BUYER POWER!

For the 11^th consecutive week Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed that the average interest rate for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) broke another record in the 37-year history of the survey. During the week ended January 15 the rate averaged 4.96 percent with 0.7 point, down from last week's average of 5.01 percent with 0.6 point.

This is the 11th week in a row that mortgage interest rates have dropped, due in part to a slowing economy, and also to the actions that the Federal Government has been taking. Some (healthy) local banks have been receiving funds from the Feds specifically for the purpose of supplying money for mortgages to local consumers.

We have had clients close on homes with mortgage rates even lower - 4.5%! This equates to a mortgage payment of only $1721.00 per month on a $350,000 home with just 3% down.

You could buy a $200,000 condo (or even single family) with 3% down ($6,000) and have a mortgage payment less than $1000! It's got to be cheaper than what you are currently paying for rent. Plus, unlike rent, your mortgage payment is mostly tax deductible, giving you a larger tax refund. Add on the $7500 first time homebuyer tax credit, and you would have to be crazy not to buy a home right now!

I know what you are thinking - "But you are a Realtor. Of course you want me to buy a home now. That's how you make your money and you have lots of Christmas bills to pay off!"

True, selling real estate is how a earn a living. But I earn clients for life by giving them what I believe to be good, accurate information that is going to help them in their decisions when buying or selling a home. I just recently purchased a home myself because of these ideal buying conditions. Though I had owned property before, most recently I had been renting - and waiting for the right time to buy.

This IS the right time.

Jim Armstrong

RECORD LOW MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES
MOTIVATE BUYERS

Interest Rates For Last 6 Weeks

December 18, 2008 - The current mortgage interest rates have just fell to under 5.0%! Mortgage rates have never been lower, with the good news that the trend will probably hold or fall a little more in the next couple of weeks, but who knows how long that will continue. The fact is that we have historically extremely low interest rates. You would be crazy not to take advantage of this situation, with home prices that are at 2002 prices in many cases, and still a great supply of homes to choose from like you haven't seen in 2 decades.

Well this combination has been spurring Home Buyers to start making offers left & right. The number of homes going under agreement has been steady in eastern Massachusetts. We have been getting our Buyers some really great deals on real estate. We even have out-of-state clients who are buying up multiple properties as investments - sight unseen! (except for photos from MLS)

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What's Really Happening with Real Estate Market

I'll be the first one to tell you that I'm no expert on the national real estate market. All I am concerned about is what is happening in the local market and how it will affect my clients, my agents, and ultimately...my business. Keep in mind that real estate is local. What is happening in California, Florida or Texas has no bearing on what is happening in the real estate market on the north shore of Massachusetts.

During the first 2 quarters of this year (2008), things were looking dismal, with a continued downward slide in prices, number of units sold, and traffic (number of inquiries received, open house attendees, web site visits, etc.). But something happened in the third quarter beginning in July. Buyers started making offers...and suddenly our business is up 85% year to date over 2007, and over 200% for the quarter. The fourth quarter has started off with the same gusto.

THE PERFECT (BUYING) STORM

What has caused this complete change? I believe it is the result of several ideal buying factors all occurring at once:

• Home prices have come down to a point where they haven't been in years. Add in the bank owned and short sale properties that are on the market and there are literally hundreds of bargains out there. The price that homes are selling at are equal to 2002.

• The inventory of homes on the market is still high. Though the number has come down compared to last year, it is still considered historically high, giving the home buyer plenty to choose from.

• Home sellers (including banks) have come to realize that if they want to sell their property, not only will they need to price it aggressively, they need to give some concessions to the buyer. You can get pretty much ANY seller to pay your closing costs, and even prepay your mortgage insurance to reduce your monthly payment!

• Banks and Mortgage companies have money to loan...still at historically low interest rates. (under 6% just a couple of weeks ago) And you do not have to have perfect credit! You do have to come up with 3% down, but this can come from a gift (from a relative, etc.) or your retirement account (401K, etc). There are several government programs that will also match your down payment, so you only have to come up with 1.5% down.

The local real estate stats show that the number of units sold during the last 3 months is about equal to last year, with the average price down from last year (single family) but up from the previous 3 month period this year.

The smart home buyers are going out and looking at potential properties, and jumping on the ones that meet their needs and budget. You could wait another year to see if prices will drop any further, but in the meantime you continue to pay rent and will not be reaping the tax benefits of home ownership.

Jim Armstrong

REAL ESTATE BARGAINS

If you are looking for a bargain in real estate, you have to keep your eyes open, check your email for updates at least once a day (you are receiving daily updates of new listings, aren't you?), and move quickly when you see the right property.

The property to the left has a 1 bedroom condominium that just came on the market today at $129,900, well below the city assessed value of $271,000. I took a walk through it, and through it needs a little bit of work (new carpets, paint)

Located on Lynde Street in downtown Salem, it is a few minute walk to the commuter rail station, and to some of the best restaurants on the north shore. I bet it won't last more than a couple of days on the market.

Many of the bank owned properties aren't bargains because the bank is owed more money than the property is worth. Most of the properties that were foreclosed on recently were purchased with 100% financing, and the real estate market has seen some lowering of values over the last year. The market seems to be pretty stable right now, and by most accounts will be flat for the next year or so.