Monday, June 30, 2008

May 2008 Data Quick Housing Statistics

California May 2008 Home Sales

June 18, 2008

A total of 33,024 new and resale houses and condos were sold statewide last month. That was up 6.0 percent from 31,150 in April and down 10.7 percent from 36,975 for May last year. Last month's total made for the slowest May since 1995 when 32,223 homes sold.

Of the homes sold in May, 38.3 percent were foreclosure resales, up from a revised 37.6 percent in April and 5.4 percent in May a year ago.

The median price paid for a home last month was $339,000, down 4.2 percent from $354,000 for the month before, and down 30.0 percent from $484,000 for May a year ago when the median was at its peak. Around half the drop in median is due to depreciation, the other half due to shifts in the types of homes selling, and how those homes are financed.

The typical mortgage payment that home buyers committed themselves to paying last month was $1,569. That was down from a revised $1,645 in April, and down from $2,266 for May a year ago. Adjusted for inflation, mortgage payments are back to where they were in mid 2003. They are 23.3 percent below the spring 1989 peak of the prior real estate cycle. They are 38.0 percent below the current cycle's peak in June 2006.

DataQuick, a subsidiary of Vancouver-based MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, monitors real estate activity nationwide and provides information to consumers, educational institutions, public agencies, lending institutions, title companies and industry analysts. The numbers cover all sales, new and resale, houses and condos.

Indicators of market distress continue to move in different directions. Foreclosure activity is at record levels, financing with adjustable-rate mortgages is at a six-year low. Down payment sizes and flipping rates are stable, non-owner occupied buying activity is increasing, DataQuick reported.

 

 

______________________________________________________

Alyssa Duggan

Real Estate Broker

 

The Duggan Group Corporation

The Duggan Team

Convenience. Experience. Results.

 

231 Marketplace ste. 344
San Ramon CA 94583

 

650.678.5050 cell

925.806.9126 office

925.406.0925 e-fax

www.DugganTeam.com

 

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Feds Hold Rates Steady

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) met yesterday and today and decided to leave rates unchanged, ending its nine-month course for dropping the Fed Funds Rate.  Rising inflation concerns and hints of a rebounding economy led the Fed to keep its target fed funds rate at 2%.  This will keep the prime rate at 5%, which is the rate that directly affects interest rates on equity lines and credit cards.

 

This news has moved mortgage backed securities lower as the market reacts to the Fed's position.  We have received an alert to lock as the market's reaction could potentially move mortgage interest rates higher.

 

Below is a link to read the Fed Statement through CNN Money if you are interested. 

 

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/25/news/economy/fed_statement/index.htm?postversion=2008062514

 

Please feel free to call us if any questions or if we can help you in any way.

 

______________________________________________________

Alyssa Duggan

Real Estate Broker

 

The Duggan Group Corporation

The Duggan Team

Convenience. Experience. Results.

 

231 Marketplace ste. 344
San Ramon CA 94583

 

650.678.5050 cell

925.806.9126 office

925.406.0925 e-fax

www.DugganTeam.com

 

Monday, June 23, 2008

FHA loans are the WAY to go!

Our business in booming right now due to the NEW FHA loan programs. Tons of first time home buyers and buyers with little money to put down are jumping into the market and taking advantage of the extremely low home prices. The NEW FHA loan program requires a 3% down payment on most transactions. In some situations, the down payment is greater than 3% (up to about 10%). The loan allows the seller to pay up to 3% of the closing costs and up to 3% of the down payment. If the seller agrees to these terms that means that the buyer only needs to bring a small amount of money to the table for the deposit and the closing costs. It depends on the purchase price of the home. Here is an example on the purchase of a $219,000 home. Remember that each person’s situation is different. These numbers are only estimates and require bank approval but this will give you a rough idea of the costs…its much more doable than you think!

 

Offer Price: $219,000

Terms: Seller to credit 3% down payment and 3% of the closing costs

30 day escrow period

 

Need from Buyer

Earnest Money Deposit due at the time of offer: $4,000

Closing costs due at the time of closing: $3,400

Monthly Payment: $1,710 (includes taxes, insurance, interest and principle)

 

Wow! $7,400 gets this person into a home. This is why more 1st time home buyers are now able to purchase. There is a “silver lining” in this Real Estate downturn and we are now seeing it! If you would like to look at homes or get pre-approved for an FHA loan, CALL ME TODAY!

 

______________________________________________________

Alyssa Duggan

Real Estate Broker

 

The Duggan Group Corporation

The Duggan Team

Convenience. Experience. Results.

 

231 Marketplace ste. 344
San Ramon CA 94583

 

650.678.5050 cell

925.806.9126 office

925.406.0925 e-fax

www.DugganTeam.com

 

Sunday, June 8, 2008

April Real Estate Statistics by County

Here are April Real Estate sales statistic by County. If you have any questions or are interested in getting pre-approved, please call me. Many of our clients are purchasing right now with the FHA loan programs. Some programs are allowing the seller to pay 3% of the closing costs and 3% of the down payment. This allows buyers to purchase with less money. To see if you qualify, simply call or email.

 

 

Sales Volume

Median Price

All homes       

Apr-07  

Apr-08   

  %Chng   

   Apr-07   

  Apr-08  

  %Chng

Alameda          

1,555   

1,240  

-20.3%    

$586,500  

$473,750  

-19.20%

Contra Costa     

1,246   

1,265   

  1.5%    

$600,000  

$395,000  

-34.20%

Marin            

   313   

   216  

-31.0%    

$925,000  

$800,000  

-13.50%

Napa             

   109   

   100   

-8.3%    

$563,000  

$499,000  

-11.40%

Santa Clara      

2,009   

1,440  

-28.3%    

$709,000  

$615,000  

-13.30%

San Francisco    

   568   

   605   

  6.5%    

$790,000  

$750,000  

      -5.1%

San Mateo        

   681   

   573  

-15.9%    

$810,000  

$672,500  

-17.00%

Solano           

   440   

   429   

-2.5%    

$428,000  

$319,500  

-25.40%

Sonoma           

   526   

   442  

-16.0%    

$519,000  

$414,250  

-20.20%

Bay Area         

7,447   

6,310  

-15.3%    

$659,000  

$518,000  

-21.40%

Source: DataQuick Information Systems

______________________________________________________

Alyssa Duggan

Real Estate Broker

 

The Duggan Group Corporation

The Duggan Team

Convenience. Experience. Results.

 

231 Marketplace ste. 344
San Ramon CA 94583

 

650.678.5050 cell

925.806.9126 office

925.406.0925 e-fax

www.DugganTeam.com