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Displaying blog entries 1821-1830 of 1998

Does Buying A Montgomery Home Makes Sense?

by The Hat Team

Does Buying A Montgomery Home Makes Sense?

 

The housing market has never been better for many potential Montgomery home buyers. In fact, more often than not, it is less expensive to own your own home rather than rent.

 

The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that in 57 out of the 100 most populated metro areas, renting a three-bedroom home is more expensive than monthly costs on a six percent mortgage for a typical low-priced house in the same area.

 

With all the news these days concerning the economic crunch and these tumultuous economic times, you might think I’m crazy saying it is a good time to buy a Montgomery home. Of course, buyers with strong credit are best positioned to take advantage of today’s opportunities. A high credit score will yield a lower interest rate and increase the likelihood that a loan application will be approved.

 

For example, a buyer with a 6 percent mortgage will pay a third less per month than a buyer who has a loan at 8 percent. This difference can be hundreds of dollars per month.

 

FHA loans, VA loans and government backed first-time buyer loans are all available to qualified buyers. With the current low interest rates and affordable housing prices, it is a great time to buy your Montgomery home.

 

It is also a time to keep in mind that buying a home is a long term investment…and an investment you and your family can enjoy for many years!

Learn more about Montgomery homes and real estate.

 

Search all Montgomery homes for sale.

Impact Of Credit Crunch In Montgomery Minimal

by The Hat Team
Impact of credit crunch in Montgomery minimal
By Bob Gambacurta
Just as it was several months ago, when parts of the nation became swept up in the emerging home mortgage meltdown, the impact was no where near as critical in Alabama and Montgomery in particular, as it was in South Florida, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Arizona and California. For the most part, Alabama banks chose not to participate in making unsound, subprime mortgages.
So too is it today in the wake of the credit crisis which has devastated Wall Street and forced Congress to pass emergency relief legislation. Montgomery and most of Alabama has escaped, not totally unscathed but certainly better off than what we read in the newspaper and see on television. Locally, bankers decry the national media coverage as excessive doom and gloom.
Alabama banks have money to lend for home mortgages, car loans, business loans and the full range of consumer lending. Loan demand has declined, not for lack of money or because of more restrictive qualifications, but more likely from reduced consumer confidence and the impact of the slowing economy on income and employment.
"We never stopped making mortgages," says John Herzog, vice president and regional manager of New South Federal Savings Bank. "We always have conforming mortgage money. Non-conforming is gone completely. You've got to qualify now.
"But car loans, business to business loans, short term sort of stuff, that really dried up. Bank to bank loans, 90-day notes, all those things that businesses use to buy inventory and then sell it, short term borrowings is what dried up and so cash flow is difficult for small business right now," Herzog says.
The impact on small business is temporary, Herzog emphasizes. He predicts those types of lending instruments will be back to normal in two to three weeks.
Steve Kermish, president of Residential Mortgage Corporation, says the media is putting out wrong information.
"After listening to the national media, the misinformed are disseminating information to the uninformed. Comments like there's no money for mortgage loans and you need to have a 720 credit score to get a mortgage, it's just rubbish. I wish we could just get the facts out there.
"The truth of the matter is there's plenty of mortgage money out there. Not only is it out there, it's out there at a darn good rate, below 6 percent. You can get a 30-year fixed rate loan for less than 6 percent," says Kermish and you don't need perfect credit to qualify.
"On FHA and VA (mortgages) you can go all the way down to a 580 credit score. You sure don't need a 720. On a conventional loan you need about a 620. That's a long way from perfect credit," Kermish says.
Kermish says mortgages do not require a greater down payment today than before the credit crisis. VA loans are zero down. FHA loans require a down payment of 3 percent and conventional loans five percent. He says reports that homebuyers need to have 20 percent to put down are not true. As a matter of fact, he says, there are programs available with 100 percent financing.
Vicki Williams, president of Anchor Mortgage, concurs. "I still have three or four different type programs that I can do 100 percent financing. I can go as low as a 580 credit score. Your perception may be different that mine, but that's not what I'm reading in the paper, that you've got to have a 740 score and twenty percent down.
"I've got people I'm doing loans for now and they tell me, 'oh I read the paper, are we out of money?' I tell them no. They don't have the funky loans anymore, the loans where you don't have to have any income and you have bad credit and no down payment. They kind of decided those weren't the best idea after all," Williams says.
Williams blames the Clinton administration for relaxing home mortgage requirements in 1999 in order to allow low and moderate income people to buy their own homes. Some people received loans who never should have.
Williams says her business was off about ten percent last month, making about $9 million in loans as compared to $10 million to $11 million in previous months. The decline is not for lack of money to lend.
"It's only because people are scared that there's no money or that the rates are high. Our rates are five-and-7-eights," she says. That's lower than the average mortgage loan rates in 2007 and 2006 and comparable to mortgage rates in 2005.
Other aspects of consumer borrowing in Alabama also appear to be relatively unfazed by the national credit crisis. New South Federal's Herzog thinks Alabama banks, with one exception, are weathering the crisis pretty well.
"Our regional banks are fair. Wachovia was the one regional that was way too heavy real estate oriented.
"The smaller community banks are making out like bandits right now. They're getting everybody's customers who want new credit lines. They're making hay while the sun is shining on them. They're doing pretty well," Herzog says.
Dick Morris, area marketing director for Regions Bank, is not aware of any significant decline in Region's consumer loan business.
"In general, there continue to be credit requests. Our business is taking deposits and making loans and we continue to do that. Absolutely, we have money to lend.
"Regions has always been a well-funded, conservative bank. We have not tightened our loan requirements. We just continue to make good loans to good customers," Morris says.
River Bank and Trust is one of the area's newer community banks with locations in Montgomery, Prattville and Wetumpka. Jimmy Stubbs, the bank's president and CEO, doesn't believe credit has become tighter for his customers.
"We're a community bank, owned by people right here. It's become an alternative to big holding company banking. Our loan demand has either been steady or improved. The only area we've seen a decline is in residential construction and acquisition and development of property for residential development.
"From our perspective, it's not a lack of money but anytime you go through a down cycle in the economy, banks tend to be a little more conservative in their evaluation of businesses and individuals who are applying for credit. Typically, if times get tougher for businesses and/or individuals, they're not going to have as much money or cash flow to service their debt.
"We've got money available to lend. What gets tighter right now is the money businesses and individuals have available to service debt. That's what really begins to change," Stubbs says.
While the national credit crisis has had some minimal impact on business and banking in Alabama, it is no where near as dire as national media reports indicate. Banker Herzog believes that whatever the impact is, it's short term.
"The fix is in. All you've got to do is gain a little traction, got to grease the skids and we've got to get money moving again," Herzog says. "The only fix now is time and consumer confidence."

