October 2017

How To Make Buying A House Less Complicated

When asked, Americans overwhelmingly say they value homeownership and believe it increases financial stability. In fact, one recent survey found 93 percent of respondents said they felt that homeownership was an important part of the American dream. Still, despite their desire to buy and own a home, many Americans hesitate before pursuing their dream of becoming homeowners. And while there are many reasons for this, one of them is misconceptions about the home buying process. NeighborWorks America’s fifth annual national housing survey, for example, found a growing number of respondents who say the home buying process is confusing. According to the results, 74 percent of adults said they strongly or somewhat agree that “the home buying process is complicated.” That’s up from 67 percent last year. What accounts for the increase is anybody’s guess but it reinforces the fact that prospective buyers should make choosing a reputable lender and real estate agent among the first steps they take after deciding to buy a home. Working with experienced professionals will demystify the buying process and help you navigate the ins-and-outs of purchasing a house. More here.

City Life May Be Healthier Than In The Suburbs

Some people are drawn to urban locations and all of the perks of city life. Others, value the extra space and privacy that the suburbs provide. Whichever side of the debate you’re on, you may not have considered the benefits of one over the other from a health perspective. Fortunately, researchers from Oxford University and the University of Hong Kong have. Their findings may surprise you. That’s because, after looking at health outcomes of people who lived in cities compared to those who live in less densely populated areas, the research found city dwellers were healthier than their suburban counterparts. The reason is simple. People who live in the suburbs are more likely to need a car to get from place to place, while in urban areas residents tend to be able to walk to their destination. Chinmoy Sarkar, a co-author of the study, thinks there’s a way to have the best of both worlds. He told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that, with the help of policy makers, “we can plan multifunctional, attractive neighborhoods that promote physical activity, promote social interaction, and shield from negatives such as pollution and feeling unsafe.” More here.

List Ranks Top Cities For Trick-Or-Treating

If you have kids – or have ever been one yourself – you know that Halloween is an important time of year. The opportunity to amass large quantities of free candy is irresistible to most kids. Combine that with the chance to dress up in costume and parade through the streets and Halloween becomes one of the year’s most anticipated days. Because of this, Zillow ranks the best cities for trick-or-treating each year. Their rankings are based on home values, the share of population under 10 years old, and single-family home density. This year, five of the top 10 cities are in California, with San Francisco topping the list. Of course, much of that has to do with higher home values in the West, but kids in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Jose, and Long Beach can look forward to a happy Halloween this year. Other cities that made the top 10 included Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Milwaukee, and Seattle. But regardless of where you are, Dr. Svenja Gudell, Zillow’s chief economist, says there’s a surefire way to tell the best local neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. “These are places we think will have plenty of candy and lots of young kids running around from door to door,” Gudell says. “If you don’t live in one of these cities, look for areas that are getting into the Halloween spirit with decorations and lots of costumed kids.” More here.

Mortgage Rates Rise To Three Month High

Average mortgage rates moved higher last week, according to new data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Their Weekly Applications Survey found rates up across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate loans. Mortgage rates are now at their highest point since July. Joel Kan, an MBA economist, told CNBC the increase was due to positive economic news. “Data released last week, on balance suggested continued strong economic growth,” Kan said. “In combination with hawkish comments from some Fed officials, this pushed rates up. The 30-year fixed rate increased 4 basis points to reach its highest level since July.” But though rates did move upward, it’s important to remember that they’re still well below what’s been considered normal historically. Which is likely why last week’s rate increase didn’t cause a big drop in demand for mortgage applications among potential home buyers. In fact, demand was virtually unchanged from the previous week. The MBA’s weekly survey has been conducted since 1990 and covers 75 percent of all retail residential mortgage applications. More here.

Potential Home Buyers Feel More Optimistic

Each month, Fannie Mae surveys Americans to get a feel for how people view the housing market, home prices, mortgage rates, and whether or not it’s a good time to buy or sell a home. According to the most recent results of their Home Purchase Sentiment Index, the end of summer coincided with a boost in optimism among potential home buyers, especially current renters. In fact, the increase in respondents who said they felt now was a good time to buy a house helped push the overall index to an all-time high. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist, says the rise in optimism mirrors the decline in participants who feel home prices will continue to climb. “Details in the survey showed a meaningful pickup in the good time to buy component, especially from renter respondents,” Duncan said. “Additionally, perceptions of easing inventory helped boost the net share saying that now is a good time to buy, which is consistent with less bullish home price appreciation sentiment during the month.” In short, Americans feel like home price increases are beginning to slow, which makes this fall a good time to buy a home. More here.

