Monday, November 16, 2009

One in Twenty Looking to Buy

If you're in the market to sell your home, here's an interesting article recently posted on USAToday.com. It states that 1 in 20 people are looking to buy a home next year. Granted, every market is local. But it gives you a feel for what you may expect.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-11-11-home-buying-poll_N.htm

Friday, November 6, 2009

Tax Credit Extended for First-Time and Current Homeowners






A popular $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, which was set to expire at the end of this month, has been extended until June of 2010. Plus, the new provision includes a $6500 tax credit for existing homeowners who buy a new place after living in a home for at least five years. It's all part of a stimulus package overwhelmingly supported by the House and Senate and signed by President Obama today. Read more details in this article by USAToday.




Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Home Owners Save $200,000 in Commission Fees

by Stephanie Scholl

I have a great announcement! Sellers who have sold their homes on northiowaforsalebyowner.com have surpassed the
$200,000 mark in savings!

This week, our 27th home sold!
In all, sellers have saved $215,000, or an average of $7962 each. Had these owners sold with a realtor, that money would have gone to commission fees. Instead, by choosing 'for sale by owner', or 'fsbo', they've been able to pocket that money themselves! We all can appreciate saving money during these tough economic times.

NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com hit the Internet in September of 2006. It's a local website, based out of Mason City, Iowa. If you're considering selling a home by yourself, please take a look at testimonials from our previous clients at http://www.northiowafsbo.com/sold_homes.html

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Mason City Appraiser Comments on Local Housing Prices

by Stephanie Scholl

If you're trying to buy or sell a home these days, you no doubt heard that home prices fell 19% during the first quarter of 2009.

(See USAToday article) http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-05-26-home-prices_N.htm

But these are figures from the nation's largest cities. What about home prices right here in Mason City, Iowa?

Mike Albrecht of North Iowa Appraisal has been appraising homes more than 11 years.

"I've seen an oversupply of homes before, but have not seen sales activity this slow for this time of year," said Albrecht.

Currently in Mason City, sales transactions of single family homes are down and the average sale price of homes are down about 20% compared to one year ago.

"So, based on the data, yes, housing prices have declined," said Albrecht. "However it's not that simple. It has been my experience based on the work I do everyday that when a home in good condition sells in the current market in a good neighborhood, it still sells close to the price it would have 12 months earlier."

So who is seeing the decline in home prices?

"Lower end homes that need work are competing with foreclosures/bank-owned properties and can sell at a substantial discount," said Albrecht.

So look around. Does your home fall into this category? Albrecht says there are things you can do without spending a lot of money. But it will take some elbow grease. His advice- clean and paint.

"If a home has an obvious deficiency, such as a 1940's kitchen, depreciated shingles, broken windows, it may make sense to update that item," said Albrecht. "However if they are looking at doing something to help the resale value of the home, soap and water and a coat of paint is the best bet."

According to Albrecht, determining the condition of Mason City's housing market is not quite as easy as a market such as Des Moines. Lately, there haven't been a large number of sales in Mason City and neighborhoods have a lot of variation.

"A larger community like Des Moines may have a slower than typical market, however would still have enough sale transactions to determine exact appreciation/depreciation percentages. Additionally, larger communities will include larger neighborhoods with very similar homes. It is easier to recognize trends when identical homes are selling for more or less than they did during another period of time."

To contact Albrecht, go to his website at http://www.northiowaappraisal.com/

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Iowa Banks-First Quarter 2009


There's a very interesting article in today's Des Moines Register regarding how Iowa Banks fared in the first quarter of 2009. Basically, a higher percentage of banks are reporting more non-performing loans. Banking officials say it's a sign the recession is starting to hit Iowa a little harder now.

Read more on the Des Moines Register's Website. This article has a complete database of all Iowa Banks, so you can check out your own bank's first quarter performance and how it compares to 2008.




Thursday, May 14, 2009

Curb Appeal Tips


Finally, spring has arrived! It's time to freshen up the look of your home. Not only on the inside, but the outside- especially if you want to sell. Curb appeal is that one opportunity to make a first impression.

