Real Estate Information Archive

In January 2010, nationwide housing starts was at its highest level in a 6 month period. Builders are starting to see positive impacts of some of the incentive programs such as the first time home buyer tax credit. 

Helping builders has been a more stabilized market as well as an increase in financing and better rates. These conditions have helped buyers come to builders and enjoy the benefits of buying new homes. However, builders have noted that they still struggle to get financing on the construction of the units. So while there is an increase in overall building, the limited financing is keeping the new homes from really taking off.

Overall, single-family starts were up 1.5% while multi-family starts posted a 9.2% gain. Multi-family generally covers condos and towhomes. The western region of the US posted a an 8.5% gain compared to the same time last year. In fact, the west posted pure gains while the rest of the country posted losses. 

With the western part of the country posting all the gain's and with tall the tax credits, it's easy to see that now is a great time to investigate buying new construction. Give us a call, we have access to many builders inventory and we can help you find a new construction that would be a good fit for you.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has announced today that the number of American borrowers falling behind on their mortgage payments has dropped sharply, a hopeful sign that the foreclosure crisis is beginning to wind down.

The percentage of borrowers who missed just one payment fell to 3.63 percent in the final quarter of 2009, a drop of 3.79 percent from the previous quarter despite the usual trend of fourth quarter delinquency increases due to winter heating bills and holiday spending.

However, more than 15 percent of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage had missed at least one payment or were in foreclosure, a new record for the 10th-straight quarter

"The bad news is that we still have a big problem," said Jay Brinkmann, the trade group's chief economist. "The good news is it looks like it may not get much bigger."

*3 month trailing calculation through February 12, 2010.

If you have any questions about these statistics, give us a call.

The Federal Housing Administration will increase insurance premiums, tighten downpayment requirements and reduce seller contributions. It also plans to step up its pursuit of mortgagees that operate outside FHA guidelines.

Borrowers who make a 3.5 percent down payment in connection with an FHA-insured loan will be required to have a credit score of at least 580. Credit scores less than 580 will require a 10 percent down payment.

It is hard not to get caught up in the sharp ups and downs of the real estate market in the last few years but what does it look like in the future. Say, 20 years in the future. According to Chris Nelson at University of Utah's Metropolitan Research Center, Utah will be the fastest growing state in the nation adding 1.5 million residents to the 2.7 million already here. The demand this will put on future housing needs can not be understated. Just the Wasatch Front will need 450,000 additional units and 1.1 billion square feet of commercial space. This adds up to a tremendous opportunity for builders and investors.

One of our primary responsibilities as your realtors is to keep our finger on the pulse of the market--short term and long term. If you have any questions about the real estate market or investment strategies, please give us a call.

Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau performs a national census. This census is important as it tells the federal government what resources to allocate to each area of the country based on population and more. With the Census process beginning, the BBB offers some important advice on how to avoid getting scammed by those fraudulent people looking to take advantage of consumers by posing as Census agents. 

Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the U.S. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? 

U.S. Census workers have a badge, a handheld device, and a Census Bureau canvas bag. Ask to see their identification badge before answering any questions. As a safety precaution, never invite anyone you don't know into your home. Currently, Census workers are only knocking on doors to verify address information, so if you are asked for any information outside of the address, decline to answer. The Census bureau has decided not to work with ACORN, so do not provide any information to any ACORN workers claiming to represent the Census Bureau.

The U.S. Census Bureau (USCB) will be sending out packets in the mail to verify information on name, genera, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent. If you provide your answers via mail as requested, you will be through. However, if not, then the USCB will begin going door to door between April and July to obtain this information. Every household will be part of the census. 

What the USCB does NOT ask:

• Will never ask for your Social Security Number.
• Will never ask for your banking information.
• Will never ask for credit card information.
• Will never ask for donations to any charities or organizations
• Will NEVER CONTACT YOU BY EMAIL.

Email scams are the easiest to fall victim to. The USCB does not operate via email, so do not answer any questions via email. 

For more information about 2010 Census, visit http://www.2010census.gov

As you know, property management is an important part of our business but you might not have know that we manage home owners associations (HOAs). This division of our company is growing very fast and UFSB is quickly making a name for itself as one of the best in the business.

We are making waves with a cutting edge system that is using a revolutionary online account management system and, of course, the first class staff that you already know. We also have put in place a checklist that our HOA clients go through that help them get a healthy baseline. This legal and procedural "fresh start" is making HOA board members very happy and saving them a lot of time and stress.

As we talk to our HOA clients they have emphasized just how stressful collecting their delinquent assessments can be. Our system takes that burden from HOA board members and even processes all the collections without cost to the HOA. Many HOAs find that hard to believe but it is true. We have developed a relationship with a law firm that does nothing but HOA law and they have agreed to process all of our clients' collections on contingency. And when they do get paid, its is by the debtor, not the HOA. Very exciting.

You can find out more about our HOA Managment servcies at:

http://www.HealthyHOA.com

Thank you for your continued support of Utah Full Service Brokers. We are grateful to be your full service real estate solution.

The Basics of the 2009/2010 Home Buyer Tax Credit

As part of a plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address economic problems, Congress has passed some legislation allowing for first-time home buyers to take a tax credit of up to $8,000 as well as a $6,500 tax credit to current home owners buying a new or existing home.

Some consumers and media outlets don't have a clear grasp of just how this program works, so please allow me to provide a basic overview.

Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?

First-time home buyers (e.g., someone that has not owned a home in the past 3 years) who purchase a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS within the last eight.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops. 

How Much Is Available?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000. The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?

Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two factors. The first is price. The homes purchase price can not be for more than $800,000. The second is income. Income can not exceed $125,000 for a single income, or $225,000 for a married couple.

If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit. The credit decreases as income increases. However, if the income exceeds $145,000 for a single income, and $245,000 for a combined income, the buyer(s) are not eligible for the credit.

Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?

Under the Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.

Hopefully these answer the most common questions in regards to the tax credit. If you have more questions about whether you qualify or not, please contact our office and we will be glad to help you figure out your credit amount and how it can benefit you in the purchase of your next home.

The strong momentum from last month has continued into November. Buoyed by a continued level of strong interest in the first time buyer grant, sales rose 7.4 percent. Some of the sales were surely buyers racing to complete their sale by the original November 30th deadline.

The sales growth was higher than expected though and the December sales numbers are going to be interesting. With the new homebuyer grant and the existing homeowner grant now going until the end of April giving buyers extra time, there should be a noticeable slowdown in December. If the momentum continues and Dec/Jan numbers are above expectations, watch out for a big spring market.

The National Association of Realtors announced today that homes sales rose 10.1 percent during October compared to the previous month and 24 percent year over year for the same period.  This all adds up to the highest sales level in two and a half years.

The spark behind the sharp uptick was clearly the tax credit of up to $8,000 for first time owners. It was originally set to run out on November 30th. Buyers rushed to get done in time for the credit causing the surge. The tax credit has been extended and now buyers have until April 30th to be under contract on their new homes. In addition to the extension, congress passed a new tax credit that gives up to $6,500 to existing home owners on a purchase as long as they have been in their existing home for at least 5 years.

With the tax credits now good through the end of April, home buying should settle down through the holidays, but expect a strong ramp up throughout the spring.