Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 11-13 of 13

Changes to Your New Mortgage Loan

by Galand Haas

Good Morning!

Things have now changed with your new mortgage loan.  New documents are now going to be required on all transactions and these new documents and new rules will most likely increase the amount of time it takes to close on your loan.  Here is a recent article from Realty Times that talks about the new items that went into effect on October 3rd of this year.

The Know Before You Owe disclosure form issued by The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will go into effect on October 3, 2015. The rule provides for easier-to-use mortgage disclosure forms that clearly lay out the terms of a mortgage for a homebuyer.

But some lenders and real estate agents say the new mortgage rules may delay closings. What will change is that three documents, the HUD-1 Settlement Statement, the Good Faith Estimate, and the Truth-in-Lending disclosure will be pared down to two new closing forms called a Loan Estimate and a Closing Disclosure.

The Loan Estimate form must be given to consumers no later than three days after they formally apply for a loan. That means providing financial information to the lender and signing a mortgage application.

When the consumer receives the Loan Estimate form, he or she will know what the loan amount and the interest rate will be, how much the monthly payment is, an estimate of taxes and insurance based on local rates, and how much down payment is required.

To prepare for settlement, homebuyers will have a three-day period to review the Closing Disclosure form. Because of the added review period, lenders are recommending that borrowers lock in their mortgage rates for longer periods than they normally would.

CNBC real estate reporter Diane Olick explains that the "new rules will require lenders, title companies, real estate professionals and insurance representatives to all come together sooner in the process to ensure the disclosures do get out in time."

For example, a 30-day rate lock is typical, but borrowers can extend the lock period up to 45 days or 60 days. However, there may be a question as to whether or not more time is really needed to close the loan.

According to Bankrate.com, Borrowers are often told there's no charge for a rate lock. That's true in the sense that the rate lock isn't associated with a fee. But a rate lock isn't free.

Josh: A longer rate lock typically involves a higher interest rate, which is more expensive for the borrower. The interest rate or "pricing" difference between a 15-day rate lock and 60-day rate lock might be as little as one-eighth or as much as half of a percentage point, or roughly $25 to $50 per month for the life of the loan.

Laura: Meanwhile, real estate agents are preparing for the worst. According to a new survey by the National Association of REALTORS® says that about 56 percent of REALTORS® say they plan to add more time to their contracts.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

755 Horn Lane

Price: $274,000     Beds: 4     Baths: 2     Sq Ft: 1868

Tranquil & spacious property! Beautifully landscaped 0.41 acre lot provides seclusion & great entertaining spaces. Remodeled home offers updated kitchen & baths, large living rm w/ gas fp, formal dining, large windows+skylight. Private master ste w/...
View this property >>


AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

RMLS Market Activity for August 2015

by Galand Haas

Good Monday Morning!

The numbers are in and for August 2015 the Eugene and Springfield area Real Estate market slowed slightly, but overall sales were good.  Here is what took place last month!

August Residential Highlights

August brought slightly cooler real estate activity to Lane County, but numbers remain ahead for the year overall. Pending sales (511) rose 20.8% ahead of the 423 offers accepted in August 2014, although 2.5% cooler than the 524 offers accepted last month in July 2015. Closed sales (451) fared similarly, besting last August’s 360 closings by 25.3% but cooling 16.8% from July 2015. New listings (615) were 7.0% ahead of the 575 new listings posted in August 2014, but 4.9% lower than the 647 new listings offered last month in July 2015.

Total market time decreased by one day in August to 79 days, and inventory increased to 3.2 months.

Year to Date Summary

Activity was up during the first eight months of this year compared to the same period last year. Pending sales (3,665) were up 30.0%, closed sales (3,189) were up 29.1%, and new listings (4,889) were up 9.7% this year compared to the first eight months of 2014.

Average and Median Sale Prices

Comparing 2015 to 2014 through August of each year, the average sale price rose 3.3% from $236,300 to $244,100. In the same comparison, the median sale price rose 4.0% from $211,500 to $220,000.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!



