Real Estate Information Archive

Good Monday Morning!

If you are renting a home or apartment and you would like to become a home owner, instead of supporting your landlord, you should start planning now on how to make this happen.  Yes, home values are up in the Eugene and Springfield area, but mortgage interest rates remain extremely affordable.  Many times, home payments will be far less than rents and also have some great tax advantages.  Here is an article from "Realty Times" that gives some ideas on how to get ready for your first home purchase.

Becoming a first-time homeowner takes a lot more than a desire to buy a house. It takes a lot of effort on your part to save up a down payment — which is usually a pretty good sized chunk of change — research neighborhoods, get pre-approved for a loan and other steps. Fortunately, it is quite possible to say goodbye to renting and hello to homeownership, especially when homeowners-to-be consider the following tips:

Focus on the Down Payment

In order to leave the land of rent, you are going to need a down payment — plain and simple. While it is common to put down 20 percent, some lenders now allow a much smaller amount, and first-time home buyer programs may go as low as 3 percent. While a smaller down payment may sound enticing, a 5 percent down payment on a $200K home is still $10,000 — not exactly a small sum. If saving money does not come naturally for you, don’t worry. With some relatively minor lifestyle changes you can speed up the down payment savings process. Come up with a savings plan to determine how much you need to set aside every week or month and then find ways to “find” that money in your budget. Using the $10,000 example from before, if you are determined to buy a home in two years, you’ll have to come up with about $415 a month to stash into your down payment account. Take a close look at your monthly bills and determine what you can pare down or eliminate — maybe you are paying $75 a month for a gym membership you rarely use, or you pay $40 extra for premium satellite channels that no one watches. These services can be cancelled and the money can go directly into your savings account. Eat out less, have Starbucks twice a week instead of every day and if you need to, consider a side hustle on the weekends to reach this magical monthly amount of $415.

Avoid Identity Theft

Unfortunately, the chances of becoming a victim of identity theft increase when you are buying and moving into a new home. The stacks of documents that are part of buying a home and that are filled with your personal information may accidentally fall into the wrong hands, and once you move, mail may not be routed correctly and thieves may steal your mail and your identity from your old mailbox. Prevent this situation from happening by purchasing an identity theft protection program; find a trusted company that will help safeguard your personal data. In addition to letting you know when a bank pulls your credit report and asking if you have authorized this inquiry, certain services will monitor your financial activity and alert you if anything is amiss.

Check Your Credit Report

When you start the pre-approval process for a loan and then move on to the Big Kahuna of applying for an actual mortgage, your credit report will be pulled numerous times. Your credit score will then be used to determine if you are approved for a loan, and what type of interest rate you will get. Please do not wait until you have the down payment saved and you are champing at the bit to go look at houses to check your FICO score — check your credit as early in the process as you can. If you have a credit card that has been issued through your bank, give them a call and see if they can run your report for you for free; in the cases of some credit cards, they also offer a free monthly FICO score check. Read through the report and check for any errors; this includes credit lines you never opened and delinquent payments that you know were made on time. Dispute any mistakes that you find and look for ways to boost your credit score, like paying down credit card bills and setting up automatic bill pay so you are never late with your payments.

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THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING! 

36946 PARSONS CREEK RD Price: $379,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 1 Half Baths: 1 Sq Ft: 1,890 Rustic Tuscan country-style charm! Terra Cotta tile, wood flr, rustic dr & window wood trim, steel beams, large windows. Remodeled kitchen w/ ship lap feature wall, galvanized metal backsplash, butchers block countertop & eating bar. Kitchen opens t... View this property >>

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Good Monday Morning!

Frequently, I get questions from would-be homebuyers in regards to credit scores and home purchases. There are requirements for any home loan on specific credit scores needed to obtain a loan.  The following is a great article from "Realty Times" that explains the credit score process for home financing.

When it comes to your credit score, how low is too low? The number you really need to buy a house.

