Market Analysis for July 2009

The sizzling summer continues to sell homes.  The trend of homes flying off the shelves remains the same as we have had three straight months of 8000+ homes sold.  Phoenix continues to pace the race with its inventory going down to 3.9 months.  Gilbert is a close second at 4.2 months.

July 2009 Inventory of Homes Available

July 2009 Inventory of Homes Available

11531 pending homes sales in May led to 8291 homes sold in June.  And likewise, 11638 pending homes sales in June led to 8009 homes sold in July.  That is a 72% and 69% closing ratio respectively.  Those numbers in themselves aren’t all that high, but that indicates that we are no longer having the problems of financing fallouts like we did last year.  We also saw 2859 homes bought in cash for the month of July, which means that we are still seeing 36% of the homes being bought in cash.

Status of Homes for the month of July

Status of Homes for the month of July

Active Pending Sold Inventory
Tempe 769 195 171 5.64
Chandler 1233 561 411 4.36
Gilbert 1238 667 454 4.20
Scottsdale 4280 679 566 8.76
Mesa 2462 975 784 4.38
Ahwatukee 505 158 122 5.43
Paradise Valley 499 35 26 20.54
Phoenix 7081 2985 2583 3.90
Maricopa County 26443 10349 8009 4.59

Tempe Foreclosure Listing – 1849 E Magdalena Dr


Bank owned property needs a new owner. Diving pool. Energy efficient A/C updated in 2005. New roof 2006. Workshop with extra storage. Large backyard, mature citrus in front and back, GE refrigerator. Sunken living room, formal dining room, family room w/fireplace, twin sinks in both baths, ceiling fans in all bedrooms and family room. Close to shopping, freeways, schools and ASU. Move in ready. One of the few REOs that shows pride of ownership.

You shall not pass! (aka short sale approved!)

Like Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings, I had to stop the bank from foreclosing on my client.  It took a lot of work, a lot of pleading, a lot of explaining, and there were tears here and there, but we finally have short sale approval.  I would venture to guess that my clients at 5827 E Fairfield, Mesa, AZ, 85205 are quite happy.  Not only will their credit not be tarnished with a foreclosure, but we have come to a peaceful resolution that makes the buyers, sellers, and the bank happy.  This would have been a perfect ending had the buyers still been around, but unfortunately, they had gone on to another property.  Such is the business when working with short sales.  Fortunately, when we put the property back on the market on Friday, we got two full priced offers today.  Are you facing foreclosure?  Do you want to short sale your home and prevent the havoc a foreclosure on your house will bring to your credit?  Let’s talk!

Foreclosure Step 1 – Cash for Keys

So I’ve got a new listing.  It’s not ready to go on the market yet.  Many things need to occur from trustee sale (the foreclosure action in the state of Arizona) until actual marketing.  The first thing I needed to do was inspect the property from the outside to verify its occupancy status.  If the property is vacant, I arrange for the property to be secured by changing all the locks on the property.  If it is still occupied, I need to approach the occupant.  Sometimes it’s occupied by renters, and other times, it will be the owner.  When I approach the occupant, we go over a “cash for keys” contract.  Essentially, they agree to leave the premises in clean condition by a specified date.  If they perform their end of the contract, they get the cash amount they were offered for leaving.  In addition to offering cash for keys, we investigate how far behind the owner was on HOA and gather property tax information.

This is all so exciting, isn’t it!  I imagine this is akin to the magician exposing the tricks of the trade.  Anyway, my goal is to inform you, the consumer.  Stay tuned for more information!

New Tempe Foreclosure Listing

My friends, I just got my first foreclosure listing in Tempe.  I’ve had multiple bank listings in Phoenix, Mesa, and even as far as Sun City, but this is my first Tempe foreclosure listing.  I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to allow my loyal readers to see what it’s like in dealing with an REO property.  I will go through all the steps in a multi-post series.  The topics will include:

  • Cash for keys
  • Securing the property
  • Listing/Marketing
  • Negotiations
  • and more!

