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Honoring Our Military This Memorial Day
Posted byArchive for May, 2016
Is it time to buy or sell my home?
Posted byNew & Existing Home Sales Climb
Some Highlights:
- Both New Home Sales and Existing Home Sales are up month-over-month and year-over-year.
- Inventory remains low which continues to drive home prices up as demand continues to exceed the 4.7-month inventory.
- The median price of new homes is up 12% from March 2015, while the median price of existing homes is up 6.3% from April 2015.
Take advantage of today’s market by contacting us. 910-279-9398.
Trust Matters
Posted byUnparalleled Trust Necessary Before Listing Your House
You and your family have decided to sell your house. It is now time to choose a real estate professional to help with the process. One of the major attributes this agent must possess is trustworthiness. To what degree do you need to trust them?
You must have enough trust in them that you feel comfortable they will accomplish all four things below:
1. Sell possibly the largest asset your family owns
In many cases, a home is the largest asset a family has. Studies have shown that the equity many families have in their home is the largest percentage of that family’s overall wealth.
2. Set the correct market value on that asset
Pricing is crucial even in the best of markets. You want to get the best price for your home without putting your house at a value that buyers will have little interest in.
3. Set the time schedule for the liquidation of that asset
Your family probably has a certain timetable for the sale of your house and the move into your next home. Coordinating the home selling process to meet certain schedules can be tricky.
4. Set a fair fee for the services required to liquidate that asset
You will need to pay a commission to an agent for selling the home and coordinating all elements of the selling transaction, including possible future negotiations (ex. with a home inspector or appraiser).
That’s a lot of trust. Let’s get together to discuss the difference hiring a true professional can make in the sale of your home. Contact us today
Where is Housing Headed for the Rest of 2016?
Posted by-
Should I buy or sale in 2016?
With the overall economy just inching along, some experts are questioning whether the housing market can continue its momentum throughout the rest of the year. People are beginning to ask questions such as:
- Will disappointing economic news adversely impact housing?
- Is affordability a major concern in today’s real estate market?
- Are we approaching a new housing bubble?
- Are mortgage standards too tight? Or have they loosened too much?
Freddie Mac, in their April Economic Outlook, addresses the disappointing economic news and what impact they think it will have on housing:
“Recent data darkened the growth outlook for the first quarter of 2016. However, despite the disappointing economic reports, we still forecast housing to maintain its momentum in 2016.
We’ve revised down our forecast for economic growth to reflect the recent data for the first quarter, but our outlook for the balance of the year remains modestly optimistic for the economy.”
What about real estate?
Freddie Mac was much more optimistic about housing…
“We maintain our positive view on housing. In fact, the declines in long-term interest rates that accompanied much of the recent news should increase mortgage market activity.”
They went on to conclude:
“We expect housing to be an engine of growth. Construction activity will pick up as we enter the spring and summer months, and rising home values will bolster consumers and help support renewed confidence in the remaining months of this year.”
Let the team at Coastal Realty Connections assist you in determing your home’s market value and whether on not it is time to buy or sale. Contact us by email info@coastalrealtyconnections.com or 910-279-9398.
Low interest rates – Now is a good time to buy
Posted byMortgage Rates Remain at Historic Lows
The latest report from Freddie Mac shows that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.61% last week, slightly down from the week before (3.66%), and nearly 20 points lower than a year ago (3.80%).
This is great news for homebuyers who are dealing with rising prices due to a low inventory of homes for sale in many areas of the country. Freddie Mac expressed their optimism for the rates to remain low throughout the spring in a recent blog post:
“We expect mortgage interest rates to stay well under 4% as we head into the heart of the spring homebuying season. We’re predicting it to be the best one in 10 years, which should provide even greater opportunities for first-time homebuyers.”
Below is a chart of the weekly average rates in 2016, according to Freddie Mac.
Rates have again fallen to historic lows yet many experts still expect them to increase in 2016. One thing we know for sure is that, according to Freddie Mac, current rates are the best they have been since last April.
Sean Becketti, Chief Economist for Freddie Mac recently explained:
“Since the start of February, mortgage rates have varied within a narrow range providing an extended period for house hunters to take advantage of historically low rates.”