We all know that when it comes to buying a house, there are a few things we need, like a down payment and a good enough credit score to qualify for a loan. But what does a "good enough credit score" really mean? Does your credit history have to be impeccable? Can you have a couple of boo-boos? And, if you do have issues on your report, how much of a hit will you take? Your credit score is "a number, roughly between 300 and 850, that summarizes a consumer's creditworthiness," said Bankrate. "The higher the score, the more able and willing a consumer is to repay a loan, lenders believe. The best mortgage rates and terms go to borrowers with credit scores of 740 and higher."

But most of us can't measure up to that number. Thankfully, we don't have to. There's room for lower scores - even really low scores - depending on the type of loan you're applying for, with a number of other factors (your income and work history, the amount of your down payment, the state of the economy) thrown in. Knowing where the bottom is will help you figure out how to proceed.

FHA loans

The advantage to a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan for many buyers is the low down payment. You may need only 3.5% down to purchase a home with this type of loan, which is backed by the government. But, you'll need a minimum 580 credit score if you're only planning to put 3.5% down. Can't meet that benchmark? You'll need more cash up front.

"If your credit score is below 580, however, you aren't necessarily excluded from FHA loan eligibility," said the FHA. "Applicants with lower credit scores will have to put down a 10 percent down payment if they want to qualify for a loan."

For FHA loans, your credit score can be as low as 500. But, "Those with credit scores between 500 and 579 are limited to 90 percent LTV," which leaves a lot of people out of luck.

Non-government-backed loans

The issue with FHA loans for many buyers: That pesky private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can add several hundred dollars to the monthly payment and is "required any time you put less than 20% down on a conventional loan," said My Mortgage Insider.

If you have a larger down payment, you may be able to avoid paying PMI by going with another type of loan - but only if you have the credit score. "To qualify for a conventional mortgage, a borrower generally needs a minimum credit score of 680 and at least 5 percent down," said Bankrate. "Many lenders require at least 10 percent down."

There may be more wiggle room in that credit score if you can come up with more money for a higher down payment. But, if it's too low, you'll likely be pointed right back to FHA loans. On the other end, a higher score will get you the best possible interest rates.

Subprime mortgages

Have a credit score below 500? You're officially in the "bad credit" zone. But, you may still be a candidate for a loan, even if you can't qualify by FHA standards, by going with a subprime mortgage. The word "subprime" still sends shivers down the spines of many people because loans extended to what many industry professionals considered to be unqualified applicants were largely blamed for the last housing crash. Accordingly, many of these opportunities dried up in the aftermath.

Today, though, subprime mortgages are available. Keep in mind that minimum credit scores will depend on the individual loan and lender, and each borrower's unique set of financial circumstances. And, you'll pay for the privilege of being extended a loan with higher rates and/or fees.

"Subprime mortgage lenders mostly use collateral like equity earned when considering a ‘refinance' or a more significant down-payment when talking about a ‘purchase money' transaction," said First Time Home Financing.

Private Money Lenders

If all other avenues fail, you may still be able to get a loan with your bad credit from a private money lender. These are individuals with money to spend who are looking for investments. Because your low credit score makes you risky, you'll be charged more for your loan.

"Your personal credit is usually a smaller factor in these types of loans. However, you should know that the interest rate on these loans is much higher - in the range of 10-15%," said First Time Home Financing. "If you really have bad credit, this could be your only option for the time being."

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THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

87807 BLEK DR Price: $235,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq Ft: 1640 Delightfully spacious and bright! New exterior and interior paint, new vinyl windows, vaulted ceilings and skylights. Pellet stove in living room, kitchen with island and eating bar opens to dining and family room with slider. Master suite with 2 cl...View this property >>

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Good Monday Morning!

The Holiday Season is always a great time of year to sell your home.  There is less competition from other homes and the buyers who are out there are typically motivated buyers.  Every year, I see homes sell quicker and for more money during the Holidays!  Did you know that the Holidays can also be an excellent time to purchase a home? Here is an article from "Realty Times"!

