Market Trends

Are you determined?

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I was recently at a Wizard’s game and during the warm-ups I was looking around the stadium and noticed there were hardly any fans at the game.  Yes it was a beautiful day outside yet people had paid hundreds of dollars on their tickets and still didn’t go to the game (courtside seats and center 3 sections on each side are sold out for every game).  Earlier in the day I had conversations with a few other season ticket holders who asked why I would go to a game when they were so bad and the team they were playing – the New Jersey Nets – were even worse.   After giving it some thought, the answer came to mind and it was dedication. 

It made me realize it is hard to have dedication when things aren’t going well.  When you have to give it your all when the chips are down or when you have to make a commitment and there are other choices that appear to be more appealing like the weather, the time obligation required and in a lot of cases – short term sacrifice for long term gain.  Truly, it can be difficult to go all in day after day when faced with adversity. 

In business, so many people give up when they are so close to success and it made me realize that they don’t have the dedication required to succeed.  They try one thing then stop, then try the latest fad and don’t get results and move on to something else always looking for the easy way to success and it is never the case – you need dedication for success.

What does it mean to have dedication?  Perseverance, commitment and devotion are characteristics of dedication and are essential elements of success.  The thought process of it is easier to do nothing than to put forth the time, energy and effort to get the results is relevant in today’s market more than ever.  Dedication to your education is critical.  Dedication to the development of your sphere of influence and its growth is necessary.   Dedication to market research to know trends is an essential element for success.  Dedication to your clients is a key area of focus.  Dedication to showing up and putting in the effort is essential. 

Think about this, the winners in life persevere when things look the bleakest and come out on the “other side” stronger, smarter and better equipped to handle the next challenge.  They have made the commitment to grow and learn from their experiences and become better in their chosen field.  As previously mentioned – you see it all the time in sports – many athletes “just mail it in” and many professionals do the same thing when faced with misfortune.  Be devoted to your career.  Be willing to sacrifice the time and resist the temptations of outside elements to get ahead in the business.  Decide if you have the loyalty for the business required to go to work every day and perform at the highest levels and attain success.  If not, you should find something that gives you this type of drive.  If the dedication, commitment, and devotion aren’t there for you in real estate – get out of the business and get into something else where you have the drive to succeed.  Get it?  Got it?  Good!

How is selling a house like rowing a boat?

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In a recent listing presentation, I explained to the sellers that selling their home was like a crew team rowing down a river.  Picture the scenario – a boat going down the Potomac River in front of Georgetown and you have the team in the boat – in order to get from point A to point B, everything needs to happen in a logical order.  The boat needs to be in tip top shape, the crew needs to be facing in the same direction, the strokes need to be precise and in sync and the captain needs to be able to give the proper commands at the right times in order for the team to achieve success whether they are participating in a race or if it is practice. 

So what happens if the boat has a leak in it?  What happens if the riggers are rusted and don’t allow the proper swing motion for the oars?  What if the team members don’t stroke in unison and are out of sync?  What if the captain improperly adjusts the rudder or gives the wrong command?  What if the captain is inconsistent in his/her stroke calls?  Any number of things could result, all of which are not productive to the team and in the end, the outcome is less than desirable.

How does this correlate to selling a house?  If any one piece of the home selling scenario is out of place the sale will be difficult to achieve.  If the house is not in the right condition and is in poor shape it will take longer to sell and the owner will “net” less in the end.  If the house is not staged properly and doesn’t show well the home will attract lower offers and in some cases, none at all.  If the house isn’t priced correctly, it may get lots of activity (showings) but no contracts and in the end, it will not sell.  In addition, if the Realtor/captain does not convey the proper message about the condition of the house, the importance of staging, the correct pricing of the property and then implement the proper marketing strategy, or if they don’t recognize changes in the market and inform the sellers to make the appropriate adjustments, the house will also have a more difficult time selling.

Selling a house is a “team” effort and in order to achieve the seller’s goal of selling the property, it is critical that all the parties work together, have open lines of communication and react to the market conditions quickly so the sale occurs.  The quote about team – Together Everyone Achieves More – is more relevant in today’s market than ever before.  If you are a seller, ask the right questions of your agent.  If you are an agent, be the professional and give the right advice – or – move on to a better client.  Get it?  Got it?  Good!

What’s on the horizon?

