Dasmarka Real Estate

There's No Need To Panic

You don't have to look hard for news stories about changes in the nation's housing market. The media regularly reports on foreclosure rates being higher, home prices dropping in some areas and sales taking longer than they used to. It's all true, in some sense, but compared to what? A phenomenal housing boom that lasted nearly five years.You don’t have to look hard for news stories about changes in the nation’s housing market. The media regularly reports on foreclosure rates being higher, home prices dropping in some areas and sales taking longer than they used to. It’s all true, in some sense, but compared to what? A phenomenal housing boom that lasted nearly five years. The truth is, booms don’t last forever, and the adjustment to a more-normal market just doesn’t look good by comparison. Consider the following:

• National Realty News says national statistics show that homeowners who purchased in the last two years put a median 10% down payment on their homes and now have a median 13% in equity. Those who purchased five years ago placed a median down payment of 11% and currently have a median 41% equity in their homes.
  
• Today’s interest rates look terrific from an historical standpoint. While interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have been hovering around 6%, according to Freddie Mac, the average interest rate 10 years ago (1998) on a 30-year fixed was 6.94%; 20 years ago, 10.34%; and 30 years ago, 9.64%.
  
• Housing markets vary considerably by location--national statistics mask what’s happening in your particular area. While some regions have been harder hit than others, not all markets are experiencing price declines. Even within markets, some areas and property types are still appreciating in value even though nearby neighborhoods may be seeing price drops.

Simply put, all real estate is local. So give me a call.

During the booming nationwide housing market of the early 2000s, lots of home buyers bought what they could get in their price range--not necessarily what they hoped for. Limited selection and competitive bidding forced many people to "settle" for properties that didn't really meet their particular needs or tastes.

Today's market offers a terrific opportunity to correct those somewhat-forced decisions. It's no secret that in many markets there are significantly more homes for sale now than were available three or so years ago. That means buyers now can pick and choose among available properties to find a home that more closely matches their needs. If you are looking for your next better home, consider your options. While some homeowners will need to sell their current home in order to purchase their next one, you may not need to sell before buying. A bridge loan could help you span the gap in the event your old home doesn't sell prior to settlement, or closing, on the new one.

Another option: Rent out your old home, making it an investment property. Depending on the market, rent payments may cover most or all of your ownership costs--you might even make money--while you find a great deal on a home more suitable to your tastes and lifestyle.

Remember, even if you can't sell your home for as much as you might have a year or two ago, neither can the other sellers in your area--it's still a "level playing field." The upside today is that you have more homes to choose from, and you can still take advantage of today's low mortgage interest rates. Of course, both those great advantages are also available to current renters and first-time buyers.

Some condominiums have the look and feel of an apartment, while others can look just like townhouses, duplexes or single-family homes. The difference is the form of ownership-what you actually hold title to and your responsibilities/liabilities with regard to the condominium association.
In many areas, condominiums are competitively priced and have achieved appreciation rates comparable to-in some cases better than-single-family homes. Condos tend to be a great value for first-time home buyers and people who prefer to forego the hassles and expenses associated with outdoor maintenance of their home and its surrounding area.
If you are considering buying a condo as a home or investment property, be sure to become thoroughly familiar with the association's rules, fees and financial status. We'll be happy to help you-just give me a call!

Ok, off the topic but we got to have fun also.
Looking forward to Nascar starting up again.

Well with all the trouble that the lending market is having there are still a few thing that your real estate agent can help you with to lower your cost of getting you into your home.
Some buyers reduce the cash needed at settlement by scheduling closing at the end of the month. But there are several other ways to save on closing costs that may work better in the long run.

We’re a little tight on cash. How can we shift some settlement costs to reduce out of pocket expenses?

Skip late-month settlement
Since interest on the loan is paid to the end of the month at settlement, the interest payment gets lower as you get closer to the end of the month. But another approach is to wait a few days until the beginning of the next month. That way, you'll need to pay more up front at settlement, but you'll gain a whole month's delay before the first full mortgage payment is due, because mortgage interest is paid in arrears, after the month has passed.

Reduce out-of-pocket cash
Another way to reduce the cash needed at settlement takes some advance planning. By negotiating with the seller, the buyer may be able to pay more for the home and finance it, while the seller puts an equal amount toward out-of-pocket settlement costs.

Finance closing costs
A third option is to find a lender who will finance closing costs by wrapping them into the mortgage. This method may, however, cost more over the long run, as lenders often will then charge a higher interest rate for a "no closing costs" loan.

You cant get away from paying nothing but there are things you can do to help you into your new home.

Tell us about them and we will include them in our latest Referral Directory.