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Home Price Index (HPI): Home Values Rising Nationwide

Home Finder Network — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:40:18 +0000

Home Price Index (HPI): Home Values Rising Nationwide | Mortgage Rates And News From The Mortgage Reports Blog.

Home Price Index (HPI): Home Values Rising Nationwide

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Are home prices rising or falling? It’s a tough question — especially because the answer depends on where you get your facts. It also matters how old those facts just happen to be.

Click here to get today’s mortgage rates.

HPI Rises 0.3% In February

Each month, the government’s Federal Home Finance Agency — the overseer of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — publishes the Home Price Index.

The Home Price Index measures the change in appraised value of the same home between successive FHFA-backed transactions (i.e. home purchase, home refinance), then uses those changes to track home valuations nationwide.

According to the Home Price Index, home values rose a seasonally-adjusted 0.3 percent between January and February 2012, and up 0.4% since last February. The data runs counter to Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Index which shows home values in decline.

The February Case-Shiller Index has values down more than 3 percent since last year.

In contrast to the HPI, Case-Shiller uses purchase contracts only; tracks single-family homesales only; and accounts for home sales in just a handful of cities nationwide.

Click here to get today’s mortgage rates.

Colorado, Arizona Among Top States

Like everything in real estate, home values are a local phenomenon. In February, not every U.S. region show rising values.

According the Home Price Index, some areas experienced relatively large gains — the Mountain Region gained 1.9% in February — and others experiences relatively large losses. The West North Central Region shed 1.0 percent.

Other regional highlights include :

New England Region (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut) : + 0.8%
Pacific Region (Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California) : -0.9%
South Atlantic Region (Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida) : 0.9%

Even regional notes, however, aren’t telling enough. On a city-by-city basis, and on a street-by-street level, housing markets can vary.

Click here to get today’s mortgage rates.

The Flaw In The Home Price Index

As a home buyer or seller, published data showing “rising home values” or “falling home values” may be interesting, but it’s not necessarily relevant. Most home valuation trackers — including the government’s Home Price Index and the private sector Case-Shiller Index — come standard with a severe, built-in flaw.

Both used “aged” data.

Today, the calendar reads May. Yet, we’re still discussing February’s housing data. Data from February has little value buyers and sellers in May’s housing market. And, even then, characterizing the data as “from February” is somewhat of a stretch. This is because the home values used in both the Home Price index and the Case-Shiller Index are collected from actual mortgage transactions, which are recorded at closing — not at the time of sale.

Click here to get today’s mortgage rates.

This affects valuation trackers because on a purchase, the sale price is often agreed upon 45-60 days prior to closing. Yet, those values don’t reach the Home Price Index or the Case-Shiller Index until two month later. For refinances, the lag between appraisal and closing is typically 30 days.

Therefore, when we look at the Home Price Index and Case-Shiller Index reports, what we’rereally seeing is a snapshot of housing as it was 5 months ago. Data like that is of little relevance to today’s buyers and sellers. Today’s real estate market is driven by today’s supply-and-demand — not February’s.

The Home Price Index and Case-Shiller Index are useful gauges for economists and law-makers looking at long-term trends. For buyers and sellers, though, they’re less relevant. Real-time data is what matters most.

Click here to get today’s mortgage rates.

Conclusion

Whether you’re buying a home or refinancing one, home valuations matters. But, so do mortgage rates. Rising mortgage rates will do more to change your home affordability than rising home prices ever could. A 1% rise in mortgage rates takes 11 percent off your purchasing power.

Take a look at today’s low mortgage rates. Plan your budget accordingly.

Click here to get today’s mortgage rates.

Courtesy of Dan Green

www.TheMortgageReports.com

Press Release: Cincinnati Area Real Estate February Sales update

Home Finder Network — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:24:52 +0000

Press Release

Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors®

The following press release was sent to the local media today at 10:20 a.m.

March 21, 2012

Contact: Tom Hasselbeck, CABR President, 513-829-0044 , 513-607-3868 [cell]

Gene Snavley, CABR Exec.Vice President, 513-543-2211 [cell]

Home Sales Up 18.6% in February;

Year-to-Date Sales Up 15%

Local home sales in February – for the 8th consecutive month – improved over a year ago. Sales in February totaled 1,155 units, an 18.58% gain over the same month a year ago when 974 homes were sold.

