Real Estate Outlook: Warning of Slow Down?

Smoky Mountain CabinThough some economic analysts are warning that the housing market’s rebound will slow down as the weather turns colder, this week’s numbers show no hints of that. In fact, they’re actually pretty warm.

Start with house prices. The Clear Capital Home Data Index, which tracks price movements in thousands of neighborhoods and ZIP codes across the country, reported a 6.3 percent gain for the period covering August 27th through September 25th.

The latest index found prices up for the first time since 2006 in two of the hardest-hit real estate markets – Riverside-San Bernadino, California, and Orlando, Florida. Though the gains weren’t big – just 1.2 percent in Orlando, and half a percentage point in Riverside- San Bernadino – just the fact that they’re finally bottoming out has got to be good news for property owners and sellers there. Baltimore also saw its first positive price change in seven quarters on the Clear Capital Index, while other major markets continued their multi-quarter strings of gains.

Dallas-Ft. Worth, for example, saw prices rise by an average 2.3 percent. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale was up 3.4 percent, Houston 3.1 percent and even New York, which has had a tough time recently in Manhattan, posted a 1.6 percent jump. Meanwhile, the mortgage market continued to provide plenty of financing fuel for home buyers looking to use the $8,000 tax credit before it possibly disappears at the end of November.

The Mortgage Bankers Association says average thirty year rates dropped again last week in its national survey — hitting 4.89 percent — the lowest they’ve been since May. Fifteen year fixed rates decreased to just 4.3 percent, which is the lowest ever recorded in the mortgage association’s survey history. Not surprisingly, record low rates are pulling in massive numbers of new loan applications. Overall applications were up by 16 percent last week. Loans to people planning to buy homes jumped by 13 percent, while refinancing applications soared by 18 percent.

And here’s a truly amazing statistic: New mortgage applications to buy houses using FHA loans were 52 percent higher last week than they were a year ago! With mortgages flying out of banks with interest rates in the mid -to -upper four percent range, you don’t spend a whole lot of time worrying about a slowdown in the real estate rebound. Unless, of course, Congress doesn’t extend the $8,000 tax credit into next year. 
Feel free to contact the professionals at the Jason White Team for an in depth look at the Gatlinburg real estate.

                    Here are a couple of Jason’s Latest Listings!!    

 

 

 

 

Cozy Condo w/ Balcony Overlooking Stream
This conveniently located condo is only 1.5m from downtown Gatlinburg’s shopping and dining. Even has a woodburning fireplace and balcony to enjoy the beautiful mountain stream.
Type: Condo
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $86,900
Get more information >
This Spacious Home Has Lots to Offer!!
This spacious home has a wrap around deck with hot tub and covered front porch to enjoy the beauty of nature. Homeowner has included the vacant lot next door in the price and if you finish off the basement it would add 948 sq ft to this property.
Type: Single Family Home
Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee
Price: $185,000
Get more information >

June New Home Sales Continue to Show Improvement

USA Today reports from government sources that June 2009 new home sales rose 11% from May of this year. This data could be an indicator that the US housing market is rebounding. Inventories of new homes for sale fell from 10.2 months supply in May 2009 to 8.8 months in June 2009. New home inventories have not been at this level since October of 2007. The June sales figures made this the third month in a row of higher sales for new homes and it was the best sales pace for new homes since November of 2008.

Government reports showed that new home prices continued to decline 12% from the previous year. This price decline is an advantage for current home buyers since they get more home for their money. Other positive aspects working in favor of today’s home buyers are; the $8,000.00 first-time home buyer tax credit and the low mortgage interest rates available today. These unique market conditions coupled with shrinking new home inventories could see new home prices reverse their trend and costs could begin to increase in the months ahead.

With all these factors in play, there might never be a better time to purchase a home or real estate for investment. Call The Jason White Team today to begin exploring various real estate options that match your needs and fulfill your dreams of owning property in the Great Smoky Mountains area.