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The following article was provided by Realty Trac:


An important shift is occurring in the real estate market: Short sales are outnumbering foreclosure sales in many markets.

In Q4 2011, there were 88,303 short sales, also known as pre-foreclosure sales, accounting for 10 percent of all sales during the fourth quarter, according to the latest RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report. Short sales increase 15 percent from year ago.

Meanwhile, bank-owned (REO) sales decrease 12 percent from year ago. While third parties purchased a total of 115,777 REO homes in the fourth quarter, that share was down 10 percent from the previous quarter.

"We continued to see a shift toward pre-foreclosure sales, or short sales, and away from REO sales in the fourth quarter," said Brandon Moore, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. "Nationally, pre-foreclosure sales increased 15 percent from a year ago while REO sales decreased 12 percent. Pre-foreclosure sales outnumbered REO sales in several bellwether markets, including Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix, where REO sales had outnumbered pre-foreclosure sales a year ago. That trend will likely show up in more local markets in 2012 as lenders recognize short sales as a better option for many of their non-performing loans."

For the 12.5 million borrowers struggling with an underwater mortgage, this shift could mean good news. Moreover, a new federal policy change could make short sales a lot quicker this summer under revised rules that will require lenders to respond to short sale offers within a month.

Increasingly, private lenders nationwide are coming to the conclusion that the short sale process is more cost effective than foreclosure sales. Lenders are realizing that forgiving the difference between what is owed on the mortgage and what the home is currently worth is a smarter disposition strategy than selling REOs. Bank of America, for example, has a new 22-day short sale process known as the "Cooperative short sale program."

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, the regulatory overseer of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae in conservatorship, has announced new steps designed to speed up the short sale process.

Lenders and loan servicers that collect payments for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be required to make decisions within 30 days after receiving an offer to purchase a short sale. If the lender needs more than 30 days, it must provide borrowers with weekly status reports and a decision within 60 days of the initial application. This extension gives lenders more time to determine the value of the property or to get the approval of a mortgage insurer.

Freddie Mac was the first government sponsored enterprise (GSE) to issue new guidelines on April 17, shortening short sale timelines. On April 25, Fannie Mae outlined their short sale guidelines.

Stating in June, these new short sale rules should kick start the short sale machinery, increasing short sales nationwide.

Article provided by: 

Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, REO Sales and Service, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota,  Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN,  St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 

 

 


As reported several months ago Bank of America has introduced the Nation's first (potentially significant) Principal Forgiveness Program.

Underwater qualifying homeowners could see monthly savings of up to 35 percent on mortgage payments, with principal balances cut by an average of $150,000 according to New York Times reports.

The program forms part of a $25 billion settlement agreement earlier this year with 49 state attorneys general and other federal authorities.

Who qualifies?

The bank said it planned to contact more than 200,000 homeowners who could be candidates for the offers, sending letters to a majority of them by the third quarter of this year.

Put this into perspective. This Bank of America program is being offered to 200,000 underwater owners. For those 200,000 owners this program will offer potentially home saving relief. However, this just barely scratches the surface. According to recent reports there are currently 6,000,000 borrowers in some form of default. Underwater mortgages amount to around 11,000,000 homeowners.

To be eligible for the principal reductions, however, homeowners will have to meet certain rules:

1) having a loan owned or serviced by Bank of America

2) owing more on the mortgage than their property is worth

3) being at least 60 days behind on payments as of the end of January.

4) homeowners have to make at least three timely payments for the reductions to become permanent.

Will this program make a difference?

The housing sector, whose demise threw the country into recession, continues to drag on recovery, with many Americans underwater.

Some experts say despite signs the sector may be bumping along a bottom, full recovery is a long way off if it ever even comes at all.

"I worry that we might not see a really major turnaround in our lifetimes," says Yale economist Robert Shiller, co-designer of the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, ac

Article provided by:  Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, REO Sales and Service, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota,  Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN,  St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 


YES You Can...Buy A Home Immediately After You Short Sale Your Home!

 

Short Sale Today....Buy Another Home Tomorrow...

Here's how:

FHA allows borrowers to be eligible for a new FHA loan even if they just recently sold their principal residence with a short sale.

Almost every lender will tell you there is a 3 year waiting period as most lenders will not allow this program to be used due to credit overlays they have. There are specific guidelines that must be met for borrowers to purchase again without a waiting period.

See Guidelines below that must be met in order to purchase sooner than 3 years FHA

Borrowers are not eligible for a new FHA mortgage if they pursued a short sale agreement on his or her principal residence simply to:

·         Take advantage of declining market conditions

·         Purchase at a reduced price a similar or superior property within a reasonable commuting distance

In order to qualify for this program:

·         All mortgage payments due on the prior mortgage were made within the month due for the 12 month period preceding the short sale

·         All installment debt payments for the same period were also made within the month due

NOTE:  Borrowers in default of their mortgage at the time of their short sale (or pre-foreclosure sale) are not eligible for a new FHA mortgage for three years from the date of the pre-foreclosure sale.

