Tag: the reo mentor

1.House Punting: The Cost of Waiting to Buy in Hot Markets
“When shopping for a big purchase, the line that “it never hurts to wait” often make sense. But that’s only because by looking around more, you might find a better deal. Which is why, with interest rates expected to rise over the next few years and home-buying demand still heathy, following that advice could be costly in today’s real estate market.”

2.Home price gains leveling off, CoreLogic reports
“House price gains are leveling off, with Orange County posting the smallest year-over-year increase in almost two years, CoreLogic reported Tuesday.”

3.A year after frenzy, homes taking longer to sell
“A year ago, homes typically sold in days with multiple offers as a buying frenzy gripped the market, driving prices up as much as 28 percent in a year.”

4.Housing Market Slide: Can Millennials Save Real Estate from Another Decline?
“Over the last few months, a number of national real estate reports have generated mixed results, and as I recently detailed, homebuilder stocks have thus been stuck in neutral. But in the past two weeks it seems as if the homebuilders have slid from neutral gear into reverse, as earnings reports from industry leaders like D.R. Horton (DHI) have failed to meet analyst expectations.”

5.The economy is improving a little, and Americans are taking notice — a little
“The economy is showing some of its first real signs of steady recovery after some very tough years. There have been six straight months of at least 200,000 jobs created, and the Gross Domestic Product in the second quarter grew at a stronger-than-expected 4 percent. There are still plenty of causes for concern, and the progress is tenuous, but the amount of good news is pretty much unprecedented since the recession.”

6.Markets and the economy
“SO HAS the recent economic news been good or bad? The second quarter American GDP numbers were strong (although combined with Q1, they mean the economy grew just 0.5% in first half). The non-farm payroll numbers were OK and the services PMI was extremely strong, coming in at 58.7.”

7.Underwater homeowners are turning into landlords
“One of the biggest barriers to a robust recovery in the housing market is a lack of supply. There are simply not enough homes listed for sale to meet the demand—and part of that is because a growing number of home buyers are not selling their previous homes. ”

TonyAlvarez.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Mortgage Credit Availability Increases Slightly in July
“Mortgage credit availability increased in July according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) which analyzes data from the AllRegs® Market Clarity® product.  ”

2.Improving Housing Market Luring Would-Be Brokers
“To motivate a classroom packed with 87 aspiring real estate agents, instructor Keith Grandy started off his one-week, intensive course with the promise of big money: With hard work, fresh licensees in the Miami metro area could make $100,000 a year if they complete at least two transactions per month, according to current property prices and commissions.”

3.Real Estate’s Epic Rebound Starts to Cool
“The U.S. real-estate market has stormed back over the past five years after enduring its most brutal period since the Great Depression. The rebound has rewarded investors and boosted the overall economy.”

4.Improving housing market luring would-be brokers
“To motivate a classroom packed with 87 aspiring real estate agents, instructor Keith Grandy started off his one-week, intensive course with the promise of big money: With hard work, fresh licensees in the Miami metro area could make $100,000 a year if they complete at least two transactions per month, according to current property prices and commissions.”

5.Home prices rise at slowest pace in 20 months
“U.S. home prices rose in June by the smallest year-over-year amount in 20 months, slowed by modest sales and more properties coming on the market.”

6.U.S. economic confidence dips in July
“Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index fell two points in July to a minus 17, which is the lowest index reading since March.”

7.Home prices rose by 7.5 percent in June
“Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 7.5 percent in June compared to June 2013, according to a new report Tuesday from financial information company CoreLogic Inc. (NYSE: CLGX) of Irvine.”

8.Can You Still Get a Good Deal on a Home?
“The seesawing housing market continues to defy economists and expectations.”

TonyAlvarez.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Best cities for Millennial homebuyers
“About 110 people are moving to Austin every day — and many of them are under the age of 35.”

2.Real Estate Oversupply Becoming Bigger Problem For China
“If you build it they will come. Eventually. That’s been the mantra of Chinese real estate developers and their lenders who have been throwing them buckets filled with yuan for the past several years. Now, an oversupply problem in second and third tier cities promises to derail the economy by as much as one percentage point, the International Monetary Fund has warned.”

3.Why Is the Economy Still Weak? Blame These Five Sectors
“The economy keeps underperforming. Yes, new G.D.P. data last week were better than expected. But the United States is still producing around $800 billion a year less in goods and services than it would if the economy were at full health, and as a result millions of people aren’t working who would be if conditions were better.”

4.What’s behind homeownership drop
“CNBC’s Diana Olick reports homeownership just keeps falling, and younger Americans are behind the drop. ”

5.Adding 7+ million renter households over the last decade: Number of homeowners neutral over last 10 years. The shifting purchasing power of American households
“The low turnover in housing is having some organizations changing their tune regarding the current boom in home values. After all, places like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) will be better off with higher sales volume and lower prices versus very low sales volume and higher prices. As we see investors pulling back, the already low volume is dropping even further in what is typically the house lustful months of the summer.”

6.Five Trends That Make Your Home Smaller Every Year
“The longer you live in your home, the smaller it gets – that’s physics. This article will reveal 5 home-shrinking trends and how to reverse them.”

TonyAlvarez.com

 

1.Million-dollar home sales hit seven-year high in California
“The number of homes that sold for $1 million or more in California hit a seven-year high in the second quarter, and sales north of $2 million reached a new record.”

2.US Consumer Spending up 0.4 Percent in June
“U.S. consumer spending rose at the fastest pace in three months in June, providing momentum for the economy going into the second half of the year.”

3.Economy gains 209,000 jobs; jobless rate, 6.2%
“The high-flying labor market showed no let-up in July as employers added 209,000 jobs.”

4.Sales of California’s million dollar homes at 7-year high
“The Golden State’s million dollar housing market sparkled in the second quarter of the year as high-end sales hit their highest level in seven years, a market tracker said Thursday”

TonyAlvarez.com

 

1.Can Any Local Market Predict National Home-Price Trends?
“Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a local housing market that we could use as the nation’s crystal ball? If one market regularly ran ahead of the national trends, we could pay extra attention to what’s happening there in order to know what the rest of the country should expect.”

2.Purchase Applications Increase Slightly in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
“Mortgage applications decreased 2.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 25, 2014.  ”

3.Case-Shiller: House prices up 12.3% in May
“Los Angeles and Orange county house prices continued their two-year rise through May, but at a much slower pace, the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index reported Tuesday.”

4.Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate at 4.12 Percent
“Average U.S. mortgage rates declined slightly this week, hovering near their lows for the year.”

5.In San Francisco Real Estate, $1M Won’t Buy Much
“San Francisco Association of Realtors President Betty Taisch has two words of advice for those who want to live here and think $1 million will buy them their dream house: think again.”

6.A More Vigorous US Economy Appears to Be Emerging
“The U.S. economy has rebounded with vigor from a grim start to 2014 and should show renewed strength into next year.”

7.REAL ESTATE: California’s slow slog to recovery noted in WalletHub survey
“It’s nice to look across the horizon holding a glass of economic recovery that’s a little more than half filled, so to speak.”

8.Bouncing Back, Economy Grew 4% for Quarter
“The United States economy rebounded strongly in the second quarter of the year, shaking off the negative effects of an unusually harsh winter and stirring hopes that it might finally be establishing a solid enough footing to put the lingering effects of the recession squarely in the past.”

9.The Economy Just Grew Much Faster Than It Was Expected To
“U.S. economic growth accelerated more than expected in the second quarter and the decline in output in the prior period was less steep than previously reported, which could bolster views for a stronger performance in the last six months of the year.”

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Home price increases continue at slower pace
“Home prices continued to rise this spring, but the pace of increase has slowed since late last year.”

2.U.S. home prices down in May, but consumer confidence strong
“U.S. single-family home prices fell unexpectedly in May, declining for the first time in more than two years in the latest signal of the wobbly state of the housing market.”