“Mortgage rates remain at historical lows, the housing inventory is increasing and the mild winter were all contributing factors that helped prospective buyers to stop looking and buy,” said Tom Hasselbeck, president of the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors. An improving job market has boosted optimism. Favorable stock market activity also has been a plus for consumer confidence, he added.

Local mortgage rates in February averaged 3.91%. That’s down from 5.04% a year ago. This week, they’re at 4.05%.

Average home sale price last month was $130,087, down -9.01% from a year earlier. “This is a result of buyers continuing to take advantage of lower-priced, lender-owned and short sale property,” said Hasselbeck. “We are, however, beginning to see increasing numbers of sellers put their homes on the market where a lender is not involved, which is a positive thing.”

Nationwide, February home sales were down 0.9% from January on a seasonally adjusted basis, but up 8.8% from February 2011.

January and February generally are the weakest sales months of the year. This year, however, the first two months have been very strong. This is a great start to what looks to be a very positive 2012 for home sales with an improving economy.

The NAR Housing Affordability Index recently reached an all-time high of 206.1, in January. An index of 100 means that a family with a median family income is able to afford a median priced home with a 20% down payment. The higher the index number, the greater the household can afford. “Our current local market affordability is over 300,” said Hasselbeck. “This means that when you combine the low interest rates, higher consumer confidence and great housing values, now — more than ever — is a great time to buy,” said Hasselbeck.

— more on page 2 –

Page 2 of 2

February Home Sales

Summary of Single Family and Condominium Sales

Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati

Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors®

February Home Sales

Closings Gross Volume Average Price

Feb. 2012 1,155 $150,250,634 $130,087

Feb. 2011 974 $139,254,156 $142,971

Variance +18.58% +7.90% -9.01%

Year-to-Date Home Sales

Closings Gross Volume Average Price

Jan-Feb. 2012 2,151 $287,684,291 $133,744

Jan-Feb. 2011 1,871 $266,514,278 $142,445

Variance +14.97% +7.94% – 6.11%

Nationwide, February home sales were down 0.9% from January on a seasonally

adjusted basis, but up 8.8% from February 2011.

Historic Carnegie Center in East End enters into a purchase agreement today.

Home Finder Network — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:34:46 +0000

The Carnegie Center in Downtown Cincinnati East End, active for sale at $347,000, has entered pending status today after the current owner and undisclosed new owner agree to purchase terms. Those terms will not be disclosed until final sale takes place. The historic building was being marketed with multiple different uses from meeting hall to primary residence. The building was listed at 111 years old, and was prestine inside and out thanks to recent remolding over the past decade or so.

Listing #1283094
$347,900 (LP)

3738 Eastern Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226 Pending
Lot Sz: 0.470ac
Area: E04 Age: 111

Remarks
In Col/Tusc Hist Dist. Saml Hannaford designed Carnegie Center.Fabulous 5048 sf. 22′ ceilings,patterned wood flrs, ornate mouldings. On Natl Historic Reg. Ideal for offices,art gallery,dance school or day care or maybe the perfect home?

June 2011 Cincinnati Home sales report

Home Finder Network — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:09:47 +0000

Home Sales Reach 1,781 in June;

Median Sale Price Inches Up 1.5%

Thanks to continued low mortgage interest rates and overall housing affordability, there were 1,781 home buyers last month in the local area.

That’s down 17% from a year ago, but at that time there was a $6,500 to $8,000 federal income tax credit for qualified home buyers. That boosted sales in June 2010.

Pete Kopf, president of the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors, said “Considering there is no home tax credit this year and a 9% unemployment rate, we think that having 1,781 home buyers last month is a testament to the belief that home ownership is a good thing in the public’s minds.”

The average home sale price last month was $166,303, only a 3% dip from a year ago. The median sale price actually rose by 1.5%, to $132,000. The median price is the mid-point in the overall price range of sales.

Mortgage rates have held below 5% this year. They averaged 4.59% in June, compared to 4.78% a year earlier. Lower rates and attractively-priced inventory help home affordability, due to lower monthly mortgage payments.

