Fixed rate loans generally come with one of two options; the 30-Year Fixed and the 15-Year Fixed. If a borrower is planning on being in the same home for a long period of time, a 30-Year Fixed may be more attractive because it offers stability. The monthly payment will remain consistent over the life of the loan. If interest rates are at historic lows at the time the borrower is seeking to obtain financing, this is a good program to consider.
A 15-Year Fixed loan program offers the same stability, but the accelerated amortization schedule makes the monthly payment substantially higher. While the interest rate may be lower on this type of loan, the borrower must be willing to commit to a higher monthly payment. If the borrower wishes to retire in 15 years and be debt-free at that time, this loan program may be more suitable to the borrower's long-term needs.
It is also possible to make pre-payments on a 30-Year loan and reduce the life of the loan, as well as the overall interest payment, without committing to the higher monthly payment of a 15-Year program. As long as there is no pre-payment penalty associated with the 30-Year mortgage, pre-payment offers the borrower the latitude to make additional payments when it is affordable. If cash flow becomes difficult, this arrangement will not put the borrower in a compromising position.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Market Stats - March 10th, 2009
The number of active listings are up less than 1% over last year.
The number of new listings are down this week 22% (compared to 3/2/08 - 3/8/08).
Pendings are down this week 17%.
Sold residential units are down 39% compared to the same week last year.
How are we doing on sales prices? To get the full picture, check out the our web site for latest sold data.
For additional information on the current market, please visit out web site.
The Week in Review
Units for Sale:
Mar. 1 - Mar. 7, 2009
(compared to the same week in 2008)
New listings down this week 22%
Pendings are down 17%
Solds down 39%
As for Average Prices:
Mar. 1 - Mar. 7, 2009
Sold average sales prices increased less than 1% to $226,272. In 2008 it was $227,558 for the same week.
Check it out at
http://www.alamotitle-austin.com/mls_statistics.php
The number of new listings are down this week 22% (compared to 3/2/08 - 3/8/08).
Pendings are down this week 17%.
Sold residential units are down 39% compared to the same week last year.
How are we doing on sales prices? To get the full picture, check out the our web site for latest sold data.
For additional information on the current market, please visit out web site.
The Week in Review
Units for Sale:
Mar. 1 - Mar. 7, 2009
(compared to the same week in 2008)
New listings down this week 22%
Pendings are down 17%
Solds down 39%
As for Average Prices:
Mar. 1 - Mar. 7, 2009
Sold average sales prices increased less than 1% to $226,272. In 2008 it was $227,558 for the same week.
Check it out at
http://www.alamotitle-austin.com/mls_statistics.php
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Enhanced Tax Credit Provides Outstanding Opportunity for Home Buyers
In its efforts to stimulate the economy and revive the housing market, Congress has enacted legislation providing a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers.
But time is of the essence for buyers who want to take advantage of this opportunity. Only homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 are eligible. Click HERE for more detailed information.
But time is of the essence for buyers who want to take advantage of this opportunity. Only homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 are eligible. Click HERE for more detailed information.
Keller Williams now 3rd LARGEST Real Estate Franchise
Austin-based Keller Williams Realty is now the third-largest real estate franchise in the country, as measured by number of agents.
Keller Williams had 72,794 agents at the end of 2008, according to Real Trends, a trade publication. That pulled it ahead of Re/Max International, which had been third.
The company has 679 offices in the United States, and said it distributed $30 million in profits to agents last year under a profit-sharing program.
Keller Williams focuses on residential real estate but last year launched a commercial division, which now has 220 brokers in the U.S. and Canada.
Keller Williams had 72,794 agents at the end of 2008, according to Real Trends, a trade publication. That pulled it ahead of Re/Max International, which had been third.
The company has 679 offices in the United States, and said it distributed $30 million in profits to agents last year under a profit-sharing program.
Keller Williams focuses on residential real estate but last year launched a commercial division, which now has 220 brokers in the U.S. and Canada.
Austin Joins Top Ranks for Growth
Forbes magazine ranked Austin, Texas, #3 in its Best Cities for Jobs in 2008 and that makes Austin a great target area for real estate. The Texas state capital city came in #1 for income growth in the Forbes list and #2 for job growth. When you consider that houses are where the jobs go at night, then Austin homeowners are sure to rest well, knowing they're in a good spot for equity growth.
While the number of houses sold in December dropped 16 percent compared to a year earlier, the Austin American Statesman reports the average price buyers paid was up 8 percent at $191,000. While sales volume is expected to cool in the city, Austin's job market keeps growing, creating greater demand for homes in great condition and priced right.
Price growth hasn't stopped through the last three years. In 2004, the average single family home sold in Austin was at $154,700. The latest report from the National Association of Realtors shows the same house at $188,200 for the end of the third quarter 2007 -- a gain of more than 21 percent.
