The possibility of securing a mortgage rate at or below 5% has greatly improved in recent weeks, in a positive sign for would-be home buyers.Home mortgage rates fell for the sixth straight week, according to two key measures.
Mortgage tracker Bankrate.com said the average 30-year fixed loan slipped to 5.22% from 5.25% the previous week. The 15-year fixed rate also fell, Bankrate said, to 4.6% from 4.64% the week before.
The 30-year rate is influenced by the benchmark 10-year note's yield, which moves in the opposite direction of its price. Treasury prices have risen over the past week as $78 billion worth of auctions received above-average demand.
"Another disappointing employment report had investors questioning the strength and sustainability of the economic rebound," the Bankrate report said. "The resulting uncertainty drove investors into the safety of government and mortgage-backed bonds."
Rates are returning to levels not seen since the spring when, in an effort to cap mortgage rates, the Federal Reserve began a campaign to buy back $300 billion in Treasurys. The Fed hoped that it would spark demand and keep yields -- and therefore, mortgage rates -- in check.
Mortgage rates fell as refinancings abounded. But those benefits seemed to wear off, as rates started on a tear in the summer. By June, the benchmark 10-year bond's yield had increased steadily to hover around 4%.
Now the central bank has less than $15 billion left to spend on its buyback program, which led some investors to worry that yields would soar again. So far, that's not the case.On Wednesday, reports said Democratic congressional leaders were working to extend a $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers past the Nov. 30 expiration date and could even make it available to current homeowners who buy a new house.
Homeowners have received a boost from both the tax credit and the lower rates -- last year, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.2%, according to Bankrate.
To translate the difference in mortgage rate into dollars, consider a $200,000 loan. At last year's rate of 6.2%, the monthly payment would be $1,224.94, or $124 higher than the monthly payment at the current rate.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Proposal for extending first time home buyer tax credit!
First time buyer tax credit extended! A new Senate proposal will offer a first time home buyer tax credit extension to homes under contract by April 30, 2010. The former deadline was November 30, 2009. The home buyer tax credit will also be offered to people who have lived in the same home for five years, according to the proposal, which at time of writing hasn’t passed yet, but has bipartisan support.
First time homebuyers, the income level to qualify is $75,000/150,000 (couple).
For step up buyers the income level to qualify is $125,000/250,000 (couple).
For first time buyers the credit remains $8,000.
For step up buyers, they must have been residing in their primary residence for 5 years.
For Step up buyers the credit is 10% of the sales price, with a maximum of $6,500.
The credit runs from Dec. 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.
For legitimate sales contracts as of April 30, 2010 you have 60 days to close.
There is a waiver for military.
An agreement reached yesterday by the Democrats would let homeowners who buy a new home qualify for a $6,500 credit if they have lived in their prior residence for five years, according to Regan Lachapelle, an aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
“The compromise we have now would expand the credit beyond first-time homebuyers,” Lachapelle said. Lawmakers expect to consider the measure as part of a bill to extend unemployment benefits, she said. That measure has been held up by a disagreement with Republicans over other proposed amendments.
Lawmakers have said they want to keep home sales from slipping as the economy struggles to recover from the worst drop in home prices since the Great Depression. The plan would extend the homebuyers credit, due to expire Nov. 30, to home purchases under contract by April 30, 2010, with borrowers allowed another 60 days to close the sale, according to a person familiar with the details of the agreement.
The credit would be available to individuals earning up to $125,000, or $250,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples under the current law.
First time homebuyers, the income level to qualify is $75,000/150,000 (couple).
For step up buyers the income level to qualify is $125,000/250,000 (couple).
For first time buyers the credit remains $8,000.
For step up buyers, they must have been residing in their primary residence for 5 years.
For Step up buyers the credit is 10% of the sales price, with a maximum of $6,500.
The credit runs from Dec. 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.
For legitimate sales contracts as of April 30, 2010 you have 60 days to close.
There is a waiver for military.
