Friday, October 06, 2006

Home Buying: Four Tips

Just finished a good article by Holden Lewis of Bankrate.com offering consumers four tips on buying a house. What I like about the article is Lewis encourages buyers to do their homework. Yes, using a buyers' agent is good, especially in this market; but having the ability to express the qualities of your dream home requires some thought. Being able to answer the questions of what neighorhood, style, must haves, wants, and price range means your agent will be able to look for houses that meet or closely match your criteria.
I encourage clients to look online for properties, even if it is not in the neighborhood they desire. It is true a picture is worth a thousand words so if a client has a dream house in an undesirable neighborhood it is likely I can find something similar in the desired neighborhood. I will not waste my client's time showing them houses that they will reject. My clients are happy and when my clients are happy, I am also.
Here are the four tips:
    • If you find the right house at the right price, buy it.
Waiting to see if prices go down could lose you the property.
    • Put technology and a good buyer's agent to good use.
I call this doing your homework. Check out houses online. Make a list of wants, must haves, and any other pertinent facts about your dream home. When the time comes to
do comparative market analysis(CMA) on a property a good buyer's agent will be invaluable. Now, I am not just saying that because it is what I love doing, I am saying it because even though there are other means to do CMA's the buyer's agent brings human experience and knowledge to the table that technology has not been able to surpass.
    • Negotiate effectively
A good buyer's agent will assist you in negotiating the best price, terms, and conditions for your home.
    • Avoid Gimmicks
There are all kind of gimmicks out there but the business at hand is to purchase a home. If a gimmick is offered turn that gimmick into cash toward the purchase of your home. Good advice.



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Wednesday, October 04, 2006

NJ Affordable Homes Liquidated

On August 30th we ran a story by Greg Saitz about Wayne Puff and NJ Affordable Homes which the SEC shutdown as being a Ponzi scheme. Mr. Saitz reports that in an attempt to raise money, last weekend there was an auction to liquidate the company’s assets: some 205 properties. The trustee held the 3-day auction and raised $20 million dollars well short of the $40 million dollars 500 investors sank into the company. Once the bankruptcy judge approves the sale and the various fees and liens paid, the trustee wants to split the money equally among the investors.

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Monday, October 02, 2006

Alleged Housing Discrimation in Lakewood, NJ

Looks like the government (the Department of Justice) is suing Triple H. Realty LLC for discriminating against non-jewish black and Latina tenants. What they are alleged to have done just turns my stomache. It is not rocket science people. Discrimination is not just plain wrong, it is illegal. If this company is guilty then I guess they had some money they wanted to give away because the lawyer fees, fines, and monetary damages just might be enough to get them to obey the law if not get a moral conscience.
This story bares watching to see what happens.


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New Home Starts Down 16 Percent

Got a look at the Courier-Post online story that says new-home builder are aggressively controling their inventory because of the cooling of the resale housing market.
"The new home market is directly dependent on move-ups or move-overs (empty nesters). In order for those two dynamics to continue, the resale market must be robust," said Patrick O'Keefe, executive director of the New Jersey Builders Association.

In other words, until the resale market swings toward a healthy number of interchanges between buyer and seller or buyer confidence rises new home builders are going to have to be careful to sell their inventory to remain profitable.


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Thursday, September 28, 2006

Market Upside= Affordability + Mortgage Rate Decline

James Lockhart, director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight said the recent changes in the market have an upside for buyers.

"Housing starts are down. Permits are down. There is a significant change happening here. Hopefully the good news is houses will become more affordable." he said on CNBC's Squawk Box. (Source: MarketWatch)
In August the number of new home sales increased. Builders are offering incentives to move their inventory. Nationally the numbers rose by 4.1 percent and in the Northeast it rose 21 percent. (Source: Star Ledger)

Resale home prices fell in August as sellers began lower prices of homes for the first time in 11 years. This means that prices allow more buyers an opportunity to purchase. (Source: MarketWatch)



The 30year mortgage rate is the lowest it has been since March. The national average is about 6.31 (Source: Reuters)while the average for New Jersey is even better. (See above graph)

The signs are good for a quick buyer to get a new home or a resale one for that matter for an affordable price.