Montgomery AL Real Estate Sales Statistics - September 2008

by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate Sales Statistics - September 2008

Pending home sales activity surged as buyers took advantage of low home prices and affordable interest rates, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, jumped 7.4 percent to 93.4 from an upwardly revised reading of 87.0 in July, and is 8.8 percent higher than August 2007 when it stood at 85.8. The index is at the highest level since June 2007 when it stood at 101.4.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home buyers were responding to improved affordability. “What we’re seeing is the momentum of people taking advantage of low home prices, with pending home sales up strongly in California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Rhode Island and the Washington, D.C., region,” he said. "It’s unclear how much contract activity may be impacted by the credit disruptions on Wall Street, but we’re hopeful most of the increase will translate into closed existing-home sales.”

Let’s take a look at the sales statistics for September 2008 to see how the Montgomery AL real estate market looks:

In Midtown Montgomery, pending sales increased 28% in September 2008, compared against September 2007.  Likewise, the number of sold listings increased by 27%.  The average sales price increased 19% to $123,834, and homes remained on the market for an average of 4 days longer this September.

Midtown
Montgomery
Pending
Sales
Sold
Listings
Average
Market Times
Average
Sales Price
September 2008
50
37
84
$147,114
September 2007
39
29
80
$123,834

Again, as Lawrence Yun said and as these statistics show, people are taking advantage of improved affordability.  

For the latest Montgomery AL real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.
I
nformation is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.  

Montgomery Real Estate Podcast - October 2008

by The Hat Team

podcastThis month's edition of the Montgomery Real Estate Podcast covers Montgomery real estate market activity and then we will talk about how with every change, there are hidden opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.

Program length: approximately 7 minutes

Montgomery Real Estate for Sale: 3402 Royal Carriage Drive

by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate for Sale: 3402 Royal Carriage Drive

 

Sitting on this beautiful corner lot is this spacious home in Carriage Hills with many amenities. The home has been recently updated with fresh paint, new carpet and more. Off the 2-car carport is a generous storage room. The bedrooms are spacious, the living areas are large enough for those family gatherings and storage is plentiful. There is even a sprinkler system so no worries about manual watering. Underpinning completed in August. This one is priced to sell so come see it today.
For more information on 3402 Royal Carriage Drive or other Montgomery real estate, visit our website, HatTeam.com or give us a call, 800-428-5239.

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale In Capitol Heights

by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale In Capitol Heights
1933 Windsor Avenue, Montgomery AL 36107

Step inside this unassuming Capitol Heights cottage in Montgomery AL and be prepared to have your socks knocked off! This remarkable renovation boasts gleaming (literally!) hardwood floors, fresh paint, new fixtures and all new blinds. The kitchen has granite tile countertops, tumbled tile back splash and high end tile floor. Beautiful hall bath has new fixtures and tumbled tile walls. Spacious master bedroom has private bath with tile shower, jetted tub, new vanity, and walk-in closet. All this and more at a price you can afford!
For moreinformation on this Capitol Heights home or ther Montgomery real estate, visit HatTeam.com or give us a call, 800-428-5239.

