Monday, May 9, 2016

Why The Selling Price of Your House Will Increase Dramatically



Today's National Association of HomeBuilders report on government regulation costs shows regulations add a whopping $84,621 to new home prices.  (See the article:  http://nahbnow.com/2016/05/regulations-add-a-whopping-84671-to-new-home-prices/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mmb0509).  

The cost of buildable lots in Palm Coast is rapidly increasing just because of demand. These regulations add a bunch more cost to build on a lot. And our local government just greatly increased the “impact fee” charged builders for the impact a new house will have on increasing the need for them to provide services.

Add all to that the constantly increasing cost of cement, wood, wallboard and everything else needed to build the home and I come to two simple conclusions...

Resale prices will go up higher and faster than predicted.
Remodeling an existing home will be a smart investment.

Mortgage rates are still reasonable. If you can buy, buy now!

Talk To Ted !

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Let’s Add a Bedroom…Our Kid Is Moving In !

Owners-Bigger is Better
My insight for the last year has been that the trend to multi-generational living is especially strong here in Palm Coast.  And it has manifested itself in the number of four bedroom houses
.  
From April 1, 2016 until today, May 5, 2016 119 four bedroom homes have either been sold or are pending.  (My MLS search included  homes between $100,000 and $300,000 in order to eliminate higher priced houses that are normally larger and likely to have more bedrooms.) In contrast, 291 three bedroom homes were sold or pending during that period. 

That translates: 41% of the houses sold in the last six weeks were four bedroom homes!

If you want to add value to your home, remodeling kitchens and baths are always a good idea. But give some thought to adding space. Add a bedroom over the garage or to the rear of your house. Better yet, a bedroom with a bath.  Use it for a home office, media room, exercise room, or guest room...but be sure to add a closet area so it qualifies as a bedroom.  According to Remodeling Magazine, nationally you can expect to recover 69.3% of your investment.  In Palm Coast it will probably be even more.  

New Construction
I staffed a model home during the recent parade of homes...buyers of new homes were looking for larger, four bedroom houses in the lower price and middle price ranges. Some were working couples looking for home office space and some were families with two or more children; but many were looking for multi-generational housing; meaning that either a parent was moving in with them or they were the parent, and (like me)  a child was returning home to live.  I suggest you give some thought to adding another room (with a closet) to your home.  

Buyers-Talk To Ted!
Each week the  Observer Tribune lists residential building permits issued to builders. Holiday Homes led this week’s  list with four, Adams Homes was second with two and Seagate, Everlast, New Coastal Homes, Maronda and Skyway each had one permit to start building a new home.  Many are being built on speculation as “Inventory Homes”.  

Compare and Choose.  Most folks moving to Florida and looking to buy a home would like to compare building a new dream home that is exactly what they want to purchasing a similar resale that is likely to be less expensive.  My background in new construction and knowledge of local builders allows me to provide them with a good comparison and help them decide.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

My High Tech Mortgage Broker

Finding the Right Mortgage is Often Harder Than Finding the Right Home!

A critical factor in purchasing a house these days is getting the best possible mortgage.  
I need to keep very current on who to work with to help me find my buyer the best mortgage and where to get it. 

Steve Verrier of Lake State Mortgage is a great resource for me.  Check out his latest e-letter and see how he follows Mortgage-Backed Securities to help him with his market projections.  He also put me on to a book I will buy:  “...New York Times best seller “Zillow Talk” to see if it is a commercial for Zillow in disguise or provides useful market information.

He is a Palm Coast resident and specializes in these markets:

  • Purchase Mortgages
  • Refinance Mortgages
  • Harp 2.0 Loans
  • Construction (to Permanent) Loans and Mortgages
    • (Both Conventional and Government)
  • Cash Out Home Equity Mortgages
  • Jumbo Home Loans and Mortgages
  • FHA Loans / USDA Mortgages / VA Mortgages
  • Reverse Mortgage Loans
  • Private Money Mortgages
  • Condos
  • Rehab and Renovation Products for Primary Residences

Check out Steve’s e-letter Realtor Market Insider:    
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?hl=en&tab=wm#inbox/153761ab37923202

And his website: