Real Estate Information

Greetings neighbors,

Following the trend in recent weeks, mortgage rates set new record lows yet again for the 8th week in the row according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

According to Freddie's survey for the week ending today, August 12th, 30-year FRM's came in at an average rate of 4.44% with an average 0.7 origination point. This number showed a decrease from last week's average of 4.49% and last year's average of 5.29%.

In addition, the survey showed a decrease in 15-year FRM's as well with an average rate of 3.92% and an average point of 0.6 when compared to last week's average of 3.95%. This number is also lower than last year's average of 4.68%.

The 5-year ARM came in this week averaging 3.56% with an average origination point of 0.7 in comparison to last week's 3.63% and last year's average of 4.75%.

Last but not least, the one-year Treasury-indexed ARM came in at 3.53% with an average point of 0.7 on the weekly survey in comparison to 3.55% last week. This time last year, the one-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 4.72%.

Hello neighbors,

Foreclosure filings have shown a decline in comparison to a year ago at this time according to recent data released by RealtyTrac. Last month's foreclosure filings reported a 9.7% drop from July 2009 producing the second consecutive month of yearly declines.

After enduring a 1% increase 3 months ago during the month of May, filings witnessed a 6.9% annual drop the following month in June and the almost 10% drop last month in July.

There were a total of 325,229 properties that received foreclosure filings last month which produced a 4% increase from May.

In addition to the decline of annual foreclosure filings, default notices also showed an annual decline in comparison to this time last year. There were a total of 97,123 properties that received default notices last month which was a 28% decrease from July 2009. However, in comparison to the previous month, this number increased by 1%.

RealtyTrac also reported a total of 92,858 properties that were placed back in the banks hands as REO's last month. This number was 1% below May's number of 93,777.

Greetings neighbors,

Take a look at this large and spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath home in the delightful neighborhood of Morton Plantation.

This home is sure to impress you and your family with interior features such as: a 2-story foyer, entrance foyer, hardwood floors, family room, sun room, ceiling fans, fireplace, and finished basement.

The cook of the family will simply adore the home's renovated kitchen with ample appliances such as: a dishwasher, garbage disposal, gas oven, and microwave. In addition to the appliances, you will appreciate features such as: a breakfast area, stained cabinets, stoned counter tops, pantry, and a view to the family room.

In addition, you are guaranteed to enjoy spacious bedrooms and a master bath with vaulted ceilings, Separate tub/shower, garden tub, and double vanity!

You will also find that this home has a combined living room and dining room providing even more space for family time and fun!

As for you exterior features you will appreciate the home's two car garage, front porch, and professional landscaping.

Your family will also appreciate the amenities of the neighborhood which includes a playground, swimming pool, and tennis court.

If you're looking for a lot of home for your money, look no further, short Sale Potential!

Check out pictures of your potential home here!

Greetings neighbors,

Check out this beautiful brick and cedar home at 2517 Kickerillo in Parkside Walk. This nearly new craftsman home will capture your heart with its sophisticated style and neutral color scheme!

With features such as hardwood flooring, double decks, indoor/outdoor fireplaces, and an open floor plan, this home is an owners dream at an unbelievable price!

You will find the kitchen of the home is loaded with appliances such as: a dishwasher, self cleaning gas oven, and microwave. In addition to the appliances, you will love the features such as: breakfast area, breakfast bar, stained cabinets, pantry, wine rack, and stoned counter tops.

You are sure to love the master bath with features such as: double vanity, whirlpool garden tub, and separate tub/shower!

Other interior features of this lovely home that you are sure to enjoy include: 2-story foyer, 9+ ft. ceilings, trey ceilings, entrance foyer, laundry room, and walk-in closets!

As for the home's exterior features, you will appreciate the 2 car garage with auto garage door opener, front porch, deck, and professional landscaping.

This home will not last long at this price, click here to view!

Greetings neighbors,

There has been an increase in the amount of mortgage applications according to a recently released survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). According to the survey which ended the week of July 30th, there was a 1.3% increase of the Market Composite Index which measures the volume of mortgage loan applications. This increase was on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous week. When looking at an unadjusted basis there was a 1.4% increase when compared to the previous week.

The survey also reported a 1.3% increase in the refinance index when compared to the previous week. There was a 1.5% increase in the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index as well as 3.4% increase in government purchase applications which was said to have contributed to the increase of the Purchase Index for the third week in a row. In addition, the unadjusted Purchase Index showed a 1.5% increase when compared to the previous week.

As for the four week moving average for the seasonally adjusted Market Index there was a 0.3% increase. In addition, there was a 0.9% increase in the four week moving average for the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index, while this average is up 0.2% for the Refinance Index.

The survey went on to show that the refinance share of mortgage activity stayed flat with 78.0% of total applications from the week prior. Adjustable-rate mortgages actually decreased from the previous week's percentage of 5.7 to 5.4 of total applications.

In addition, the survey showed a decrease from 4.69% to 4.60% in the average contract interest rate for 30-year FRM's with an increase of points from 0.88 to 0.93 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans.

