Friday, July 31, 2009

Recession eased in second quarter, data show

From the AP Associated Press via MSNBC on July 31, 2009

GDP dips at better-than-expected 1 percent pace, but revisions are deep

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy sank at a pace of just 1 percent in the second quarter of the year, a new government report shows. It was a better-than-expected showing that provided the strongest signal yet that the longest recession since World War II is finally winding down.

The dip in gross domestic product for the April-to-June period, reported by the Commerce Department on Friday, comes after the economy was in a free fall, tumbling at an annual rate of 6.4 percent in the first three months of this year. That was the sharpest downhill slide in nearly three decades.

The economy has now contracted for a record four straight quarters for the first time on records dating to 1947. That underscores the grim toll of the recession on consumers and companies.

Many economists were predicting a slightly bigger 1.5 percent annualized contraction in second-quarter GDP. It's the total value of all goods and services — such as cars and clothes and makeup and machinery — produced within the United States and is the best barometer of the country's economic health.

"The recession looks to have largely bottomed in the spring," said Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors. "Businesses have made most of the adjustments they needed to make, and that will set up the economy to resume growing in the summer," he predicted.

Less drastic spending cuts by businesses, a resumption of spending by federal and local governments and an improved trade picture were key forces behind the better performance. Consumers, though, pulled back. Rising unemployment, shrunken nest eggs and lower home values have weighed down their spending.

A key area where businesses ended up cutting more deeply in the spring was inventories. They slashed spending at a record pace of $141.1 billion. There was a silver lining to that, though: With inventories at rock-bottom, businesses may need to ramp up production to satisfy customer demand. That would give a boost to the economy in the current quarter.

The Commerce Department also reported Friday that the recession inflicted even more damage on the economy last year than the government had previously thought. In revisions that date back to the Great Depression, it now estimates that the U.S. economy grew just 0.4 percent in 2008. That's much weaker than the 1.1 percent growth the government had earlier calculated.

Also Friday, the government reported that employment compensation for U.S. workers has grown over the past 12 months by the lowest amount on record, reflecting the severe recession that has gripped the country.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said he thinks the recession will end later this year. And many analysts think the economy will start to grow again — perhaps at around a 1.5 percent pace — in the July-to-September quarter. That would be anemic growth by historical measures, but it would signal that the downturn has ended.

Monday, July 27, 2009

New home sales soar 11 percent in June

New home sales soar 11 percent in June

From MSNBC

Largest monthly increase in more than eight years, Commerce Dept. says
WASHINGTON - New U.S. home sales rose by the largest amount in more than eight years last month, in another sign the housing market is finally bouncing back from the worst downturn in decades.

The Commerce Department said Monday that sales rose 11 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000, from an upwardly revised May rate of 346,000.

It was the strongest sales pace since November 2008 and exceeded the forecasts of economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters, who expected a pace of 360,000 units. The last time sales rose so dramatically was in December 2000.

Sales have risen for three straight months. The median sales price of $206,200, however, was down 12 percent from $234,300 a year earlier and down nearly 6 percent from $219,000 in May.

The report is another encouraging sign that the beleaguered housing sector is finally coming back to life. Last Thursday, the National Association of Realtors reported that home resales posted a monthly increase of 3.6 percent in June.

There were 281,000 new homes for sale at the end of June, down more than 4 percent from May. At the current sales pace, that represents 8.8 months of supply — the lowest level since October 2007.

Fallout from the housing crisis has played a central role in the U.S. recession, now the longest since World War II. Foreclosures have spiked, homebuilders have slashed construction, and financial companies have lost billions.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Existing-home sales hit 8-month high

Posted by Elizabeth Strott on Thursday, July 23, 2009 10:33 AM on MSN Money

Inventories fall, adding hopes that the housing market is starting to recover.

Existing-home sales rose 3.6% in June to an annualized pace of 4.86 million, to the highest level since October, the National Association of Realtors reported this morning.

It was the third monthly increase in a row.

Economists had expected an annualized pace of 4.85 million last month. Sales are down 0.2% from June of 2008.

Inventories fell 0.7% to 3.82 million in June. At the current sales pace, it would take 9.4 months to sell homes on the market, an improvement from the 9.8 months in May.

A 7-month supply is typically consistent with stabilization in prices, NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun, said in a press conference. It may take until the end of this year or early 2010 before property values steady, Yun added.

So who's buying? Tax incentives are helping spark resale activity in lower-priced homes. The supply of homes under $250,000 is under a six-month supply, while the supply of homes over $1 million is over 20 months.

That excess supply is contributing to the slump in home prices. The median price of an existing home fell 15.4% to $181,800 from $215,000 in June 2008.

June is traditionally one of the best sales months of the year as families prepare to move before the start of the next school term, according to the NAR. The group adjusts the figures for these seasonal variations, however.

Home sales peaked in August 2005 at an annualized rate of more than 7.2 million. Sales have not topped the 5 million mark since last September.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Report: D.C.-area home prices up 3.4% in April

Washington Business Journal
by Tucker Echols, Staff Reporter
Thursday, June 25, 2009

Report: D.C.-area home prices up 3.4% in April

A new report indicates that Washington-area home prices rose in April — a sign the market may be establishing a bottom.

