Interest rates are at all time lows so it's a great time to think about refinancing.
I use a thumb-rule of 1% to determine if it makes sense to refi. If you can lower your interest rate by 1% or more, just do it providing you have at least 7 years remaining on your mortgage. It will typically cost around 3% of your new mortgage amount in closing costs to refinance so the pay-back period for a 1% reduction in interest is roughly 3 years.
How do you choose a mortgage product? (ARM, fixed rate, 10 yrs, 15 yrs, 30 yrs, ...) Talk with your loan officer - they're the experts, and you should also decide what your personal goals are.
Get out of debt quickly? A 15 year mortgage with slightly higher monthly payments but lower interest rate may be best.
Planning to remain in your home for under 10 years? An Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) which remains fixed at an attractive interest rate for the 1st 3-7 years may be best or an FHA loan which is an assumable giving you a marketing edge over the competition when you sell may be best.
What if you owe more than the home is worth?
The federal goverment, as part of a legal settlement with the big five lenders: Ally Financial, Bank of America (Countrywide), Citigroup, Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase, has made re-financing available if your loan was originated prior to January 1, 2009 and is serviced by one of those lenders.
There is also HARP2, a federal program available only if your loan is backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. To find out, you can call your lender or use the websites:
http://fanniemae.com/loanlookup/
www3.freddiemac.com/corporate/,
Before you refinance, it's a good idea to review your credit report - you can do this free of charge once each year by requesting a copy of your credit report from each of the big three credit agencies: Equifax, Transunion and Experian or you can request the report through AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Zachary Square Updates
With an increase in the number and frequency of vandalism and thefts at local park and ride lots, the city of Maple Grove just approved the budget to install security cameras at the Zachary Square park and ride lot.
From the 5/7/2012 council meeting minutes: Motion to authorize Mayor and City Administrator to accept proposal from Pro-Tec Design for a security camera system for the Zachary Park-and-Ride lot for a price not to exceed $34,166.
As you may be aware, the Parnassus Preparatory School opened in August 2011 in Zachary Square. Due to much higher than expected enrollment rates, the school is already working with the city to allow an expansion of 13,000 square feet, an increase in the occupancy from 10 years to 15 years and a relocation of the playground.
From the 5/7/2012 council meeting minutes: Motion to authorize Mayor and City Administrator to accept proposal from Pro-Tec Design for a security camera system for the Zachary Park-and-Ride lot for a price not to exceed $34,166.
As you may be aware, the Parnassus Preparatory School opened in August 2011 in Zachary Square. Due to much higher than expected enrollment rates, the school is already working with the city to allow an expansion of 13,000 square feet, an increase in the occupancy from 10 years to 15 years and a relocation of the playground.
Monday, May 21, 2012
GARAGE SALE!
Monday, May 7, 2012
May Neighborhood Market Update & Neighborhood Garage Sale
Interest rates remain at AMAZING levels (around 3.75% for a fixed 30 year FHA) and prices seem to have stabilized with inventory driving this bus.
New listings are down 15% week over week from a year ago. This combined with sales being up 21% has led to a decrease in inventory of 28% so quite a bit fewer homes to choose from which we starting to feel this winter.
Shadow inventory and the economy are the unknown players here. If the economy and job market begin to soften, that could put a damper on sales and even out the supply-demand curve. Likewise, with new lending regulations causing speedier foreclosure to market times, we could see a slight but noticeable increase in the numbers of foreclosed properties coming for sale which could raise the supply, again evening out the supply-demand curve. Time will tell but regardless, the combination of amazing interest rates and low prices have created home affordability not seen in quite a few years.
Our neighborhood is seeing the effects of this with a few homes listed at around $200K selling relatively quickly in the past 30 days. An encouraging trend!
This map shows the homes for sale (green) or pending-accepted purchase agreements (orange) since April 1st. FYI - 9792 Ives at $149,900 is a short sale.
Five homes for sale and all but one have offers accepted.
Click to see the listings (link will expire in July)
Stay tuned for information on our neighborhood garage sale coming up mid-June. Drop me a line with your address if you'd like to be included as I'll publish a map hear with the garage sale locations.
