Foreclosures to Eclipse 2 Million This Year

            In case you missed the news the other day, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz dropped another bombshell on the nation’s real estate industry. He expects an additional 2 million foreclosures to hit the U.S. this year – adding to the whopping 7 million that have occurred since the economic crisis of 2008.

            “U.S Foreclosures are continuing apace,” Stiglitz told a packed news conference near Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. “A quarter of U.S. homes are underwater.”

            Why the gloomy forecast? Because the number of U.S. homes worth less than their outstanding mortgage jumped in the fourth quarter as prices dipped and lenders seized fewer properties from delinquent borrowers.

            Currently 15.7 million homeowners had negative equity, also known as being underwater, at the end of 2010, according to Seattle-based Zillow Inc. That’s a 13 percent increase over the 13.9 million in the previous three months.

            That total represented 27 percent of the mortgaged single-family homes, the highest in Zillow data dating back to the first quarter of 2009.

            The news on the local front appears just as bleak.  The Orlando Sentinel reported in its February 12th edition that the number of foreclosed homes on, or about to hit Metro Orlando’s resale market has more than doubled in the past year – forcing down the prices of other houses that have already lost more than half of their value since before the recession.

            The four-county metro area of Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties had 13,712 bank-owned properties in January – up from 5,874 a year earlier, according to figures from California-based RealtyTrac. This has contributed to a record statewide glut of foreclosed properties that now stands at 104,759 and counting.

            “Americans today are worse off than they were 10 to 12 years ago,” Stiglitz said, adding that the U.S. faces “increasing inequality,” with the “upper 1 percent controlling 40 percent of wealth. Instead of trickling down, it has trickled up.”

            There are, however, some significant positives that have come to light.

First, foreclosures did slow down in the fourth quarter. Lenders, including Bank of America Corp. and Ally Financial Inc., halted many home seizures after accusations they used improper documentation and processes. Attorney generals in all 50 states are investigating.

But, more importantly, the wave of foreclosures, especially here in Central Florida, has created a tidal wave of opportunities for both homebuyers and investors alike.

Prospective buyers who previously were priced out of the housing market are using this opportunity and taking advantage of lower property values to purchase their first home and begin a new chapter toward their futures. Lower property values also have been a boon to investors who are adding to their real estate portfolios.

Take Larry and Janelda Minor, for example. They purchased a vacant eight-unit apartment complex in Kissimmee valued at $350K for just $200K. Within a few months all eight units were fully rented – a property lemon was turned into lemonade.

“Our experience with Rajia Ackley with Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty while purchasing the property was very positive,” the Minors said. “Our questions and concerns were answered quickly and completely throughout the entire process. We appreciate her guidance in helping us secure this commercial property during these trying times.”

Despite the gloomy real estate predictions of Joseph Stiglitz, et al, there’s still some happiness to be found. Just ask the Minors.

            We’ll keep you updated.

           

Why Home Ownership Matters

Homeownership has always been a bedrock of the American dream. But the ongoing economic storm and its unmitigated effects have radically changed how many people are perceiving it. In 2010, even the media jumped on the bandwagon and questioned if home ownership was good for America. Since the real estate crash, housing gurus have been saying that the new norm of the future is less home ownership and more people renting. Other analysts are claiming there is no financial benefit in the long run to home ownership based on recent market drops and skyrocketing foreclosures.

Buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions most potential homeowners will ever make, and in addition to individual financial situation, emotion plays a big role in the buying decision. So let’s attempt to answer the question “if home ownership still matters?”

The largest tangible benefit to homeownership is building equity in the home. This can happen over time with price appreciation. In the economics of homeownership price appreciation is the dominant determinant. For most homebuyers, purchasing a home is not a short-term investment. The second biggest financial advantage of homeownership is tax benefits, which includes the ability to deduct the annual interest paid on a mortgage from income. There are other secondary tax advantages such as property tax deduction, deductible home buying expenses, tax free capital gains, etc.

Homeownership also has other distinct advantages, many of which may be emotional and not necessarily tangible. For some, home ownership provides a sense of stability and financial security for their children, and for others, it gives them the opportunity to establish family traditions. Many studies have documented the positive impact of home ownership on children, which include better health, fewer behavioral problems, higher achievement in math and reading, lower school dropout rates and higher high school graduation rates. Although the association of these outcomes with home ownership is debatable, some research has shown that home ownership has a measurable effect on children’s success.

Housing is a key driver of the American economy. It accounts for more than 15% of the national Gross Domestic Product. The housing market needs to be strong and sturdy in order for the U.S. economy to recover and remain healthy over the long term. Home ownership is an integral component of the American way of life and it also helps shape the financial fabric of the nation. While the merits of home ownership continue to be actively debated on blogs and by industry experts, most Americans believe that home ownership is still relevant and shall continue to be the biggest component of the American dream.