The holidays might not be the most popular time to buy a home, but with lower buyer competition, motivated sellers, and year-end tax benefits, there are some good reasons to consider hitting “Pause” on decking the halls and high-tailing it to some open houses in San Francisco, CA, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and all spots in between! So, if you’re in the market, take note of these seven benefits and then contact your agent. December just might be the most wonderful time of year … to be house hunting!

1. BARGAIN PRICES

The final month of the year is known for frantic shopping and countless holiday parties but not necessarily for purchasing a home — and this can work in your favor. With fewer buyers in the marketplace, the available homes for sale are priced to sell. Plus, with fewer active buyers, there’s less likelihood of multiple offers, bidding wars, and escalator clauses.

2. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES

There’s no need to wait until Saturday or Sunday to cram eight house showings into your schedule. Rather than using up your precious weekends, take an end-of-year vacation day on a weekday to check out the available inventory (especially if your company has a “use it or lose it” policy). Chances are, your agent has some time on their hands as well and would appreciate staying busy throughout December.

3. MOTIVATED SELLERS

If a home is on the real estate market in December, there’s usually a specific reason the sellers are looking to move: It could be job relocation, financial hardship, or personal change of circumstance. Regardless, it gives you an opportunity to negotiate a sweet deal — lowball the listing price and ask for a closing date that works with your schedule.

4. TAX BENEFITS

Purchasing a home in 2016 is good for your bottom line when tax time rolls around. If you close by December 31, you can deduct property taxes, mortgage interest, origination points on your loan, and interest costs — all while building equity in your home. These deductions can be huge money savers, especially in the early years of your loan when you’re paying off interest.

5. LENDING LULL

With everyone off celebrating the holidays, December is traditionally a lean month for mortgage brokers. That gives you an advantage in building the best possible mortgage you can. Since there are fewer real estate transactions, loan officers may be motivated to offer special incentives and possibly waive or reduce origination fees. With so few loans in the pipeline, underwriting turnaround times will be quick. You may be able to negotiate a better price with the seller if you’re able to close the purchase in under 30 days.

6. VENDOR AVAILABILITY

A moving company’s December calendar usually resembles a ghost town. Not only will you be able to secure movers on short notice, but with competition for prime time slots (weekends) nonexistent, you could probably score a deal as well. Ask the movers to consider throwing in a couple of moving hours for free or additional packing materials and boxes at no cost. The same tactic may also work with contractors, repairmen, and home inspection services.

7. BUILDER INCENTIVES

If you’re building a new home, ask about holiday incentives — builders typically roll them out to finish the year with a bang. If upgrades such as custom cabinets, quality carpeting, and designer paint colors are on your holiday wish list, December may be the ideal time to purchase a new-construction home. With fewer units sold throughout the month, the last few days of the year are particularly important for sales.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

2445 Elysium Ave

Price: $350,000    Beds: 4    Baths: 2    ｽ Baths: 1    Sq Ft: 2172

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Good Morning!

 Many would-be homeowners are still choosing to rent instead of buying a home.  Home buyer confidence remains low nationally, even though mortgage interest rates are at historic low levels.  Here is an article from Realtor.com that gives some ideas as to why consumer confidence remains low among potential home buyers.

National optimism? What national optimism? Fewer Americans think it’s a good time right now to buy a home, according to a report released on Monday.

Stagnant wages and climbing housing prices led to a 1.7-point drop last month in consumer optimism toward owning a home, according to Fannie Mae’s monthly Home Purchase Sentiment Index. The index dipped from 83.2 points in December to 81.5 points in January. It ranges from -36.5 to 163.5 points.

“People need to see bigger wage increases to be able to afford a home and collect the down payment,” said Steve Deggendorf, director of strategic research at Fannie Mae.

Just 31% of the survey’s 1,000 participants said it was a good time to buy last month. And only 12% of respondents said their household income was significantly higher than it was a year ago—down 3% from December.

