LA home values down 1.3%

What’s interesting about most data reports is that they are 1 - 2 months behind. For example, the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index that was released today discusses sales data for February. There is no mention of what the market has been going through in March and April.

I can personally tell you that in April we are seeing multiple offers on well priced properties. In many cases homes are selling well above asking price. I would imagine that when the April Home Price Index report comes out in 2 months, it will show that the 1.3% price drop experienced in February will be a thing of the past and the numbers will turn positive. I could be wrong, but I doubt it based on what I am seeing.

Here is some data from today’s S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index report:

Miami’s 10.8% year-over-year gain made it the best-performing city for the seventh consecutive month. Tampa (+7.7%) and Atlanta (+6.6%) continued in second and third place, with Charlotte (+6.0%) close behind.

Results were different in the Pacific and Mountain time zones. Last month, four West Coast cities (San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, and Portland) were in negative year-over-year territory. In February they were joined by four of their western neighbors, as Las Vegas (-2.6%), Phoenix (-2.1%), Los Angeles (-1.3%), and Denver (-1.2%) all tipped into negative territory.

Majority of potential homebuyers say they will not accept a mortgage rate over 5.5%

Today’s homebuyers are exceptionally sensitive to mortgage rates with house prices so high — and they’ve found their tipping point.

The majority of potential homebuyers, 71%, say they will not accept a 30-year fixed mortgage rate over 5.5%, according to a survey done in March by John Burns Research and Consulting. The current rate, however, is around 6.4%.

If so many potential buyers, however, are saying they won’t buy unless they get a rate below 5.5%, they may be sitting on the sidelines for a while. Mortgage rates have been over 6% for nearly a year and are not expected to move much lower this year.

An April survey from U.S. News and World Report seems to corroborate these findings: It found that 66% of Americans who plan to buy a home this year said they are waiting until rates fall.

The U.S. News survey also found that 25% of homebuyers who are holding out for lower rates are waiting until they drop below 5%. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they’ve had to reduce their housing budgets due to the current level of mortgage rates.

CA is giving you 20% for your home's down payment... but there's a catch!

A new state program just launched for first-time homebuyers. The California Dream For All program provides homebuyers with financial assistance equal to 20% of a home’s purchase price. Those funds can be used for a downpayment and closing costs when purchasing your first home. The program offers first-time homebuyers in California a shared appreciation loan of up to 20% of the cost of the home. If you’re buying a $500,000 home, you’d receive 20%, or $100,000, to help with a downpayment and closing costs. Once the homebuyer sells their home at a later date, they would be required to pay back the 20% assistance, plus 20% of the home’s appreciation. If your $500,000 home sells in five years for $700,000, you’d owe 20% of $200,000 appreciation — or $40,000 — in addition to the original loan. If you sell your home and it hasn’t grown in value, you’d only pay back the original 20% loan, according to the California Housing Finance Authority,

This program is open to first-time homebuyers in California — meaning you’ve never owned a home. A first-time homebuyer is also someone who owned a home three or more years ago and sold it, according to the CalHFA. Borrowers must also plan to live in the new property they are buying. The program does not allow for non-occupant co-borrowers or co-signers. In addition to being a first-time homebuyer, borrowers must meet income requirements depending on their county. In Los Angeles County, borrowers must make under $180,000 per year.

Better hurry! The state has allocated about $300 million toward the California Dream For All program, according to State Treasurer Fiona Ma. This will provide assistance for an estimated 2,300 homebuyers in California.

Source: NBC 4 Los Angeles