Thursday, September 9, 2010

September 2010-Real Estate Market Update

This Month in Real Estate
September 2010
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Interest Rates
Mortgage rates continued to set new record lows in August, providing real savings in interest and monthly payment for buyers and refinancers. As economic activity picks up, rates will rise to keep inflation in check.

 
Rates as of September 2.
Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers
 

Financial Reform

What it means for consumers
The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law in late July.  Before the pains of the financial crisis were just a thing of the past, Congress passed the biggest financial reform measures since the Great Depression. While much of the bill covers Wall Street measures and regulations, there are several changes consumers should be aware of. The following are the top measures related to financing for consumers:
  1. Mortgages. Lenders must determine if borrowers will be able to meet monthly obligations including mortgage, taxes, insurance, and assessments. Borrowers of adjustable rate mortgages must qualify at the highest rate. Additionally, lenders won’t be able to incentivize mortgage brokers to make higher-rate or riskier loans.
  2. Credit Reports. All consumers will no longer have access to government-mandated free annual credit reports. Consumers who are denied a loan or who are not offered the best interest rate will receive free copies of their credit scores. Credit scores and reports will be available for purchase through a credit bureau or myFICO.com.
  3. Credit and Debit Card Changes. Most notably, merchants may start incentivizing consumers to pay with cash, debit, or check. There may be changes to credit card rewards programs.
  4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This new bureau will regulate consumer loans including mortgages, credit cards, student loans, payday loans, and check-cashing companies.  Auto loans and insurance lending will be excluded.

The government’s goal of creating safer and easier to understand lending practices is to benefit the long-term strength of the economy.
For more information, see the following links:

        Local Lenders Rates

    Consumers would be wise to do some shopping around for interest rates on mortgages.
    Since the financial crisis began, many of the big banks consolidated and merged - Wells Fargo and Wachovia, for example - increasing the “big banks” combined market share. With fewer players in the game, rates don’t need to be as competitive as before the consolidation to get the same amount of business.
    Smaller local or regional banks can offer significantly advantageous rates. Of course, each loan situation is different and depends on a variety of factors, but don’t forget due diligence – it could save big bucks in the long run.
    Sources: The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, myfico.com

    Contact Smitha,
    your local real estate expert,
    for information about what's going on in our area. 


    Newsletter Contents
    1. Interest Rates
    2 Topics for Owners, Buyers & Sellers
     

    Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report. 
    The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources.  You should not treat any opinion expressed on This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind.  All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only.  Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.  You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.  All investments involve some degree of risk.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.
    Smitha Ramchandani is a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson with Keller Williams in New Jersey. She is a Buyer Specialist and a Home Marketing Expert.. You can reach Smitha and her team online at: http://www.Morris-Homes.com
    Smitha and her team specialize in all Morris County Towns such as Boonton, Chatham, Chester, Convent Station, Denville, East Hanover, Florham ParkHanover, Harding Twp., Mendham, Montville, Morristown, Morris Plains, Morris Twp., Mountain Lakes, Parsippany, RandolphRockaway, Whippany