Market Pulse Report - June 2013

The most important points of today's market seem to reflect more of the same, but then some new items:

• Inventory is down from this time last year, but increased by 400 homes compared to last month
• Prices have increased steadily the past few months 
• Listing and sales of traditional homes have increased (this is the best news! - I think we were all getting sick and tired of all the short sales).

For a complete list of homes available in Central Florida register and start searching at www.JenelleFerrer.com. 

Market Pulse Report - May 2013

Not much has changed since the April Market Pulse Report, but I did have a successful closing last Friday. It was a bank owned property that we won in a bidding war after the highest offer backed out. We were able to close without any major obstacles and most importantly, my buyers were able to obtain the house they wanted.  

Two major items to note in the list below of stats are the inventory numbers continually low and the months of inventory supply are at an incredibly low rate of 2.68 months. 

Translation: there are not a lot of properties for sale and the ones that are are flying off the market. 

So the rundown for the real estate market is....drum roll please....

Sales

*Orlando home sales (all home types combined) in April 2013 were up 10.39 percent when compared to April of 2012 and down 0.77 percent when compared to March 2013.

*Single-family home sales in the Orlando area increased by 15.00 percent in April when compared to April of last year. Villa sales decreased by 15.74 percent; condo sales decreased 10.49 percent.

*Of the 2,689 sales in April, 1,566 normal sales accounted for 58.24 percent of all sales, while 553 bank-owned and 570 short sales respectively made up 20.57 percent and 21.20 percent.

*The number of normal sales in April increased by 41.72 percent compared to April 2012, while short-sales decreased 20.17 percent and foreclosures decreased by 10.37 percent.

*The 8,785 pendings in April of this year is a decrease of 12.83 percent compared to the 10,078 pendings in April of last year (and a 0.16 percent decrease compared to the 8,799 pendings last month).

*Short sales made up 59.10 percent of pendings in April. Normal properties accounted for 28.84 percent and bank-owned properties accounted for 12.05 percent.


Median Price

*The median price of all existing homes combined sold in April 2013 — $145,000 — is a 23.93 percent increase from the $117,000 median price recorded in April 2012.

*The median price for "normal” existing homes sold in April is $173,584, an increase of 10.56 percent from the median price of "normal” existing homes in April 2012.

*The year-to-year median price for short sales increased by 20.53 percent to $114,500 in April, while the median price for bank-owned sales increased by 12.25 percent to $95,300.

Inventory

*There are currently 7,202 homes available for purchase through the MLS. The April 2013 overall inventory level is 16.66 percent lower than it was in April 2012.

*Single-family home inventory is down 20.43 percent; condo inventory is down 3.06 percent.

*The current pace of sales translates into 2.68 months of inventory supply.

Home Prices Rise - Most in almost 7 years

Source: http://sophiadegroen.com/realestate/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/homespricerise.jpg 

When we say the home prices have risen, it's not a small percentage. Compared with last year in February, home prices in Central Florida saw a rise of 9.3%. This increase hasn't been seen in Central Florida for almost 7 years.

This does not come as a surprise to buyers in today's market searching for a home, only to find themselves in one bidding war after another. With inventory shrinking monthly and a growing number of buyers, there is a limited selection in the amount of homes on the market.

Source: http://www.hollysellsaz.com/briefcase/19709_13201181241AM45174.jpg

Foreclosures are down, bank owned homes are down, and the growing number of traditional sales get swept off the market before even hitting 5 days.

This is a great time for seller's to get back into the game. If your home is in good condition in a desirable neighborhood, it will sell. 

"Steady home price gains can help drive the housing recovery. Higher home prices encourage more people to buy before prices rise further." -Associated Press

Buyers: Don't get discouraged if you get outbid. Your home is out there, it may just take some time. I have great testimonials from buyers that were outbid month after month (this was even after offering over asking price). When we finally bid on the perfect home, they got it.  Hopefully it's sooner rather than later, for the sake of interest and price.

Sellers: This is a great time to sell if you're ready. If you feel like hanging on a little longer, prices will continue to steadily increase.

If you're ready to buy or sell in Central Florida, let me know and I'll be more than happy to assist you!

Happy House Hunting!

Market Pulse Report- April 2013

Interest rates have jumped, inventory has dropped and the days a home is staying on the market has shortened. 

Things are looking good for sellers and a little challenging for buyers. In the spirit of staying up to speed with infographics, here is a great one on today's market compared to last year:

Feel free to contact me with any questions about today's market!

