Housing starts decline, permits rise

Housing starts decline, permits rise

Nationwide housing production fell four percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 557,000 units, according to data released today by the U.S. Commerce Department. Meanwhile, permit issuance, which can be a future sign of housing activity, rose 10.9 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 653,000 units. Single-family housing starts fell 6.9 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 456,000 while multifamily starts posted a 12.2 percent gain to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 101,000 units.Single-family permits rose 8.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 508,000 units in December while multifamily permits were up 20.8 percent to 145,000 units. On an annual basis, year-end figures from the Commerce Department show that overall housing starts declined 38.8 percent to 554,000 units. Single-family starts were down 28.7 percent for the year to 444,000 units while multi-family starts declined 61.1 percent to 110,000 units." These figures give us the first estimate of the worst year we've seen for housing production since the Census began recording these numbers," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "We remain cautiously optimistic about a recovery in 2010, as job growth begins to show positive signs by mid-year." Regionally, housing starts in December were down 19 percent in the Northeast, 18.5 percent in the Midwest and 0.9 percent in the West. The South posted a 3.3 percent gain.

Mixed messages for home price

Mixed messages for home price

Data through November 2009, released today by Standard & Poor's for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices show that the annual rates of decline of the 10-City and 20-City Composites continue to improve, in spite of price declines being measured across many markets during November. This marks approximately 10 months of improved readings in the annual statistics, beginning in early 2009, and is the third consecutive month these statistics have registered single digit declines, after 20 consecutive months of double digit declines. Four of the markets-Charlotte, Las Vegas, Seattle and Tampa-posted new low index levels as measured by the past four years. In other words, any gains they might have seen in recent months have been erased and November is now considered their current trough value. On the flip side, there are still some markets that continue to improve month-over-month. Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego and San Francisco have seen prices increase for at least six consecutive months. Looking at the annual figures, four markets-Dallas, Denver, San Diego and San Francisco-have finally entered positive territory, something we really haven't seen in at least two years in most markets. Charlotte, Las Vegas, Seattle and Tampa all reached new low levels in November. For Las Vegas, in particular, prices have declined for 39 consecutive months, with a peak-to-trough reading of -55.6%. It is now just 4% above its January 2000 level. This compares to its peak in August 2006, when the average home price was 135% above that same level.

Dr Don Schunk, Research Economist, BB and T Center for Economic and Community Development

The December labor market data indicate ongoing weakness that highlights the precarious nature of this economy. The fragile recovery will need a return of consumer confidence and spending to be sustainable, but the fact that labor markets continue to deteriorate weakens the chances of improvement for confidence and spending. The economy needs a spark in terms of job and income creation. Historically, this spark has come from a rebound in home construction or business investment. However, both of these sectors are dealing with excess capacity: inventory of unsold homes working against construction and idle productive capacity working against business investment. The light at the end of the tunnel continues to flicker.

Columbia, SC The State Capital

The Market: Geographically, Columbia -- the state capital -- is in the center of the state, with a two-hour drive from either the Atlantic coast or the Blue Ridge Mountains, and about halfway between New York City and Miami, with easy access to interstate highways. Not just the center of state government, Columbia also is home to the main campus of the University of South Carolina (with 27,000 students) and its developing research park, Innovista, and to Fort Jackson, the largest Army training base in the country.

Area Population: 576,557
Area Households: 223,500
Household Growth Rate: 7.45% (projected 2006-20011)
Households with Children: (Younger than age 18) 36.8%


Households Owned: 69.1%
Median Value of Owned Homes: $121,762
Average Household Income: $62,501
Median Household Income: $47,821

Education: (Columbia Metro, which includes Richland and Lexington counties)25.6% have high school degrees21.7% have some college education27.2% have associate or bachelor's degrees10.2% have advanced degrees

Ethnic Makeup: 61.9% white; 33.3% African American; 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Nat.; 1.6% Asian; 0.1% Nat. Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander; 1.3% other; 1.6% two or more races
Median Age: 35.3 years
Average Rent: $826

Climate: A temperate climate year-round, averaging 82 degrees in summer, 53 degrees in
winter; average annual rainfall 50 inches

