But, $320k – $25k ≠$295k I can’t prove it, but at least when it comes to residential real estate deals, an offer for $300k less $5k in seller-paid points can seem more attractive to Sellers (if not their agents) than a $295k offer with no points subtracted. The explanation has to do with Seller psychology....Read More
The Too-Good-to-Be-True Home Equity Loan When is a home equity line of credit (“HELOC”) — offered at a 2.99%, six month teaser rate — too good to be true? When, four months after the would-be Borrower first applied for the loan, the very big (and very overwhelmed) national lender still hasn’t approved it. Ticking Clock Usually,...Read More
Three Reasons Once upon a time — like in 2009, in the aftermath of The 2008 Crash — jumbo or “non-conforming” loans were significantly more expensive than conforming loans (under $417k in most parts of the country). When conforming loans were going for 5.5%, jumbo’s were fetching 6.25% or 6.5% — assuming you could find a...Read More
Avoiding Appraisal Minefields We may be small, but we’re slow. –Cal Tech football team slogan Once upon a time, when the credit spigots were wide open, Buyers’ financing didn’t much matter to Sellers: at closing, they received cash. Period. Today? With fewer, strong Buyers out there, tighter credit, and more appraisal minefields to navigate, there is...Read More
It’s hard enough — as a busy Realtor — keeping up with new listings, pre-list’s, pending sales, showings, inspections, walk-thru’s, closings, listing presentations, networking, etc. for a stable of a dozen or more concurrent clients. The last thing I’m interested in doing is becoming an expert on the various downpayment assistance programs that seem to...Read More
Cheaper More Expensive By the Dozen Usually, the more of something you have to sell, the cheaper it is. That’s just basic, “supply-and-demand” — Economics 101. So, when is that not the case? When it comes to rental properties in today’s housing market. Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Markets Currently, there is a huge disconnect between what duplexes and...Read More