March 2013 Pulse Report

It's been quite some time since I last reported on the market. The main point has not changed: INVENTORY has decreased and PRICES have gone up steadily.

Here's a quick overview of the numbers:

You'll note that the days a home is on the market has been continuously less than 90 days. I have seen this time and again. I show a property that has been on the market for 1-10 days, and then there are multiple offers and it goes into pending.

If you like a property, do not hesitate because you just very well may lose it. A positive example of this was a buyer of mine finding a home she liked. She waited the weekend and it was under contract. I contacted the agent and told her that if anything changed, please let me know ASAP as my buyer wanted the property and didn't realize how quickly it would get snatched up.

I kept in touch with that agent, and fortunately for us, that buyer did fall through and we stepped in as the main buyer. We're waiting for the bank approval and we will be able to close in 45 days.

Inventory
*There are currently 7,183 homes available for purchase through the MLS. The February 2013 overall inventory level is 22.37 percent lower than it was in February 2012.

*Single-family home inventory is down 25.40 percent; condo inventory is down 8.98 percent.

Sales
*Orlando home sales (all home types combined) in February 2013 were up 11.54 percent when compared to February of 2012 and up 9.33 percent when compared to January 2013.

*Single-family home sales in the Orlando area increased by 16.68 percent in February when compared to February of last year. Villa sales increased by 6.06 percent; condo sales declined 6.69 percent.

*Of the 2,203 sales in February, 1,195 normal sales accounted for 54.24 percent of all sales, while 521 bank-owned and 487 short sales respectively made up 23.65 percent and 22.11 percent.

*The number of normal sales in February increased by 51.07 percent compared to February 2012, while short-sales decreased 24.73 percent and foreclosures decreased by 2.98.

*Short sales made up 61.79 percent of pendings in February. Normal properties accounted for 25.96 percent and bank-owned properties accounted for 12.25 percent.

Market Pulse Report: April 2012

The Central Florida market has continued to make it difficult for buyers to find the home they want and actually get their contract accepted. Inventory is at an all time low with only 8,666 homes available for sale. It's an advantage to Seller's that have been wanting to sell their home because offers are being placed on those HOT properties at an alarming rate. I've personally experienced multiple offer scenarios at least in 5 cases just this month alone. 

I've even noticed an increase in offering above asking price just to attempt to make a more tempting offer to the seller; however, it seems the competition is thinking the same thing.

Here is the latest information on an accurate stance in today's market:

Sales

*Orlando home sales (all home types combined) in March 2012 were up 17.82 percent when compared to February of 2012 and down 10.95 percent when compared to March 2011.

*Of the 2,327 sales in March, 942 "normal” sales accounted for 40.48 percent of all sales, while 617 bank-owned and 768 short sales respectively made up 26.51 percent and 33.00 percent.

*The number of "normal” sales in March increased by 23.62 percent over March 2011, while short-sales increased 20.75 percent and foreclosures dropped 49.22 percent.

*The 9,748 homes pendings in March of this year is an increase of 2.50 percent compared to the 9,510 pendings in March of last year.

*Short sales made up 69.07 percent of pendings in March. Normal properties accounted for 17.90 percent and bank-owned properties accounted for 13.03 percent.

Median Price

*The median price of all existing homes combined sold in March 2012, $115,000, is a 12.94 percent increase from the $102,000 median price recorded in March 2011.

*The median price for "normal” existing homes sold in March is $155,000, is an increase of 3.33 percent from the median price of "normal” existing homes in March 2011.

*The median price for short sales decreased by 0.73 percent to $102,000, while the median price for bank-owned sales increased by 5.25 percent to $84,200.

Inventory

*There are currently 8,666 homes available for purchase through the MLS. The March 2012 overall inventory level is 30.85 percent lower than it was in March 2011.

*Single-family home inventory is down 31.95 percent; condo inventory is down 20.78 percent.

*The current pace of sales translates into 3.72 months of inventory supply.

*New contracts are down 15.93 percent compared March of 2011. New listings are down 18.45 percent.

Other


*Homes of all types spent an average of 97 days on the market before coming under contract in March 2012, and the average home sold for 94.83 percent of its listing price.

Market Pulse Report: February 2012

Two main things to notice in this month's report:

Inventory of Homes: 9258 now vs. 22,000+ 3 years ago and even 14,000 1 year ago

Days on Market: 96 Lowest in a year!

We are also blessed that mortgage rates are at historic lows, and we are finally seeing some downward trends in unemployment rates, but it is a seller's market. The amount of homes available does not match the overwhelming amount of buyers, especially within the same price range (under $250,000).