“Jobs are increasing, but wages really haven’t caught up,” said Jonathan Bowles, executive director of the Center for an Urban Future, a New York City–based think tank. He added that it’s become harder for aspiring homeowners to save up for a down payment than it was for previous generations. “It certainly puts homeownership out of reach for a lot of Americans.”

This could lead to a smaller share of Americans who own property, as fewer first-time home buyers have the resources to break into the market, warned Mark Willis, a senior policy fellow at the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at New York University.

The bright side was that mortgage rates fell slightly for the fifth week in a row, according to Freddie Mac. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage dipped from 3.79% to 3.72%, and the 15-year fixed mortgage dropped from 3.07% to 3.01%. Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages dropped from 2.9% to 2.85%.

Lower mortgage rates can make buying more affordable, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at realtor.com®. And more potential buyers may be motivated to buy, as rents are also steadily heading up.

“The alternative to buying a home [renting] isn’t more attractive—especially for the longer term,” Smoke said. “Rents already in most places [exceed] what it costs to buy a home with a mortgage.”

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

1014 Yew St

Price: $238,400    Beds: 3    Baths: 2    Sq Ft: 1466

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Good Morning!

Not a day passes without someone asking me if they should buy a home now or wait until the market slows down and homes are more affordable.  This is an easy question to answer, because we still have affordability and we also have historic low mortgage interest rates that won't be here for ever.  The following is a recent article from "Realty Times", that talks about our current market and addresses the home purchase question.

Right now, buyers have the best of both worlds -- home prices have risen, but they're still below the bubble of 2005, and mortgage interest rates are just above record lows. Yet, many buyers are still waiting for a sign that it's the right time to buy.

Should you wait for prices to go down or for lower interest rates? We advise that you do neither. The price of a home is fixed, so it makes sense to wait for prices to go lower, but you may not realize is that prices have to drop significantly to beat a minor fluctuation in mortgage interest rates.

Home prices have been rising for the past five years, sometimes in the double digits. Between January 2014 and January 2015, home prices rose over six percent. If sales continue at the current pace, it's more likely that the home you don't buy today could be more expensive later.

In the time you wait for price reductions, you could effectively build equity, or ownership in your home. Few homeowners keep a loan for 30 years anymore. People change jobs, get divorced, move up, downsize, refinance and have other reasons for not keeping their original mortgage. So the time is now.

So let's look at a few what-ifs and see when it's best for you to buy a home. Using round numbers, on a $200,000 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage at 4.00 percent, your monthly payment starting May 2015 will be $955. At seven years, the average length of time that most buyers occupy their homes today, you'll pay $52,898 in interest and the remainder of your loan will be $171,738.

If you wait around and interest rates go up, you'll be paying more monthly, plus you won't build equity as quickly. At 4.5 percent, your monthly payment will be $1,013 and you'll pay $59,828 in interest. Your loan remainder is higher - $173, 692. A half a point increase in interest will cost you $58 more per month, $6,930 more in interest, and you'll end up with $1,954 less in equity.

If your home dropped 5% in value and you were able to get a loan for $190,000 and 4.5% interest, your payment would be $963, a difference of $51 less per month than if you'd paid $200,000.

But what if you're wrong and prices go up by five percent? At $210,000 and 4.5 percent interest, you'll pay $1064 per month, $62,820 in interest, and the remainder on the loan will be $182,376. That's a difference of $109 more on your monthly payment and $9830 more in interest, plus you'll lose $10,638 in equity.

Why not buy now when both prices and interest rates are lower?

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

649 ST ANDREWS LOOP
 

Price: $495,000     Beds: 5     Baths: 4    ½ Baths: 1     Sq Ft: 5568

Outstanding value at $88 per sq ft - Hardwood flooring, granite counters, travertine tile, hickory cabinets, two walk-in closets, solid core 8ft doors, creek views, next to Emerald Valley Golf Resort. Too many high end amenities to list. Less than 2...
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