3.Consumer Confidence in U.S. Jumps to Highest Since 2007
“Confidence among consumers soared in July to an almost seven-year high as increased employment opportunities led to brighter views of the U.S. economy. ”

4.U.S. home prices rise 1.1% in May amid signs of waning pressure
“U.S. house prices rose 1.1% in May, according to the Case-Shiller 20-city composite index released Tuesday, with every city showing gains.”

5.What’s to come for housing
“Keith Banks, U.S. Trust President, discusses his outlook for the housing industry. Robert Reffkin, Urban Compass founder & CEO, and the FMHR traders, provide perspective. ”

6.U.S. economic confidence plunges
“Americans are losing confidence in the economy, according to the latest Gallup U.S. Economic Confidence Index, which dropped six points last week to a -21.”

7.Home price gains continue to slow down
“U.S. home prices rose in May from a year earlier at the weakest pace in 15 months as sales remain modest in the spring buying season. ”

TonyAlvarez.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Pending Home Sales Slip in June
“WASHINGTON (July 28, 2014) – After three consecutive months of solid gains, pending home sales slowed modestly in June, according to the National Association of Realtors”

2.U.S. housing data weaker than expected, but services sector expands
“Contracts to buy previously-owned U.S. homes unexpectedly fell in June, but the data did little to change perceptions the housing sector was gradually recovering after slumping in late 2013.”

3.Pending Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Unexpectedly Decrease
“Fewer Americans than forecast signed contracts to buy previously owned homes in June, a sign residential real estate is struggling to strengthen. ”

4.Contracts to Buy US Homes Slip in June
“Fewer Americans signed contracts to buy homes in June, as the real estate market appears to have cooled off this summer.”

5.US Stocks Fall at Midday on Cooling Home Sales
“U.S. stocks are slightly lower in midday trading after a report of sluggish sales in the housing market.”

6.US pending home sales unexpectedly fall in June
“Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly fell in June, but the data did little to change perceptions the housing sector was gradually recovering after slumping in late 2013.”

7.What happens when investors pullback form the housing market? Cash sales volume down 21 percent in California year-over-year. Sales volume remains incredibly low as inventory builds up.
“Big investors have been a critical component to the housing market going back to 2008. Over the last few years, we have seen the smalltime ragtag mom and pop investor creep back into the market trying to make money on flips. Of course as the deals run thin and appreciation slows down as it has, it becomes more difficult to turn a profit.”

8.What To Expect From Housing In The Second Half Of 2014
“If the housing market was in overdrive for much of 2013, during the first half of 2014 it hit the metaphorical brakes. Winter storms across the nation contributed to sluggish sales during the first quarter, while rising mortgage rates and tight inventory didn’t help.”

9.California Foreclosure Starts Lowest Since 2005
“The number of California homes entering the formal foreclosure process last quarter dropped to the lowest level since late 2005, the result of a stronger economy and higher home values, a real estate information service reported. ”

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Best Purchase Markets for Millennial Homebuyers
“First-time homebuyers have been largely absent from the housing market in the current economic recovery, but some metropolitan areas – particularly in the Midwest and West – are well positioned to see increases in home-buying from the Millennial generation in upcoming years, according to new research by the National Association of Realtors®.”

2.Dollar Rises to Highest in Month as U.S. Outperforms
“A gauge of the dollar rose to the highest level in a more than month amid signs the U.S. economy, beset by years of sluggish growth, is outperforming its major peers. ”

3.Vegas real estate: Sin City emerging from distress
“The Las Vegas housing market is in transition, from a situation where investors were swooping up distressed properties to a market of more traditional, owner-occupant sales. ”

4.How High Debt From The Housing Collapse Still Stifles Our Economy
“Foreclosure, foreclosure, foreclosure. Real estate broker John Susani drives down a Paterson, N.J., street where every third house seems to be abandoned or boarded up. During the boom years, money flooded into Paterson.”

5.How big cities that restrict new housing harm the economy
“For the last couple of years, San Francisco has been erupting with periodic protests aimed, rather imprecisely, at a nexus of grievances related to gentrification, affordable housing, transportation, the tech industry, newcomers to the city, its changing skyline and Silicon Valley to the south. The city is screaming, although at what its protestors seem a little confused.”