Sales

*Condo sales decreased by 48.11 percent; duplex, town home, and villa sales decreased by 20.00 percent.

*Of the 1,677 sales in January, 608 "normal” sales accounted for 36.26 percent of all sales, while 432 bank-owned and 637 short sales respectively made up 25.76 percent and 37.98 percent.

*The number of "normal” sales in January increased by 19.92 percent over January 2011, while short-sales increased 23.69 percent and foreclosures dropped 57.61 percent.

*The 8,709 homes pending closing in January of this year is a decrease of .77 percent compared to the 8,777 pendings in January of last year. Short sales made up 71.99 percent of pendings in January. Normal properties accounted for 14.84 percent and bank-owned properties accounted for 13.17 percent.

Median Price

*The median price of all existing homes combined sold in January 2012, $108,000, is a 13.80 percent increase from the $94,900 median price recorded in January 2011.

*The median price for "normal” existing homes sold in January is $140,000, is a decrease of 2.10 percent from the median price of "normal” existing homes in January 2011.

*The median price for short sales decreased by 5.26 percent to $90,000, while the median price for bank-owned sales increased by 13.33 percent to $85,000.

Inventory
*There are currently 9,258 homes available for purchase through the MLS. The January 2012 overall inventory level is 35.70 percent lower than it was in January 2011, and 4.87 percent lower than it was in December 2011. <------ MOST IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTICE

*Single-family home inventory is down 36.35 percent; condo inventory is down 26.46 percent.

*The current pace of sales translates into 5.52 months of inventory supply.

Other

*The Orlando affordability index increased to 273.32 percent in January. First-time homebuyer affordability in January increased to 194.36 percent.

*Homes of all types spent an average of 96 days on the market before coming under contract in January 2012, and the average home sold for 95.19 percent of its listing price. <----SECOND MOST IMPORTANT POINT

Please feel free to contact me with more information regarding today's market in Central Florida!

Market Pulse Report: December 2011

Sales

*Orlando home sales (all home types combined) in November 2011 were up 0.72 percent over November 2010.

*Single-family home sales in the Orlando area increased by 7.67 percent in November when compared to November of last year. Condo sales decreased by 26.85 percent; duplex, town home, and villa sales increased by 7.94 percent.

*Of the 1,950 sales in November, 782 "normal” sales accounted for 40.10 percent of all sales, while 453 bank-owned and 715 short sales made up 59.90 percent.

*The number of "normal” sales in November increased by 21.62 percent over November 2010, while short-sales increased 39.38 percent and foreclosures dropped 41.92 percent.

*The 8,909 homes pending closing in November of this year is a barely noticeable decrease of 0.99 percent compared to the 8,998 pendings in November of last year.

Median Price

*The median price of all existing homes combined sold in November 2011, $115,000, is a 9.52 percent increase from the $105,000 median price recorded in November 2010.

*The median price for "normal” existing homes sold in November is $148,000, a decrease of 7.50 percent from the median price of "normal” existing homes in November 2010. The median price for bank-owned sales is $81,999 and the median price for short sales is $106,000.

Inventory

*There are currently 10,136 homes available for purchase through the MLS. The November 2011 overall inventory level is 33.28 percent lower than it was in November 2010, and 1.63 percent higher than in October 2011.

*Single-family home inventory is down 32.63 percent; condo inventory is down 32.28 percent.

*The current pace of sales translates into 5.20 months of inventory supply.

Other

*The Orlando affordability index decreased to 253.42 percent in November. First-time homebuyer affordability in November decreased to 180.21 percent.

*Homes of all types spent an average of 99 days on the market before coming under contract in November 2011, and the average home sold for 94.74 percent of its listing price.

Quick Update on Mortgages...

FHA...new loan limits are set to go into effect 10/1/11.  The max loan limit for the tri-county area is being reduced from $353k to $274k. 

VA...as of 10/1/11, the VA up front funding fee is being reduced.  This means lower payments and savings for VA borrowers.  Remember, VA is still 0% down payment and NO monthly
mortgage insurance. (Note: VA clients, this is a HUGE advantage for you right now!)

USDA...as of 10/1/11, USDA loans will reduce their up front funding fee BUT now have monthly mortgage insurance.  Remember, USDA is also still 0% down payment.

Second home buyers...financing a second home purchase with just 10% down payment is now possible! Credit score of at least 620 is needed.



Information courtesy of my good friends at Security National Mortgage Company.

The problems with short sales...