Shadow inventory and the economy are the unknown players here. If the economy and job market begin to soften, that could put a damper on sales and even out the supply-demand curve. Likewise, with new lending regulations causing speedier foreclosure to market times, we could see a slight but noticeable increase in the numbers of foreclosed properties coming for sale which could raise the supply, again evening out the supply-demand curve. Time will tell but regardless, the combination of amazing interest rates and low prices have created home affordability not seen in quite a few years.
Our neighborhood is seeing the effects of this with a few homes listed at around $200K selling relatively quickly in the past 30 days. An encouraging trend!
Stay tuned for information on our neighborhood garage sale coming up mid-June. Drop me a line with your address if you'd like to be included as I'll publish a map hear with the garage sale locations.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Q1 2012 Neighborhood Real Estate Summary
The real estate market continues to show signs of improvement and increasing activity with sales up around 30% from 2011 and inventory down a corresponding 27%.
Our neighborhood has seen five homes sold since January 1 with an average sale price of $159,950 for the two that have closed and an average list price of $187,433 for those that are still awaiting closing. (see accompanying table)
I have also included a map 
showing the locations of the homes for sale (green dots), yellow for pending and not yet closed sales, red for those that have sold and closed and black for those that failed to sell.
Click here to see the listings (note that the link will expire in June 2012)
The market is approaching a seller's market with a strong shortage of homes for sale - multiple offers are becoming quite common.
Contact me with any questions.
Our neighborhood has seen five homes sold since January 1 with an average sale price of $159,950 for the two that have closed and an average list price of $187,433 for those that are still awaiting closing. (see accompanying table)
I have also included a map 
showing the locations of the homes for sale (green dots), yellow for pending and not yet closed sales, red for those that have sold and closed and black for those that failed to sell.
Click here to see the listings (note that the link will expire in June 2012)
The market is approaching a seller's market with a strong shortage of homes for sale - multiple offers are becoming quite common.
Contact me with any questions.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
January and February Real Estate Summary
Let's see the numbers from the 1st two months of 2012!
Inventory is down, way down as 21% of homes sold in 2011 were investors - they realized that market values were great. Now, as 2012 unfolds, the news is out that the bottom has passed and traditional home buyers, particularly 1st time homebuyers are also getting it -- sales are up 50% as of 2/25 for the Twin Cities while inventory is down 24%.
Key: Green dots represent homes that are for sale, yellow homes that have sold but not yet closed, red are homes that have sold and closed and black are homes that failed to sell.
In our neighborhood, there are five homes for sale and two have sold in the past two months (click here to see the MLS listings*). Both homes were bank-owned which typically sell at 20% below market value of a "clean, traditional home sale".
Call, text or e-mail me with any questions.
*Note that the link to the listings will expire in May 2012.
Inventory is down, way down as 21% of homes sold in 2011 were investors - they realized that market values were great. Now, as 2012 unfolds, the news is out that the bottom has passed and traditional home buyers, particularly 1st time homebuyers are also getting it -- sales are up 50% as of 2/25 for the Twin Cities while inventory is down 24%.
Key: Green dots represent homes that are for sale, yellow homes that have sold but not yet closed, red are homes that have sold and closed and black are homes that failed to sell.
In our neighborhood, there are five homes for sale and two have sold in the past two months (click here to see the MLS listings*). Both homes were bank-owned which typically sell at 20% below market value of a "clean, traditional home sale".
Call, text or e-mail me with any questions.
*Note that the link to the listings will expire in May 2012.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Banks Agree to Settle for Unsound Foreclosure Practices
The big four (Bank of America, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo) have agreed to a $394M penalty paid to the Federal Government in response to their unsound practices ("robo-signing") that were identified in early 2011 and resulted in a temporary moratorium on foreclosures.
For more on the action, you can read more at the Federal Government website: http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/foreclosure-prevention/correcting-foreclosure-practices.html
Additionally, there will be funds paid to people that were negatively affected by these practices. To help determine if you are eligible for a settlement, you can go to http://www.independentforeclosurereview.com/.
For more on the action, you can read more at the Federal Government website: http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/foreclosure-prevention/correcting-foreclosure-practices.html
Additionally, there will be funds paid to people that were negatively affected by these practices. To help determine if you are eligible for a settlement, you can go to http://www.independentforeclosurereview.com/.
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