Home prices in the Washington area, as measured by research firm Radar Logic, were up 3.4 percent in April, compared to March. Nationally, the gain among 25 top metropolitan areas was 1.2 percent, the first increase since home prices peaked in June 2007.

D.C.-area prices, like those nationally, are still weaker than a year ago. April prices in the Washington area were 15.2 percent lower than April 2008, according to Radar Logic.

Nationwide prices remain 20 percent below year ago levels.

Friday, May 15, 2009

HUD Action Allows Home Buyers To Use $8,000 Tax Credit For Downpayments On FHA-Insured Loans

May 13, 2009 - HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan’s decision to allow consumers to use the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to help cover their downpayment and closing costs on FHA-insured mortgages will be a big boost to the housing market, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“The biggest obstacle for first-time buyers is coming up with a downpayment,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “We commend Secretary Donovan for acting decisively to enable buyers to access the tax credit at the time of closing. This will help to stimulate home sales, stabilize housing and get the economy back on track.”

The measures announced by HUD would allow FHA-approved lenders; federal, state and local government agencies; and FHA-approved non-profit organizations to supply home buyers short-term or “bridge loans” up to the amount of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.

Longer term loans secured by second liens can also be used by government agencies and FHA-approved non-profit organizations to facilitate home sales. Several state housing finance agencies have introduced such programs and a number of agencies are considering that possibility.

More information about these programs can be found on the National Council of State Housing Agencies Web site at www.ncsha.org/section.cfm/3/34/2920.

Previously, the home buye r would have been unable to access the tax credit until they filed their next annual tax return or an amended 2008 tax return and received the refund from the IRS.

Robson and others NAHB leaders discussed this matter and other housing-related issues with Secretary Donovan last week.

“Secretary Donovan shares our view on the need for a housing and economic recovery,” said Robson. “We appreciate his leadership in moving swiftly to help first-time home buyers to access the tax credit up-front at the time of closing. The timing could not have been better as we are in the midst of the crucial spring home buying season.”

The next step is to see how FHA-approved lenders use HUD’s new guidelines to actually monetize the tax credit for first-time home buyers and structure the payback provisions o f the loans. NAHB encourages lenders to act promptly to put these provisions into place.

To qualify for the tax credit, first-time home buyers must actually close on their home purchase by Dec. 1, 2009. Buyers can take the credit on their 2008 or 2009 income tax return.

For further information about the tax credit – including a detailed question and answer section and a number of home-buying resources for consumers – log on to NAHB’s consumer Web site at www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com. A Spanish version is also available to provide detailed information on the tax credit to Spanish-speaking first-time home buyers.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Perfect Time to Buy a Home!

WashingtonBizJournals.com reported the following in February, 2009...

“A new real estate value survey from real estate data service Zillow.com says American homeowners saw $3.3 trillion erased from the value of their real estate in 2008.”

They went on to say...

“In the Washington area, median home values fell 14.8 percent in 2008 to $334,443. In the Baltimore market median home values dropped 10 percent to $258,263.”

Sounds like bad news, doesn’t it? Well, if you are a homeowner who must sell now and you don’t have plans to move up to a more expensive home, this is bad news.

The good news is if you’re purchasing a home right now, I’ve got five great reasons you should make your move...

  1. HOMES ARE ON SALE... They’re actually on CLEARANCE... The lowest prices we’ve seen in years! We’ve seen “Fast-dropping interest rates and the most affordable homes in more than three decades...” according to a report released Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors.

  2. Pair that with the amazing interest rates that are available today – somewhere in the 5% neighborhood – and you’re CRAZY to be renting! Here’s how I see it: Renting = paying off someone else’s mortgage for them. Why would you?

  3. There are a lot of homes from which to choose! In the real estate industry, we call this a lot of ‘inventory’ Lots of inventory + few buyers = a buyers market!

  4. One of the greatest myths today is that you must have a 20% down payment in order to buy today. WRONG! Guess what? More good news…FHA loans only require at 3.5% down payment right now. Yes, you will have to pay MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium) but that is only about 1%, and it’s part of your monthly payment.

  5. Here’s the icing on the cake! Most sellers will pay your closing costs for you!


If you are still frightened by the thought of purchasing a home, consider these wise words from the world’s wealthiest man, Warren Buffett. In a shareholders meeting in 1986 he explained one of his rules for smart living and savvy investing: “We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."

So, go ahead and get started on your path to prosperity. Be bold and grab this opportunity before the market turns around and you’re caught up in the frenzy of all the other buyers who’ve been waiting for the market to “bottom out.”

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Avoiding Foreclosure

It's estimated that 33 million home owners are at least one month behind on their mortgage payments. If a homeowner falls behind on their mortgage payments, usually a foreclosure or short sale is coming soon. Most homeowners do not know their options in this situation. It can be very confusing, frustrating, and frightening. Often, the lender is aggressively contacting the homeowner, demanding payment and threatening legal action.

WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?
Some people mistakenly believe that a short sale implies that the sale will go very quickly. Ah, quite the contrary! In a short sale, the mortgage company is involved and must approve the terms of the sale (3rd party approval) thus making the process much longer than a typical sale. When homeowners must sell their home because they can no longer make the payments but the amount owed on the loan is greater than the current value of the home, the home can be sold for less than is owed. The proceeds go to the lender and usually the difference in the sale price and the amount owed is written off by the bank. The bank takes a shortage, which is why it’s called a short sale.

WHAT IS A FORECLOSURE?
When a homeowner defaults on their loan, the lender has the right to evict the homeowners and take possession of the home. This process is call foreclosure. The lender then owns the home and must sell it. This process usually takes six to nine months from the time the first payment is missed.

The first thing the homeowners should know is that there is help available to them. Most people do not even know where to begin to look for assistance, so here’s the Real (Estate) Scoop…

If a homeowner has faced a hardship (i.e. lost job, reduced hours, divorce, illness/disability, drastic rate increase) the first thing they should try to do is a loan modification. Loan Modification is NOT a refinance. There is no credit check or appraisal involved in the transaction. The homeowner keeps their same lender and same loan, the terms are simply modified so that the homeowner is better able to make the payments and the home does not go into short sale or foreclosure. The primary goal of a loan modification is to reduce monthly payments. There are three things that could possibly happen in a loan modification.

  1. The term of the loan is extended. For example a 30 year loan would be extended to a 40 year loan, thereby reducing the monthly payment.

  2. The interest rate is lowered. This also reduces the monthly payment.

  3. The principal amount of the loan is reduced. (This one is rare, but can be done.)


Many states require that an attorney be involved in a loan modification. Maryland is not one of those states, so there are options.

There are FREE or low cost resources available to assist homeowners in dealing with their lender in order to avoid foreclosure. These resources are non-profit organizations and consumer advocacy groups. It’s not necessarily going to be easy (as shown by this ABC News video), but it’s worth the effort to save your home and save your credit.

  • Freddie Mac has a great website with links to credit counselors and foreclosure prevention resources. Check out their page.

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers help finding a counseling agency near you. Check out their page or call 1-800-569-4287. (This page is also provided in Spanish).

  • HUD also has a Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure.


If these options have been exhausted, or the homeowner does not feel comfortable doing the legwork needed to get the loan modification done, there are plenty of reputable lawyers out there who have lots of experience in dealing with lenders and often have much more success getting the loan modification done on behalf of the homeowner. There is a fee for this service. Usually the cost is a couple of thousand dollars. The advantages with this route are:

  1. The homeowner has no further communication with the lender. The attorneys & processors speak to the lender on the homeowner’s behalf.

  2. These lawyers & staff do this for a living. They have years of experience in this field and are good at it. The results (reduction in monthly payment) they get are usually much better than a homeowner could negotiate independently.

  3. A few reputable firms offer a money-back guarantee. If they are unable to get the loan modified to the client’s satisfaction, the homeowner receives their fees back. In essence, they have a great deal of motivation to get the loan successfully modified. If the deal doesn’t get done, they don’t get paid


Contact me for information on reputable lawyers!

The Loan Modification process takes anywhere from 21 to 90 days, so if a homeowner is just a few days from foreclosure, it could be too late to get this done. If a homeowner is just a couple of months behind on payments, the Loan Modification is a great option to try and should be pursued promptly.

Hi Family, Friends, and Clients

Hi Family, Friends, and Clients…

I get a lot of real estate questions about matters that are in the news. It seems like over the past two years, real estate has been the lead story quite a bit. The trouble is, there is so much information from so many different sources, that it leaves everyone wondering what the Real (Estate) Scoop is and what it means to us. I hear you!

A good example of this is the topic of foreclosures, short sales and loan modifications. This is a hot topic right now, but there is a lot of misinformation being given and, unfortunately, many disreputable businesses/individuals out there preying upon hard-working folks who are facing hardships. I’ve received quite a few calls asking what the Real (Estate) Scoop is and what it means to us. People facing any of these situations are generally embarrassed, frightened, and at a loss for where to begin to take steps in the right direction to get back on track.

Here’s some good news…

To clear things up, I am excited to announce that I’ve created a blog which I’ll be updating frequently with the Real (Estate) Scoop about some of the hottest real estate topics and what they mean to us. From credit to increasing value through home improvement to deciding the best time to buy/sell, you’ll find the Real (Estate) Scoop on my blog. You can find me at http://peggylyn.wordpress.com/! This month I explain what a short sale really is, what a foreclosure is, and the best ways to get a loan modification in order to avoid foreclosure.

There is a lot of help out there for hard-working folks who have found themselves in this difficult position, but it’s not easy to find it from someone trustworthy.

If you know of anybody who is facing any of these situations, please pass along my blog information or just have them give me a call; I will be happy to help them out any way I can. Also, please be sure to bookmark my blog and check back frequently for updates. If you’d like to be proactively notified when I update my blog, just let me know.

As always… wishing you my very best