This article rings especially true in today's market. I am seeing more and more delays in short sale transactions and then falling through. This frustrates not just first time homebuyers but anyone really looking to move.

As much as I can, I try to steer clear of these transactions to best assist my buyers. Short sales (ironic name) can be a very lengthy process. I've been under contract with 3 for over 3 months without a response from the bank. This can be frustrating to not just the buyers, but the agents and sellers as well.


Short sales lose appeal among first-time buyers

WASHINGTON – Sept. 29, 2011 – Short sale transactions are becoming less popular among first-time homebuyers. Buying a home in a short sale transaction may offer a huge bargain – sale prices average 27 percent lower than non-distressed properties – but more first-time home buyers say the processing delays aren’t worth the trouble.

First-time buyers’ share of all short sales dropped to 39.7 percent of transactions in August – a three-month drop and the lowest share ever recorded for first-time homebuyers, according to the latest Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey. In November 2009, first-time homebuyers’ share of short sales reached a peak of 54.1 percent of all short sale transactions.

With bargain deals, why are short sales losing their appeal?

Buyers complain that short sale transactions take too long to close, with approval times often taking several months after a buyer submits an offer. Some buyers, frustrated at the delays, place offers on multiple properties with plans to close on whichever one is approved fastest.

The average time on market for short sales is 16.6 weeks, and the majority of that time is spent waiting for short sale approval, the HousingPulse Tracking Survey found.

Source: “First-Time Buyers Losing Interest in Short Sales,” RISMedia (Sept. 26, 2011)

© Copyright 2011 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD

Wondering why there's hardly homes for sale???

Shadow inventory continues to decline

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Sept. 28, 2011 – Current residential shadow inventory as of July 2011 declined slightly to 1.6 million units – representing a supply of 5 months – from a six-month supply of 1.9 million units one year earlier, according to CoreLogic. It’s also down from April 2011 when shadow inventory stood at 1.7 million units.

The reason is simple: Banks are disposing of distressed assets faster than they’re adding new ones into the system.

CoreLogic estimates the shadow inventory, also known as pending supply, based on the number of distressed properties not currently listed on multiple listing services (MLSs) that are seriously delinquent (90 days or more) – properties most likely to become bank-owned listings (REOs). Properties not yet delinquent aren’t included in the estimate of shadow inventory.

Data highlights:

• The shadow inventory of residential properties as of July 2011 fell to 1.6 million units, or a five-month supply, down from 1.9 million units, or a six-month supply, as compared to July 2010.

• Of the 1.6 million properties currently in the shadow inventory, 770,000 units are seriously delinquent (2.2-months’ supply), 430,000 are in some stage of foreclosure (1.2-months’ supply) and 390,000 are already in REO (1.1-months’ supply).

• As of July 2011, the shadow inventory is 22 percent lower than the peak in January 2010 at 2 million units, an 8.4-months’ supply.

• The total shadow and visible inventory was 5.4 million units in July 2011, down from 6.1 million units a year ago. The shadow inventory accounts for 29 percent of the combined shadow and visible inventories.

• The aggregate current mortgage debt outstanding of the shadow inventory was $336 billion in July 2011, down 18 percent from $411 billion a year ago.

“The steady improvement in the shadow inventory is a positive development for the housing market,” says Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “However, continued price declines, high levels of negative equity and a sluggish labor market will keep the shadow supply elevated for an extended period of time.”

© 2011 Florida Realtors®

Home listing prices rising in Florida



Go Florida!

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sept. 26, 2011 – Prices are rising in Florida.

Florida cities have had the largest year-over-year increases in average list prices, according to the latest real estate data from Realtor.com. Based on August data of 2.2 million listings in 146 markets, Florida cities make up nine of the top 10 places for highest year-over-year list price spikes.

Nationwide, the average list price is $320,325, up 2.36 percent year-over-year.

Here are the top 15 cities boasting the highest percentage of year-over-year increases in average list prices.

1. Miami
Average list price: $640,332
Year-over-year increase: 27.4%

2. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla.
Average list price: $443,570
Year-over-year increase: 26.27%

3. Central-Fla. rural service area
Average list price: $405,809
Year-over-year increase: 19.41%

4. Punta Gorda, Fla.
Average list price: $267,066
Year-over-year increase: 16.37%

5. Macon, Ga.
Average list price: $193,520
Year-over-year increase: 15.98%

6. Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
Average list price: $466,785
Year-over-year increase: 15.86%

7. Naples, Fla.
Average list price: $713,087
Year-over-year increase: 15.13%

8. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
Average list price: $591,895
Year-over-year increase: 14.68%