Another advantage for home owners, as usual, is the deductibility of mortgage interest and property taxes from their taxable income. That means they pay less in federal income taxes. Renters don’t get that advantage. A homeowner also realizes – eventually – that their house will be fully paid for, which is great for retirement planning. Renters never have a residence that is paid for, which could be a detriment to retirement years.

“Smart buying is going on today — 1,781 home buyers proved that just last month,” said Kopf. “With home affordability at a record high (dating back to 1970), the smart trend of home buying will continue.”

— more on page 2 –

Page 2 of 2

June Home Sales

Summary of Single Family and Condominium Sales

Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati

Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors®

June Home Sales

Closings Gross Volume Average Price

June 2011 1,781 $296,185,643 $166,303

June 2010 2,156 $369,717,348 $171,483

Variance -17.39% -19.89% -3.02%

Year-to-Date Home Sales

Closings Gross Volume Average Price

Jan-June 2011 8,222 $1,218,105,744 $148,152

Jan-June 2010 9,559 $1,503,391,725 $157,275

Variance -13.99% -18.98% -5.80%

Nationwide, June home sales were down 0.8% from May on a seasonally

adjusted basis, and down 8.8% from June 2010. Sales surged in May and

June of 2010 in response to the home buyer tax credit.

Questions about buying foreclosures

Home Finder Network — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:08:51 +0000

An Agent is interested in buying a property out of foreclosure asks;

“Question for you. I am interested in a property going up for a foreclosure sale.
If my reading is correct, the foreclosure sale is final with all liens taken away except for federal, state, or county liens which may be on title?
Is that correct?”

Answer:

WRONG.
If the State, the Feds or the County has a lien on the property and that entity is included properly in the foreclosure (f/c) action, then their lien is removed from the property.
The only exception to this is a Fed Tax lien issue that can linger. Although the IRS lien will be removed, the IRS has 120 days AFTER the sale to take the property back and only pay you what you paid for the property. So, if you spend money to improve the property, the improvement money could be lost. This is RARE, but possible. If the IRS has a large lien and feels they lost out on a ton of equity, they may decide to take the property.
The real problem today is that the Attorneys handling the f/c actions are overwhelmed, so they miss liens. And a missed lien stays on the property for the Buyer to deal with.

Yet another reason why title insurance is so important.
Nick

Nicholas D. Perrino
Attorney at La

February Sales, Local Cincinnati MLS- Feb 2011

Home Finder Network — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:27:37 +0000

Click to enlarge doc

Housing Trends Update: Feb 2011

Home Finder Network — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:44:03 +0000

HousingTrendsUpdate_Feb11

Jan 2011 Home Sales Report Cincinnati MLS just released

Home Finder Network — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:43:47 +0000

http://www.cabr.org/pdfs/Home_SalesJan2011.pdf

Housing trends Feb 2010

Home Finder Network — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:06:17 +0000

Land Contracts

Home Finder Network — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:58:39 +0000

A Seller was thinking about entering into a Land Contract, but they were afraid they would have to do a Foreclosure Action if the Buyer defaulted on the payments. This scared him into wanting a lease instead.

I explained that a Land Contract can be like a Lease which allows an eviction or it can be like a sale and a loan, requiring a foreclose.

Whether the owner can evict or foreclose depends on either 1.) how long the buyer has been making payments or 2.) how much money the buyer has put down up to that date.

The rule is 5 years or 20%. Once a Buyer has made payments for 5 years or has paid 20% of the purchase price, then owner becomes a Lender. Until then, the owner is a Landlord.

Therefore, before the buyer has paid for five years, and before he has paid in at least 20% of the price, the owner can EVICT him if he breaches the contract.

After the buyer has paid for five years or more, OR has paid at least 20% of the price, the owner must file a FORECLOSURE ACTION upon a buyer default.

Land Contracts can have benefits over leases, so don’t let the prospect of a foreclosure be the decision-maker.

Nick

Nicholas D. Perrino
Attorney at Law
Prodigy Title Agency
8080 Beckett Center Dr. #318
West Chester, OH 45069