Blog – Page 319 of 353 – DiversiFund Texas, LP

11 Jun 2018

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 11th, 2018

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 11th, 2018 Last week’s economic reports included analyst assertions that U.S. housing markets are overvalued in over 50 percent of markets. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released.

CoreLogic: Over Half of Top 50 U.S. Housing Markets Overvalued

Rapidly rising home prices are causing some U.S. markets to be overvalued, which means that home prices are higher than a community’s ability to sustain. What goes up must come down in such scenarios, but home prices continue to grow in many areas.

While Boston, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California continued to see rapidly rising home prices, analysts said that residents of the two cities had incomes sufficient to meet the cost of homes. Examples of cities where home prices were overvalued in April included os Angeles, California, Denver, Colorado and Washington, D.C. Supplies of available homes have fallen over the last three years. Real estate pros and analysts continue to cite building more homes is the only solution to the shortage.

The National Association of Realtors® said that although supplies of new homes have increased in recent months, most newly built homes are priced for move-up buyers. Moderate-income and first-time buyers haven’t seen much improvement in available affordable homes. Rising mortgage rates in recent months also presented an obstacle to finding affordable homes.

Mortgage Rates, New Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported lower average mortgage rates last week. Rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell two basis points to 4.54 percent; rates for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage were five basis points lower at an average rate of 4.01 percent. Rates for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage averaged 3.74 percent and were six basis points lower. Discount points for 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaged 0.50 percent; discount points for 15-year fixed rate mortgages and 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.40 percent.

First-time jobless claims fell last week despite predictions that they would rise. 222,000 new claims were filed as compared to expectations of 225,000 new claims and the prior week’s reading of 223,000 new claims.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic releases include the post-meeting statement from the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee, readings on consumer prices and retail sales. Mortgage rates and new jobless claims will also be released.

08 Jun 2018

By Kevin Gahagan

Long-Distance House Hunting Tips

Real Estate

It pays to start with a solid strategy when you have to house hunt from afar.

Hunting for a house is stressful enough even if you are moving to another part of town. However, when you are searching for a house from afar, it can make the task of finding the right home for your needs seem almost impossible.

Fortunately, in today’s high-tech world, you have an array of tools available right at your fingertips that can make it easy to find the perfect house for your needs. So, even if you are looking for a home thousands of miles away, you can do so quickly and with minimal fuss.

Partner With The Right Real Estate Agent

The first thing that you should do when looking for a house in an area that you are unfamiliar with is to find a local agent. Find someone who has the expertise of the local market and buying process. The information that you garner from choosing a local agent can be invaluable. They know the market intimately.

Additionally, a local agent knows the community as they likely live there as well. They know which schools and neighborhoods are best. They can get to know what you are looking for in an area and help you find the right community for your particular needs. They might also have information on local gems that are not yet showing up on online listings.

Do Your Research

After you find a home or two that you are interested in, thoroughly research the area. Search for information about local schools, churches, shopping centers and more. You want to make sure that the neighborhood will meet your needs. Research crime rates in the area.

Also, determine how long your commute from work to home will be each day. Even if you don’t have children, research local school rankings. The rating and quality of local schools is paramount when it comes to the resale value of your home.

Visit In Person

There is just no amount of research that can substitute for an in-person visit to a potential home. If you are planning to hunt for a house from a distance, be prepared for the travel. Make sure that you have the money and time to visit. It is best to prepare for longer house-hunting trips so that you can take your time when walking through each showing.

Also, make it a point to pay a visit to local restaurants, parks, and businesses to get a feel for the local community.

Whether you are buying local or at a distance, one of the most important things to do first is to get a pre-approval in order. Contact your trusted mortgage professional today to get the ball rolling.

07 Jun 2018

By Kevin Gahagan

What To Know When Looking At Active Adult Communities

Home Buyer Tips

What To Know When Looking At Active Adult Communities For many Americans, retirement age is fast approaching or already here: Baby Boomers account for nearly 75 million individuals in the United States.

Retirement can present a lot of opportunities, especially when it comes to relaxation, activities, and the enjoyment of life with those of a similar age. More and more Americans are looking to 55+ communities to fulfill those wants and needs.

Active Adult Communities

55+ communities, also known as an active adult or age-restricted communities, are becoming increasingly popular throughout the U.S. because of what they offer and can provide. Traditionally thought to be only in warmer climates, active adult communities can be found in almost every state, and with more people retiring, new communities are being added every year.

Just like buying in a regular neighborhood or a master-planned community, there are a number of things to know or understand when it comes to investing in an active adult community and lifestyle. If you’re considering selling your current home and relocating to a 55+ community, here are some important things to consider before the big move.

Location

Location is an important consideration. Active adult communities can be found all throughout the U.S. While Florida and Arizona are known for their 55+ communities, it’s very likely there’s a community close to where you currently live.

Location is more than just where the community is located – location includes the proximity to towns or cities. Some may want a community that is cut off from large cities; others may want to be close to large metropolitan areas for what they can offer.

Location also includes things like local taxes – some states are much friendlier to retirees than others when it comes to taxes.

It’s also important to note the community’s location relative to an international airport if you plan on traveling a lot, medical centers, and other amenities that may be frequented daily or weekly.

Size

The size of the community is an important part of the community experience for residents. Communities will range in size, from just a couple hundred residents to thousands. The larger the community, the more residents.

Larger communities may offer more activities and amenities while smaller ones may be able to offer more comfort and relaxation with the reduced number of residents. If you’re interested in maintaining an active lifestyle and making friends, a larger community may be a better choice than a smaller one.

It’s also important to note that a larger community may offer more deals or incentives to those looking to buy within the community.