An agreement reached yesterday by the Democrats would let homeowners who buy a new home qualify for a $6,500 credit if they have lived in their prior residence for five years, according to Regan Lachapelle, an aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
“The compromise we have now would expand the credit beyond first-time homebuyers,” Lachapelle said. Lawmakers expect to consider the measure as part of a bill to extend unemployment benefits, she said. That measure has been held up by a disagreement with Republicans over other proposed amendments.
Lawmakers have said they want to keep home sales from slipping as the economy struggles to recover from the worst drop in home prices since the Great Depression. The plan would extend the homebuyers credit, due to expire Nov. 30, to home purchases under contract by April 30, 2010, with borrowers allowed another 60 days to close the sale, according to a person familiar with the details of the agreement.
The credit would be available to individuals earning up to $125,000, or $250,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples under the current law.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Half of States Avoid Big Housing Drop
Parts of the U.S. with plenty of open space and moderate prices have mostly escaped the housing meltdown.
Over the past three years, home prices have risen in most of the metro areas of 23 states, according to analytics firm Fiserv. States mostly likely to escape the housing meltdown were in the South, the Plains states, and most of the non-coastal West.
The state that is the best example of this phenomenon is Texas, where home prices rose in all 26 metro areas over the last three years.
The 16 states hardest hit by the decline were in New England and the Northeast, plus California, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.
The seven cities that are the best bets for a quick recovery are San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Rochester, N.Y., Memphis, Tenn., Oakland, Calif., and Birmingham, Ala.
Source: CNNMoney.com, Les Christie (10/21/2009)
Over the past three years, home prices have risen in most of the metro areas of 23 states, according to analytics firm Fiserv. States mostly likely to escape the housing meltdown were in the South, the Plains states, and most of the non-coastal West.
The state that is the best example of this phenomenon is Texas, where home prices rose in all 26 metro areas over the last three years.
The 16 states hardest hit by the decline were in New England and the Northeast, plus California, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.
The seven cities that are the best bets for a quick recovery are San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Rochester, N.Y., Memphis, Tenn., Oakland, Calif., and Birmingham, Ala.
Source: CNNMoney.com, Les Christie (10/21/2009)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Important Issues for Texas Homeowners
By GABRIEL LOPEZ
On Nov. 3, 2009, the voters of Texas will once again have an opportunity to take a stand against the burdensome and uneven taxation of residential property. There are four amendments that will directly affect all property owners in the state, and the Texas Association of REALTORS® is imploring all homeowners to vote and be heard on these issues.
So what exactly are you voting for in this election cycle? If you’re like me, you have on more than one occasion glanced at a proposed amendment, scratched your head, and had a bewildered look on your face. The language is so full of legislative jargon, and without background information, it is difficult at times to figure out the intent.
I’m sure that anyone who has ever seen an episode of Star Trek has probably wondered, “How is it that aliens from all across the galaxy can speak and understand English?” The television show explained this phenomenon through the use of an accepted convention in science fiction called a “universal translator.” No matter what kind of gibberish was spoken, it would always come out as plain English. I have no doubt that anyone who has ever consulted with an attorney on a legal issue probably could’ve used something like this.
Yes, I am a lawyer. It is a much-maligned profession (and admittedly sometimes deserved). But in this case, I must rise to our defense. Believe it or not, there is a reason why the language of statutes and proposed amendments is so seemingly convoluted. Every word has to be carefully considered and painstakingly analyzed to make sure it meets constitutional requirements, is not overly ambiguous, and will not be misconstrued.
That being said, legalese is definitely not the best way to convey information to voters. So that is why I, your friendly neighborhood association legal counsel, will act as your universal translator for the upcoming election on the proposed constitutional amendments. I’m only going to translate those propositions on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot that directly affect homeowners. By the way, just to be clear, I urge you to join Texas REALTORS® in voting for all of these. Here we go …
Proposition 2
Legalese: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.