Bottom Line
If you are thinking of buying your first home or moving up to your ultimate dream home, now is a great time to get a sensational rate on your mortgage. Let Coastal Realty Connections put their expertise and excellent customer service to work for you. Contact us today. info@coastalrealtyconnections.com / 910-279-9398.
Warren Buffett: There is No Housing Bubble. House Values to Rise.
Posted byWarren Buffett: There is No Housing Bubble
With home prices expected to appreciate by over 5% this year, some are beginning to worry about a new housing bubble forming. Warren Buffet addressed this issue last week in an article by Fortune Magazine. He simply explained:
“I don’t see a nationwide bubble in real estate right now at all.”
Later, when questioned whether real estate and/or mortgaging could present the same challenges for the economy as they did in 2008, Buffet said:
“I don’t think we will have a repeat of that.”
What factors are driving home prices up?
It is easily explained by the theory of supply and demand. There is a lack of housing inventory for sale while demand for that inventory is very strong. According to a recent survey of agents by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer traffic was seen as either “strong” or “very strong” in 44 of the 50 states (the exceptions being: Alaska, Wyoming, North Dakota, West Virginia, Connecticut and Delaware).
Also, in NAR’s latest Pending Home Sales Report, it was revealed that the index was the highest it has been in a year.
What does the future bring?
As prices rise, more families will have increased equity in their homes which will enable them to put their home on the market. As more listings come to market, price increases should slow to more normal levels.
Anand Nallathambi, President & CEO of CoreLogic, recently addressed the issue:
“Home price gains have clearly been a driving force in building positive equity for homeowners. Longer term, we anticipate a better balance of supply and demand in many markets which will help sustain healthy & affordable home values into the future.”
Let the agents at Coastal Realty Connections help you buy or sell. Contact us for a free valuation of your property’s worth or for assistance in finding just the right home for you. 910-279-9398.
Why it Makes Sense to Buy A Primary & Second Home
Posted byBillionaire: Buy a Home… And if You Can, Buy a Second Home!
Three years ago, John Paulson gave a keynote address at the CNBC/Institutional Investor Conference. In his speech, he told those in attendance that he believes housing will continue its strong recovery for the next 4 to 7 years, saying that:
“The housing market has bottomed. It’s not too late to get involved. I still think buying a home is the best investment any individual can make. Affordability is still at an all-time high.”
When asked how the average person could take advantage of the current real estate market at the time, Paulson said:
“Buy a home and, if you can, buy a second home.”
Two years ago, Paulson reiterated his statement, saying:
“I still think, from an individual perspective, the best deal investment you can make is to buy a primary residence that you’re the owner-occupier of.”
Who is John Paulson and why should you listen to him?
Paulson is the person who, back in 2005 & 2006, made a fortune betting that the subprime mortgage mess would cause the real estate market to collapse. He understands how the housing market works and knows when to buy and when to sell.
What do others think of Paulson?
According to Forbes, John Paulson is:
“A multibillionaire hedge fund operator and the investment genius.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, Paulson is:
“A hedge fund tycoon who made his name, and a fortune, betting against subprime mortgages when no one else even knew what they were.”
So… Is what he said still true?
The core reasons behind Paulson’s statements still ring true today, but why does he believe homeownership is such a great investment?
Paulson broke down the math of homeownership as an investment:
1. “Today financing costs are extraordinarily low.”
The latest numbers from Freddie Mac show us that you can still get a 30-year mortgage at historically low rates of under 4%.
2. “And if you put down, let’s say, 10 percent and the house is up 5 percent,” as many experts predict, “then you would be up 50 percent on your investment.”
How many are seeing a 50% return on a cash investment right now?
Paulson goes on to compare the long term financial benefits of owning versus renting:
3. “And you’ve locked in the cost over the next 30 years. And today the cost of owning is somewhat less than the cost of renting. And if you rent, the rent goes up every year. But if you buy a 30-year mortgage, the cost is fixed.”
Bottom Line
Whenever a billionaire gives investment advice, people usually clamor to hear it. This billionaire gave simple advice – if you don’t yet live in your own home, go buy one.
Let the team at Coastal Realty Connections help you find the right primary or second home. Specializing in coastal real estate from New Bern, North Carolina to the beaches of Brunswick County. Contact us today and let us put our knowledge to work for you.