Re-capturing The American Dream With Montgomery Real Estate

by The Hat Team
Re-capturing The American Dream With Montgomery Real Estate
 
In the past, owning a home has always been perceived as a major component of the “American Dream.” Unfortunately, because of the recent real estate market activity, home-ownership is often seen now as more of a nightmare than a dream. But that doesn’t have to be the case! Even in a slower economy, purchasing Montgomery real estate can still be a step toward achieving your own “American Dream!” 
 
montgomery real estateInman News offers some reasons why home ownership still has benefits and advantages, including:
  • The opportunity to build equity and create wealth over time.
  • Protection from rent increases or eviction at the whim of a landlord.
  • The pleasures of a relatively larger home, suitable for a family, and with a backyard, garage or other auxiliary space.
  • The freedom — design review boards notwithstanding — to improve, remodel or redecorate to suit one’s own style and budget.
  • A variety of lucrative income-tax breaks.
  • Pride of ownership and a greater sense of security and stability.
 
So, if you are thinking of purchasing Montgomery real estate, now is the time! Don’t let the negative media attention on the market get you down – home ownership is still an attainable goal and a big part of the American Dream.

“Emergency Economic Stabilization Act Of 2008" Summary

by The Hat Team

The 'Emergency Economic Stabilization Act' failed to pass congress yesterday. the result being a 777 point drop in the stock market. Most of us are aware of the affect, but don't understand what the Act included. Below is a summary from John Herzog, Alabama's first Certified Mortgage Banker.

I.  Stabilizing the Economy

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) provides up to $700 billion to the Secretary of the Treasury to buy mortgages and other assets that are clogging the balance sheets of financial institutions and making it difficult for working families, small businesses, and other companies to access credit, which is vital to a strong and stable economy.  EESA also establishes a program that would allow companies to insure their troubled assets.

II. Homeownership Preservation

EESA requires the Treasury to modify troubled loans – many the result of predatory lending practices – wherever possible to help American families keep their homes.  It also directs other federal agencies to modify loans that they own or control.  Finally, it improves the HOPE for Homeowners program by expanding eligibility and increasing the tools available to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help more families keep their homes.

III. Taxpayer Protection

Taxpayers should not be expected to pay for Wall Street’s mistakes.  The legislation requires companies that sell some of their bad assets to the government to provide warrants so that taxpayers will benefit from any future growth these companies may experience as a result of participation in this program.  The legislation also requires the President to submit legislation that would cover any losses to taxpayers resulting from this program by charging a small, broad-based fee on all financial institutions. 

IV. No Windfalls for Executives

Executives who made bad decisions should not be allowed to dump their bad assets on the government, and then walk away with millions of dollars in bonuses.  In order to participate in this program, companies will lose certain tax benefits and, in some cases, must limit executive pay.  In addition, the bill limits “golden parachutes” and requires that unearned bonuses be returned. 

V.  Strong Oversight

Rather than giving the Treasury all the funds at once, the legislation gives the Treasury $250 billion immediately, then requires the President to certify that additional funds are needed ($100 billion, then $350 billion subject to Congressional disapproval). The Treasury must report on the use of the funds and the progress in addressing the crisis.  EESA also establishes an Oversight Board so that the Treasury cannot act in an arbitrary manner.  It also establishes a special inspector general to protect against waste, fraud and abuse.

John Herzog CMB
Vice President/Regional Manager
New South Federal Savings Bank
[email protected]

Montgomery Real Estate & Homes For sale

by The Hat Team
Montgomery Real Estate: Homes For Sale:
3137 Milan Dr.
Montgomery, AL 36109

Move in Ready Home in Forest Hills!
Pristine condition and move-in ready! If you are a perfectionist, this precious cottage style Forest Hills home in Montgomery is just for you. Great room has vaulted beamed ceiling, built-in bookcases and cozy fireplace. Large kitchen with glass-front cabinets, and 2 greenhouse windows for those plant lovers! Out back you'll find a large custom deck and professional landscaping to include some pretty spectacular sego palms! "Smooth Move" pre inspection means this one is problem free!
For more information on 3137 Milan Drive, visit HatTeam.com or give us a call, 800-428-5239.

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Sales Statistics - August 2008

by The Hat Team
Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Report
The level of home sales is expected to show little movement in the months ahead, according to the latest projections by the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in July, fell 3.2 percent to 86.5 from an upwardly revised reading of 89.4 in June, which had risen 5.8 percent from May. The July index remains 6.8 percent below July 2007 when it stood at 92.8.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales continue to edge up and down. “Pending home sales are oscillating month-to-month, with the long-term trend essentially flat,” he said. “Overly stringent lending criteria imposed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the past month no doubt held back contract signings.”

Let’s take a look at the Midtown Montgomery sales statistics for August 2008 to see how the Montgomery AL real estate market looks:

In Midtown Montgomery, pending sales decreased 24% in August 2008, compared against August 2007.  Likewise, the number of sold listings dropped 22%.  The average sales price decreased 11% to $162,606, and homes remained on the market for an average of 14 days longer this August.

Midtown
Montgomery
Pending
Sales
Sold
Listings
Average
Market Times
Average
Sales Price
August 2008
38
36
110
$162,606
August 2007
50
46
96
$183,598

For the latest Montgomery AL real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

 

I
nformation is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.  

Displaying blog entries 1821-1830 of 1998

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