REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS 05/23/2010 – 05/30/2010: NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES
These zip codes include the Northeast Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY MAY 30 IN NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES
Listing of Sunday’s Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Sunday’s Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
The Supply Of New Homes For Sale Just Dropped Off A Cliff
The supply of newly-built homes for sales plummeted in April, a positive indicator for the housing market as we head into the summer months.
It’s no wonder that homebuilders are breaking new ground at the fastest clip in 2 years.
At the current sales pace, the nation’s complete supply of new homes would be sold in just 5 month’s time. That’s more than double the pace of a year ago.
Also, as more good news, in terms of total housing units, the government reports that New Home Sales topped one half-million homes sold for the first time since May 2008.
It’s a similar spike as within the Existing Home Sales data released earlier this week.
But before we declare the housing market “repaired in full”, we have to consider a few of the reasons why home sales are charting so strongly.
The first reason is the federal homebuyer tax credit’s April 30 expiration. In order to claim up to $8,000 in tax credits, home buyers must have been in mutual contract for a property before May 1. There is no doubt this contributed to a run-up in sales, especially among first-time home buyers.
The second reason is that mortgage rates have remained exceptionally low, defying expert predictions. Low rates don’t sell homes, but they do make monthly payments easier to manage for households torn between renting or buying.
And, lastly, March and April’s new home sales may have been buoyed by aggressive discounting on behalf of homebuilders. As compared to February 2010, April’s average new home sale price was lower by 13 percent. That’s a sharp drop in a short period of time.
For now, though, homes are selling, supplies are dropping, and buyer interest is high. It’s no wonder builder confidence is soaring.
Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?
Because of strife in Greece, Spain and North Korea, conforming mortgage rates are back to all-time lows. They’re at levels not seen in 50 years. For homeowners that missed the Refi Boom of November 2009, it’s a second chance.
In this well-presented, 3-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show, you’ll get tips getting low rates and choosing the best time to lock in.
Some of the topics covered include:
- Why were the experts wrong about rates moving higher this summer?
- How much money can you save with a 1 point drop in your interest rate?
- Should you buy a bigger home now that rates have fallen?
The advice in the piece is matter-of-fact and centered. There is no cheerleading and the message is honest. Mortgage rates are low and they likely won’t stay that way. If you’ve been thinking about a refinance, talk to your loan officer as soon as possible.
Home Price Index Rises 0.3% in March 2010
Home values rose in March, according to the Federal Home Finance Agency’s most recent Home Price Index. Values were reported higher by 0.3 percent, on average, from February.
We use the phrase “on average” because the Home Price Index is broad-reaching, national housing statistic. It ignores the dynamics of neighborhood real estate markets as well as citywide markets , too.
Instead, the Home Price Index focuses on state and regional statistics.
For example, in March 2010 as compared to February:
- Values in the East South Central region rose 2.5%
- Values in the Mountain states rose 1.1%
- Values in the Middle Atlantic states fell 1.0%
Of course, none of this data is especially helpful for today’s home buyers and sellers.
Real estate is a local phenomenon that can’t be summarized by state or region. What matters most to buyers and sellers is the economics of a neighborhood and that level of granularity can’t be served up by a national housing report like the Home Price Index.
The Home Price Index data is additionally unhelpful to buyers and sellers in that it reports on a 2-month delay.
In other words, Home Price Index is not even a fair reflection of today’s market — it highlights the real estate market as it existed 60 days ago.
So why is the Home Price Index even published? Because government, business and banks rely on the reports. As a national indicator, the Home Price Index helps governments make policy, businesses make decisions, and banks make guidelines. This, in turn, trickles down to Main Street where it impacts every one of us — and eventually influences real estate.
Since peaking in April 2007, the Home Price Index is off 13.44 percent.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : May 24, 2010
Another week, same old story.
Mortgage markets improved again last week on worsening news out of Greece and the Eurozone. Then, as contagion mentality set in, U.S. mortgage bonds gained and mortgage rates fell.