There was a decrease to 4.03% from 4.12% in the average contract interest rate for 15-year FRM's with point increases from 0.83 to 1.01 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. This number marked the lowest ever recorded in MBA's survey.

Lastly, one-year ARM's average contract interest rate declined from 7.15% to 7.10% with points decreasing from 0.23 to 0.21 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.

Hello neighbors,

According to recent numbers produced by the National Association of Realtors, the index of pending home sales showed a decline of 2.6% to 75.7 with contracts signed in June when compared to an upwardly revised level of 77.7 in May. When compared to last year's number, the current pending home sales index decreased by 18.6% from 93.0 in June 2009.

Some economist say the market expects lower home sales for the short term in addition to slow home sales activity before gaining momentum pending the job market of course.

As for a more in depth look regionally for the PHSI: the Northeast experienced a 12.2% drop to 58.8 in June which is 25.4% lower than June 2009, the Midwest index fell 9.5% to 64.1 and is 27.8% lower than last year, the South experienced a 3.7% increase to an index of 85.8, but are 13.3% below last year's index, and the West dropped to 0.2% to 85.1 but is 14.2% below last year's number.

Hello neighbors,

Take a look at this 2-story, all brick home located at 1503 Pangborn Station Dr. in Decatur. You are sure to love this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with a bonus 3rd level finished room that would be perfect for a media room!

With appliances such as: a dishwasher, garbage disposal, electric oven, microwave, and eat-in breakfast bar, the cook of the family will have no choice but to be content while preparing meals in the home's updated kitchen.

Other interior features that you should definitely appreciate include: hardwood flooring, an entrance foyer, and cable modem.

You will also find that this gorgeous home has a separate dining room, living room, and fireplace!

The new owners of this home will also find nice sized bedrooms with a superbly updated master suite bath with separate tub and shower!

In addition, you are sure to enjoy relaxing on your back deck with hot tub!

Other exterior features of the home include: gorgeous landscaping, front porch, fenced yard, driveway, and attached two car garage!

This wonderful home is a must see, come check it out!

View pictures here!

Greetings neighbors,

We continue to see record lows in mortgage rates throughout the country. According to recent numbers reported by Zillow, their weekly update showed that the 30-year FRM dropped from week to week nationally and hit an average of 4.28%. In comparison to last week's number, the current rate is down 0.1% producing another record low yet again.

Regionally, most of the 50 states witnessed a drop in mortgage rates.

In addition, Zillow reported a national average of 3.85% for 15-year fixed home loans while the rate of 5-1 adjustable-rate mortgage ARM came in at 3.27%.

Hello neighbors,

Even though the real estate market is starting to look more and more appealing everyday with factors such as record low mortgage rates and affordable home prices, those in the market to buy a home still have one major concern. That one concern is, getting approved for a home loan. In today's economy lenders are tightening up on their lending standards. Here are the top 7 reasons you or someone you know may get denied for a home loan.

Poor Credit:

Even though a buyer may have a pretty hefty down payment or good equity built up in their home, if their credit score is not too appealing the chances of obtaining a new home loan or refinance from traditional banks are not too great. Lenders are starting to look for above average credit scores.

Insufficient Liquidity:

Banks are not too keen with taking risk on buyers who do not have a down payment of at least 20%-30% and strong excess liquidity.

Lack of Income:

One may think because he or she has a sufficient down payment (20%-30%), a great deal of equity in their home, and a great credit score that the process of obtaining a loan will be a breeze, think again. Banks want to see at least 2 to 5 years of consistent proof of income. This factor may be somewhat challenging for retired borrowers.

Lying on the Application:

As the old saying goes, lying will get you nowhere and lenders are firm believers in this saying. If you've decided to stretch the truth on your application you've basically decided you don't want to be approved. A few words of wisdom, tell the truth.

Debt:

As with many things, debt is not necessarily a good look. If the borrowers debt to income ratio is not too appealing, the chances of being approved are pretty slim.

Unemployment:

As we mentioned in reason number 3, lenders are looking for at least 2 to 5 years of consecutive work history.

Self Employment:

Although entrepreneurship can be consider a good thing and great accomplishment, lenders are becoming reluctant in approving home loans to borrowers that are self employed.

Although many may think lenders are almost making it impossible for the average borrower to obtain a home loan, one way to look at these changing standards is to remember that this will only better the housing market in the long run.

Greetings neighbors,

According to recent reports, The Obama Administration has decided to hold a conference in August to determine the fate of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after being criticized for not having a set plan for the mortgage giants.

As for a little background of the two, these companies were created by the U.S. government as a combination of private company and federal agency to assist with the availability of mortgages. The two companies purchase home loans from lenders, package them into bonds with a guarantee against default, and sell them to investors. Both companies combined own or guarantee approximately 31 million home loans in the U.S. that are worth more than $5 trillion. This number makes up more than half of all the country's mortgages.

Two years ago, the two companies started experiencing financial difficulty and was soon taken over by the government.

Early this week, the Obama Administration said they will hold the conference on August 17th at the Treasury Department.