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Inventory levels on active listings are creeping up and they have been consistently increasing since the beginning of the year.  We have seen an escalation in the number of houses going on the market each week, week over week except one.  This is definitely something to watch especially as mortgage rates begin to rise.  We have seen a slight increase in interest rates – they have only increased 1/4% since last week this time but they are rising.  The good news is it isn’t as drastic as many predicted as the Fed eased out of buying mortgage backed securities but it is probably keen advice to give to your clients to lock in today and not play the waiting game here!  The saying is “rates take the escalator down but the elevator up”, don’t wait.

Another key factor to watch as inventory rises is the pricing of your properties…how is the activity at your listing?  Are you experiencing lots of buyers going through and have you had no contracts?  Have you had little to no traffic going through the house?  If so, the price may be high.  Check comps again, look at inventory levels in competing price points and the surrounding area.  How has the absorption rate been in and around your listing?  Do the research and price it properly today so you aren’t chasing the market tomorrow!  Many sellers hear the market has rebounded price wise in our area because of the recent article in the Washington Examiner and the brisk pace of sales recently but remember to caution them that the market is local and in many cases hyper local so be careful on pricing it a little high for negotiations.  Be the professional and let the numbers tell the story of the market.

So, what is on the horizon?

On Monday, upfront mortgage insurance on FHA loans goes from 1.75 to 2.25% – revise your buyer closing cost sheets as this will have an impact on their payments.  Seller contributions are reduced from 6% to 3% and down payments on FICO scores 580 and below are increased to 10%.

The short sale process – in some cases may get better after April 5th.  Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program affects home sellers with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae backed mortgages.  Not all properties qualify so check the websites of these GSE’s and see if the seller’s loan is with either one before proceeding or check www.makinghomeaffordable.com/contact_servicer.html to see who the loan servicer is on the property. 

Here are the guidelines accompanying the program: 

  • This program complements HAMP by providing a viable alternative for borrowers (the current homeowners) who are HAMP eligible but nevertheless unable to keep their home. HAFA alternatives are available to all HAMP-eligible borrowers who:   1) do not qualify for a Trial Period Plan;  2) do not successfully complete a Trial Period Plan;  3) miss at least two consecutive payment during a HAMP modification; or, 4) request a short sale or deed-in-lieu.
  • Property is principal residence.
  • Mortgage originated before Jan. 1, 2009.
  • Borrower is delinquent or default is foreseeable.
  • Borrower's total monthly housing payment exceeds 31 percent of gross income.
  • Unpaid principal does not exceed $729,750.
  • Homeowner demonstrates hardship. 
  • The program utilizes the borrower’s financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification.  The borrower must have applied for and been denied a loan modification prior to entry into this program.   Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property (including the minimum acceptable net proceeds).
  • Requires borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt (no cash contribution, promissory note, or deficiency judgment is allowed).
  • Uses standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines.  These deadlines include:  the borrower has 14 days from acceptance of services to return the Short Sale Agreement to their servicer in which they are granted 120 days to sell the house.  Once an offer is received, the agent must provide a RASS (Request for Approval of Short Sale) within 3 business days of receiving offer along with new buyer preapproval and all lien information to the servicer.  The servicer has 10 business days to accept the offer along with provisions to settle or deny the offer and they must provide an explanation of the denial.  Settlement must occur within 45 days.  The new buyers cannot “flip” or sell the property for 90 days and it must be an “arms length” transaction.
  • Provides the following financial incentives:
    • $3,000 for borrower relocation assistance;
    • $1,500 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs;
    • Up to $2,000 for investors who allow a total of up to $6,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders, on a one-for-three matching basis.
    • Realtors cannot charge or receive commissions in excess of 6% and if the buyer or seller is a Realtor, they cannot receive a commission in connection with the transaction – including any side deals.
  • Requires all servicers participating in HAMP to implement HAFA in accordance with their own written policy, consistent with investor guidelines. The policy may include factors such as the severity of the potential loss, local markets, timing of pending foreclosure actions, and borrower motivation and cooperation.

There is opportunity here people…know the program and know the process and you can sell more houses!  On Monday, April 5th at 7:00pm Margret Kelly will be hosting a program with BOA on Equator and how the program works.  Watch it on RE/MAX University.

Also, in an effort to assist with the HAFA and HAMP programs, many banks have agreed to participate in the 2MP program.  The 2MP was designed to work in tandem with the Home Affordable Modification Program and is aimed at helping homeowners who have a second home equity mortgage.   The Treasury estimates, up to 50 percent of at-risk mortgages also have second liens associated with them.