755 Horn Lane

Price: $274,000     Beds: 4     Baths: 2     Sq Ft: 1868

Tranquil & spacious property! Beautifully landscaped 0.41 acre lot provides seclusion & great entertaining spaces. Remodeled home offers updated kitchen & baths, large living rm w/ gas fp, formal dining, large windows+skylight. Private master ste w/...
View this property >>


AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Is It Time to Remodel or Is It Time to Sell?

by Galand Haas

One of the most frequent questions that I recieve is in regards to remodeling.  "Should I remodel my existing home or purchase another home?" The answer to this question is going to be different for everyone, but be cautious, remodeling is not always the best route to take.  Remodeling can be very expensive and you may find yourself in a position where you will not get your money back anytime soon.  The following article from "Realty Times", discusses this question in detail.

If you've been watching a lot of HGTV, you may be in the mood to make changes. Is it time to remodel? Or is it time to sell?

Just like anything that gets a lot of use, homes show wear and tear after a few years. Certain color schemes and decorative styles begin to look outdated. And there are some improvements that you may have put off as a new homeowner that you can afford to do now.

Some market conditions are in your favor -- interest rates are still extremely low and below where they were a year ago and the economy is improving, so you'll likely get much of what you spend to improve your home back when it comes time to sell.

The question to answer is this: If you improved your home the way you want, would you want to stay in it for a few more years, or are you ready for a complete change?

Home improvements can be substantial, such as adding a bedroom and bath to the existing footprint of your home or outfitting a kitchen with new countertops, cabinets and appliances. You want your home to support the standards set by your neighborhood, but you also don't want to end up with the most lavish house on the block.

To get started, put together the right team. If you' aren't moving walls or pouring a new foundation, you probably won't need an architect, but you will need the right contractors, kitchen planners and interior designers to help you put it all together.

You'll also need to talk to your lender to learn how much you can borrow and whether the current market value will support the facelift.

As you're putting together bids, you may find more work is required that you weren't expecting. Plan for problems to come up, change orders and delays on materials, so you won't get upside down with expenses or sideways with your contractor.

Before you make a decision on remodeling, make sure you are going to get what you want at the price you want to pay and that you'll be happy with the results for at least several years to come.

If you're not sure the remodel is the way to go, you can talk to your real estate professional. Be honest with your agent that you are considering remodeling, but that you are also open to finding another home. Your agent might know of homes for sale that have the size, features and finishes you're wanting. After you view a few homes, you should have a better idea of what you want and what you like.


You and your agent will also discuss selling your home. He or she will create a comparative market analysis of similar homes to yours that have sold recently and are currently for sale so you'll know what you can reasonably expect to net from the sale of your home. From these homes, you'll learn how long homes are staying on the market and if other sellers are getting their asking prices. Together you and your real estate professional can discuss a price range for your home, based on its location and condition.

Keep in mind that all markets have ups and downs so what your agent can show you is only a snapshot of what's true today. If you're happy with where your home ranks amid the competition, then it should be a good time to list your home for sale.

Change is an evolution, and will bring some upheaval to your life. You'll either have to open your home to workers or to buyers. But if you come out on the other side with what you and your household desire, it will all be worth it.


THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

 


88604 ERMI BEE RD

Price: $549,900     Beds: 4     Baths: 3     Sq Ft: 3376

Gorgeous, private estate on serene 5-acres offers outstanding views from every room. This Jerome DeMarco art.chitecture home is remodeled, April 2014, in tasteful contemporary style. Granite counters, hardwood floors. Open plan brings in beautiful l...
View this property >>


AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Displaying blog entries 11-13 of 13

Syndication

Categories

Archives

Contact Information

Photo of Haas Real Estate Team  Real Estate
Haas Real Estate Team
Keller Williams Realty Eugene and Springfield
2645 Suzanne Way Suite 2A
Eugene OR 97408
Direct: (541) 349-2620
Fax: 541-687-6411

Share This Page

Find Your Next Home

Homes for sale in the Eugene area are only a click away!