analyst
Sales Dropped last month …
On December 22nd 2015, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest Existing Home Sales Report which covered sales in November. The report revealed that sales:
“…fell 10.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.76 million in November (lowest since April 2014 at 4.75 million)…”
That revelation gave birth to a series of industry articles, some of which quoted pundits questioning whether the housing market was slowing. In actuality, there is one rather simple explanation to much of the falloff in sales last month. It is likely the implementation of the “Know Before You Owe” mortgage rule, commonly known as the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule, which went into effect on October 3. These regulations caused house closings to be delayed by an extra three days in November as shown in the graph below.
Three days might sound like a minimal difference. However, since there are only approximately 20 days in a month that a closing would normally take place (Mondays through Fridays), losing three days constitutes well over 10% of all closings. These sales are not lost. They are just moved into the next month’s numbers. In a DS News article on the subject also posted on December 22nd, Auction.com EVP Rick Sharga explained:
“The most likely cause for the weak sales numbers is a delay in processing loans due to the new TRID mortgage requirements imposed by the CFPB. This is the biggest change in mortgage document processing in many years, and there have been numerous reports within the industry of problems implementing the process and the new documentation that comes with it.”
So how is the housing market actually doing?
A better way to look at how well the housing market is doing is to look at the Foot Traffic Report from NAR which quantifies the number of prospective buyers that are actively looking for a home at the current time:
We can see immediately that demand to buy single family homes is increasing over the last few months – not decreasing.
Bottom Line
No matter what last month’s sales numbers show, the housing market is still doing well as demand remains strong.
Call 786.554.8063 or email us George@GeorgeAssal.com, WE are here to facilitate and help you during the process of buying, selling, or renting any real estate needs, which will result in reaching your financial goals quickly and with ease, visit our page www.GeorgeAssal.com .
The Impact of Higher Interest Rates
Last week, an article in the Washington Post discussed a new ‘threat’ homebuyers will soon be facing: higher mortgage rates. The article revealed:
“The Mortgage Bankers Association expects that rates on 30-year loans could reach 4.8 percent by the end of next year, topping 5 percent in 2017. Rates haven’t been that high since the recession.”
How can this impact the housing market?
The article reported that recent analysis from Realtor.com found that –
“…as many as 7% of people who applied for a mortgage during the first half of the year would have had trouble qualifying if rates rose by half a percentage point.”
This doesn’t necessarily mean that those buyers negatively impacted by a rate increase would not purchase a home. However, it would mean that they would either need to come up with substantially more cash for a down payment or settle for a lesser priced home.
Below is a table showing how a jump in mortgage interest rates would impact the purchasing power of a prospective buyer on a $300,000 home.
In Conclusion
If you are considering a home purchase (either as a first time buyer or move-up buyer), purchasing sooner rather than later may make more sense from a pure financial outlook.
Tired of being a tenant? thinking of selling your home?, looking to upgrade? 1st time buyer(s)? buying your dream home? Call us 786.554.8063 or email us George@GeorgeAssal.com, WE are here to facilitate and help you during the process of buying, selling, or renting any real estate needs, which will result in reaching your financial goals quickly and with ease, visit our page www.GeorgeAssal.com
Applying For A Mortgage: Why So Much Paperwork?
We are often asked why there is so much paperwork mandated by the bank for a mortgage loan application when buying a home today. It seems that the bank needs to know everything about us and requires three separate sources to validate each and every entry on the application form.
Many buyers are being told by friends and family that the process was a hundred times easier when they bought their home ten to twenty years ago.
There are two very good reasons that the loan process is much more onerous on today’s buyer than perhaps any time in history.
The government has set new guidelines that now demand that the bank prove beyond any doubt that you are indeed capable of affording the mortgage. During the run-up in the housing market, many people ‘qualified’ for mortgages that they could never pay back. This led to millions of families losing their home. The government wants to make sure this can’t happen again
The banks don’t want to be in the real estate business. Over the last seven years, banks were forced to take on the responsibility of liquidating millions of foreclosures and also negotiating another million plus short sales. Just like the government, they don’t want more foreclosures. For that reason, they need to double (maybe even triple) check everything on the application.