To qualify for the program, homeowners must successfully complete a trial modification on their first mortgage. Then, if the servicer of the borrower’s second line in a 2MP participant, the servicer must offer to modify the second lien or accept a lump sum payment from Treasury in exchange for fully doing away with the second lien.

Her are the guidelines in which the 2MP program is designed to work:

  • Only second liens with corresponding first liens that have been modified under HAMP are eligible for a modification or extinguishment under 2MP.
  • Second lines originated on or before January 1, 2009 are eligible for a modification or extinguishment under 2MP.
  • A second lien may be modified only once under 2MP
  • A mortgage loan that is subordinate to a second lien (i.e.: third, fourth position loans, etc) is ineligible under 2MP. However, modification or extinguishment of such a subordinate mortgage lien in place of the second lien will not satisfy the servicer’s obligation under 2MP to modify or extinguish the second lien.
  • If a second lien is modified under 2MP, it is not eligible for payment of extinguishment incentives under 2MP
  • A mortgage lien that would be in second lien position but for a tax lien, a mechanic’s lien or other non-mortgage related lien that has priority is eligible under 2MP
  • A second lien on which no interest is charged and no payments are due until the first lien is paid in full (e.g., FHA partial claims liens and/or equity appreciation loans) is not eligible under 2MP
  • Borrowers may be accepted into the program if a fully executed 2MP modification agreement or trial period plan is in the servicer’s possession on December 31, 2012.

All servicers of eligible second liens may participate in 2MP. A servicer need not service the related first lien or participate in HAMP in order to participate in 2MP.

 

Here are some helpful links:

https://www.hmpadmin.com/portal/programs/foreclosure_alternatives.html

http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/short_sales_hafa

http://sccrealestateuncensored.com/2010/second-lien-modification-program-2mp/

Interest rates

Interest rates are expected to go up but luckily it is not at the pace or severity that many had speculated.  The funds rate are set to stay at the 0 to .25% level to help keep mortgage interest rates low.  Once again, we are relying on Wall Street to step up and help create the secondary market to buy mortgage backed securities and keep rates affordable to consumers.  Let’s hope this short trend continues!

In our conversation with Paul Muolo at the quarterly meeting last week, he mentioned that there had only been one big purchase of bulk loans, well….there has been another large purchase this week.  To learn about the details, which is unbelievable to me, check out the article at http://www.dsnews.com/articles/print-view/fdic-finds-taker-for-490-million-in-home-loans-2010-04-01

More good news

First American Core Logic has estimates that the Washington Region will be floating – out from being underwater by2015!  This is ahead of 10 other key markets.   There study was based upon an annual 3.3% reduction in loan balances coupled with 3% appreciation over the next decade.  They had estimated that 11.3 million or 24% of homes with mortgages were under water in Q4 of 2009.

As discussed before, today, more than ever, it is extremely important to stay educated on the market, what is coming down the road and know how to make the appropriate adjustments to thrive in any market.  You gotta learn more to earn more.  Get it?  Got it?  Good!

Now, go sell something!

 

 

It’s all so confusing…

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There is so much confusion in what is being reported about the real estate market it is understandable why so many people are unsure of what to do in regards to housing.  Information recently reported from Standard and Poor’s is just one reporting outlet where mixed signals are being sent out to consumers.  In one report, they claim that housing prices have increased for 8 consecutive months – this is through Standard and Poor’s and then through the Standard &Poor’s/Case-Shiller pricing index they say prices have dropped for the 4th consecutive month – absolutely insane.  How can one agency say prices are going up and down at the same time and not believe they are sending a mixed message to consumers and in turn hurting the housing recovery? 

For the record, The Washington Examiner reported that the Washington area was the strongest in the Nation as we have the right fundamentals in place.  Low unemployment, and scarcity of land are factors they sight in their article – couple this with low inventory, low housing starts, great rates, the home buyer tax credit and relatively affordable prices and we have a better than average housing market.

We too have been hearing, reading and expecting rates to increase when the Fed eases out of and stops buying mortgage backed securities (which has been happening by the way) yet rates have stayed low – conflicting news, but good news none the less.