9. Ocala, Fla.
Average list price: $193,360
Year-over-year increase: 12.07%

10. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
Average list price: $181,409
Year-over-year increase: 11.48%

11. Orlando, Fla.
Average list price: $319,419
Year-over-year increase: 10.56%

12. Portland-Vancouver, Ore.-Wash.
Average list price: $314,537
Year-over-year increase: 10.52%

13. Boise City, Idaho
Average list price: $212,588
Year-over-year increase: 10.43%

14. Springfield, Illinois
Average list price: $174,537
Year-over-year increase: 9.12%

15. Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Average list price: $211,414
Year-over-year increase: 8.34%

Source: Melissa Dittmann Tracey, Realtor® Magazine Daily News

© 2011 Florida Realtors®

More home sellers paying full real estate commissions

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Sept. 22, 2011 – Someone selling a home is more likely to pay a full real estate commission today than during the housing boom, when discounts ruled and most properties sold quickly.

Commissions have steadily increased in recent years, despite a rash of foreclosures and falling home values that have left sellers with little spare cash to pay a broker.

The average commission nationally at year-end 2010 was (higher than) 2005, according to Real Trends, a publishing and consulting company based in Castle Rock, Colo.

In the housing frenzy of 2000 to 2005, sellers often questioned the value of agents. The number of brokers ballooned, and the competition for listings led some agents to cut commissions.

But when the housing market soured beginning in 2006, agents couldn’t leave the profession fast enough, and it became much harder to sell homes. Agents say sellers have since grown more appreciative of what they do.

“Sellers are very happy to pay the full commissions, even though they’re getting less money for their homes,” said Claire Sheres of Coldwell Banker in south Palm Beach County, Fla.

“They’re not quibbling …” added Scott Agran, head of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Lang Realty. “They’re saying, ‘What can you do to sell my house for the highest price and in the quickest amount of time?’ “

Agents now have to spend more time and money marketing the properties, and their jobs aren’t limited to finding buyers and securing contracts, said Beverly Rothstein of the Christopher White Group in northwest Broward County.

Agents also have to help arrange financing and title insurance to keep the sales moving toward the closing table.

“No one really has given me any grief about commissions,” Rothstein said. “In this market, your best friend is your real estate agent.”

Robin Craig didn’t think she’d need an agent to sell her two-bedroom cottage in Fort Lauderdale’s Victoria Park. So in May she created a website and flyer and stuck a sign in her front yard.

But for Craig, a 43-year-old accountant, negotiating with prospective buyers’ real estate agents was challenging, and so was coordinating the many showings. Three weeks later, with the house still unsold and a deadline looming for her to move to a new job in Atlanta, Craig hired Tim Singer of Coldwell Banker.

She said she’ll happily pay the … commission on the $529,000 listing.

“I underestimated the amount of time that was involved,” she said. “And he’s got market data and experience that I don’t have.”

Agents say they typically avoid showing homes that owners are selling themselves. Some of the sellers are hostile toward agents and have no intention of paying a commission to the buyer’s broker, Singer said.

Jon Holbrook, president of Delray Beach, Fla.-based BuyOwner.com, said he encourages his clients to work with buyers’ agents and come to terms on some sort of compensation, should a sale result.

Still, with dwindling home equity an issue in South Florida and across the country, sellers would be wise to try selling their homes on their own, Holbrook said. Those who don’t end up losing much of their profit to commissions. “It’s painful,” he said.

Many homeowners who bought during the housing boom are “underwater,” owing more than the properties are worth.

Nearly half the homes with mortgages in Broward County – more than 205,000 properties – are underwater, according to a second quarter report Tuesday from CoreLogic, a California research firm. In Palm Beach County, 42 percent of the homes with mortgages, or more than 137,000 properties, are worth less that what’s owed.

Some of these homeowners will pay the real estate commissions out of their own pockets. But many are falling into foreclosure or completing short sales, in which they unload the properties for less than they owe, with the bank’s blessing. In those transactions, the sellers don’t have to worry about the commissions, which are paid by the lenders.

Banks tend to hold down commissions on short sales and foreclosures to minimize their losses, but some agents say lenders are paying the full (amount) so that the agents will actively market the homes.

“These homes aren’t selling by themselves,” said Douglas Rill, a longtime broker at Century 21 America’s Choice in West Palm Beach.

Copyright © 2011 the Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Paul Owers. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

Scary news for 30,000 Bank of America Employees!