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Evaluating Property? Appraise Exterior Greenery

Now that the buying frenzy of the last few years is over and buyers are taking their time before making purchases, paying attention to the exterior of the house, particularly the grounds, the slope, and which way water flows. should concern both buyers and sellers. Joel Lerner of The Washington Post says appraise tree, plant, and shrub health prior to purchase as they come with the home and enhance or detract from the property’s value.
Here is a link to the story. (subscription necessary)

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Tips of the Day: Homeowners Tips

The tips this week is a recommendation to do-it-yourself homeowners: Get a hold of a This Old House Magazine for September 2006. There are a lot of good information about design, lighting and makeovers in the magazine but this issue is their 101st issue and they are celebrating by compiling 101 Homeowner Tips. The tips range from how to set a mouse trap to how to decrease the smell of latex paint. The magazine is worth the money (less than $10 bucks) for the handy tips alone. Check it out and get your copy before the month is out!


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Wednesday, September 27, 2006

GMA Takes the Challenge

The Challenge: Sell it in a week. A Tom's Rivers couple got the attention of Good Morning America's Barbara Corcoran by issuing the challenge and now the Ms Corcoran has taken it up. It is an opportunity for do-it-yourself homeowers and others interested in a fast sale in this market to see what is necessary to make a quick sale.

1) Staging (removing the clutter and personal items, free up closets and cabinets)
2) Correct pricing for the market
3) Advertising (strategic placement of signs, newspaper and magazine ads)

Now admittedly most FSBO's and real estate professionals will not be able to reach as many potential buyers as Barbara Corcoran can, but if all else is right -- and the gods are feeling generous -- buyers will come.


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Workshop for First-time Buyers

Workshops are being presented at area libraries for first-time homebuyers. The first of the series is tonight at the Ewing Branch of Mercer County Library at 6:30PM. The workshops provide information on how the mortgage process works.
The attendees will learn about a County program that will assist first-time buyers with downpayment and closing costs.
Worth a visit future buyers!
Source: Times of Trenton

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Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Median Prices Fall Slightly

The median price for existing homes fell in August according to the National Association of Realtors. The median is the point where half the houses sold for more and half for less. In August the median price was $225,000. NAR's chief economist said the declining prices in July and August is part of the "expected price correction".
“This is the price correction we’ve been expecting. With sales stabilizing, we should go back to positive price growth early next year,” NAR Chief Economist David Lereah said.
There are a number of factors contributing to the increase in inventories, nationally.
In some areas, home sellers are not making sufficient adjustments in their listing price, so their homes are staying on the market and contributing to the build up in inventory,” says NAR President Thomas M. Stevens from Vienna, Va.
Though there is a backup of inventory NAR's economist says we are still going to have the third highest home sales year. Lereach also predicts we should see "positive price growth early next year."


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Thursday, September 21, 2006

Princeton Area Floods Now Too

Okay, the Trenton area has been experiencing increased flooding for years. Now Princeton residents had joined its neighboring municipality in flooding woes. Princeton Township residents near the Harry’s Brook stream have experienced an increase in area flooding in recent years.
"There were floodings, but ... we didn't keep track of that because it wasn't happening" that often, said Olivia Applegate, a Harry’s Brook area resident.
Harry’s Brook has experience 10 or 11 major floods in the last three years she said.
The township enacted and ordinance last year that required single-family homeowners to have drainage management in any plan that required resurfacing their property. Residents making lateral expansion of their homes or adding driveways have to manage storm water runoff. The action of requiring single family homeowners to take such measures was unheard-of and prehaps even unprecedented in any of the other municipalities. Still requiring homeowners as well as builders to manage storm water runoff is very good. Do the enacting of water management ordinances mean that Princeton homeowners will have to start thinking regionally? Hmmm...
Source: Times of Trenton


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Fed Showing Interest in Housing Market

In a press release on Wednesday, the Fed held the interest rate at 5 ¼ percent but changed in its language concerning the cooling U.S. housing market. The August 8th press release suggested holding the interest rate at 5 ¼ percent.
”Economic growth has moderated from its quite strong pace earlier this year, partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices.”
The September 20th press release has a subtle difference in its language that could suggest the Fed is paying attention to the housing market.
”The moderation in economic growth appears to be continuing, partly reflecting a cooling of the housing market.
Whether this means they are considering taking some action or are just concerned is anybody’s guess, but the Fed is known for using subtle shifts in language as a precursor to some action to slow the cooling process.


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Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Meritage Homes Admits Decline in Orders

Well, another new home builder has reported a decline in new home sales this quarter. Meritage Homes Corporation says its third quarter results to be near or below expectations. Meritage reported net new orders fell 38% below last year.
"Demand has slowed and resale inventories have risen in many markets, making it more difficult for our buyers to sell their existing homes, and in turn causing higher cancellations and inventories industry-wide," said Steven J. Hilton, Meritage CEO...
Meritage Homes joins Toll Brothers and other new home builders who have been effected by the change in the housing market. Monday we reported Builder Confidence at 15 year low.