We watch the market very closely everyday here locally and it is important to understand from a professional what is happening in our market and why.  We want to reiterate that our housing market in Northern Virginia is robust, resilient and is rebounding nicely today.  Our absorption rate remains high, prices are increasing in some areas and we have buyers out looking to capitalize on the remaining days of the home buyer tax credit.  To learn more about what is happening with your home or to learn how you or someone you know can take advantage of the tax credit, call us today!

Growing your business with foreign investors

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This week we learned yet another way to help agents today grow their business with developing new relationships through foreign investors.  Our featured speaker was NVAR’s Chairman of the Board, Vinh Nguyen.  He provided us with valuable information on how and where to establish these relationships as well as why we are a viable place for foreign investors to invest their resources.  Here are a few highlights from our training:

 

Working with Foreign Investors

 

It provides you with an additional source of income by working with foreign investors – it is another spoke in your wheel of building relationships.

 

It helps to diversify your business and grow your database.

 

Work with immigrant population, it is a hedge against the main stream market.

 

Work with embassies, schools where a high number of foreign nationals attend and participate in local and national conventions.

 

Attend NAR conventions and attend global forums, learn their market and offer to speak at their conventions, build relationships through your knowledge and expertise of our market.

 

Many foreign developers are interested in our real estate market.  They are looking to purchase bulk REOs, commercial, as well as buy houses for children studying here or abroad as they say in their country.

 

Many of these entrepreneurs have upwards of $50,000,000.00 to spend here in the US.

 

Develop referral channels for yourself to obtain business from different parts of the world.

 

Reasons they want to invest in the United States of America

    Stability of our government

    Price appreciation

    The value of the dollar is low coupled w/depreciation

 

The benefit to you is they do not know who to use, build trust through developing contacts.

 

80 countries have agreements with NAR to accept referrals and pay referrals to US agents.

 

There are great resources available to you through NAR.  Go to Realtor.org, resource, international buyers to learn more.

 

48 % of international buyers pay cash for their properties.

 

New loan program through HSBC

    30 % down, 5.25 % no points

    Foreign investors, paper trail on 30%  down payment is the only qualification that requires verification.

 

Finding channels to bring in money quickly and legally is a challenge to learn to overcome.  Get to know the process through your banker.

 

Your goal is to sell Washington area.  Make them aware of the Nevada, California and Florida foreclosure issues and why we are different.  We have:

    Stability of market

    # 1 in the world now for foreign institutional investors

    Low risk vs. overseas risk

    Diversify their investments

 

Other places to obtain more information on how to work with foreign investors:  Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate – AFIRE.org –  has a lot of research information.

 

Also, it is important to learn immigration, visa, and green card processes to be able to speak with clients about these issues.

 

Were you aware that you can obtain a green card if you invest $1,000,000.00 in a business?  If you buy a business or establish a new one and maintain it or if you hire 10 Americans, you will have green card within 3 months and you can apply for permanent status in 2 years.

 

Another option is to invest $500,000.00 in a designated, depressed area and you can get green cards – regional EBS’s program.

 

A few final thoughts:  One thing to keep in mind is to not worry about communicating with your new contacts.  Most wealthy investors have translators or speak English.  Look into attending conventions and other associations, such as: AERAA.org and NAHREP.org and lastly obtain a designation – CIPS – develop relations with those agents and work referrals with them.

 

You have heard it before and will hear it again, the more you learn the more you earn – go get educated and learn how to build your database through alternative means.  Get it?  Got it?  Good!

 

Now, go sell something!

Top 5 Tips for Securing an Accurate Appraisal

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When it comes to buying or selling property, a successful outcome often hinges
upon an accurate appraisal. Unfortunately, due to unrest in the appraisal
industry sparked by government guidelines imposed by the Home Valuation Code of
Conduct (HVCC), securing an accurate appraisal can be hard to come by these
days. Colleagues have shared many a horror story about an appraisal gone wrong
and a client that’s left to pay the price.

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, however, I have learned that
there are steps you can take to help ensure an appraisal accurately reflects
the home’s value. Consider the following advice:

1. Keep it local. Inaccurate
appraisals are often the result of the current practice of using an appraiser
who is unfamiliar with your community…sometimes, they’re even coming from
another state! Talk to your agent and/or lender and insist that the appraiser
involved is local and, therefore, understands home values in your neighborhood.

2. Utilize comps.
Make sure your lender and appraiser are accurately leveraging comps (comparable
market sales) of local properties sold within the last six months to help
appraise your home. Your real estate agent can help in this area.

