Foreclosure Filings in N.C. Better than Surrounding States
Foreclosure filings increased 14 percent nationally in December from November, the first monthly increase since foreclosure activity peaked in July, according to a RealtyTrac report out today. Foreclosure filings were reported on 349,519 properties in December, which were also 15 percent higher than in December 2008.
North Carolina, however, posted an overall 16.1 percent decline in foreclosure rates in 2009 when compared to the previous year, and was one of only 10 states posting a decline in yearly foreclosure rates while the majority of states worsened.
In the fourth quarter, N.C. posted a 0.2 percent foreclosure rate, the smallest rate among its surrounding states. To view this interactive map, click here.
For more information on the national foreclosure rate, as well as year-end foreclosure rates for all 50 states, click here.
Source: USA Today
Pending Home Sales Continue to Rise
Pending home sales are up for the fifth consecutive month, the first time in six years for such a streak, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, attributed the gains to a combination of positive market factors, including low mortgage interest rates and affordable home prices. Read more.
Elon’s Holland House Moves Across Street
Discovered this story on Twitter this morning. Posted by: Carrie Hodgin
Elon, NC — Neighbors in Elon watched crews move an historic building Sunday. Movers relocated Elon University’s Holland House. The Historic home is now calling a spot next to Holt Chapel “home.”
The moving took place over two days but on Sunday they had to wait for the train to come through before moving the home across campus.
The Holland House served as home for two Elon presidents. University leaders also designated the home for classroom and office space. They’re still deciding on the home’s future use.
Rep. Coble seeks to amend $8k tax credit
The legislation propsed by NC Republican Congressman Howard Coble would extend the $8000 tax credit that was originally passed as part of the “2009 Stimulus Package” to all home buyers – not just first-time home buyers. In addition, there would be no income limit on who would be eligible for the tax credit. Click here to read the current qualifications.
The main features of the bill include:
- Extending the credit through Jan. 1, 2011 (currently, the credit only applies to purchases made between April 8, 2008 and Dec. 1, 2009).
- Repealing of the limitation based on modified gross income (currently, the credit would “phase out” for singles making more than $75,000 and couples making more than $150,000); income limitations aren’t necessary if the credit is capped at $8,000.
- Extending waiver of the recapture provision. Under current law, the tax credit for purchases made in 2009 does not have to be paid back unless the homeowner sells or ceases to use the property as a principal residence within 36 months of purchase. Extending this waiver ensures that the credit isn’t treated as an interest-free loan, but still requires responsible homeownership.
Rep. Coble’s news release also stated, “As we have seen in the past, when the real estate market is thriving, so is the rest of our economy,” Coble stated. “Now we are experiencing the dire consequences of a slumping housing market. I believe our HOME Act of 2009 would convince many who are sitting on the fence right now to climb down and purchase a new home. Our entire economy would be the beneficiary of these new sales. Extending the tax credit to all home purchases could be just the boost our housing market needs.”
BONDS TANKED – RATES INCREASED
I have not seen this happen in my 20 years of mortgage lending. I have seen knee jerk reations in the bond market like this and rates have gone back within 3 or 4 days. It’s hard to guess how this scenario will turn out, I’m hearing it may take 2 or 3 weeks – if they creep back down.
| Andy Pilcher Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist WR Starkey Mortgage
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