What a time to buy! Charlotte NC Homes For Sale are still selling but many Charlotte Homes are selling at prices they were 2 years ago! This is incredible for the Charlotte Real Estate market. Yes, it is true that Charlotte Realty has always been appreciating at a steady pace unlike many other markets that experienced the unrealistic and unsustainable price surge. There are certain areas in Charlotte that you can really save but the Charlotte Homes with the biggest savings accompanies the Charlotte Homes with the largest risks. But that is to be expected (that is why certain homes are not selling and why the sellers are providing deep discounts).
The Charlotte starter home neighborhoods are going through a series of changes. Many of these homes were purchased by Charlotte New Home Buyers that were not economically prepared to own a Charlotte home. In addition to these high risk buyers, many national investors also jumped into these Charlotte neighborhoods. Charlotte Real Estate investors came from across the nation to tap into the popularity of Charlotte Real Estate but had no idea what they were buying, where they were buying and convinced they were going to make money in spite of their lack of knowledge and familiarity of the greater Charlotte market. These investors watch too much TV.
Charlotte real estate investors felt if they purchased Charlotte new homes for the least amount of money, rented the Charlotte new home for 2 years, they could not lose. The builder warranty would take care of the vast majority of landlord duties and then the Charlotte investor would sell before any maintenance would be due. Here is the problem with that theory (what TV did not tell them).
Each investor seen himself alone making this decision. Reality is they were not alone and investors swarmed on Charlotte in mass (a great growing city at a time when financial investors were giving money to anyone with a pulse). Investors then turned these new Charlotte neighborhoods into rental neighborhoods. The Charlotte Investor failed to consider that if someone was renting at a time when anyone could get a loan, the "renter pool" largely consisted of people that did not care about their credit (or paying their bills). This does not make the ideal tenant.
Ultimately the investors lost these homes in addition to many of the sub prime borrowers. As mortgages in these specific neighborhoods went into default, the values declined. Are the homes worth more than they are being sold? Yes and no. Yes it would cost more to build one of these homes than the current market value. The "no" is based upon the actual market. These homes often need a lot of repairs based on a few years of blatant disregard and abuse from the previous owner and/or tenants. So how about future value?
You purchase a discounted home like you would purchase any investment. You purchase the homes with the deepest discounts because the odds are these neighborhoods will turn around and be full of proud home owners. This will take time for the right home owners to purchase these Charlotte Homes and take control of the neighborhoods. They will likely be great long term investments.
If you still plan on investing in Charlotte Real Estate be very careful if you think you are going to rent your Charlotte home out and it will be appreciating. There are simply too many investors watching the same TV. Where would I suggest investing?
If you have cash and want to invest, purchase land. The greater Charlotte Real Estate region will continue to sprawl. Americans like freedom and many Americans do not do well living cooped up in a city. As the population of Charlotte NC grows, Charlotte Property for Sale will be demanded further and further away.
If you would like to share More ideas of the greater Charlotte Real Estate market visit my Charlotte Real Estate - Charlotte NC Homes For Sale website or give me a call at 704.770.6559. I and a Charlotte Realtor and have a very good understanding of the greater Charlotte Real Estate market. I understand the Charlotte suburbs and understand the pros and cons with the greater area. Give me a call today.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 09, 2009
Charlotte Real Estate - Mortgage Options
Many people want to relocate to Charlotte NC Real Estate but are concerned about both property values and the ability to get a mortgage. Inquiring into a mortgage can create stress because no one likes rejection. I can help you overcome these obstacles. I work with several lenders and mortgage brokers and can explain mortgages in layman terms.
What are my Charlotte Mortgage options? First, the "no money down" or 80/20 mortgages are gone. These loan products have disappeared due to the national housing market decline and high foreclosures on sub prime loans. Here is why.
Let's say your home declined 5% in value over the past year. Now you are behind on payments and going into foreclosure. If you are going into foreclosure is is safe to say that you are at least 6 months behind in payments of $6,000 (on a home of about $150,000. Now the lender hires a local attorney for the foreclosure process.
After the foreclosure the lender pays any tax liens or back home owners dues and the marketing expenses. After the home is actually sold the money is dispersed. The 2nd mortgage (the 20% of the 80/20) gets nothing because over 20% of the value was lost due to the expenses. Too many of these occurred so investors will no longer "invest" (or donate) there hard earned cash for 2nd mortgages. Ultimately they were a losing bet.
Here we are today. If you are going to purchase a Charlotte home is is safe to say you either get a FHA loan with 3 1/2% down payment or a conventional loan with at least 10% down. The FHA is a Government backed loan and there is a lot of additional Government red tape in securing this loan. As you are likely to be aware, any time the Government is involved there will be additional hoops to jump through. The FHA loans are more costly but it employs more people (also known as job creation or wealth redistribution).
The conventional loans are still possible but you will need 10% down payment, a credit score of 700+ and a debt to equity ratio of less than 35%. This will be a challenge for many "want to be" home owners but good things come to those who wait. In the long term this will actually help strengthen the over housing market and Homes in Charlotte NC. Visit Charlotte Realty and Rick Waite for additional insights into the greater Charlotte Real Estate market.
What are my Charlotte Mortgage options? First, the "no money down" or 80/20 mortgages are gone. These loan products have disappeared due to the national housing market decline and high foreclosures on sub prime loans. Here is why.
Let's say your home declined 5% in value over the past year. Now you are behind on payments and going into foreclosure. If you are going into foreclosure is is safe to say that you are at least 6 months behind in payments of $6,000 (on a home of about $150,000. Now the lender hires a local attorney for the foreclosure process.
After the foreclosure the lender pays any tax liens or back home owners dues and the marketing expenses. After the home is actually sold the money is dispersed. The 2nd mortgage (the 20% of the 80/20) gets nothing because over 20% of the value was lost due to the expenses. Too many of these occurred so investors will no longer "invest" (or donate) there hard earned cash for 2nd mortgages. Ultimately they were a losing bet.
Here we are today. If you are going to purchase a Charlotte home is is safe to say you either get a FHA loan with 3 1/2% down payment or a conventional loan with at least 10% down. The FHA is a Government backed loan and there is a lot of additional Government red tape in securing this loan. As you are likely to be aware, any time the Government is involved there will be additional hoops to jump through. The FHA loans are more costly but it employs more people (also known as job creation or wealth redistribution).
The conventional loans are still possible but you will need 10% down payment, a credit score of 700+ and a debt to equity ratio of less than 35%. This will be a challenge for many "want to be" home owners but good things come to those who wait. In the long term this will actually help strengthen the over housing market and Homes in Charlotte NC. Visit Charlotte Realty and Rick Waite for additional insights into the greater Charlotte Real Estate market.
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