It’s the 4th straight week in which conforming mortgage rates improved and, against the expectations of experts everywhere, it’s now late-May and mortgage rates are as low as they’ve been all year.
If you’re a homeowner and haven’t looked at refinancing lately, it may be a good time to call your loan officer to hear your options. Especially because low rates can’t last forever.
The European market concerns are likely overblown and the U.S. economy continues to expand at a measured pace.
This week, housing and inflation data takes center stage.
- Monday : Existing Home Sales data
- Tuesday : Case-Shiller Index; Home Price Index
- Wednesday : New Home Sales data
- Thursday : GDP
- Friday : Personal Consumption Expenditures
Each of these data points has the power to move mortgage rates — especially because trading volume is expected to thin as the 3-day weekend nears. As volume drops on Wall Street, it will be harder to match buyers and sellers and, as a result, mortgage pricing will get (more) erratic.
Rates should be most stable at the start of the week. It may be the best time to lock a rate.
REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS 05/16/2010 – 05/23/2010: NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES
These zip codes include the Northeast Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
The Fed’s April Minutes Push Mortgage Rates Even Lower
After starting the day in the red, mortgage rates rebounded Wednesday afternoon after the Federal Reserve released its April 27-28, 2010 meeting minutes.
It’s good news for home buyers and would-be refinancers. Mortgage rates continue to troll along multi-year lows.
“Fed Minutes” are lengthy, detailed recaps of Federal Open Market Committee meetings, not unlike the minutes you’d see after a corporate conference, or condo association gathering. The Federal Reserve publishes Fed Minutes 3 weeks after each respective FOMC get-together.
The Fed meets 8 times annually.
Because of the minutes’ content and density, it’s of tremendous value to Wall Street and investors. Fed Minutes provide a glimpse into the conversations and debates that shape the country’s monetary policy.
The broad scope of the published meeting minutes are in sharp contrast to the more well-known, post-meeting press release which reads more like a policy summary.
And the extra words matter.
Here’s some of what the Fed discussed last month:
- On Greece : A crisis in Greece could slow U.S. domestic growth
- On housing : Despite government support, growth appears to have stalled
- On its mortgage buyback program : There’s little reason to sell mortgage bonds right now
When the markets saw the Fed Minutes, what had been a down day for bond markets turned positive. The less-than-sunny outlook for the near-term U.S. economy sparked bond sales, pushing prices higher.
Mortgage rates move opposite mortgage bond prices.
Wall Street is always in search of clues from inside the Fed about what’s next for the economy and post-FOMC minutes usually give good fodder. April’s meeting was no different.
For now, mortgage rates remain near all-time lows but once the Eurozone issues are settled, rates are likely to rise. If you haven’t locked a mortgage rate, your window may be closing. Once the economy is turning around for certain, mortgage bonds will be among the first of the casualties.
2125 Eastlake Ave., Lincoln Heights
2125 Eastlake Ave., Lincoln Heights
2125 Eastlake Ave., Lincoln Heights, offered for sale at: $250,000
This is a two bedroom, one bath vintage bungalow, built in 1885 and now in need of renovation and tender loving care. Lincoln Heights is considered to be one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, dating to the 1830′s. It was originally home to some of the city’s wealthiest residents, who built a large number of Victorian mansions. (Many of which are now preserved under the City’s historic preservation program.) Lincoln Heights today is enjoying a dynamic revitalization, underscored by a thriving multi-cultural business district and its close proximity to downtown Los Angeles. Are you a pioneer who would like to participate in the wonderful, positive energy of change and renewal?
5314 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park
5314 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park
5314 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park, offered for sale at: $675,000
5314 N. Figueroa is an extraordinary mixed used (commercial-residential) property consisting of an office space, a retail store space, a bonus studio unit, all on the ground level, and a tastefully renovated 3 bedroom apartment unit on the upper level. Additionally, there is a separate bedroom house in the rear with private yard space. There is ample open parking. The retail space & the rear house are currently leased. The upper 3 bedroom unit will be delivered vacant. The office space may be delivered vacant.