However, there is some good news in the situation. The housing crash that mandated that banks be extremely strict on paperwork requirements also allowed you to get a mortgage interest rate probably at or below 4%.
The friends and family who bought homes ten or twenty ago experienced a simpler mortgage application process but also paid a higher interest rate (the average 30 year fixed rate mortgage was 8.12% in the 1990’s and 6.29% in the 2000’s). If you went to the bank and offered to pay 7% instead of <4%, they would probably bend over backwards to make the process much easier.
Bottom Line
Instead of concentrating on the additional paperwork required, let’s be thankful that we are able to buy a home at historically low rates.
Tired of renting and/or being a Tenant(s)? Thinking of selling your home?, looking to upgrade?, First Time buyer(s)? Buying your dream home this year? Call us, you know you can count on our help every step of the way while reaching your goal faster, easier and with a smile on your face. 📞786.554.8063 📧George@GeorgeAssal.com 💻 www.GeorgeAssal.com
For Sellers – Two Graphs That Scream List Your House Today
The spring and summer months have always been known as a very popular time for homebuyers to start the search for their dream home. This year is no different!
We all learned in school that when selling anything, you will get the most money if the demand for that item is high and the inventory of that item is low. It is the well-known Theory of Supply & Demand.
If you are thinking of selling your home, here are two graphs that strongly suggest that the time is now. Here is why…
DEMAND
According to research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer activity this year has far outpaced the same months in 2014. Purchasers who are ready, willing and able to buy are in the market at great numbers.
SUPPLY
The most recent Existing Home Sales Report from NAR revealed that the current supply of housing inventory is at a 5.1 month supply, which remains below the 6-months necessary for a normal market.
Bottom Line
Listing your house for sale when demand is high and supply is low will guarantee the offers made will truly reflect the true value of your property. Interested in selling your home or looking to buy one, give us a call today at 786.554.8063 or send us an email at george@georgeassal.com. We will look forward to hearing from you!
Residences by ARMANI CASA – Sunny Isles
The Related Group and Dezer Development joined forces to bring to Sunny Isles Beach, “The Residences by Armani Casa by Cesar Pelli” The most anticipated Ultra Luxury project in Miami. Only 261 families will have the honor to call the Residences by Armani Casa their home.
Highlights
.- The brand: First US project by Armani casa
.- Location: Sunny isles Beach
.- The Archited: Cesar Pelli
.- Units: 260 units
.- Prices: starting from $1 million
.- Completion date: 2017
.- Floor Plan: 5 units per floor, the higher the unit the bigger it is.
The Residences by Armani Casa in Sunny Isles Miami are spacious units from 1358 Sq.Ft to 3,756 Sq.Ft and ranging in price between $1,000 – $1,500 per Sq.Ft
Floor plan
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Unit A at Level 4 (Units at a Higher level offer more Sq.Ft)
- 4 Bedrooms + Den / 5,5 Bathrooms
- Interior Sq.Ft: 3,326 (At level 28→ 3,527 Sq.Ft and No den – At level 54 → 3,756 Sq.Ft)
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 1,440 (At level 28→ 1,487 Sq.Ft – At level 54 →1,539 Sq.Ft)
- Total Sq.Ft: 4,766
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 1,440 (At level 28→ 1,487 Sq.Ft – At level 54 →1,539 Sq.Ft)
- Interior Sq.Ft: 3,326 (At level 28→ 3,527 Sq.Ft and No den – At level 54 → 3,756 Sq.Ft)
- 4 Bedrooms + Den / 5,5 Bathrooms
-
Unit B
- 4 Bedrooms + Den / 5,5 Bathrooms
- Interior Sq.Ft: 3,027
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 898
- Total Sq.Ft: 3,925
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 898
- Interior Sq.Ft: 3,027
- 4 Bedrooms + Den / 5,5 Bathrooms
-
Unit C
- 3 Bedrooms + Den / 3,5 Bathrooms
- Interior Sq.Ft: 2,712
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 762
- Total Sq.Ft: 3,474
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 762
- Interior Sq.Ft: 2,712
- 3 Bedrooms + Den / 3,5 Bathrooms
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Unit D (Units at a Higher level offer more Sq.Ft)
- 2 Bedrooms + Den / 2,5 Bathrooms
- Interior Sq.Ft: 1,816 (At level 28→1944 Sq.Ft – At level 54 →: 2089 Sq.Ft)
