Pictures from the Memorial Day Parade

April Home Prices See Biggest Yearly Gain in 7 Years

Nationwide, the housing recovery has picked up speed and many parts of the country are seeing a return of multiple offers, house flippers (gasp!) and a tight supply of available homes.

CoreLogic's home price index rose 12.1 percent in April over year ago levels--a huge rise that is not sustainable--they predict a 2.7 percent rise in May when that data is available.

These states has the largest price gains over the past year, but remember, they're among those that fell the most:
Nevada up 24.6%, California up 19.4%, Arizona up 17.3%, Hawaii up 17% and Oregon up 15.5% 

Most of these states have a long way to go to get back to pre housing bust levels. (Remember the math: if a property fell 50%, it has to go up 100% to get back to where it started.)

In the Grand Strand, prices and sales are up more modestly, which is good.  The May report from SiteTech Systems can be found at: SitetechSystem's Grand Strand Market Report for May 2013.

Why is it good we're up more modestly?  Easy, let's learn from recent history; a slow steady improvement in our market is a whole lot better than disruptive large fluctuations.  April's 12.1% national increase is not sustainable and if I'm wrong and it is: What's that called?  A bubble; been there, done that, don't want to do it again! 

Current Mortgage Interest Rates

Current interest rates for Grand Strand mortgages:

30 yr fixed 4.125% purchase; 4.375% refinance

20 yr fixed 3.875% purchase; 4.125% refinance

15 yr fixed 3.25% purchase; 3.50% refinance

10 yr fixed 3.125% purchase; 3.50% refinance

Grand Strand Market Report for May 2013

The residential real estate market continues to improve, for both single family homes and
condos.  Here is the summary from SiteTech Systems:

"After a strong start in 2013, Single Family Residential (SFR) sales continued its
momentum as May’s performance was the best May since 2006. During May,
SFR sales topped 473 homes which is an 18.3% improvement from 2012 and a
47.4% improvement from 2011. May’s performance was the best single month
of sales since June 2006. Year-to-date (YTD), SFR sales are up 21.1% from 2012
levels. In addition to strong SFR sales, the median sales price of SFRs was
$190,000, the best monthly performance since Q3 2010. The improvement in
sales price was driven by fewer distressed sales. YTD, the median sales price is
up 5.03% for the year. As SFR sales continue to grow, more homes are coming
back onto the market. During May, the inventory of home for sales continued
its seasonal rise and is up 5.6% from prior year levels. It is anticipated that the
inventory has peaked and will begin its seasonal decline in June. Offsetting the
growth in SFR inventory, the inventory of distressed homes for sale continued
to decline and is now 31.1% below its prior year level. For condos, the
inventory continues it slow decline and the current inventory is down 10.8%
from May 2012 and distressed inventory is sharply down 39.3% over the last
year. During May, condo sales declined slightly from 2012 and remain up 6.8%
for the full year. The median sales price for condo rebounded in May to
$110,500. This improvement was driven by fewer distressed sales. YTD, the
median sales price of condos remains flat to 2012 levels at
$105,000. Residential lot sales rebounded in May and full year sales are in line
with 2012 performance. Similar to SFR and condos, the median sales price of
residential lots improved in May and the YTD sales price is now up 17.8% from
2012."

Read the entire report at:
Grand_Strand_Market_Report May 2013

Should You Get a Reverse Mortgage?

You can't turn on the TV these days without seeing some worn out actor or former politician pitching reverse mortgages as if they they are a great deal for seniors. Well, maybe.

Some big lenders have pulled out of the reverse mortgage business--Wells Fargo and Bank of American, but plenty of other lenders remain, so if you want one, you'll have no trouble finding a lender.  Why? Because they are highly profitable for the lender, but perhaps not such a good deal for the borrower; they have steep up front fees.

Only get one if you:

• Have equity in your home and no way of paying your bills other than selling your home and living on the proceeds
• Can pay the property taxes and home owners insurance bills from now until you die with or without the money you're getting from the reverse mortgage.

With a reverse mortgage, only available to those 62 years young, you get to cash out most of your equity and keep your house.  The bank pays you the value of your house either in a lump sum or fixed monthly payments both of which are based on formulae taking into account your home's current value, current interest rates and your age.

Since you don't pay back a reverse mortgage, you don't have to prove income--the reverse mortgage is your future income.  If you take the lump sum and spend it, you get to stay until you die, but if you don't pay your property taxes the bank will and then they'll foreclose.  If you don't pay your insurance, the bank will buy a policy for you and expect you to pay for it, but if you can't, the bank will seek permission from HUD to foreclose.

So before you sign up for a reverse mortgage, make sure you'll be able to pay your property taxes and insurance in the future and allow for inflation, as they always go up, not down.  Here, along the South Carolina coast, expect substantial increase in windstorm and flood insurance.

A reverse mortgage can be a blessing if your retirement income isn't enough, just be sure you can always pay your taxes and insurance no matter what.