As you may have determined already from reading these guidelines that interpretation is subjective to how an underwriter views a borrower's reasoning and motivation. It is prudent to secure loan approval prior to making an offer on any property.

Author: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota,  Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN,  St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 

 

 

 


Major news in the short sale and housing industry! On Friday, March 9, the Obama Administration announced updates to the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) program. Created in 2009, HAFA is a government-sponsored initiative assisting all Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) eligible homeowners in avoiding foreclosure through short sales and deed-in-lieus.

The HAFA updates will go into effect on June 1, 2012, and will allow more distressed homeowners to seek assistance. Most importantly, the deadline for submitting for HAFA eligibility will be extended a full year, from December 31, 2012, to December 31, 2013.

Other major changes from March's updates to the HAFA program include:

  • The removal of occupancy requirements. Previously, HAFA required homeowners to have lived in the property within the last 12 months.
  • $3,000 relocation incentives will be limited to properties occupied by an owner or tenant at the time of the short sale.
  • Mortgage payments will be allowed to exceed 31% of the homeowner's gross monthly income. This update will allow a homeowner to stay current on her mortgage and still qualify, minimizing the overall impact to her credit.
  • Secondary lienholders may receive up to a maximum of $8,500, up from $6,000 previously.
  • And one of the most dramatic changes: The Credit Bureau Reporting will be Account Status Code 13 (paid or closed account/zero balance) or 65 (account paid in full/a foreclosure was started), as applicable.

With these updates, a homeowner can be current on their mortgage, qualify for HAFA, continue to make their payments, and execute a short sale with minimum impact on their credit!

Author: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota, Monticello MN, Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN, Oak Grove MN, St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 

 

 

Stephanie Danielson
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The real estate market for the first quarter of 2012 has started out with a very real market shortage of homes for sale, which is creating a very advantageous condition for sellers.  Sellers who are listing now are priced at top dollar and selling in record speed!   Within the past month my team at Acuity Group listed and sold a $257,000 home in Elk River in 11 days at 98% of asking price.  What is even more exciting is this sale price is $25,000 over what this homeowner could have cashed out on just six months ago!

 

Main Reason for this decline in housing inventory?   Nationwide distressed sales (bank owned) dropped 10% in 2011.  For the past few years, 30% of total sales have been foreclosed inventory.  This percentage has dropped to 20% by the end of 2011 and continues to drop for now.   This decrease is short lived.  Why?  After the 2010 robo-signing scandal and a year-long internal review of foreclosure procedures, the Department of Justice, HUD and State Attorneys General reached a 26 billion dollar settlement with the five major banks.  With this behind, the banks are going to now release their shadow inventory as well as speed up foreclosure process on the 1.76 million homeowners who are over 90 days delinquent on their mortgages.  It is predicted that lenders are going to release up to two million shadow inventory units over the next two years starting the 2nd half of 2012.  

 

What does this mean for you?  If  you, your family or friends, have any intentions of selling within the next few years, you may want to seriously consider selling now and capitalize on this short but sweet seller's market scenario.  There have been no opportunities such as this within the past 4 years and few predicted ahead.  Call or email for details!

 

Author: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota, Monticello MN, Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN, Oak Grove MN, St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 


Is Your Mortgage Out of Balance With Your Budget?

This scenario can happen quickly.  An expensive car repair, illness, job loss and your finances begin to feel out of balance.   No one is immune from the housing crisis in this country.  The foreclosure crisis has hit every income, every region and every education level.  Take a look at these numbers:

·         Number of consecutive years home prices have fallen:  5

·         Number of homes lost to foreclosure since 2007:  7.9 million

When you find yourself in financial distress because of an unaffordable mortgage you DO HAVE OPTIONS.  REMEMBER:  DOING NOTHING DOES NOT SOLVE ANYTHING!

Foreclosure results from non-payment of a mortgage and is the final step in a delinquency proceeding.  Far too often, homeowners don't reach out for help.   The fact is foreclosure almost never needs to happen-especially today. 

If you would like to receive a list of your options to avoid foreclosure I've be happy to email, fax or mail upon your request, a detailed list of 8 options to foreclosure.  Email:  Stephanie@acgproperty.com or call direct:  612-242-8747.