Translation: If you’re a homeowner in Texas, you are well aware of the astronomical increases in the appraised values throughout the state, especially if the property is not covered by zoning regulations. The central appraisers are using a practice called “highest and best use,” which is a method that allows a property to be valued on potential use rather than the current use. So if your residence homestead happens to be near a new commercial development, you could have a Spock-like, eyebrow-raising experience the next time you get your appraisal. Proposition 2 will fix this problem, mandating that a residence be appraised only as a residence, regardless of what the highest and best use of the property may be.
Proposition 3
Legalese: The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem purposes.
Translation: There is currently a hodgepodge of rules and standards for appraisals throughout the 254 counties of Texas. Passing this amendment would allow the state to have direct enforcement and oversight over every appraisal district. This would ensure that there is uniformity of the appraisal processes across the state; and if there were inconsistent appraisal methods among the counties, the state would have the power to establish uniformity. If this amendment were to pass, property owners in counties throughout the state could be assured that they were being evaluated in a similar manner. This is important because state funding for public schools is based on the taxable property in each school district.
Proposition 5
Legalese: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to establish a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.
Translation: The main responsibility of the board of equalization is to hear appeals of the appraised value to taxable property and to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal districts. Appraisal districts have had a difficult time appointing boards in rural counties. By allowing appraisal district to pool together their qualified applicants, it would enable those counties to ensure that the appraisal process is handled professionally and in a timely manner.
Proposition 11
Legalese: The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the state, a political subdivision of the state, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.
Translation: Surprisingly, this one is actually pretty self-explanatory. Both the U.S. and the Texas Constitution authorize the power of eminent domain. This power allows a governmental entity to take private property as long as it is for a “public use” and the owner is adequately compensated. This amendment would narrow the scope under which private property could be taken by eminent domain. It essentially would eliminate the taking of private property for either private economic development (e.g., a shopping mall) or to boost tax revenues. Lastly, as of Jan. 1, 2010, the power of eminent domain could be granted only by a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature.
Now that you’re armed with your very own universal translator, you can take the steps to live long and prosper. I’d start by voting for propositions 2, 3, 5, and 11 on the Nov. 3 ballot!
On Nov. 3, 2009, the voters of Texas will once again have an opportunity to take a stand against the burdensome and uneven taxation of residential property. There are four amendments that will directly affect all property owners in the state, and the Texas Association of REALTORS® is imploring all homeowners to vote and be heard on these issues.
So what exactly are you voting for in this election cycle? If you’re like me, you have on more than one occasion glanced at a proposed amendment, scratched your head, and had a bewildered look on your face. The language is so full of legislative jargon, and without background information, it is difficult at times to figure out the intent.
I’m sure that anyone who has ever seen an episode of Star Trek has probably wondered, “How is it that aliens from all across the galaxy can speak and understand English?” The television show explained this phenomenon through the use of an accepted convention in science fiction called a “universal translator.” No matter what kind of gibberish was spoken, it would always come out as plain English. I have no doubt that anyone who has ever consulted with an attorney on a legal issue probably could’ve used something like this.
Yes, I am a lawyer. It is a much-maligned profession (and admittedly sometimes deserved). But in this case, I must rise to our defense. Believe it or not, there is a reason why the language of statutes and proposed amendments is so seemingly convoluted. Every word has to be carefully considered and painstakingly analyzed to make sure it meets constitutional requirements, is not overly ambiguous, and will not be misconstrued.
That being said, legalese is definitely not the best way to convey information to voters. So that is why I, your friendly neighborhood association legal counsel, will act as your universal translator for the upcoming election on the proposed constitutional amendments. I’m only going to translate those propositions on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot that directly affect homeowners. By the way, just to be clear, I urge you to join Texas REALTORS® in voting for all of these. Here we go …
Proposition 2
Legalese: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.
Translation: If you’re a homeowner in Texas, you are well aware of the astronomical increases in the appraised values throughout the state, especially if the property is not covered by zoning regulations. The central appraisers are using a practice called “highest and best use,” which is a method that allows a property to be valued on potential use rather than the current use. So if your residence homestead happens to be near a new commercial development, you could have a Spock-like, eyebrow-raising experience the next time you get your appraisal. Proposition 2 will fix this problem, mandating that a residence be appraised only as a residence, regardless of what the highest and best use of the property may be.