From my own experience of looking at homes, here are some of the first things I notice when approaching a house.

1. How does the exterior appear? Does it need a new coat of paint? Is the siding cracked or clean? Oftentimes, mildew and cobwebs need to be removed.

2. Is the front door in need of a fresh coat of paint? New shiny hardware can do wonders! Are there any cracked windows that need replacing?

3. Is the lawn freshly manicured? Leaves, branches, sticks and weeds should be removed from the lawn, corners of the house, underneath patio furniture and window wells.

4. Are the windows and screens clean?

5. Are the rain gutters clean and installed properly?

6. Flowers will add wonders to a home's curb appeal.

7. Finally, look at the landscaping. Is your home hiding behind it? It may be time to pull out those overgrown shrubs and trees.

Here are some related articles. I like this first one on trulia.com. It has great before and after pictures that show how even a dud of a home can become a dream- with a little vision!


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

April Home Sales-Cerro Gordo County

April home sales dropped from the month before in Cerro Gordo County, according to deeds filed at the county auditor's office. Here are the numbers for each month of 2009.

In April, 100 homes sold
In March, 108 homes sold
In February, 91 homes sold
In January, 74 homes sold

The good news is the numbers appear to be on the rise since the beginning of the year. One local builder commented to me that most of the homes selling are in the $60,000- $150,000 range.

Another good sign, bankers report there is an interest in mortgage applications.

"Our applications haven’t seemed to have dropped off yet. " said Pat Thompson, Farmers State Bank in Mason City. "They were slow to start but have been numerous for the last 30 to 45 days. Rates have ticked up a bit lately and are hovering around the 5% range this week. The big catch with the posted rates in publications is that this rate is for “well qualified borrowers”. I call it a start rate."

Those rates can rise based on several factors including a person's credit score and the LTV, or loan to value ratio.

House For Sale-Split Level




We have a super split-level home for sale by owner. Looking for a master suite? It has it! Looking for a big garage and plenty of work space? It has it! Check it out at NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com!

Click here!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Home Sales in Cerro Gordo County




Talk to anyone with a home on the market and there's a lot of frustration. It's actually a great time to buy a home. Interest rates are low, prices are down, and there's a new $8000 tax credit for new homebuyers thanks to the newly passed stimulus plan. So why are things so slow? Well, it's not as slow as in other parts of the country, but I think people are just cautious. Everyday, they are hearing about how bad the economy is. They're worried about where their job will be in 6 months and are simply just staying put. They're in that 'wait and see' mode.

So how much have things slowed down in North Iowa? I've been doing a little research with the county recorder's office. This is where the deeds (i.e. home sales) get recorded when they exchange hands during a property agreement.

Here's what Colleen Pearce, the Cerro Gordo County Recorder told me. "It's been very slow compared to even last year and that was not as busy as the year before. We used to have days where 100 documents would come through here in a day (that's all documents, not just home sales). Now we have about 40 documents a day."


From 2003 to 2007, the number of properties sold averaged 1,834. But those sales fell by 20.338% in 2008 to 1,461.

And here is how 2009 is starting off. In January, records show there were only 74 home sales in Cerro Gordo County. That's a 35% decrease from January 2008 which had 114 sales. Here are the numbers up close.

YEAR/DEEDS (Home Sales) RECORDED


2003/ 1877


2004/ 2023


2005/ 1960


2006/ 1729


2007/ 1783


2008/ 1461


The good news is banks in Mason City, Iowa are not facing the banking crisis on Wall Street. For example, the folks at Farmer's State Bank have told me they want to give out more mortgages. North Iowa is a great place to live. And we're poised to move ahead at great strides once confidence is restored. The air is clean, it's a great place to raise a family, we have lots of recreational opportunities with Clear Lake, bike trails, East Park, Lime Creek Nature Center, the list goes on and on. Plus, we have great choices in education, with sound public, parochial schools and a growing North Iowa Area Community College.


Frustration won't last forever. Keep your chin up. Spring is just a few weeks away. Better times will come.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Stimulus Plan-What's in it for the Housing Market?