Author: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota, Monticello MN, Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN, Oak Grove MN, St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 


Spring 2012 Home Sales Forecast Shows Short Window of Opportunity for Sellers

Home sales and pricing in the area are up, and days on market until offer have declined.   This scenario is in my opinion temporary, but offers homeowners a short window of opportunity to successfully sell at the highest amount that the market will bear in the least amount of time.    

This lack of inventory is due to a pause in foreclosures, but the recent $26 billion settlement between lenders and homeowners who were wrongfully foreclosed upon,  will show a revival of the process during the course of 2012, adding more housing stock to the inventory.   It is anticipated to see an estimated one million foreclosed houses to hit the market per year in 2012 and 2013.

There is also concern over the estimated 6,000,000 homeowners nationwide who are in default on their mortgages as well as the shadow inventory held by lenders. CoreLogic estimates there were 1.6 million homes, or nine months of supply of shadow inventory, as of October 2011.

If you would like to get an update of your home's current value, please contact me for a confidential consultation. 

Author: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota, Monticello MN, Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN, Oak Grove MN, St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 

 

 

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An Unmanageable Mortgage Clouds Everything

When families are tapped out financially and faced with the uncertainty of not knowing how much longer they'll be able to stay in their home, the prospect of planning or having a positive outlook on the future seems out of the question.  Many of these homeowners are also upside down on their mortgage and owe more than their property value.

Many financially strapped homeowners feel frozen in action and it's no wonder, but here's the most important point that you need to know:

Even though millions of homes have been lost to foreclosure, you and those you care about absolutely do not need to add to that statistic.   More help is available now than ever before including mortgage modification, refinance, short sale, or deed in lieu of foreclosure to name a few.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am adept at navigating among the full range of solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start.

If you, or someone you care about is looking to get out from under the cloud of unmanageable mortgage contact me today for a confidential consultation!    For more information visit,  www.ShortSaleAcuity.com.

 

Author: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota, Monticello MN, Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN, Oak Grove MN, St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 

 

 

 

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BREAKING NEWS: The rate of defaulting owners is INCREASING....

Consider a Short Sale vs. foreclosure.  There are so many advantages when homeowners take the Short Sale route.  A short sale can be an excellent solution for homeowners who need to sell, and who owe more on their homes than they are worth. In the past, it was rare for a bank or lender to accept a short sale. Today, however, due to overwhelming market changes, banks and lenders have become much more negotiable when it comes to these transactions. Recent changes in corporate policy and the Obama administration have also improved the chances of getting a short sale approved.

But to be technical, here's a more official definition:

  • A homeowner is 'short' when the amount owed on his/her property is higher than current market value.
  • A short sale occurs when a negotiation is entered into with the homeowner's mortgage company (or companies) to accept less than the full balance of the loan at closing. A buyer closes on the property, and the property is then 'sold short' of the total value of the mortgage.

For homeowners to qualify for a short sale, they must fall into any or all of the following circumstances:

  • Financial Hardship - There is a situation causing you to have trouble affording your mortgage.
  • Monthly Income Shortfall - In other words: "You have more month than money." A lender will want to see that you cannot afford, or soon will not be able to afford your mortgage.
  • Insolvency - The lender will want to see that you do not have significant liquid assets that would allow you to pay down your mortgage.

This seems simple enough, but it is a complicated process that takes the expertise of experienced professionals. I hold the CDPE® Designation and am ready to identify all possible options and, when possible, assist in the quick execution of a short sale transaction.

If you have questions or feel you may qualify for a short sale, please contact me for a private consultation. 

BREAKING NEWS: The rate of defaulting owners is INCREASING....

 No surprised when you consider:

* 4,000,000 have already lost their homes to foreclosure

** 6,000,000 are in default. Headed to become tomorrow's foreclosure (unless they make the smart move to short sale)

*** 11,000,000 owners are considered 'underwater'. The average underwater owes $50,000 more on their homes than current market value.

**** The actual number of underwater owners is actually closer to 20,000,000 when those who are 'near underwater' are factored in. For example, someone owes $300,000 on a house that is worth $300,000. Any downward market fluctuation they are underwater. If they have to sell assuming market commissions, normal selling fees etc. they are underwater.

What is happening to drive up the delinquency rate?

Strategic default. Owners are making the financial decision to deleverage themselves out of a sinking asset. Many owners have been waiting to see if the market would improve or if there would be any sort of meaningful underwater owner bailout out program. Now that they know neither will happen millions are strategically defaulting...or at least considering it.

Information Source below: Transunion Press Release.

The national mortgage delinquency rate (the rate of borrowers 60 or more days past due) increased for only the second time since the end of 2009, edging upward to 6.01% at the end of the fourth quarter in 2011. This information is reported by TransUnion and is part of its ongoing series of quarterly analyses of credit-active U.S. consumers and how they are managing credit related to mortgages, credit cards and auto loans.

