0 MBA Report: Purchase Index at 12Y Low!

Rates can go to 3% but if someone isn't working, working part-time, or concerned about their career in this environment they aren't making an offer on a new home. I think the home buyer tax credit that expired and was renewed recently pulled demand forward resulting in a lack of buyers now. Realtors tell us that well priced listings are slowly selling but action has really slowed down in the last month. Is this simply the winter seasonal slowdown or is this another leg down for the economy at large? My guess is a double-dip recession after a disappointing holiday season. Expect another large jobs bill from congress before year end.

Detail: MBA Report: Purchase Index at 12Y Low!

0 MBA: Report Purchase Index at 12Y Low!

From the Mortgage Bankers Association...

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume decreased 2.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. The four week moving average for the seasonally adjusted Market Index is down 1.2 percent.

The Refinance Index decreased 1.4 percent from the previous week. The four week moving average is up 1.4 percent for the Refinance Index. The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 72.9 percent of total applications from 71.5 percent the previous week. This refinance share is the highest share since the week ending May 15, 2009.

The Purchase Index decreased 4.7 percent from one week earlier. The four week moving average is down 5.8 percent for the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.83 percent from 4.90 percent, with points increasing to 1.17 from 1.03 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ratio loans. This is the lowest contract rate observed by the survey since mid-May of this year.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.32 percent from 4.33 percent, with points decreasing to 1.01 from 1.15 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.

The average contract interest rate for one-year ARMs decreased to 6.82 percent from 6.85 percent, with points decreasing to 0.28 from 0.29 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.

Detail: MBA: Report Purchase Index at 12Y Low!

0 First Time Buyer Credit: Really a 0% Loan

I’ve been seeing quite a few agents and lenders using the $7,500 1st Time Buyer “Credit” in their promotional materials aimed at first time buyers. Be careful out there as many people “explaining” this “credit” to first time buyers are not including the part where it has to be repaid. The first payment of $500 begins two years after you receive the “Credit” and continues for 15 years. If you sell the property at a profit before the $7,500 is paid back, the balance is due when you sell. On the bright side, it does appear that if you do not have enough “profit” to repay the interest free loan of $7,500…it is forgiven.

Excerpted from FAQ’s On the $7,500 1st Time Buyer “Credit”:

“ …Because the tax credit must be repaid, it operates like a zero-interest loan….The program is called a tax credit because it operates through the tax code and is administered by the IRS. Also like a tax credit, it provides a reduction in tax liability in the year it is claimed.”

“…the tax credit must be repaid. Home buyers will be required to repay the credit to the government, without interest, over 15 years or when they sell the house, if there is sufficient capital gain from the sale…if the tax credit is claimed on the 2008 tax return, a $500 payment is not due until the 2010 tax return is filed.”

“…this will maximize the stimulus for the housing market and the economy, will help stabilize home prices, and will increase home sales.”

It’s not that I’m against a stimulus package for increasing homes sales, but you have to wonder how many people see CREDIT and understand LOAN? They really should call it a $7,500 1st Time Buyer Interest Free LOAN. And for all you mortage and real estate professionals, maybe we understand why the government has to call it a TAX CREDIT, but to be sure your clients know the amount has to be repaid, you should call it an interest free loan when explaining it to your clients. As always consult a CPA or accountant for further clarification.

Detail: First Time Buyer Credit: Really a 0% Loan