Inventory Shortages Are Slowing Down the Market
The real estate market is moving more and more into a complete recovery. Home values are up. Home sales are up. Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have fallen dramatically. It seems that 2017 will be the year that the housing market races forward again.
However, there is one thing that may cause the industry to tap the brakes: a lack of housing inventory. While buyer demand looks like it will remain strong throughout the summer, supply is not keeping up.
Here are the thoughts of a few industry experts on the subject:
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR:
“Sellers are in the driver’s seat this spring as the intense competition for the few homes for sale is forcing many buyers to be aggressive in their offers. Buyers are showing resiliency given the challenging conditions. However, at some point — and the sooner the better — price growth must ease to a healthier rate. Otherwise sales could slow if affordability conditions worsen.”
Tom O’Grady, Pro Teck CEO
“The lack of inventory is very real and could have a severe impact on home sales in the months to come. Traditionally, a balanced market would have an MRI (Months Remaining Inventory) between six and 10 months.
This month, only eight metros we track have MRIs over 10, compared to 27 last year and 48 two years ago—illustrating that this lack of inventory is not being driven by traditionally ‘hot’ markets, but is rather a broad-based, national phenomenon.”
Ralph McLaughlin, Chief Economist at Trulia
“Nationally, housing inventory dropped to its lowest level on record in 2017 Q1. The number of homes on the market dropped for the eighth consecutive quarter, falling 5.1% over the past year.”
Freddie Mac
“Tight housing inventory has been an important feature of the housing market at least since 2016. For-sale housing inventory, especially of starter homes, is currently at its lowest level in over ten years. If inventory continues to remain tight, home sales will likely decline from their 2016 levels. …all eyes are on housing inventory and whether or not it will meet the high demand.”
Bottom Line
If you are thinking of selling, now may be the time. Demand for your house will be strongest at a time when there is very little competition. That could lead to a quick sale for a really good price.
VLOG Short Sale Myths…It's Not Too Late!
Kris & Kim share their Short Sale Experience. YouTube, Yahoo,
Kris & Kim's Real Estate Short Sale Myths Video Series #1
YouTube, Yahoo and MySpace
Loan Modifications…not an option for most homeowners in the Inland Empire and Orange County
Well, I guess by now most people that own a home in California have realized that the long awaited plan by President Obama to save our homes....is just not going to work...unless you are willing to continue living in a home that is most likely at least 50% upside down...
"Hope for Homeowners" Helps…1 Borrower Since June 2008
Well, I guess "No Hope for Homeowners" would be the appropriate response to the program developed by the Bush Administration to help Americans facing the loss of their homes from rising monthly payments and declining values. In a report by CNN, Brian Sullivan FHA...
Will I owe the IRS any taxes on the difference between what my mortgage is and what the short sale amount ends up to be?
Will I owe the IRS any taxes on the difference between what my mortgage is and what the short sale amount ends up to be? The answer is maybe.
Q: How do I find an investor for my property? I do not want to go the foreclosure way but no longer want the house.
By your question, I would think that your best option is a Short Sale. In a short sale, you/your real estate agent is asking the mortgage or lien holder to accept less than what is owed on the property. There are a few ramifications such as: A credit rating hit,...
If you have a deficiency from a short sale are other properties you own at risk of having a lien placed on them for the deficiency?
The answer is yes, if your state recognizes the deficiency judgment as it pertains to a mortgage deficiency. There are specific events that must occur prior to a deficiency judgement. The mortgage holder of the deficient mortgage must request a judgment from the...
My property is included in my bankruptcy. Can I do a Short Sale?
Yes. A property may be sold while the owner is in bankruptcy. I have first hand experience with similar scenarios and have successfully closed real estate short sale transactions while the owners were in the bankruptcy process. The property will have to be removed...
Will I owe the IRS any taxes on the difference between what my mortgage is and what the short sale amount ends up to be?
The answer is maybe. President GW Bush signed The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007. The act may be utilized by a homeowner with financial hardship selling his/her primary residence under a Real Estate Short Sale. In essence, under this Act, the seller will not be...
Continued Declines In Home Values In San Bernardino County…Loan Modifications?
If your living in California and are a homeowner the odds are pretty high that your equity has decreased. Riverside and San Bernardino County...( The Inland Empire ) is devastated with property values declining 50% and higher. The decline in home values are down...
California Default Properties Over valued on Average $200,000.00
In a recent release by Foreclosure Radar, the average California home in the deafault process had a mortgage value exceeding $200,000 of Current Market Value (CMV) for the month of February 2009. A 189% increase in negative equity year over year. Also released in...
Obama Tried…
Mr. Obama has been given the daunting task of reviving the nations economy. The main concerns on most Americans minds is that of the precipitous position of their mortgage and home values. In an effort to pacify his constituents, Mr. Obama rolled out the Home...
President Obama's Help For Homeowners….Won't Help Everyone.
It's here, we have all been waiting to find out what will be offered to help cure our bleeding housing market. President Obama's plan is much stronger than I had anticipated. In summary, there are several components in place to help those families in a true financial...
Obama Plan to Save Homeowners
Mr. Obama has rolled out his new plan to help homeowners. Check it out! Direct Link to Mr. Obama's Plan via The Department of The Treasury Read the Q&A's for a broad-stroke understanding. More to come! Kris 714-615-7605
Short Sale Lenders Are Collecting Per-Diem For Not Closing On Time
It's starting to get harder, and more expensive to get extra time to get extensions on Short Sales... Most of the time lenders allow about 30 days to close once they issue an approval, and that's not very long considering all of the hoops a buyer has to jump through...
Loan Modifications…March 4th…President Obama says help is on the way!
I've been reading in detail the "Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan". One thing for sure, nothing is really for sure! So much is left up to lender discretion, I was hoping to see "mandatory principal balance" redutions in areas that a loan modification will do...
Obama Recovery…Will it Help?
After reading through President Obama's latest package Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, it appears to be a good for the time being... Allows for refinancing of your Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans even if your upside down. Incentivizes lenders with bonuses...
Homeowners Turning to Short Sales:50% of Loan Modifications Result in Defaults…
Short Sales for 2008 hit an all-time high in Arizona, Nevada, California and Florida. Home Values Plummet $2 Trillion in 2008 With a rising number of adjustable-rate mortgages on the verge of resetting, continued economic instability and plummeting housing values, the...