Amenities

Amenities are incredibly important when considering buying a home in an active adult community. A larger community will likely have a number of amenities and events while a smaller community may be limited in terms of what it can provide to homeowners.

When looking at communities, ask about the amenities provided within the community: is there a golf course, tennis courts, clubhouse, rec center, or arts and crafts studio?

Are there any clubs, group activities, or social events?

Does the community provide ample amenities to maintain an active lifestyle?

It is important to ask whether a membership is required to partake in any activities (especially with things like golf, tennis or the use of a clubhouse or rec center). If so, a membership structure within the community may add extra costs to the community.

HOA

Homeowners Associations have become increasingly popular within planned communities, and 55+ communities are no different. An HOA may have additional say on things within the community than in a regular neighborhood.

While maintaining the general areas, an HOA in an active adult community may also dictate whether a homeowner can grill outside, park a car on the street rather than in a garage, and some may go as far as to dictate the time of day a homeowner can have a conversation on a patio or deck.

While an HOA helps maintain the look and feel of a community as a whole, an overbearing HOA or homeowners board can possibly make living in a retirement community not very enjoyable for some individuals.

Living In Place

Another option to consider is whether the community offers a “living in place” option. This is still a relatively new concept but it is becoming more and more popular.

Living in place options offer homeowners the ability to buy a home in a community when they’re still active and able to live without accommodations. Then, should one’s health change or it becomes more difficult to live independently, the homeowners are able to move to a fully furnished apartment or condo within the community where cleaning, cooking and other services are provided.

These options allow homeowners to stay in one community through each phase of their retirement. More expensive than traditional active adult communities, they are a viable option for those planning for the long run.

Retirement is an exciting time. Finding a community that supports retirees and provides a place for relaxation is important for many people. If you’re looking at active adult communities, reach out to your trusted real estate agent to get more information about local communities in your area.

A 55+ community can be a great choice for those looking to enjoy retirement with other retirees. Happy hunting!

06 Jun 2018

By Kevin Gahagan

What You Need To Know About Short Sales

Mortgage

What You Need To Know About Short Sales On the surface, a short sale seems like the perfect deal. However, before you take the plunge, you need to understand how this type of home purchase works.

What Is a Short Sale?

A short sale is a home sale in which the homeowner is selling the home for less than he or she currently owes on the mortgage. In most cases, this means that the buyer is paying less for the home than it’s worth, which leads to instant equity.

Short sales allow homeowners to get out from under mortgages without damaging their credit as much as a foreclosure. Lenders often agree to short sales because the foreclosure process is lengthy and expensive, so short sales can be more beneficial for both parties in the long run.

Advantages

When you buy a short sale, you can often get a nicer home for a lower price. In most cases, you will still be able to use financing to purchase a short sale.

A homeowner attempting a short sale also tends to be highly motivated, which means they will be willing to negotiate on almost any aspect of the sale.

Disadvantages

Although purchasing a short sale can be lucrative, the process isn’t easy. Short sales can take as long as nine months to complete, which is much longer than the time required for the typical home purchase.

Because the homeowner owes more on the mortgage than you will be paying, the bank must agree to the price. This means that even if the homeowner is willing to accept your offer, the bank can still reject it.

If the home secures more than one mortgage, all of the lenders must agree to the sale before it can close. This can lengthen the process even more.

Even though the bank will hold up the process, they will want you to be flexible. Banks are less likely to approve offers from buyers with multiple contingencies, such as a house that needs to sell before closing.

Should You Purchase a Short Sale?

The decision to make an offer on a short sale home is personal. Although there are many obstacles and potential disadvantages, you may be able to save money and build equity quickly if you are able to complete a short sale successfully.

Keep in mind that most banks considering a short sale will want to see a well-qualified borrower who offers flexible closing terms, so it’s best to contact your mortgage professional for a pre-approval before you make an offer on the home.

05 Jun 2018

By Kevin Gahagan

Pros And Cons Of Buying A Foreclosure

Mortgage

Pros And Cons Of Buying A Foreclosure When a homeowner stops making regular mortgage payments, the bank can foreclose on the property. This means that the bank takes possession of the property in an attempt to recover the debt the homeowner owes. In some cases, the bank may try to recover this debt by selling the property at auction. In other cases, the bank will simply list the foreclosed home for sale.

Choosing to purchase a foreclosed home has both advantages and disadvantages for the buyer. Weighing these advantages and disadvantages carefully is essential.

Pros of Buying a Foreclosure

When you decide to buy a foreclosure, you will be working with a seller that is inherently more motivated. The longer the bank owns the property, the more money they lose. For this reason, banks are often more willing to negotiate on all of the terms of the sale, including the price, closing costs and other important factors.

Buying a foreclosure also ensures that you are getting a house that is already vacant, so you can move in whenever you are ready. In addition, you can be sure that the title on the home is clear.

In most cases, you will be able to finance a bank-owned foreclosure with a mortgage, and you will be able to obtain an inspection if you want one.

Cons of Buying a Foreclosure

Buying a foreclosure also comes with disadvantages. For example, banks usually require additional paperwork when you are purchasing a foreclosed home.

In addition, most banks will refuse to complete any repairs on the home before the purchase. Most foreclosed homes are sold as-is, which means you may have to repair some problems or do some updates after you buy the home.

Finally, because the bank has only owned the home a short time, they cannot provide comprehensive disclosures related to the property’s current condition or history. This means that you may end up purchasing a home without being fully aware of the problems you’ll need to address.

Making a Choice

Buying a foreclosure isn’t the right option for every buyer. However, if you are a careful shopper, potential benefits are available.

Before making an offer on a foreclosed home, be sure to consult an experienced mortgage professional to get your pre-approval in order so you can complete the purchase quickly if you choose to move forward.