Stay tuned!

Blame Canada!

Is this what we’ve come to?  We’re going to rent from investors from Canada?  According to the New York Times, investment firms are buying hundreds of our homes here in Phoenix as rental properties.  They are buying bank foreclosures and then leasing the properties back to the original borrowers.  In many ways, this works out for all those involved.  Renters have a place to live, and the investors are gaining equity AND cashflow.  This should be a wake up call to local investors that we should be able to take advantage of our local market.  Don’t let outsiders drive up the prices again on us like many of the investors did last time.

Added Commercial Foreclosure List

Friends,

Many of my most recent investors have been looking at foreclosures in commercial real estate and multi-family properties. Since many of my clients have deemed this to be a favorable avenue for investment, I have decided to unveil these exclusive properties to the public. If you are interested in seeing what’s available, check out commercial foreclosure properties and apartment foreclosures.

Cheers

Don't bank with your mortgage lender if…

This might seem like such common sense, but let me state it explicitly as Joel the Realtor recently had his checking and savings account pillaged by Wells Fargo.  If you are facing foreclosure, if you are unable to make payments, please please please do NOT leave money in the same bank that you are facing foreclosure with.  Recently, a local Realtor had Wells Fargo wipe out his checking and savings account.  They were the second note on the account, and according to Wells Fargo:

“State and federal law gives financial institutions the right to claim unpaid and past due amounts owed to them….  This is a common industry practice.”

So again, it might seem like common sense to us all, but let us learn from Joel’s lesson.

$15000 Phoenix Grant Update

Great news!  I was able to get my hands on the fact sheet straight from the city of Phoenix.  Here it is in all its entirety:

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Homeownership Assistance Fact Sheet

NSP Program Overview

As part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), passed by Congress in July 2008, $3.92 billion was provided to communities hardest hit by residential foreclosures and mortgage delinquencies. The city of Phoenix received $39,478,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program

(NSP) funds to help families purchase foreclosed homes at a discount, which in turn helps stabilize neighborhoods. NSP Homeownership Assistance funds are for down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible homebuyers.

Homeownership Assistance Description

The NSP Homeownership Assistance Program provides a $15,000 loan for down payment and closing cost assistance for buyers of foreclosed homes anywhere in the city of Phoenix. The full amount of the loan is paid back to the city when the homebuyer sells the home or refinances. The program targets foreclosed single family homes, townhouses and condominiums (condo conversions are not eligible) that meet HUD Housing Quality Standards (HSQ). The Homeownership Assistance program is for down payment and closing cost assistance only and cannot be used to fund rehabilitation activities.

Eligible Homebuyer

Eligible families can earn up to 120 percent of area median income (AMI), which is based on family size. In determining a family’s income, all wages and salaries of all family members over age 18 are considered as well as other sources of income.

Family Size 120% AMI Income

1 $53,950

2                         $61,650

3                         $69,350

4                         $77,050

5                         $83,200

6                         $89,400

7                         $95,550

8                         $101,700

Families must be FHA creditworthy and have completed the NSP-required eight-hour Homeownership Education and Credit Assessment counseling. Families must maintain the property as their principal residence.

Eligible Property

To be eligible for NSP Homeownership Assistance funds, properties must meet the following requirements:

  • Located in the city of Phoenix
  • Foreclosed and have changed title
  • Appraised within 60 days of the purchase contract
  • Purchase contract must contain four contingencies:
  • Sales price at least 15 percent below appraised value
  • Property clear of the city’s top eight neighborhood code violations (see phoenix.gov/CLEANPHXltopseng.pdf)
  • Pass inspection according to HQS before close of escrow
  • Signed “Lead Disclosure Form” from seller for properties built pre-Jan. l, 1978

Program Description

The NSP Homeownership Assistance program consists of three-phases – each with very specific requirements:

Home buyer Education and Credit Assessment

  • Complete eight hours of counseling from a HUD-certified housing counselor
  • Receive a Certificate of Completion from the HUD-certified counselor
  • Qualify for a 30 year, fixed rate, amortizing loan (not subprime)

Eligibility Verification

  • Determine income eligibility and invest $1,000 from own funds
  • Find eligible bank.-owned foreclosed property
  • Verify purchase price of at least 15 percent below appraised value

Closing Requirements

  • Sign purchase contract with city required contingencies (see above)
  • Pass Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection before close of escrow
  • Completed HUD environmental impact assessment (provided by the city)
  • Lead Disclosure Form signed by seller if property pre-Jan. 1, 1978
  • Obtain three-year Home Warranty contract, not to exceed $1,500
  • Execute city Homeownership Assistance loan documents/agreements

Questions and answers from the NSP Homeownership Assistance Information Session

  • Is the $15,000 loan subject to interest?
    • No. It has to be paid back when the home is sold or the property is refinanced OR if you own the home more than 45 years. If you do own the home 45 years, you can ask the City of Phoenix for another 45 year extension on the $15,000 loan.
  • Can the money be used for repairs?
    • No. For closing costs and down payment only.
  • Can the 203k be used with this program?
    • No, not in this Phase of the program.
  • The appraisal has to be done to determine the value of the home- who pays for this?
    • Typically the home buyer will pay for this unless it is negotiated in the contract.
  • Do we have to follow your guidelines or the Lender’s guidelines for this program?
    • You have to follow both. You have to fall into the income limitations set for this program, the DTI 31 %/41 %, counseling/credit requirements AND the property has to meet the requirements of the HQS. Any additional lending requirements must be met for the loan.
    • NO non-occupying co-signers allowed.
  • Is there a cost for the counseling?
    • Each counseling agency has their policy on the charge for the counseling session. Please contact the HUD-approved counselors for costs.
  • How long will it take to close on a home once I have completed the classes?
    • Once you find a home, it will take a minimum of 45 days from a fully executed contract until closing. Once the assistance documents are signed, it takes a minimum of 10-days to have the funds wired to the escrow company.
  • Who pays for the inspection?
    • The buyer pays for the inspection and any re-inspection that is needed. And the inspector must use the HSQ inspection sheet in order to buyer’s to use this program.
  • What if the seller won’t do the repairs? Can I do them after I move in?
    • If the seller doesn’t do the repairs, the house doesn’t qualify under the currently guidelines and the property isn’t eligible for the program. No, the repairs have to be done by the seller.
  • What if the seller won’t lower the sales price of the home to 15% below the appraised value?
    • The house doesn’t qualify for this program.
  • Is the program based on “need” or can anyone use it for a foreclosed home in the City of Phoenix?
    • The program is not “need” based at this time. You can use FHA/VA loans for this program. This is not for cash buyers at this time.
  • Do I need a 3-year home warranty? Who pays for this?
    • A 3-year home warranty is required for use of this program. The buyer or seller can pay for this. Wasn’t made clear at the meeting if this can be covered by the $15,000 loan.
  • Can I income-qualify alone for my family or does everyone that receives income have to qualify?
    • Everyone that will be living in the home as a principal residence will need to be included under the income requirements. Any SSI, worker’s camp, Pension, etc … will need to be disclosed.
  • Can I own other real estate and use this program?
    • No, you cannot own any other real estate.

Phoenix wants to give you $15000

The City of Phoenix has just announced that they will give you $15000 to buy a foreclosure.  This is even more reason to get off your seat and buy today!  You can use the $15000 however you want.  It can be used towards your downpayment, closing costs, or whatever you would like.  The best part is that you can combine it with the $8000 stimulus bill we just enacted, and end up getting $23,000 just for buying a foreclosure property in Phoenix.  Details are still developing, and I will be happy to answer any of your questions.