Between the third and fourth quarters of 2011, all but 13 states experienced increases in their mortgage delinquency rates. On a more granular level, 64% of metropolitan areas saw increases in their mortgage delinquency rates in Q4 2011. This is the same percentage as found in Q3 2011, but up from Q2 2011 when only 21% of MSAs experienced an increase.

 "To see that, quarter over quarter, fewer homeowners were able to make their mortgage payments is not welcome news," said Tim Martin, group vice president of U.S. Housing in TransUnion's financial services business unit. "However, it was not unexpected. First, there tends to be a natural seasonality, evident well before the recession, of higher delinquencies in the fourth quarter; perhaps explained by borrowers balancing holiday spending vs. debt payments. Secondly, on the economic front, house prices continued to deteriorate in the fourth quarter and unemployment remained stubbornly high. This combination leads to more negative equity in homes and reduced real personal income that can affect borrowers' ability and willingness to pay their mortgages.

"The more encouraging news is that, when looking year over year, more homeowners are making their mortgage payments and the delinquency rate dropped over 6% since Q4 2010. While it is certainly good to see the rate dropping, at this pace it will take a very long time for mortgage delinquencies to get back to normal."

Many see the economic environment beginning to brighten, although modestly. Therefore, TransUnion's forecast predicts mortgage borrower delinquency rates to drift downward marginally in 2012, but in the meantime we may still see a quarter or two of slightly elevated nonpayment rates as some consumers are not able to, or decide not to, repay their mortgage debt obligations in light of the uncertain economic outlook.

TransUnion's forecast is based on various economic assumptions, such as gross state product, consumer sentiment, unemployment rates, real personal income, and real estate values. The forecast would change if there are unanticipated shocks to the economy affecting recovery in the housing market or if home prices fall more than expected.

TransUnion's Trend Data database TransUnion's Trend Data is a one-of-a-kind database consisting of 27 million anonymous consumer records randomly sampled every quarter from TransUnion's national consumer credit database. Each record contains more than 200 credit variables that illustrate consumer credit usage and performance. Since 1992, TransUnion has been aggregating this information at the county, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), state and national levels. For the purpose of this analysis, the term "credit card" refers to those issued by banks.

Article by: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified) Certified Distressed Property and Short Sale Expert

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota, Monticello MN, Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN, Oak Grove MN, St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 

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Capital Economics expects the housing crisis to end this year, according to a report released Tuesday. One of the reasons: loosening credit.

The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is constant with requirements one year ago.

Additionally, a Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey found credit requirements in the fourth quarter were consistent with the past three quarters.

However, other market indicators point not just to a stabilization of mortgage lending standards, but also a loosening of credit availability.

Banks are now lending amounts up to 3.5 times borrower earnings. This is up from a low during the crisis of 3.2 times borrower earnings.

Banks are also loosening loan-to-value ratios (LTV), which Capital Economics denotes "the clearest sign yet of an improvement in mortgage credit conditions."

In contrast to a low of 74 percent reached in mid-2010, banks are now lending at 82 percent LTV.

While credit conditions may have loosened slightly, some potential homebuyers are still struggling with credit requirements. In fact, Capital Economics points out that in November 8 percent of contract cancellations were the result of a potential buyer not qualifying for a loan.

Additionally, Capital Economics says "any improvement in credit conditions won't be significant enough to generation actual house price gains," and potential ramifications from the euro-zone pose a threat to future credit availability.

 

Provided by: Stephanie Danielson, Broker/Owner (CDPE Certified)

Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals

601 Main St. Elk River MN 55330

Office:  763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

 

Stephanie Direct: 612-242-8747 or Stephanie@ACGproperty.com

 

Acuity Group Specializes in Traditional Buyer/Seller Transactions, Short Sales, Investment Property Consulting and Management, Rentals and Property Management.

Traditional Listings, Buyer Representation, Short Sale Listing Experts, Certified Distressed Property Consultants & Specialists serving the following Minnesota Cities: Elk River MN, Zimmerman Minnesota, Big Lake MN, Rogers Minnesota, Otsego, MN, St. Michael Minnesota, Albertville MN, Princeton MN, Ramsey Minnesota, Anoka MN, Nowthen Minnesota, Monticello MN, Otsego MN, Oak Grove MN, Burns Township Minnesota, Monticello MN, Champlin Minnesota, Dayton MN, Hassen Township Minnesota, Coon Rapids MN, Blaine Minnesota, Fridley MN, Oak Grove MN, St. Francis Minnesota, Livonia Township MN, Andover MN, Becker Minnesota, Baldwin Township MN, Orrock Township, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Crystal, New Hope, Bloomington

 

 

 


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