Major Employers/Industries: Palmetto Health, 7,500 employees; Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, 5,100 employees; University of South Carolina, 1,621 employees; Richland School District #1, 5,000 employees; SCE&G, 4,000 employees; UPS, 3,528 employees; Wachovia Bank, N.A., 3,422 employees; Richland School District #2, 2,500 employees; Fort Jackson, 4,200 employees; South Carolina State Government, 30,753 employees


Culture: Koger Center for the Arts, a $15 million complex; The Columbia Museum of Art; South Carolina State Museum; Carolina Coliseum; the new Colonial Center; 11 theater groups including professional theater; professional ballet troupe and numerous other dance companies; opera; symphony; The Township, which has hosted cultural events in Columbia since 1929.

Major Community Events: First Ladies' Walk for Life: Steps Against Breast Cancer; Summer Concert Series; Central Carolina Community Foundation's International Festival of Food and Wine; South Carolina State Fair; Palmetto Health Children's Hospital's Festival of Trees; Junior League of Columbia's Clean Sweep Sale; Columbia Festival of the Arts; Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia's Home and Garden Show; Black Expo
Famous Citizens: Coach Steve Spurrier; anchor Rita Cosby; Leeza Gibbons; astronaut Charles Bolden; the late novelist and poet James Dickey; novelist William Price Fox; the late Republican National Committee Chairman Lee Atwater; Miss America Kimberly Aiken; Hootie and the Blowfish; actress Kristen Davis; Strom Thurmond; Jesse Jackson; the late James Brown; comedian Steven Colbert

FHA to provide early relief to struggling homeowner

FHA to provide early relief to struggling homeowners

In an announcement Friday, HUD said homeowners with mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) who are experiencing financial hardship are now eligible for loss mitigation assistance before they fall behind on their mortgage payments.Previously, these homeowners were not eligible for such assistance until after they had missed payments. But the Helping Families Save Their Home Act of 2009 signed into law by President Obama expanded FHA's authority to use its loss mitigation tools for borrowers facing "imminent default." FHA issued guidance Friday to its loan servicers on how to assist these homeowners before they default.According to FHA Commissioner David Stevens, FHA has always required lenders to establish early contact with delinquent borrowers to discuss the reason for missing a payment and to evaluate reinstatement options. But now, he says, servicers will have additional options for those homeowners who seek help before they go delinquent, increasing the likelihood that the borrower will be able to retain their home.Effective immediately, the loss mitigation options of forbearance and FHA's Home Affordable Modification Program may be used to assist borrowers facing imminent default. FHA defines a "borrower facing imminent default" to be one who is current or less than 30 days past due on their mortgage obligation, and who is experiencing a significant reduction in income or some other hardship that will prevent them from making the next required payment.Under the agency's forbearance program, the loan servicer can agree to postpone, reduce, or suspend payments due on a loan for a limited and specific time period. FHA-HAMP allows qualified FHA-insured borrowers to reduce their monthly mortgage payment to an affordable level by permanently reducing the payment through the use of a partial claim combined with a loan modification. The partial claim defers the repayment of a portion of the mortgage principal through an interest-free subordinate mortgage that is not due until the first mortgage is paid off. The remaining balance is then modified through re-amortization and in some cases, an interest rate reduction.The borrower must be able to document the cause of the imminent default, such as unemployment or reduced pay, or a change in household financial circumstances such as a death in the family or serious illness. FHA said loan servicers are required to document the basis for their determination that a payment default is imminent and retain all documentation used to reach that conclusion. The servicer's documentation must also include information on the borrower's financial condition.Source: Carrie Bay, DSNews.com

Snap Shot look at Short Sales

There is some great issues with banks and learning the systems of "Short Sales" but over the last year. The banks have not been willing to work with the consumers. The banks are not willing to be timely with the getting information to the new buyers. The banks are not willing to work with in a timely manor with the sellers.

