Category: Buying

Tips to make your real estate buying experience a smooth one

Categories
Commercial Real Estate Foreclosures Market Summary Neighborhood News

Still Doubt An Economic Recovery Is Taking Place In Miami?

There was so much good news about economic activity in the Miami Today, today that I had to share some of the ones that popped out at me.  In addition to the one about all of the economic growth numbers from November (see tomorrow’s post), the following things jumped out at me as a good sign that Miami, despite the economic downturn, has continued pursuing projects that focus on long term growth

I point all this out because it is easy to focus on the negatives of unemployment, short sales, and foreclosures, all of which are very real and very painful.  The fact that companies are investing here, tourists are visiting, inventories are getting absorbed, and developers are getting ready to start building again, all tell me that we are bouncing along the bottom, but the end is in sight.  Since unemployment is a lagging indicator, it will be one of the last economic indicators to pick up.  All of the items listed above will help the unemployment rate, which in turn will further help stabilize our battered housing market.

Categories
Buying Market Summary Pinecrest Selling

Pinecrest, FL Real Estate – Market Summary

Market information from the Multiple Listing Service for single family homes for the month of January are as follows:

  1. Closed sales:  7.  None were short sales or REOs. 2, including the $2.1 million, were cash sales.
  2. Price range of closed sales: $2.1 million – $570,000
  3. Pending sales: 29.  16 short sales, 3 REOs
  4. Price range of pending sales: $2.75 million – $265,000
  5. Active listings: 184.  20 short sales, 4 REOs
  6. Price range of active listings: $5.7 million – $300,000

Distressed sales are still making up the larger, 65%, part of the market in terms of listings going to contract, but the actual closings for the month are of regular sales.  Based on the number of active listings, distressed sales make up 13% of the market.

What does this mean if you are a buyer? Based on the number of active listings to closed sales, there is still a lot of inventory to work through, so it is still a buyers market.  Once you narrow down your price range and specifications however, there won’t be as much to choose from, so use the statistics and market information to negotiate your price.  If the house you like is a regular sale and it is priced right, you won’t have as much room to negotiate as you will on one that is overpriced.  If you are going to make an offer on a short sale bring patience and realize that when the bank finally does answer, they may ask for more than what you offered, even if what you offered was the full asking price.

What does this mean if you are a seller? You have a lot of competition so price really does matter.  Look at the active sales that most closely match your home in terms of size, location, updates, lot size, amenities.  Consider pricing it 10-15% below your closest competition, make sure it has great curb appeal, and de-clutter and freshen up the inside with some elbow grease and a fresh coat of neutral paint.  The good news is that if your house is priced right compared to your competition, it will sell.

Categories
Buying Mortgage information

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Increasing Interest Rates and Fees

Starting in March 1 for Freddie Mac and April 1 for Fannie Mae interest rates for loans over 15 years could almost double, even if you have perfect credit.

Remember, if you are a buyer the cost of owning a home is more important than the price of the home.  Obviously you don’t want to overpay for a home, but by waiting for prices to “bottom out” you may be overlooking the most important part of purchasing a property or home – interest rates.  Trying to time the real estate market perfectly is like trying to time the stock market.

…Thinking of Buying

You Have Heard It But Do You Believe It

Categories
Buying Commercial Real Estate Investment Real Estate

Miami Real Estate – If You Are Looking To Invest, Miami Is Top Choice

brickell from sobeAccording to Mark Vitner, an economist for Wells Fargo, Miami is his top choice of a market poised for economic growth.  How can that be?  We have one of the highest unemployment, foreclosure and number of underwater homes in the country.  However, Vitner stated that Miami is currently posting some of the highest taxable sales and number of jobs created in the state.

Miami has always been blessed with gorgeous weather, colorful landscapes, tourquoise waters, and beautiful beaches.  One of the main reasons our economy has been chugging along better than most is due to our popularity with tourists, especially international ones, who have helped both our tourism and retail industries.