Bank of America will eliminate 30,000 jobs

NEW YORK – Sept. 13, 2011 – Bank of America is slashing 30,000 jobs as part of an effort to reverse a crisis of confidence among investors. It’s the largest single job reduction by a U.S. company this year.

What CEO Brian Moynihan is trying to do is nothing less than save the nation’s largest bank. Investors have cut the bank’s market value by half this year. The bank is facing huge liabilities over soured mortgage investments and concerns over whether it has enough capital to withstand more financial shocks.

The cuts, which affect Bank of America’s consumer businesses, represent 10 percent of the Charlotte, N.C. bank’s workforce. The bank said it hopes the cuts and other measures will result in $5 billion in annual savings by 2014. The bank has already cut 6,000 jobs this year. The bank also said it would look for cost savings at its other businesses in a six-month review that will begin next month.

“It’s as if someone has hit the panic button,” said Bert Ely, president of banking consultant Ely & Co.

Moynihan has been taking other steps to shore up the bank’s standing. Last week he shook up the bank’s top management ranks and has been selling parts of the company to raise cash. Last month Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. invested $5 billion in the company.

Moynihan has struggled to calm investors ever since he took the top job in January 2010. He is reversing the empire-building strategy of his predecessor, Ken Lewis, who stepped down amid controversy over the purchase of Merrill Lynch during the financial crisis. Lewis also engineered the ill-fated acquisition of Countrywide Financial Corp., then the country’s largest mortgage lender, which has led to heavy financial losses, lawsuits and regulatory probes.

Moynihan is now taking a knife to the company, hoping to shrink it down to a more manageable size even if it means losing the bragging rights of being the nation’s largest bank. “We don’t have to be the biggest company out there,” said Moynihan.

Bank of America’s stock has lost 48 percent this year, largely because of problems related to poorly written mortgages at Countrywide. Just in the first half of the year the bank paid out $12.7 billion to settle claims from investors that it sold them securities backed by faulty mortgages.

Some investors and analysts worry that the job cuts will lead to poor customer service and the bank will lose market share to rivals at a time when there are signs that the economy is slowing down. They also wonder if the job cuts are enough to produce the profits the bank needs to overcome the spiraling costs from its mortgage business.

“There is a fair amount of skepticism on Wall Street, and Brian is doing as much as he can do in the face of a worsening economy,” said Nancy Bush, an analyst and contributing editor at SNL Financial, a research firm.

The bank’s stock was down for most of the afternoon but rose along with the overall market to close up 7 cents, or 1 percent, at $7.05.

The job cuts follow a revamp of the bank’s top management team last week. Two senior executives, wealth management head Sallie Krawcheck and head of consumer banking Joe Price, left the bank. The bank also elevated commercial banking chief David Darnell and investment banking head Tom Montag to co-chief operating officers, reporting to Moynihan.

Bank of America is seen as one of the most bloated banks in the industry. The payroll cuts will bring its work force in line with some of its key rivals. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had 250,000 workers at the end of the second quarter.

“Financial companies have already been cutting for a few months now. He’s a little late to the game already,” said Walter Todd, a portfolio manager at Greenwood Capital, which owns Bank of America preferred shares.

The cuts are the largest by a U.S. employer this year, according to the outplacement consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Merck & Co. said this year it would cut 13,000 jobs. Bank of America’s cuts are the largest since the Postal Service announced 30,000 job cuts last year. General Motors Co. cut 47,000 jobs in 2009.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press, Pallavi Gogoi, AP business writer. All rights reserved.

Market Pulse Report: September 2011

 

Orlando Market Overview

• Of the 2,342 sales in August, 968 “normal” sales accounted for 41.33 percent of all sales, while 610 bank-owned and 764 short sales made up 58.67 percent.
• The 9,502 homes pending closing in August of this year is an increase of 6.23 percent compared to the 8,945 pendings in August of last year.
• Condo sales in the Orlando area decreased by 41.43 percent in August when compared to August of last year. Duplex, town home, and villa sales increased 1.34 percent.
• The median price of all existing homes combined sold in August 2011, $115,000, is a 15.12 percent increase from the $99,900 median price recorded in August 2010.
• The median price for “normal” existing homes sold in August is $155,000, a decrease of 6.57 percent from the median price of “normal” existing homes in August 2010. The median price for bank-owned sales is $81,750 and the median price for short sales is $96,950.
• The Orlando affordability index increased to 247.95 percent in August. First-time homebuyer affordability in July increased to 176.32 percent.
• Homes of all types spent an average of 101 days on the market before coming under contract in August 2011, and the average home sold for 95.05 percent of its listing price.
• The current pace of sales translates into 4.29 months of supply.
• There are currently 10,055 homes available for purchase through the MLS. The August 2011 inventory level is 39.19 percent lower than it was in August 2010.
• Orlando’s condo inventory is 51.84 percent lower than it was in August 2010.

