We keep hearing reports that the foreclosure wave is coming. It’s on the news and in the paper. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. We have not seen much evidence of it in Sonoma County. Here’s what we know so far… Fannie Mae has been holding back flooding the market with foreclosures so prices stabilize. That is working well. The Medium Price has gone up from $305,000.00 to $320,000.00 since January 2009. Foreclosures for sale have gone down from 350+/- in December 2008 to 116 as of today.
IF the wave is coming you need to prepare now. All offers made on foreclosures require loan approval be attached to the offer. Sometimes 2 loan approvals are required. If you do not have loan approval they will not look at the offer. Get loan approval now!
There are 3 types of loan you can get right now. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (usually 30 year fixed, low interest rate loans) for as little as 5% down. FHA an easier standard for loan approval and only 3-1/2% down. And lastly, private money from private individuals. These private money loans are needed if the house (a wreak/dump) does not qualify for the government loans. Private money requires 20% to 25% down, but the private party lending the money does not care what shape the property is in.
The Federal Government is keeping rates low. Normally rates are dictated by the yield on Treasury Bonds. Yields are up and rates should be up, but they are not. The guys on Wall Street are befuddled because the normal measure of interest rates isn’t happening. The “wave is coming” is the “perfect storm” for buying. House prices are low and interest rates are low.
This perfect storm lasts for a brief time, so get approved now and be prepared. Forest Tardibuono is a CA DRE Broker with over 20 years experience in real estate and lending. His number is (707) 523-2099. See website @ sunpacmortgage.com.