3. Put your best foot
forward. If you are selling your home, make sure it’s in the
best possible shape before the appraiser visit. Invest in any necessary repairs
and effective cosmetic changes. Consider how your home stacks up against other
homes in your neighborhood and let that be your guide.

4. Review carefully. Review
the appraisal thoroughly to make sure all the basic facts are correct: square
footage, features of the home, number of rooms, etc. If you find mistakes, call
the appraiser and ask to have them corrected. If the appraiser refuses to make
the corrections, file a complaint with your state’s real estate appraisal
board.

5. Don’t settle. You
are not bound to accept the appraisal results. Both buyers and sellers can
request a new appraisal. There is no guarantee that the bank will accept the
new appraisal, but it can be used to challenge the first appraisal.

An honest, accurate appraisal can make all the difference in your real estate
transaction. Follow the above steps and please e-mail
me for more details. I encourage you to forward this important information
to your social network, as well.

Looking to Buy a ‘Fixer-Upper’? The 203k Program Can Help Make It Happen

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Today’s real estate market presents a lot of opportunity for interested home
buyers—with the growing supply of foreclosure properties and short sales, there
are certainly some great deals to be had.

The problem in buying a “distressed” property, however, is that these homes are
often damaged due to lack of maintenance or prolonged vacancy. So while the
price tag might be right, the investment necessary to make the home livable
might just push buyers well beyond their budgets.

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, however, I have access to the
latest information on mortgage and financing options. One particular option
that is providing hope for many of today’s home buyers is HUD’s FHA 203k
program, a loan that enables buyers to not only secure a mortgage, but receive
the funds necessary to improve the home as well.

Here
are five facts about the 203k program to help you determine if it might be the
right fit for you:

1. The
FHA Section 203k program was originally introduced by HUD
in 1978 as a program to rehabilitate and repair single-family homes. The 203k
is a single mortgage loan that provides funds to purchase a home and make
repairs and improvements. A simpler version, the Streamline 203k, was
introduced in 2005. This version offers less documentation and lower loan fees
for renovations that don’t exceed $35,000.

2. In
today’s market, conventional financing, which often requires
20% – 25% down on a home and a perfect credit score, is often hard to come by.
However, with less-than-perfect credit and as little as 3.5% down, you can get
an FHA loan, such as the 203k.

3. The
203k approval process is a little more complicated than a
conventional loan. For example, you’re required to secure renovation costs from
an established, licensed contractor and deliver a package of the proper
paperwork to the lender to secure FHA approval. Make sure you work with an
agent—like a member of Top 5—who is well-versed in the 203k program, or who can
connect you with a lender that is.

4. The
203k loan is not just for foreclosure or distressed properties.
More than 80% of the homes in America were built before 1990—that’s over 100
million homes that are 20 years old or older—and almost every one is in need of
some amount of repair and updating. The 203k loan, therefore, offers advantages
for almost any home purchase.

5. The
203k loan is not just for home purchases but can be used to
finance a home improvement, as well!

For complete details on the HUD 203k program, you can visit www.fhainfo.com/fha203k.htm.
Please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail
me, since this information can be hard to digest and confusing.

Be Careful What You Read

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The Northern Virginia real estate market remains strong for
both buyers and sellers.  Although
inventory levels have increased slightly over the last few weeks – more houses
are selling as well!  Our absorption rate
remains steady at a 1.8 month supply of houses! 

Be careful what you read. 
In a recent article, it was noted by Fox
Business that new homes sales had dropped to record lows.  In our area, builders are seeing robust sales
and tremendous activity.  We have said it
before and will continue to say that we are in the best real estate market in
the nation – take what you see and what you hear about real estate with a grain
of salt because we are different and good news doesn’t sell!  We put a condo on the market in Manassas on Friday of last week and it was sold by Sunday –
the market is HOT!

For the best in real estate advice and news, please call us
to hear the true information about our market. 
We want our clients to be the most informed and up to date with our
local housing market.  We have the most
current stats, data and information on financing as well as the home buyer tax credit and
how it can affect you so feel free to call today!  We are here to help.  The Results Realty Group – 703-652-5777.