Categories
Buying Florida Life Miami Beach

5601 Collins Avenue #810, Miami Beach, FL

IMG_0886According to AccuWeather.com, it was 29 degrees in New York and Boston yesterday, and 74 degrees on Miami Beach.   This is the view from every room in this beautiful one bedroom apartment, smack dab on the beach.  Instead of shoveling snow, you could be frolicking in the surf, playing volleyball or taking a leisurely stroll down the beach.

Wish you were here?

Categories
Buying Foreclosures Selling

Miami Real Estate – Condo Inventory Continues to Shrink

According to Condovultures.com, only 16% of the 22,231 condo units built in Greater Downtown Miami during the latest boom are still available for sale.  If you continue to wait for prices to drop further, you will probably find you missed the boat.  That doesn’t mean prices are going to appreciated rapidly, or at all, in the next year or two.  We still have short sales, older construction, and regular owner foreclosures (vs developer foreclosures) to work our way through.

Categories
Buying Renting in Miami

Miami Real Estate – It May Be Cheaper To Buy Than To Rent

According to Trulia’s Q1 Rent vs Buy Index, Miami is #1 on the Top Ten Cities To Buy vs Rent table.  The reason I titled my post “ It May Be Cheaper To Buy Than To Rent”  instead of “It Is Cheaper To Buy Than To Rent” is because Trulia arrived at their conclusion by comparing two-bedroom apartments, condominiums and townhomes, currently listed on their website.  If you want to find out if you are better off buying or renting, use their rent calculator and fill it in with your own rental costs and home specifications.

Obviously is more to consider than simply the cost when you decide whether to rent or own, but knowing your costs is probably one of the largest factors.

Categories
Buying Foreclosures Investment Real Estate Selling

Miami Real Estate – Shadow Inventory

Shadow inventory is basically the number of properties that are projected to hit the market due to distressed owners, those who are behind 90 days or more on their mortgage,  or because they will be or already have been taken back by the bank.  There has been a lot of speculation lately about how this background inventory will affect the housing recovery, with many experts saying it will significantly delay it.

A CNNMoney.com article on Shadow Inventory states: “Of the 20 separate markets S&P analyzed, Miami was the only market of the 20 that S&P analyzed where shadow inventory did not did expand during the first three quarters of 2010.”

What does this mean for buyers?  Record high affordability and a wide selection of properties to choose from.

For sellers, it means a continued suppression of prices, with prices either dropping further or bouncing along the bottom for a while.  If you were thinking of selling your home within the next year or two, you may want to put it on the market now.  Or, if you have equity in your home and have entertained the idea of owning investment property, turn it into a rental and buy your move-up, downsizing, or retirement home at the lowest prices we have seen in a long time.

Categories
Buying Luxury Real Estate Mortgage information Selling

Miami Real Estate On Sale

With prices still on a downward slide in South Florida, the number of sales are up as buyers realize the buying opportunity these price decreases represent.  And although 30-year mortgage rates inched up slightly this week, they are still under 5% and near historic lows.

These interest rates will help first time buyers, but may not play much of a difference in Miami’s high end market:  2 out of 3 sales in the $1,000,000 and over market are cash sales.

Categories
Buying Foreclosures Selling

Miami Real Estate – Thinking of Selling, Now is the Time. Thinking of Buying? Now is the time.?!

How can it be both the right time to sell and the right time to buy?  Usually, if it is a seller’s market, prices are high and inventory is low.  If it is a buyer’s market, it is the other way around.  We currently have enough overall inventory of single family and condos in South Florida to make it a buyers market so, if you are a seller, you may think of holding off until the inventory decreases.  If you have the holding power, you are right.  If you need to sell, but were thinking of holding off for the Spring, read Steve Harney’s blog, Oswald Acted Alone and We Did Land on the Moon.

If you are a buyer and read the blog, you will be tempted to hold off, figuring prices will fall further and you could get a better deal.  The difference is that with a home buyer, unless you are purchasing with cash, the cost of the home is often more important than the price.  Another great Harney blog, 3 Questions You Must Answer Before Buying a Home, can help you determine if you would be better off waiting until the end of 2011 or purchasing now.

Remember, real estate is hyper-local and your specifications for a home or investment property, may be completely different from what is going on in a city, county, state or nationally.  Some areas experienced less price decreases, short sales, and foreclosures than others.