Archive for March, 2011
Busy Buying Season with deep Discounts for Buyers!
March 22nd, 2011 categories: Real Estate news
According to “Discounts Expected in Spring Housing Market,” The Wall Street Journal (March 22, 2011), “bargain prices on housing combined with low interest rates below 5 percent may bring the real estate market its busiest spring season in years, economists say. Distressed sales continue to put downward pressure on home prices, which may lure more buyers off the fence and ready to snag a deal during the typical prime-time buying season. Some builders are ramping up discounts on new homes as well as boosting commissions to brokers to try to spark more transactions. Sellers of existing-homes also are getting more competitive in pricing their homes.
“After three years of the housing downturn, people are becoming much more realistic in terms of valuing their homes,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®.
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What should you know as a first-time buyer?
March 10th, 2011 categories: Buyers' Tips
I think this article will enlighten many buyers, so feel free to call me or e-mail me with any questions as usual.
For more information on Sacramento real estate, please contact Carmen at 916-342-2446 , or e-mail at carmen@carmenmicsa.com. Also to receive free listings, go to www.Dynamicsacramentohomes.com. And last, but not least be sure to ask for your 7-night cruise when buying with Carmen and her team of experienced agents, as well as a $500 credit to your closing costs if you mention this blog article.
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Sacramento Real Estate! 4 Reasons to Buy a home TODAY!
March 9th, 2011 categories: Real Estate news
I received a newsletter from Attorney Steve Beede with these compelling reasons to become a homeowner, so I thouhgt I’d share with you. When I meet with clients I always tell them that they need to stop making other people rich and start investing in their future, as long as tehy have a stable job and are not overextending themeselves being in debt.
1. Properties are Undervalued – As reported in DSNews.com, based on the latest Case-Shiller home price index, a study by Capital Economics shows that in the fourth quarter of 2010, housing was 21 percent undervalued when compared with disposable income per capital. Looking at data included in the index published by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the firm found that housing in Q4 was 15 percent undervalued as measured against individuals’ disposable income. Capital Economics says its results illustrate “housing is exceptionally undervalued,” and the gap is getting bigger. In its third quarter 2010 report, the research firm pegged the Case-Shiller index readings as 19 percent undervalued and the FHFA index as 14 percent below what would constitute a balanced housing value in relation to income. This downward pressure on prices will continue as the foreclosures clear out, opening the gap even further.
2. Financing Remains Very Affordable – On top of low prices, mortgage rates have fallen back a bit in recent weeks, leaving them even further below the 20-year average of 7 percent. Last week marked the third consecutive week that rates have continued to decline. A national survey conducted by Freddie Mac shows that the average 30-year fixed-rate has dropped to 4.87 percent, while the 15-year fixed-rate has slipped to 4.15 percent. When you wrap declining home prices and historically low mortgage rates together, Capital Economics says, “The incredibly favorable affordability and valuation environment is the housing market’s one big positive.”
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