6.Home sales slump
“Home builders got hammered last month. What’s ailing the housing market? ”

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate at 4.13 Pct.
“Average U.S. long-term mortgage rates were stable to slightly higher this week, remaining near their lows for the year.”

2.US New-Home Sales Plummet in June
“Sales of new U.S. homes plunged in June, a sign that real estate continues to be a weak spot in the economy.”

3.US Home Sales Increase 2.6 Percent in June
“Sales of previously owned homes rose for a third straight month in June, pushing activity to the highest level in eight months and providing evidence that housing is regaining lost momentum.”

4.Across US Job Market, Layoffs Are Becoming Rare
“The risk of losing your job is getting smaller and smaller.”

5.The risk of losing your job is getting smaller and smaller.
“The U.S. real estate market is finally starting to fire on most, if not all, cylinders, with investors’ enthusiasm gathering steam seemingly each passing month.”

6.Global economy still limping along
“The world economy is stuck in low gear even as the risks to growth mount, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday. ”

7.U.S. new home sales post biggest drop in almost a year
“Sales of new U.S. single-family homes fell sharply in June and the prior month’s data suffered the biggest downward revision ever, casting a cloud on the housing market recovery and helping to send homebuilder stocks lower.”

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Cutting Housing Costs When Financial Hardship Strikes
“If forced to spend less on housing, people would rather change where they live than whom they live with. Downsizing is the #1 way people would reduce their housing costs. Furthermore, renters are significantly more willing to move or get a roommate than homeowners are.”

2.Existing-Home Sales Up in June, Unsold Inventory Shows Continued Progress
“WASHINGTON (July 22, 2014) – Existing-home sales increased in June and reached an annual pace of 5 million sales for the first time since October 2013, while rising inventory continues to push overall supply towards a more balanced market, according to the National Association of Realtors®.”

3.Good time to buy? Home sales, inventory rise in June
“The nation’s housing market showed more signs of health in June, with home prices and sales on the rise.”

4.Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
“WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 23, 2014) — Mortgage applications increased 2.4 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 18, 2014. ”

5.US Economy, Though Sluggish, May Now Be Sturdier
“Out of a seemingly hollow recovery from the Great Recession, a more durable if still slow-growing U.S. economy has emerged.”

6.5 tips for selling your home for the best price
“The rebound in U.S. home values over the past couple of years has placed many homeowners in a better position to sell their home for a profit.”

7.Homes sales improve but stress remains
” Sales of existing homes improved for the third consecutive month in June, the National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday in one of several new data points that suggest a steadily better economy”

8.The drought of young California home buyers: Unaffordable housing reigns supreme as first time home buyers squeezed out of market. Of 7,000,000 completed foreclosures since 2005, 1 million occurred in California.
“It is safe to say that the momentum of 2013 has fizzled out in the housing market. Sales are down and prices are reaching a plateau. Part of this has come from the slowdown of investors purchasing homes in the state.”

9.Economic Growth Expected to Strengthen During Second Half of 2014, But Not Enough to Save the Year
“WASHINGTON, DC – Economic growth during the second half of 2014 likely won’t be strong enough to offset the weak activity from the first two quarters of the year, according to Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group. The economy experienced the worst performance in five years during the first quarter of 2014, due in large part to a significant downward revision in healthcare spending, and incoming data suggest only a moderate pickup in growth for the second quarter – likely resulting in an essentially flat first half of the year. In the third and fourth quarters, economic activity is expected to accelerate, driven largely by consumer spending and, to a lesser degree, business capital investment and residential investment. ”

10.Fact or Fiction: A Tax On Real Estate Sales
“On January 1, 2013, the Net Investment tax went into effect. Despite numerous articles and columns reminding consumers that this tax does not apply to every real estate sale, rumors continue to keep flying all over the country, claiming that the Health Reform legislation Congress enacted includes a sales tax on all real estate sales. While there is a tax, it does not apply to everyone. ”

11.Ahead of the Bell: US home sales
“The National Association of Realtors reports on existing home sales in June. The report is scheduled to be released at 10 a.m. EDT Tuesday.”

TonyAlvarez.com