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Monday, September 18, 2006

Housing Price Rate Increases Slowly

The selling price for houses rose to a 4.7 annual rate this quarter according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.
"Gains in home values have been a major contributor to U.S. economic growth in the past four years. Consumers who feel wealthier spend more and save less. The personal savings rate has been negative for 16 consecutive months. Many consumers have also been able to borrow against their home's rising value, pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy." write Rex Nutting for MarketWatch

Seller can expect a much different buyer than last year. Today's buyers looks to maximize the amount of house or give-backs or inclusions they receive for their dollars. It is truly a different market out there and sellers must adjust get the sale.


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Home Builders Still Cautious

The September New Home Builders’ index is expected to go a bit lower than the August index of 32. The index measures builder confidence. With real estate professionals' inventories high, mortgage rate high, and buyers expecting more for the dollar, builders are feeling less confident about being able to sell regain their investment.

The expectation is that the index will drop to 31 -- the lowest it's been since February 1991.
Source: MarketWatch


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Friday, September 15, 2006

Mortgage Rates Still Falling



Nationally for nine of eleven weeks the mortgage rate has fallen according to Holden Lewis at Bankrate.com. In New Jersey mortage rate are also declining. The national rate moved slightly lower after a speech by president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and Fed's rate-setting Open Market Committee, Janet Yellen to the Emeryville, Calif., Chamber of Commerce. Read the Mortgage rate fall for 9th week in last 11.


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Thursday, September 14, 2006

The Golden Triangle

Read about the traditional golden triangle in The Times advertising supplement yesterday. Sorry, I could not find it online. No, it is not really a gold triangle, unless you are a designer of kitchens. The three points of the triangle represent to the location of the refrigerator, the stove top or cooking area, and the sink in a kitchen design. The design strategy is allow the chef to pivot to each item for the most efficiency of movement while preparing meal. While there is no standard about the length of the “legs” of the triangle but the rough rule gives designers plenty of leeway. Designers still have to meet the needs of the client. Kitchens are often a gathering area in families. Oftentimes the members assist with preparation. A designer may have to alter the design to accommodate the different needs. Still making a kitchen with efficiency of movement during food preparation a priority can keep the fun in meal preparation.

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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Tip of the Day: Winterize your Lawn

Well Labor Day has passed, the kids are back in school, the hot hazy days of summer are finally gone for 2006. Fall officially starts on September 23rd. With its coming it is time to get your lawn ready for winter. Here’s a link to DoItYourself.com
While you are preparing the lawn get the gutters cleaned too. Now before the leaves begin falling and as needed all year round. Pay particular attention now to the downspouts (clear clog and flush with the garden hose). Gutters help protect your home investment from soil erosion and water damage. Keep them clear to save on repair and replacement costs of misdirected water damage to your home.

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Monday, September 11, 2006

Municipality Update

This will be a recurring theme whenever something crosses my desk that fits.
Bernards' Takes on Bash and Build Trend

With many of us still grieving the senseless destruction of September 11, 2001, the story about a trend toward bash and build seemed particularly poignant. Imagine a community with modest Colonial and Cape Cod style houses. Imagine some of the older homes in the neighborhood torn down and replaced a McMansion. The ambiance of the community changes immediately and irrevocably. That is exactly what’s happening in communities in New Jersey. Bernards’ Homestead Village is one place where the mayor and council are going to try to enact codes that will prevent the bash and build trend in their community. Read Cathy Bugman's, Star-Ledger article.

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FSBO's May Ask: Is An Agent Really Needed?

With the Internet making more tools available to do-it-yourself homeowners and home buyers one might ask if an agent is really necessary. Amy Hoak of MarketWatch wrote:
”Indeed, the housing slowdown now unfolding only underscores how crucial of a role that brokers have as property owners brave chilly new headwinds. This past week saw a steady drumbeat of reports highlighting a severe slump taking hold, including industry data showing the number of homes on the market soaring to a 13-year high.”
Internet savvy does not sell houses. While it assists the home buyer in communicating the style and area of a future home, getting the best price requires negotiation skill. Companies may promise to charge you less than real estate professionals but if you house sits on the market and doesn’t sell, has few agents actively showing the property, it will not sell. A real estate professional uses staging and targeted marketing to generate interest. The combination, staging and interest, sells houses at full market value or more.


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