Vast Majority Of Renters Say They Want To Buy

Recent data from Fannie Mae shows a large majority of current renters intend to one day buy a house. In fact, just 18 percent of surveyed renters said they plan to remain renters forever. So what are some of the obstacles renters face when thinking about whether or not they should begin taking steps toward homeownership? Well, the upfront costs of buying a home were the top answer, with 45 percent of respondents citing coming up with money for a down payment and closing costs as the obstacle that keeps them from buying. However, an almost equal amount said they were most concerned about their credit. Other answers included insufficient income, too much debt, confusion about the buying process, and job security. In short, current renters want to buy but are worried they aren’t financially secure enough to become homeowners. And, though that is a legitimate concern, Fannie Mae also points out that their pervious research has shown many potential home buyers overestimate the size of the down payment they’ll need and are unaware of many of the programs available to help first-time home buyers reach their goal of becoming homeowners. More here.

Index Finds Homes Have Become More Affordable

ATTOM Data Solutions’ Q3 2017 U.S. Home Affordability Index looks at how affordable homes are based on the percentage of average wages needed to make a monthly payment on a median-priced house in 406 counties across the country. According to the results, affordability conditions improved, compared to the previous quarter, in 60 percent of all analyzed counties. That’s an encouraging trend for anyone thinking about buying a home this fall, as it means buyers can expect to find more favorable conditions than they did over the summer. Daren Blomquist, ATTOM’s senior vice president, said the improvement was brought on by decreasing interest rates. “Falling interest rates in the third quarter provided enough of a cushion to counteract rising home prices in most U.S. markets and provide at least some temporary relief for the home affordability crunch,” Blomquist said. “More sustainable relief for the affordability crunch, however, will need to be some combination of slowing home price appreciation and accelerating wage growth.” For example, since hitting bottom in 2012, home prices have risen 73 percent, while average weekly wages have only improved 13 percent over the same time period. More here.

Mortgage Rates Moved Slightly Higher Last Week

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates increased last week across most loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with conforming loan balances of $424,100 or less. Though the rate increases were small compared to the week before, they keep rates higher than they were last year at this time. Joel Kan, an MBA economist, told CNBC that mortgage rates rose based on recent economic news. “Rates moved higher over the course of last week, at least partially due to signs of stronger economic growth,” Kan said. “Four of the five mortgage rates that we track increased.” Still, despite the fact that rates are higher than one year ago, they remain well below historical averages and offer favorable terms to potential home buyers. Because of this, demand for home purchase loans is still five percent higher than last year at the same time, although refinance activity – which is more sensitive to rate fluctuations – has fallen year-over-year. The MBA’s weekly survey covers 75 percent of all retail residential mortgage applications. More here.

Green Home Construction Increasingly Common

Green-home features are becoming more popular among home buyers and it’s led to an increasing number of builders who say they’re incorporating green features into the homes they build. For example, the National Association of Home Builders’ Green Multifamily and Single Family Homes 2017 SmartMarket Brief surveyed builders to find out how many were using green-building techniques. According to their findings, one third of builders said green building makes up more than 60 percent of their portfolio. And the expectation is that the number should continue to rise in coming years. Granger MacDonald, NAHB’s chairman, says green homes are here to stay. “These findings show that green building has become an established part of the residential construction landscape,” MacDonald says. “It is no longer a niche business; our members recognize the value of building green and are incorporating these elements into their standard business practices.” The increased interest is being driven by consumers who value things like energy efficiency and are looking for homes that create a healthier environment. Because of this, as awareness of these features grows, so will demand. More here.

What Americans Say Is The Ideal Down Payment

The results of a new survey show Americans prefer a 10 percent down payment when buying a house. The 2017 Mortgages In America Survey found it was the most popular option among young, middle aged, and older home buyers when asked to choose among down payments up to 30 percent. And it lines up pretty well with actual data. In fact, the average down payment in 2016 was 11 percent, with borrowers under the age of 35 putting down something closer to 8 percent. But, though Americans clearly prefer it, lower down payments come with tradeoffs. For one, if you put less money down upfront, you may have to pay private mortgage insurance, which can add to your monthly mortgage payment. Which means, though home buyers have options and won’t necessarily have to put 20 percent down on the house they’re buying, it is always a good idea to save up as much as possible, so you have a substantial amount to invest in your home. It’ll make you a more attractive buyer to home sellers, in addition to helping keep your mortgage payment more affordable. More here.