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 491 (At level 28→496 Sq.Ft and No den- At level 54 →502 Sq.Ft)
- Total Sq.Ft: 2,307
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 491 (At level 28→496 Sq.Ft and No den- At level 54 →502 Sq.Ft)
- Interior Sq.Ft: 1,816 (At level 28→1944 Sq.Ft – At level 54 →: 2089 Sq.Ft)
- 2 Bedrooms + Den / 2,5 Bathrooms
-
Unit E (Units at a Higher level offer more Sq.Ft)
- 2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms
- Interior Sq.Ft: 1,358 (At level 28→ 1,476 Sq.Ft – At level 54→1,610 Sq.Ft)
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 941 (At level 28→1,013 Sq.Ft and No den- At level 54 →1,094Sq.Ft)
- Total Sq.Ft: 2,299
- Balcony Sq.Ft: 941 (At level 28→1,013 Sq.Ft and No den- At level 54 →1,094Sq.Ft)
- Interior Sq.Ft: 1,358 (At level 28→ 1,476 Sq.Ft – At level 54→1,610 Sq.Ft)
- 2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms
Note: Units C, D and E models are all taken however back ups for these units are accepted
Price Ranges
** Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more info regarding Residence by Armani Casa contact me directly
Coral Gables a City Where Homes for Sales Keep Increasing
As the Real Estate market continues to build up in South Florida, Coral Gables luxury homes and condominiums properties are getting listed for sale at more than $1M, the highest number of 2014 sales was in June, representing a 21.4% increase over May and an incredible 278% increase when compared to January. When it comes to luxury real estate sales in South Florida, summer is anything but slow season, maybe not especially when prices increased alongside the number of properties sold.
The average price per square foot for a property sold in June was $476, up $13 from May and a full $85 per square foot from January. In fact, 55 properties were sold or under contract for sale in June, representing over 25% of the entire available inventory.
Two projects are currently in pre-sale in Coral Gables:
-Merrick Manor, a 10-story, 180-unit development located adjacent to the famous Village of Merrick Park.
-Antilla Coral Gables, a 5-story, 45-unit project located in the northeastern corner of Coral Gables.
(If you need more info regarding either of this projects please contact me directly as I have direct communication with the developers)
For those that don’t know, Coral Gables is one of the nation’s earliest planned communities with a centralized business district, and is home to the iconic Biltmore hotel, one of only three national landmarks in Miami-Dade County. Coral Gables also has world-class shopping along Miracle Mile and the Village of Merrick Park, a diverse spectrum of art galleries, theaters and lots of fine dining establishments.
As a result, Coral Gables will continue to have in-demand properties that sell for a premium and should remain a sound investment.
Contact me for more info
Park Grove in Coconut Grove.
Park Grove in Coconut Grove.
Most ambitious architecture/project to date
The New Park Grove Condo Project is selling quickly; this luxury condo project is located in Coconut Grove more specific in the middle of a newly developed waterfront park. The condo project has 3 towers with great investment values.
Designed by OMA and rem KOOLHAAS, the striking towers of PARK GROVE set a new architectural standard in the quiet seaside enclave of Coconut Grove.
Park Grove Residences will blow everyone expectations with their high-end waterfront project. With amenities that will take you to the next level and to better your experience, The Park grove Condo offers pools, fitness, yoga, a private chef, yes a private chef and much more.
As the first Luxury Condo in Coconut Grove to be built after Grove at Grand Bay, makes this project most ambitious architecture/project to date
Contact me For more info about Park Grove and any other projects / new constructions in Miami or South Florida
Real Estate Market Report | January – June 2014
Investing in South Florida Real Estate? Here is all the information you need as Comparative Review of the Real Estate Market in South Florida. If you are undecided but interested in Investing South Florida real Estate and might already know that is time to buy, contact me immediately I will guide you to the right direction
Click here to view the Real Estate Market Report | January – June 2014
Single Family Homes for the past 12 months in the Doral Area
The ASSAL Team 