Shopping for a Condo? Ask These 4 Questions before You Buy

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Condominium homes have always been, and will likely
always be, an efficient and economical route to becoming a first-time
homeowner. They can offer the comfort, prestige, and even luxury appointments
that apartment living may lack, often at a cost that is not much different than
rent. With the current first-time home buyer tax credit and the deadline for
the move-up tax credit fast approaching, I advise you move fast on any condo
purchase you may be considering.


With my experience as Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I am well
aware that not all condominiums are the same, however, so make sure you ask the
following four questions before you buy:

What will you own?
Read the bylaws and be sure you understand what you will be responsible for and
what belongs to the condo association. Will you own the boat dock at the back
of your unit? Can you elect to build a spa on your patio? Generally, unit owners
own and are responsible for the interior of their condos, while costs for
outside maintenance including common areas and sewer lines are the
association’s responsibility.

Who lives there?
Are the majority of residents owners or renters? Owners generally take more
interest in proper maintenance and are more willing than renters to serve on
the association board and enforce complex rules and regulations–including the
regular collection of homeowner dues.

How effective is
the homeowner’s association? Do they have legal counsel,
reasonable funds and a capable, caring volunteer board? One way to judge is to
check with residents about restrictions, oversight and timeliness of repairs
and upgrades. Another is to take a hard look at the grounds and be wary of
signs of neglect.

What about special
assessments? The association should have the power to special
assess for needed, one-time large expenditures. Otherwise, things that need to
be done may never get done at all, leaving the complex vulnerable to disrepair
and lowered property values.


Don’t miss this great opportunity to become a homeowner or to downsize by
buying a condo (remember, the move-up tax credit does not require you to move
to a larger or more expensive home).

Notes from Scott’s Desk

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There are houses selling…2 contracts per listing of late – and
in different price points, $250,000 and $850,000.  The contracts came in close to list price even
though they were in competition.

Some agents like Equator, the new Bank of America short sale
portal – because of their quick responses and live chat, but some still have
repeated problems with acceptance of forms in particular formats.  Once in the final stage of approval, it takes
about 6 weeks to close, and they take precautions to stave off foreclosure.

Ask for 90 day short sale contingency approval – don’t pull
contract in final stages of negotiation, swap out contracts with same terms to
keep the ball rolling – you don’t want to have to go back to the beginning.

Short sale listings are finding agents – agents aren’t
pursuing them as much, they are just coming in.

Go back to database – reach out and talk to your people to
grow your business.  We are in a
relationship business – build those relationships deeper and your success will
follow. 

What will happen at the end of April when the tax credit is
gone?  No, what will happen at the end of
March when the Fed stops buying MBS?  The
market will slow…buyers will be back on the fence…financing is tough enough –
hopefully the restrictions on obtaining financing won’t get any worse…rates
will increase – buyers will drop out of market – will prices drop?  Message to send out: look at the positive
side of things…rates are great, inventory is available, prices remain low, we
know what loan programs are available…we need to list out true picture of the
market, it’s our job.

How do properties not listed as short sales end up in hands
of investors prior to courthouse steps?  Are
these investors negotiating directly with the seller or going to the trustee at
the steps or are they going directly to the bank?  This is a question our group would like to
know the answer too.

Appraisers are asking to have snow removed from the roofs of
properties…appraisals are coming in low…fewer sales make appraisals a problem
this time of year…appraisers aren’t going into the house in some cases…on FHA
loans, the lender has the option of using the first appraisal or ordering a
second one, if you are caught in a low appraisal situation with FHA loans on
your listings, switch lenders…

Housing starts rise in January 2.8% – RISMEDIA, February 22,
2010—Nationwide housing production hit its strongest pace in the last six
months this January, posting a 2.8% gain to a seasonally adjusted annual rate
of 591,000 units, according to figures recently released by the U.S. Commerce
Department.

According to the latest indexes (Zillow and the Feds “flow
of funds report) negative owner equity has dropped as prices have begun to
increase and between the 1st and 3rd quarters last year,
home equity rose by $1 trillion as a combination of increased home values and
principal pay down.  Although this news
was good for a lot of the country, the sand states (FL, AZ, NM & CA)
continue to be viewed as a high risk factor.

Josh Burruss of Potomac Mortgage Group mentioned the
upcoming FHA financing changes and dates to keep in mind to create buyer
urgency.

The following are some images from our monthly Real Estate Exchange in Gainesville. 

IMG_7864

IMG_7866 

IMG_7869     IMG_7872 

IMG_7877     IMG_7878