real estate brokerage business, under their guise of offering financial services, is an attempt to reduce or eliminate the consumers present choice in how they purchase and whom they use in purchasing their homes. The business of banking is nothing but a growing exercise in consolidation, and the "fairness" and "competition" in these bills will not be for the consumer or for the real estate professional, or the local financial professional, but for the large bank(s) only:

"Bill to Allow Banks in Real Estate IntroducedFinancial Services Chairman Mike Oxley (R-OH) and Ranking Member Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced H.R. 2660, the "Fair Choice and Competition in Real Estate Act" on May 27th, 2005. This bill would allow huge megabanks to operate real estate brokerage, leasing and management firms. There are no additional cosponsors on H.R. 2660.Meanwhile, H.R. 111, the "Community Choice in Real Estate Act" has gained a majority of cosponsors in the House. With 221 cosponsors, the bill has more than enough votes to pass if Chairman Oxley brings the bill to the floor. NAR will again ask for hearings on both bills, and to testify at any hearing that is held."

40-year mortgages go mainstream

As this article says so well, these mortgages were not a player in the market because investors would not buy them. FNMA is now buying 40-year mortgages. But "It's not a sure bet that 40-year loans will catch on for at least three reasons. First, the interest rates are slightly higher -- usually an eighth to a quarter of a percentage point. Second, tacking 10 years onto the payment schedule doesn't save all that much money every month. Third, interest-only mortgages have exploded in popularity in the last two years, and they offer even lower initial monthly payments than 40-year loans." With rising prices, however, it gives the consumer another choice. See this article 40-year mortgages join the mix.

High Prices Aren't Just in Southern California

How about a bidding war where the highest bid is 1 million pounds over the asking price? Other parts of the world are also experiencing a real estate increase, to say nothing of Scotland. In 2000, 10 homes in Scotland sold for more than a million pounds (about $1.8 million in today's currency), but last year 57 sold in the range, according to the Bank of Scotland. See BBC NEWS Scotland Million-pound house sales soaring.

$500,000 California Median Price

April prices increased 12.5 percent and sales increased 2.7 percent compared with April of 2004. Closed escrow sales in California of single family detached homes totaled over 658,000 (but did you know there are approximately 438,000 real estate licensees in this state?). The median price was actually $509,230 for April, 2005. Read CAR's article:April 05 sales/price report.

National Median Home Prices

Here is USA TODAY'S home price report for the first quarter this year. The highest median home price is in the West, but the greatest increase by percentage was in the Northeast. See this for more.

Property Flippers Beware

US Bank Home Mortgage is now carrying on with what HUD started in 2003--namely, no loan funding for properties where the seller in a conventional home purchase has held title for less than 90 days. And Freddie Mac last October started property valuation warnings on potentially fraudulent loans. Property flipping is considered growing threat and could lead to financial losses--US Bank says it is "a threat to the integrity of the residential real estate industry", in a memo this week, according to Inman News. These transactions can involve false appraisals, which can lead to a false inflation of selling prices. If you are considering a purchase or sale in the near future, take these remarks into consideration, or ask your Realtor to give you assistance with a little research and advice.

Interest Rates Held Low

Investors' waning fears about inflation helped drive down rates on 30- and 15-year mortgages this week to their lowest numbers since late February, according to market observers. Interest on 30-year, fixed loans averaged 5.71 percent this week, down from 5.77 percent a week ago; and 15-year, fixed mortgages averaged 5.27 percent this week, compared to 5.33 percent last week, according to the weekly survey from Freddie Mac. "As long as inflation is held in check there is little or no pressure to push mortgage rates higher," said Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft. Fuel prices are high, he added, but "core" inflation remains under control. Source, Chicago Tribune.

40-Year Mortgages Stretch Payments

While they've been around for a while, 40-year mortgages have only recently been seriously expanded by FNMA. Higher and higher home prices call for more products to home ownership more affordable. It will probably have the most appeal for buyers who plan on staying in their home beyond the 5-7 year mark, and don't want to run the risk of refinancing at that time. See this for more.