Studies have shown that it costs the bank more money if a property was foreclosed upon than if they accepted a 'short sale'. For homeowners, a 'short sale' makes much more sense for several reasons:
1- There is a much higher chance that the deficiency judgment could be negotiated in a short sale versus a foreclosure.
2- A short sale would have less of a negative impact on the homeowner's credit rating.
3- The homeowner would have at least some control over the timing of their relocation to new living arrangements.
4- A 'short sale' would allow the homeowner to leave with dignity.
5- It does not leave a house vacant for a year or more and bring other bank owned homes value down due to condition of subject property.
6- And Finally it just makes sense ( Banks don’t get it)

In the past, the banks used to process the loan (take the application, put together the file, etc.), lend you the money, and service the loan (send the bills, make collection calls, follow-up, etc.).

Over the last eight to ten years, the lending of mortgage money has shifted. First Wall Street and then the federal government became the primary lender in the mortgage sector. But, neither Wall Street nor the government had any interest in processing or servicing the mortgage. Mortgage companies continued to process the loans, but a new industry was created to fill the need for the servicing of these loans. So now, a separate and independent entity is servicing a tremendous portion of existing mortgages.

Just ten years ago, 37.4 percent of all mortgage loans were securitized (thus requiring a servicing company). Today, that number is 79.3 percent. Servicing companies actually collected more fees for a foreclosure than they did for a 'short sale'. Actually, the servicing company would lose money if they did a 'short sale'.

The federal government realizing that modifications were not the answer and banks realizing that the foreclosure process was too expensive, have agreed to change the fee structure to make it more profitable for the servicing companies to lean toward 'short sales'

Now knowing that information the process for short sales over the last 6 months to a year have become easier on everyone with one exception. While the process is easier, the volume has increased to the point that customer service has been thrown out the window and time of the essence is not spoken of.

My advice:
1- If you are in the need of a short sale, contact someone locally to help you through the process ( Loss Mitigation Specialist or an attorney). I can recommend someone to you if you need that assistance.

2- If you are interested in purchasing a Short Sale home, understand the process and understand it takes time and 85% of the time the delays are not the agents, or sellers fault. However, work with an agent that has done these type of transaction before. I can recommend someone to you if you need that assistance.

Short Sales information, Columbia Homes

Short Sale in Columbia, SC by Edwin Gerace

What is a Short Sale and can it save my house? This is in no way something you want to gamble with. You need a professional that knows Short Sales and is an expert in the area. Edwin Gerace is that agent. When days and weeks count, you don't need to risk your largest financial asset with an agent that is not knowledgeable in short sales.

For short sale assistance and other options to consider first before you should consider a short sale contact. There are other options besides than a short sale in the Columbia, SC so that you can stop foreclosure! There is Loan Modifications, and many others.

Edwin Gerace has access to a Loss Mitigation Specialist here locally that works on your behalf to help you through this banking process and decide what is the best path for you. If it is the Short Sale process she will help you and get from point A to Point B. Here is why that is vital. Imagine you going to the front of the bank and talking with the hostess, that is you. Edwin Gerace's friend has relationships with bankers and goes through the drive through and knows what to ask for and has the documents they want and require so that you don't have to wait any longer than you should. Does that sound easy? It is is and can save valuable time.

Listing your house with Real Estate Agent or Broker that knows about short sales. In many cases you may be able to sell your house before your foreclosure is final. Email Edwin Gerace for information

The other option that few consider is to rent your house. In many cases you may get a considerable down payment and perhaps a little more than your actual mortgage. If you need assistance to rent your house consult a property manager and notify your lender.

If you have considered all the alternatives to foreclosure, then a short sale may be the best possibility to move on with your life with the least amount of damage. You win, the bank wins. Your house gets sold; the bank gets a new mortgage. Feel Free to visit my website for more information.

However, in many cases your house may get sold for less than the amount owed, and then the bank can come after you for the difference. Some banks ask for that the remaining funds that were not satisfied to be paid over time or some times they 1099 the seller too.

Earlier this week, mortgage giant Fannie Mae said homeowners who stop making payments and then send their keys back to lenders months later will not be able to get another mortgage through that firm for five years. Freddie Mac also is going after walk-away borrowers, mortgage lenders say. Neighbors of the people who walk way are already being punished by lower home values due to the foreclosure. "People should hang in there as long as they can, ask for help and try to work with their lender,"

If you are going to consider a short sale to prevent foreclosure in the Columbia SC area, consider a company that understands how and has the contacts with a team of professionals that are properly trained to get a short sale completed.

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