Now is a good time to buy a house in Orlando because…

• Although many try to forecast when prices will hit bottom, the truth is that no one can predict the bottom of any market until it has already happened.

• Even within the Orlando market, different areas will “bottom” out at different times. Price fluctuations within each area of the Orlando market also differ.

• Buyers who hold off purchasing a home because they are waiting for prices to fall further may miss out on the home that they really want. The inventory of homes available for purchase, especially condos, is on a steady decline.

• Home prices have moderated, interest rates are at 40-year lows and the supply of homes for sale is plentiful. However, inventory has decreased by almost 60 percent since this time three years ago.

• Currently, about 58 percent of Orlando homes sales are foreclosures and short sales, which are typically priced much lower than “normal” homes. These types of homes sales continue to put downward pressure on the reported median or average sales price.

• Low interest rates, coupled with price declines, give trade-up buyers a unique opportunity to take advantage of market conditions. What an owner may lose on the sell side can be more than recovered on the buy side.

Florida Market Overview

• Sales, existing single-family: 15,517 in July 2011 (12 percent increase compared to July 2010).

• Sales, existing condo: 6,619 in July 2011 (12 percent increase compared to July 2010).

• Median price, existing single-family: $136,500 in July 2011 (1.00 percent decrease compared to July 2010).

• Median price, existing condo: $90,000 in July 2011 (4 percent increase compared to June 2010).

National Market Overview

• Sales, existing single-family: 4.12 million in July 2011 (21.5 percent decrease compared to July 2010).

• Sales, existing condo: 550,000 in July 2011 (17.3 percent decrease compared to July 2010).

Rental market: Sweet spot in real estate

WASHINGTON – Sept. 8, 2011 – The rental market is continuing to heat up and can offer potentially big returns for buyers willing to jump into the landlord role.

For investors looking to take advantage of low record-reaching mortgage rates and big discounts on home prices, the opportunities are plenty. Rents are rising and demand is up too, partially due to the 4 million former homeowners who’ve faced a foreclosure and are now renters.

In response, more homes are turning into rentals: Nearly 35 percent of occupied homes were rented in 2010, which is a 33.8 percent increase from 2000, according to a recent study.

In more than 500 cities, demand for rentals has increased, with vacancies for rental housing reaching its lowest level since 2003, according to U.S. Census data. Plus, rents are on the rise too: Nationwide, rents increased 11.6 percent in 2010 to $1,320 a month, on average, according to Hotpads.com, a real estate research firm.

Investors are buying rental properties with the intention to hold onto it for a longer time too: On average, investors say they plan to hold onto the property for 10 years before selling, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors®.

“Whereas leverage is dangerous when buying stocks, [buying a rental] can be a good long-term strategy with real estate,” real estate investor Marshall Sonenshine told Money Magazine.

Experts suggest the wisest move for investors is buying a property near their permanent residence and sticking to buildings with four units or fewer to avoid stricter financing requirements, such as larger downpayments and higher mortgage rates. Also, experts say rental income should cover at least the mortgage payments on the property as well as an extra 20 percent cushion to pay for any repairs, property management or get you through any vacancies.

Source: “Cashing in on Rental Property,” Money Magazine (Sept. 2, 2011)

© Copyright 2011 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

Market Pulse Report: August 2011

Here's a few points from this month's pulse report in Central Florida:

·         Of the 2,147 sales in July, 905 “normal” sales accounted for 42.15 percent of all sales, while 607 bank-owned and 635 short sales made up 57.85 percent. The percentage of “normal” sales has increased for six consecutive months.

·         The 9,869 homes pending closing in July of this year is increased compared to the 9,133 pendings in July of last year.

·         Condo sales in the Orlando area decreased by 37.88 percent in July when compared to July of last year. Duplex, town home, and villa sales decreased 28.51 percent.

·         The median price of all existing homes combined sold in July 2011, $117,000, is a 7.64 percent increase from the $108,700 median price recorded in July 2010.

·         The Orlando affordability index decreased to 235.71 percent in July. First-time homebuyer affordability in July increased to 167.61 percent.

·         Homes of all types spent an average of 101 days on the market before coming under contract in July 2011, and the average home sold for 95.01 percent of its listing price.

·         There are currently 9,869 homes available for purchase through the MLS. The July 2011 inventory level was 19,133.