While the rest of the country's pricing leveled and dipped last year, homeowners' equity growth continued upward throughout the last 12 months. Meanwhile, while Economy.com forecasts prices to level and dip for the citizens of Austin by about 4 percent in the next several months, job growth will put pressure on the inventory, creating a high level of demand on the dwindling supply.
What's keeping the market insulated from a bubble-like implosion is job growth. The Texas Workforce Commission released job expansion figures indicating the Austin region added 29,500 new jobs during the 12 months ending September 2007 -- a 4 percent gain in employment during the past year.
While the number of houses sold in December dropped 16 percent compared to a year earlier, the Austin American Statesman reports the average price buyers paid was up 8 percent at $191,000. While sales volume is expected to cool in the city, Austin's job market keeps growing, creating greater demand for homes in great condition and priced right.
Price growth hasn't stopped through the last three years. In 2004, the average single family home sold in Austin was at $154,700. The latest report from the National Association of Realtors shows the same house at $188,200 for the end of the third quarter 2007 -- a gain of more than 21 percent.
While the rest of the country's pricing leveled and dipped last year, homeowners' equity growth continued upward throughout the last 12 months. Meanwhile, while Economy.com forecasts prices to level and dip for the citizens of Austin by about 4 percent in the next several months, job growth will put pressure on the inventory, creating a high level of demand on the dwindling supply.
What's keeping the market insulated from a bubble-like implosion is job growth. The Texas Workforce Commission released job expansion figures indicating the Austin region added 29,500 new jobs during the 12 months ending September 2007 -- a 4 percent gain in employment during the past year.
Friday, February 27, 2009
If I Sell My Home, Will I Have to Pay Capital Gains Tax?
The IRS permits a maximum exclusion on capital gain of $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for married couples filing a joint return who sell their home, but of course some conditions apply.
For the five-year time-frame prior to the date of the sale of your primary residence, you must meet the Ownership and Use Tests the IRS provides in Publication 523, Selling Your Home. These rules ensure you have owned the home for at least two years, and lived in the home for at least 24 months out of the last five years. Additionally, you may not have excluded a gain on your taxes from the sale of a different home within the last two years. Note that if you sell your property for less than your original purchase price, you cannot claim a capital loss.
A 'reduced maximum exclusion' can apply to those who must sell their home due to a change in their place of employment, health issues, or unforeseen circumstances that affect qualified individuals. In all cases, it is best to consult your tax professional or IRS guidelines if you have any questions about the taxes you may be responsible for if you sell your home.
For the five-year time-frame prior to the date of the sale of your primary residence, you must meet the Ownership and Use Tests the IRS provides in Publication 523, Selling Your Home. These rules ensure you have owned the home for at least two years, and lived in the home for at least 24 months out of the last five years. Additionally, you may not have excluded a gain on your taxes from the sale of a different home within the last two years. Note that if you sell your property for less than your original purchase price, you cannot claim a capital loss.
A 'reduced maximum exclusion' can apply to those who must sell their home due to a change in their place of employment, health issues, or unforeseen circumstances that affect qualified individuals. In all cases, it is best to consult your tax professional or IRS guidelines if you have any questions about the taxes you may be responsible for if you sell your home.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
What Is Title Insurance?
Title insurance is a policy that is usually issued by a title company to protect the lender against something that might have happened in the past, rather than something that might occur in the future. In essence, an extensive search of public records is conducted by the title company to validate who has held title to the property in the past. The lender wants to know if there are any liens, judgments or easements on the property that they should be aware of.
But title insurance also guards against hidden risks or unknown factors that might cause an encumbrance at some point in the future, such as unknown heirs, forged deeds or wills, misinterpreted wills, false impersonation of the true owner of the property, deeds signed over by persons of unsound mind, or defects in the recording of past titles. Title insurance covers the cost of the title search, and any legal fees that may result from any dispute over past property ownership. It is required by the lender and paid for by the buyer.
The smart home buyer will also purchase title insurance to protect their own interests. This is a one-time premium that protects the buyer or their heirs, as long as they retain an interest in the property.
But title insurance also guards against hidden risks or unknown factors that might cause an encumbrance at some point in the future, such as unknown heirs, forged deeds or wills, misinterpreted wills, false impersonation of the true owner of the property, deeds signed over by persons of unsound mind, or defects in the recording of past titles. Title insurance covers the cost of the title search, and any legal fees that may result from any dispute over past property ownership. It is required by the lender and paid for by the buyer.
The smart home buyer will also purchase title insurance to protect their own interests. This is a one-time premium that protects the buyer or their heirs, as long as they retain an interest in the property.
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