Archive for February, 2008

Buying a Tucson home could require more cash upfront.

Friday, February 8th, 2008

Many mortgage companies have started programs to outline what type of risk a home mortgage contains dependent on the zip code.  This translates to home buyers having to pay an extra 5% or more on their down payment.  For some home buyers this will keep them on the sidelines as an extra 5% of a $200,000 home is $10,000.  With tightening lending standards this could mean buyers may need to come up with 25% or more!

These new standards can be attributed to the declining market conditions, the multiple month supply of homes on the market, and many home owners ready to walk away from their homes.  As banks try to avoid getting caught with a mortgage balance more than the value of the home, these lending practices become a self fulfilling prophecy.  Many want to be homebuyers do not have the additional 5% down payment so they will sit on the sidelines.  The homeowners trying to sell their homes have no buyers so they will be forced to lower their prices, thus bringing down the average home selling price and turning many homeowners upside down on their mortgages. 

In another note, the National Association of Realtors has changed their prediction of prices being flat in 2008, to a slight decline of 1.2%  This is still the most optimistic prediction of several investment firms.  Merrill Lynch has a 15% drop in home prices this coming year, while many others think 15% will be a minimum drop.  This could leave even more homeowners with mortgage balances exceeding their home values. 

It’s not a pretty market out there, but if you need to sell your home and if you believe you are upside down in the market, then we can help you.  WeBuyTucsonHomes.com is an investment company that specializes in helping homeowners that need to sell their home quickly.  We have multiple years experience in dealing with banks and homeowners who are in a situation that calls for them to sell quickly.

Tuesday Links

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

Country wide maintains a list “Soft Market County Index.

On this list a 5 is a very soft market and more stringent lending standards maybe in place.  Pima County is the top county ranked a 4, while Pinal and Maricopa are both ranked a 5.  In comparison Laramie, Wyoming is ranked as the safest county.

Homeowners are walking away from their homes

CBS did a nice segment on the subprime mortgage crisis, and how some owners are just ready to walk away from their homes.  The video segment focuses on Stockton, California “the foreclosure capital of the world” but it is representative of the foreclosure markets across the country.  The question is how long will the subprime mortgage crisis last?

Joe Consumer Web Blog article paints a black picture of Mortgage Brokers

A quote from the article: ‘He summarizes it nicely: “The reason is to basically make as much money as you possibly can, while you can, and get away with it!’  This article demonstrates some of the thought processes going on during the housing boom.  Everyone wanted to get their piece of millions being made, and at any cost, no matter who it would hurt.

Arizona is averaging 15 in 1000 houses being foreclosed on!

The subprime mortgage mess is starting to affect people with high credit scores getting a loan.

“About 55% of banks responded that they had tightened their lending standards on prime mortgages.”