President Barack Obama is signing the Stimulus Package.. making it law this afternoon. So what's in it for the housing industry? If you're a first-time homebuyer, you'll receive an $8000 tax credit. Some were hoping for more. (The Senate had included a $15,000 credit for all homebuyers, but that's not to be.) Evenso, the housing industry will take what it can get.

Click here to read more information at usatoday.com. http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-12-stimulus-package-effects_N.htm

And here's a heads-up for those homeowners feeling the threat of foreclosure. On Wednesday, Obama is expected to release details on a 50 billion dollar plan to help slow foreclosures and reduce mortgage payments.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Staging Your Home to Sell

You know how parents are constantly reminding their kids to brush their teeth? (I do anyway.) It's similar to the way many homeowners need constant reminding about the importance of 'staging' if they want to sell. Let's face it, clutter rules the day in too many homes! The last person they should be showing a home to is a prospective buyer.

After visiting many homes during the past two years, here are just a few of my own tips.

1. Clear the kitchen counters. Just to name a few, get rid of the toaster, the mixer, any other appliances, the papers, the hot plates, cookbooks, get rid of dishtowels in the sink and on the stove. Take all the pictures and notes off the refrigerator. Once that's done, clean to your heart's content. That includes the inside of the refrigerator, the dirty dishwasher door, the faucet. Make it shine!

2. Clear out kitchen cupboards and pantries. Get rid of those dishes, glasses, old muffin pans, the rice cooker that you never use. I am reminded of the woman whose kitchen cupboards were stocked with three full sets of tableware and the couple with twenty coffee mugs for the two of them. Is all that stuff really necessary? If you can't part with it, find a place in storage. Show us the space in your cupboards.

3. Take it to Goodwill. Now turn to your closets. Most people could easily part with half the clothes hanging in their closets. If you haven't worn it in the past year, believe me, you won't miss it. If it doesn't fit, say goodbye. It's not only good for the appearance of your home, but for your psyche as well. Do you have baby clothes in storage just in case you have another one? If you don't plan on using them in the next year or two, I suggest letting another child in need get his/her use out of them. The same goes with too many toys.


4. Keep the furniture simple. Every wall doesn't need something on or against it. Play up the focus of each room. Is it a conversation, reading or game area? If a chair or rug looks worn, consider investing in an inexpensive new one. Same thing goes for old light fixtures.

5. Depersonalize. Make your home appealing to as many buyers as possible. That involves toning down wall colors, taking down personal photos, and decor that stands out. (I've seen a lot of football-themed bedrooms and one safari-jungle living room that, let's just say, don't appeal to a broad audience) Unfortunately, a lot of buyers are not very imaginative, so homeowners need to make it easy for them.

Ready for more? Here are some more great tips on HGTV.com http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/13-home-staging-secrets/pictures/page-6.html

Monday, February 9, 2009

Real Estate Advice Worth Watching

I love this segment on the NBC's Today Show that answers your real estate questions.

Is this a good time to buy? Thinking of buying a foreclosed home? It's great advice and easy to comprehend. Click here to watch http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29052256#29052256

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Huge Tax Break for Homebuyers in Stimulus Bill

As if low interest rates aren't enough, here's another great reason to be in the market for buying a home. The Senate passed a tax break of up to $15,000 for homebuyers. It's part of the 800 billion dollar economic stimulus bill under consideration.

While it still needs approval by the House and President, I wanted to let you know it's something to keep your eye on!

Read more at at usatoday.com or click here http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-02-04-taxbreak-homebuyers_N.htm

Monday, January 26, 2009

Helpful Real Estate Tips and Myths

I was watching the Today Show this morning and they had some helpful myths for buyers and sellers in the real estate market. It's definitely worth you time to check them out.

Just click here http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28818023/

December Home Sales Up

This article in USA Today focuses mostly on the West Coast. But home sales grew unexpectedly in December.. even in the Midwest. Good for the consumer psyche!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-01-26-home-sales_N.htm

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Ranch For Sale Near Elementary



SOLD!!!


