Mortgage rates ticked down a bit this week on average, which is great news for buyers who (predictably) applied for more loans, according to the LA Times’ Andrew Khouri. However the news comes with a mixed-bag of data overall; Khouri further reports that prices surged in December, “the first significant increase since June.” Research firm DataQuick attributes the rise to “fewer distressed sales and demand that has outstripped tight supply.”

“Pitifully low inventory is the main culprit,” says DataQuick President John Walsh. “The jump in home values over the last year suggests we’ll eventually see a lot more people interested in selling their homes, which would help ease the inventory crunch.”

We sure hope so. Another Khouri report points out that new housing starts are actually down as builders continue to wait on the sidelines (!) ‘“Construction remains the laggard of the recovery,” Trulia chief economist Jed Kolko said in a statement.’

Translation: If you’re able to find a home today and lock in these low interest rates, go for it. Inventory is likely to remain tight for the foreseeable future.

We’re here to help! We can find you the ideal home to fit your needs, budget and taste. It starts with a conversation; we’re great listeners with tremendous market knowledge and a style that sets us apart. Call, text, or email us anytime at Tracy Do Real Estate. Hope to hear from you soon.

To receive new listings by email, or to schedule a viewing click here!

It’s good news for home buyers, who might have been jittery a few weeks back when interest rates spiked upward (though they were still pretty low!) E. Scott Reckard of the LA Times writes, “Here’s one clear effect of the  government shutdown: Mortgage rates have tumbled to their lowest level since spring. Freddie Mac said Thursday that lenders were offering the 30-year loan early this week at an average 4.13%, down from 4.28% last week.” Read Reckard’s full story, here.

To receive new listings by email, or to schedule a viewing click here!

Graphic courtesy of Freddie Mac. 

Christina Mlysnki at HousingWire reports that “fixed mortgage rates fell to a nine-week low this past week, following the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it will maintain its bond-buying program to keep homebuyer affordability elevated.” That rate is currently 4.37% on a 30-year fixed, a favorable borrowing opportunity that stands in stark contrast to the scenario faced by renters. Roger Vincent of the LA Times paints the grim picture: “Rents will continue to rise for the next two years, according to (the) 2013 USC Casden Multifamily Forecast, as the region’s rental housing market continues to absorb units faster than they are being completed.”

For anyone who has put off buying a home, this is news you’ll want to think about. Real estate remains in high demand in the LA region, and prices are rising. But there are still options for you, including financing opportunities that can make ownership far more affordable than you might think.

Get expert guidance that considers your personal and financial needs. Contact Tracy Do Real Estate.

To receive new listings by email, or to schedule a viewing click here!

Quite the info-stew in the LA Times today. Let’s see if we can sort this out:

1. Alejandro Lazo reported (yesterday, actually) that US housing starts edged up in August, yet “fell short of expectations.”

2. Andrew Khouri writes today that “sales of previously owned homes rose in August, reaching the highest level in more than six years.” He adds, “the median sale price for resale homes rose 14.7% from last year.”

3. Khouri also reports that “the financial advantage Southern California home buyers hold over renters has rapidly shrunk in recent months as home prices and mortgage rates have risen.” This according to a new report by the real estate website Trulia.

4. Finally, E. Scott Reckard tells us that 30-year mortgage rates have just dropped to 4.5%, due in no small part to the Fed’s decision to continue their stimulus program. That means that “for now, the central bank will continue buying $85 billion a month in Treasury and mortgage-backed securities, pumping money into the economy and pushing down interest rates.”

It’s a mixed bag of news and can be taken as either great, good, or not-so-good, depending of course on where you’re sitting. Sellers sure are happy, with both prices and sales volume on the rise. On the other hand, the data about the cost of ownership vs. the cost of renting is a bit of a concern for some, understandably so. Now consider the following: for the vast majority of our clients, the  intangibles of home ownership cannot be weighed in financial terms alone. Owning might not be for everyone. However our personal experience — reinforced by a number of surveys out there — tells us that the dream of homeownership is alive and well.

So what about buyers, how does todays news play for them? The drop in interest rates is a big positive; you’ll pay less for every dollar you borrow toward the purchase of your home. The flipside is the slowdown in housing starts, a negative given that there’s so little inventory out there and not nearly enough choice. That’s why Tracy Do Real Estate is so excited to present NELA Union, a community of 52 modern, energy-efficient homes that are currently being built in Glassell Park (architects rendering below). Anyone looking for a home to buy now has this cool new option to consider, where 2, 3 and 4 bedroom layouts range from 1,100 to nearly 2,000 square feet. There’s a community garden, a dog run, and available FHA financing. You can learn more and sign-up on our interest list at nelaunion.com.

To receive new listings by email, or to schedule a viewing click here!