·         The current pace of sales translates into 4.82 months of supply.

·         Orlando’s condo inventory is 53.19 percent lower than it was in July 2010.

Condo sales are up!

Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in 2Q 2011

NAR: Second quarter metro area prices mixed

ORLANDO, Fla. – Aug. 10, 2011 – Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales experienced an upswing in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales rose 1 percent in 2Q 2011 with a total of 52,421 homes sold statewide; during the same period the year before, a total of 51,973 homes changed hands according to Florida Realtors. Statewide sales of existing condos in the second quarter rose 14 percent compared to the year-ago sales figure.

Statewide home and condo sales in the second quarter also increased over 1Q 2011’s sales figures, Florida Realtors’ records show. For 2Q 2011, statewide sales of existing homes rose 17.7 percent over the previous quarter’s activity; statewide existing condo sales increased 8.1 percent over the 1Q 2011 level.

The statewide existing-home median sales price was $134,600 for the three-month period; in 2Q 2010, it was $141,500 for a decrease of 5 percent. However, the 2Q 2011 statewide existing-home median sales price was 8.9 percent higher than the 1Q 2011 figure. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.

Looking at Florida’s housing sector in the second quarter of 2011, Dr. Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness, noted positive signs for a strengthening recovery. “Florida Realtors second quarter housing data shows that momentum in sales of both single family homes and condominiums continues to build, while median sales prices have also increased from first quarter to the second,” Snaith said.

“The fate of the housing market in Florida is tightly bound to that of the labor market,” he said. “They are like economic conjoined twins – improvement in one will invariably help the other. More jobs and lower unemployment will slow foreclosures as well as build the pool of potential buyers; both of these will work to help support prices. As single-family home and condo prices stabilize, the wealth effect of this will make owners more willing to spend, which in turn could boost hiring.”

Snaith added, “This may sound like a classic ‘chicken and the egg’ scenario, but as far as Florida’s economy is concerned, it doesn’t matter which comes first.”

In the year-to-year quarterly comparison for existing condo sales, 25,263 units sold statewide in the second quarter compared to 22,137 units in 2Q 2010 for a 14 percent gain. The statewide existing-condo median sales price was $94,700 in the second quarter; a year earlier, it was $96,400 for a 2 percent decrease. However, the 2Q 2011 statewide existing-condo median sales price was 17.3 percent higher than the 1Q 2011 figure.

Low mortgage rates were another favorable influence on the housing sector. According to Freddie Mac, the national commitment rate for a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.66 percent in 2Q 2011; one year earlier, it averaged 4.91 percent.

© 2011 Florida Realtors®

Lake Mary Open House

Good news for June sales

Pending home sales rise in June

WASHINGTON – July 28, 2011 – Pending home sales increased in June following a wide swing down in April and then up in May, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Month-to-month activity increased in the West and South but declined in the Midwest and Northeast. However, all regions show strong double-digit gains from a year earlier.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 2.4 percent to 90.9 in June from 88.8 in May, and is 19.8 percent above the 75.9 reading in June 2010, which was the low point immediately following expiration of the homebuyer tax credit. The data reflects contracts but not closings.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said there may be some increase in closed existing-home sales.

“For the majority of transactions, the lag time between pending contacts to actual closings is one to two months. Therefore, the two consecutive months of rising activity should lead to overall improvement in closed sales in upcoming months,” he said. “Though a higher than normal cancellation rate can hold back final closing figures, it could well be that some past cancellations are nothing more than delayed buying decisions rather than outright cancellations.”

Yun said tight credit and economic uncertainty have been constricting the market. “The best way to ensure a more solid recovery in housing is to simply return to normal, sound credit standards so more creditworthy homebuyers can get a mortgage,” he said.

“Washington also should not rock the boat with policy changes that would negatively impact affordable credit or otherwise increase the cost of buying or owning a home,” Yun added.

The PHSI in the Northeast slipped 0.4 percent to 68.9 in June but is 19.4 percent higher than June 2010. In the Midwest the index fell 3.7 percent to 79.7 in June but is 26.4 percent above a year ago. Pending home sales in the South increased 4.4 percent to an index of 99.2 and are 19.1 percent higher than June 2010. In the West the index rose 6.4 percent to 107.0 in June and is 16.4 percent above a year ago.

Existing-home sales this year are expected to total 5.0 million, slightly higher than 2010. Similarly, little change is forecast for aggregate home prices with several indicators, including NAR’s median prices, showing recent signs of stabilization.

© 2011 Florida Realtors®