This is a well-cared for two-bedroom ranch with lots of room for growth located half a block from a great elementary. Great price, too! $83,750



Check it out at http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/114_2nd_street_south/index.html

Refinancing Applications More Popular Than New Loan Applications

Mortgage rates continue to fall. Yet buyers aren't lining up for loans as many had hoped. A few days ago, I blogged on a conversation I had with mortgage lender, Pat Thompson, from Farmer's State Bank in Mason City. He mentioned he's seeing a lot of interest in refinancing applications and some interest in actual mortgage applications. A few days later, the Mortgage Bankers Association announced for the week of January 9th, more than 85% of its applications involved refinancing. Here's a related article from USA Today.


http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-01-14-mortgage-applications_N.htm

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Buyers Need New Mindset for 2009

Wondering what to do for 2009? A lot of potential homebuyers are doing that these days. Let's face it, 2008 was not a good year for the housing market. And with more layoffs, home values sliding and state budget cuts making headlines, it's unclear whether the market will improve in 2009. So I talked to Pat Thompson, a local expert and mortgage lender at Farmer's State Bank, to get his take on the next 12 months.


[Stephanie@northiowafsbo.com] Are you hopeful for the upcoming year or already looking forward to 2010?
[Pat Thompson@ Farmers State Bank] Little of both. I think that our market correction will continue during 2009 but hopefully find some conclusion during the calendar year. Changing the mindset of borrowers and educating them on the new rules will be a big part of 2009.


[Stephanie@northiowafsbo.com] Changing the mindset?
[Pat Thompson@ Farmers State Bank] 100% conventional financing has been eliminated. Stated income programs are also gone. Any refinance within the first 6 months of ownership is considered to be a cash-out refinance vs. a straight refinance which brings on new LTV (Loan-to-Value) limitations and pricing increases. Bankruptcy and Foreclosures in a buyer's past have now created a longer period of time necessary between the date of the action and how long before they are able to get a mortgage loan.

The largest majority (of new requirements) come from a buyer's FICO (credit) score. For every 20 points your score drops, it triggers an upward pricing adjustment. 720 to 740 range, depending on the lender, is the all-clear point meaning that if you are there or above you are not penalized. According to some national statistics, 50%-60% of Americans have a credit score that falls into the penalty range. Depending on the type of loan applied for and qualifications of the borrower, their rate could be 5.125% or it could be 6.75%



[Stephanie@northiowafsbo.com] What should a home buyer do to get their affairs in order?
[Pat Thompson@ Farmers State Bank] The largest thing anyone can do in today’s market is maintain and improve credit scores. There are minimums now that didn’t use to be there and they are taking some borrowers totally out of the market either through denial or pricing adjustments.


[Stephanie@northiowafsbo.com] What kind of activity are you seeing on the banking side? Are people applying for mortgages? If so, are they getting them? What percentage of mortgages are being denied (if any) and why?
[Pat Thompson@ Farmers State Bank] There is some activity in the purchase market and quite a bit in the refinance market. With regards to denials, I haven’t had a lot although when screening refinance requests, many people are not going through with any action once they hear quotes and understand today’s new pricing requirements from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Upward rate adjustments based on LTV and credit scoring are making a lot of refinances not sound so appealing.

(Here is some background on LTV's from wikipedia.com) LTV is the Loan to Value ratio. For example, if a borrower wants $130,000 to purchase a house worth $150,000, the LTV ratio is $130,000/$150,000 or 87%. Low LTV ratios (below 80%) carry with them lower rates for lower-risk borrowers.


[Stephanie@northiowafsbo.com] Let's say I want a 30-year fixed mortgage on a $200,000 house? What type of down payment is needed? If my credit is good, what type of interest rate can I get?
[Pat Thompson@ Farmers State Bank] Today’s market for conventional loans requires a minimum of 5% down on a purchase. Interest rates have varied from 4.75% to about 5.25% for a 30 year fixed rate.


In short, with interest rates so low, it is a great time to buy a home- if your affairs are in order. Here's another related article that can help you in your decision-making. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28471137/


Thanks to Pat Thompson at Farmers State Bank which has offices in Grafton, Joice, Plymouth, Ventura, St. Ansgar, Northwood and Mason City. Check out their website @ http://www.fsbbanks.com/