Dialing back 10 years, many homeowners locked in a LOW Mortgage Rate. In 2010, the average rate was only 4.09%. This motivated homeowners to stay in their houses longer than usual to keep their rate low, rather than moving. Last Thursday, however, average mortgage rates hit a new historic low at 2.86%. Ten years ago, we couldn’t have imagined a mortgage rate under 3%! Continue Reading
Las Vegas Foreclosures
Homeowners Bill of Rights
I had the opportunity to hear Robert Noggle, Esq. speak yesterday about the new HOBR legislation. He helped clear up a misconception that was pervasive and being mistakenly sold to the public at large. This misconception is that the banks can't ask for an "Arms Length" affidavit in a short sale. The banks can and likely will continue to require this document. That means that the borrower can't Continue Reading
Where are the homes?
WHERE ARE THE HOMES? The inventory of available homes here in Southern Nevada has been hovering around 4,000 for many months now. Buyers are wondering where all the homes are so they can buy again. The theory is that the "banks" are sitting on a lot of homes and they are going to release them soon. My colleagues and I don't believe the banks will release a lot of Vegas houses here. We don't Continue Reading
How long can I stay in my home?
HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN MY HOME? I'm often asked this question when listing a client's home as a short sale. With all of the changes taking place in the short sale market, it's difficult to have a set answer. The answer these days is less time than it was even a a few months ago. The bank that holds the mortgage wants the seller to stay in the home right up until close of escrow. Once we list a Continue Reading
Are appraisers helping investors?
ARE APPRAISERS HELPING INVESTORS? I know that I tend to beat up appraisers so let me preface this post by saying that I know some very fine and professional appraisers that don't deserve my comments. That being said, I need to relay a story that happens all too often. An FHA buyer submitted and had accepted an offer on a beautiful one story home in Summerlin. His offer was equal to the last Continue Reading
Will The New Legislation Put A Freeze on Foreclosures?
WILL THE NEW LEGISLATION PUT A FREEZE ON FORECLOSURES? We have all heard the doom and gloom being espoused about AB284. The legislation in general terms increases the responsibilities of the foreclosing entities. It asks them to provide a sworn affidavit and other elements with the intention of preventing incorrect and illegal foreclosures. The banks pushed back hard against this bill, but to Continue Reading
Full Circle
FULL CIRCLE It was only 16 years ago that I relocated to the Las Vegas area. I feel like a native resident that has experienced a lifetime of changes to their once quaint town. The fluctuations in the real estate market have gone full circle. In 1995 we saw nominal appreciation with reasonable value to entice the newcomer. Just a few years forward in time the frenzy had started with values soaring Continue Reading
If I choose Bankruptcy, does that mean I should not consider a Short Sale ?
IF I CHOOSE BANKRUPTCY, DOES THAT MEAN I SHOULDN'T CONSIDER A SHORT SALE? While I believe this a question for someone's attorney, I believe that the answer is very often going to be yes. I have lately been listing homes for clients that have come out of bankruptcy and decided to sell their homes through a short sale. The reasons vary but mainly they came to the conclusion with the advice of Continue Reading
October Market Conditions
OCTOBER MARKET CONDITIONS Inventory is increasing due to a growing number of REO's (Foreclosures) in our market. Activity has fallen off since the tax credit has expired. Las Vegas home prices are holding steady but we believe that prices may fall over the next several months. This is because inventory continues to grow and activity continues to decrease as heading to the holiday season. Short Continue Reading
Old Fashioned Real Estate Sales
OLD FASHIONED REAL ESTATE SALES I am between visitors at an open house. I am reminded that Real Estate is still a service industry. As Realtors we must remember that just because it's a short sale or an REO doesn't mean we should give any less service. I attended a Town Hall meeting recently and people are very concerned about selling their homes in this market. They have been besieged with all Continue Reading