Proposition 3
Legalese: The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem purposes.
Translation: There is currently a hodgepodge of rules and standards for appraisals throughout the 254 counties of Texas. Passing this amendment would allow the state to have direct enforcement and oversight over every appraisal district. This would ensure that there is uniformity of the appraisal processes across the state; and if there were inconsistent appraisal methods among the counties, the state would have the power to establish uniformity. If this amendment were to pass, property owners in counties throughout the state could be assured that they were being evaluated in a similar manner. This is important because state funding for public schools is based on the taxable property in each school district.
Proposition 5
Legalese: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to establish a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.
Translation: The main responsibility of the board of equalization is to hear appeals of the appraised value to taxable property and to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal districts. Appraisal districts have had a difficult time appointing boards in rural counties. By allowing appraisal district to pool together their qualified applicants, it would enable those counties to ensure that the appraisal process is handled professionally and in a timely manner.
Proposition 11
Legalese: The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the state, a political subdivision of the state, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.
Translation: Surprisingly, this one is actually pretty self-explanatory. Both the U.S. and the Texas Constitution authorize the power of eminent domain. This power allows a governmental entity to take private property as long as it is for a “public use” and the owner is adequately compensated. This amendment would narrow the scope under which private property could be taken by eminent domain. It essentially would eliminate the taking of private property for either private economic development (e.g., a shopping mall) or to boost tax revenues. Lastly, as of Jan. 1, 2010, the power of eminent domain could be granted only by a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature.
Now that you’re armed with your very own universal translator, you can take the steps to live long and prosper. I’d start by voting for propositions 2, 3, 5, and 11 on the Nov. 3 ballot!
No fun being number 1
Texas ranks 14th in the amount residents pay in property taxes. Our state is also first in how much we pay in property taxes. How can that be? It doesn’t seem possible, but both statements are true.
There are 13 states where the median property-tax bill is higher than the $2,232 figure in Texas. However, if you look at the median amount of property tax paid as a percentage of the home value, we unfortunately land at the top of the heap. All this according to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan educational organization that researches various tax topics.
Those who know a lot about state taxes will point out that Texas relies more on property taxes than many other states because we have no state income tax. Interesting, then, that the other six states without state income taxes don’t crack the top 10 in property tax paid as a percentage of home value.
How can that be? I wish I knew. I also wish I had the power to move us down that list a considerable bit.
You probably know about the option to protest your appraisal each year. That can be a successful way to keep your taxes in check, though the argument that your taxes just keep going up stands little chance of success.
Collectively, Texas REALTORS® have been working for years to make our state’s property-tax system more equitable and less burdensome to property owners. In fact, there are several proposed constitutional amendments that will help, if approved by voters November 3. Make sure you get to the polls this election. With your help, and with continued hard work by Texas REALTORS® and property owners, maybe one day we’ll find some other state atop that undesirable list.
By MARTY KRAMER, Consumer columnist
There are 13 states where the median property-tax bill is higher than the $2,232 figure in Texas. However, if you look at the median amount of property tax paid as a percentage of the home value, we unfortunately land at the top of the heap. All this according to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan educational organization that researches various tax topics.
Those who know a lot about state taxes will point out that Texas relies more on property taxes than many other states because we have no state income tax. Interesting, then, that the other six states without state income taxes don’t crack the top 10 in property tax paid as a percentage of home value.
How can that be? I wish I knew. I also wish I had the power to move us down that list a considerable bit.
You probably know about the option to protest your appraisal each year. That can be a successful way to keep your taxes in check, though the argument that your taxes just keep going up stands little chance of success.
Collectively, Texas REALTORS® have been working for years to make our state’s property-tax system more equitable and less burdensome to property owners. In fact, there are several proposed constitutional amendments that will help, if approved by voters November 3. Make sure you get to the polls this election. With your help, and with continued hard work by Texas REALTORS® and property owners, maybe one day we’ll find some other state atop that undesirable list.
By MARTY KRAMER, Consumer columnist
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