Click to enlarge.

Furthermore, some specific sellers are finding this to be an exceptional time to sell two particular types of properties: luxury homes and investment real estate.  Figures indicate that the percentage of the US population considered to have high net worth has expanded by over 25 percent since 2008.  The right sellers are poised to profit from an advantageous trend of buyers investing their increasing wealth in properties and up-sizing their personal homes to reflect their growing prosperity.

No matter how you look at it, this is great news for people looking to buy or sell property. If you or someone you know have questions about real estate, please call or email me.  I am more than happy to talk about the market, what impact it can have on your specific circumstances and how best to approach each individual situation.

Robbie Henderson

2/22/2012

813-931-5000

Info@BellHenderson.com

Loan Type

(30 yr fixed)

Maximum Loan-to-Value

Minimum Down Payment

Rate*

% Allowed for Seller Paid Closing Costs

Max Loan Amount

96.5%

3.5%

3.75%

6%

$292,500†

100%

0%

3.75%

6%

$417,000

102%

0%

4.00%

6%

varies

95%

5%

3.875%

3%

$417,000

80%

20%

4.625%

6%

$1,000,000

80%

25%

4.875%

6%

$1,500,000

Whereas this may seem to solely benefit buyers, sellers also gain an advantage with these conditions.  Due to the favorable buying circumstances, housing inventory is low and allows for homes to sell quickly at fair market values.  Luxury and investment sellers are finding themselves at a particular advantage.  The portion of the population considered to have high net worth has grown by 27 percent since 2008.  These individuals are investing their expanding capital in real estate and up-sizing their personal homes to reflect their increasing prosperity and sellers are profiting from this trend.

I enjoyed my time away focusing on and honing my skills as a real estate agent, but I am glad to be home.  Conventions and continuing education are a great means of recharging and learning new strategies, but now is the time to put all these advantages to work for my clients.  If you or someone you know has questions regarding real estate, please feel free to call or contact me via email.  No question is too small or of too little consequence.

Robbie Henderson

2/17/2012

813-931-5000

Info@BellHenderson.com

Prior to January 1, 2012, home owners who itemized their taxes were able to write off their mortgage insurance premiums (PMI).  This change will likely raise the cost of homeownership for many this year.  Those expected to feel this increase include individuals with low-down payment loans originated since 2007, any mortgage originated in 2012 with less than 20 percent down and VA and rural housing loans with low down payment incentive programs.

Unfortunately, there is also a tax extension that has raised fees on the majority of conventional mortgages.  In conjunction with the temporary extension of the payroll tax cut, a provision was added that will impose a surtax on fees for mortgages guaranteed by or originated for sale to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.  This surtax may only amount to one-tenth of one percent, but lenders will be passing this fee along to borrowers.  Early speculation estimates that this surtax may end up adding one-eighth of one percentage point to rates.  Over the lifespan of a $200,000 loan, this could end up costing a home owner over $4,000.

While the above may seem daunting, none of it is meant to imply that now is not a great time to purchase a home.  Rates are still low and well-priced homes are available, but like any investment, your margin for profit and satisfaction grow exponentially with your access to current information.  If you or someone you know is interested in selling or buying a house, give us a call or send us an email today.  Information’s greatest value is in its ability to be shared, and my greatest value as a realtor is the ability to share the most current information with buyers and sellers.

Robbie Henderson

2/14/2012

813-931-5000

Info@BellHenderson.com

Loan Type

(30 yr fixed)

Maximum Loan-to-Value

Minimum Down Payment

Rate*

% allowed for Seller paid closing costs

Max Loan amount

96.5%

3.5%

3.75%

6%

$292,500†

100%

0%

3.75%

6%

$417,000

102%

0%

4.00%

6%

varies

95%

5%

3.875%

3%

$417,000

80%

20%

4.625%

6%

$1,000,000

80%

25%

4.875%

6%

$1,500,000

As the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 concludes at the end of this year, the tax rule set to take effect on January 1, 2013, will allow for the amount of debt forgiven by lenders to be taxed by the federal government.  To understand the monetary ramifications of this change, assume a lender has forgiven $100,000 in debt – the balance still owed on a mortgage after selling a property at current market value.  If the owner is in the 25 percent tax bracket, taxes on the forgiven debt would amount to $25,000.  Alternatively, if the owner is in the 15 percent tax bracket, taxes on the forgiven debt would total $15,000.

As can be seen by the above examples, this impending tax change will quickly add up for an individual whose precarious financial situation has previously caused them to seek fiscal remedy in the short sale of their home.  This tax modification is yet one more factor added to the already stressful decision of whether or not to short sale your home.  Often knowing who to ask can be just as hard as knowing what to ask.  If you or someone you know may be able to benefit from professional real estate advice, please call or email us today.  If you have not already spoken to an attorney about your individual situation and how to proceed, we would be pleased to refer you to a firm that has successfully negotiated many closing on behalf of our sellers.

Robbie Henderson

2/10/2012

813-931-5000

Info@BellHenderson.com

While my business is real estate, the true commodity I deal in is people; I want to make buyers happy with the equitable purchase of their new dream home and I want to make sellers happy with the fair and profitable sale of their home.  When I met with this family to list their home, they literally cried tears of sadness and frustration as the paperwork was signed. My team and I acted quickly to list their home.  In this market of limited quality home supply, the reaction to their home’s listing was swift and frenzied.  In six days, the home was under contract with
an educated buyer who understood the short sale process and was prepared to endure the sometimes lengthy procedure.

In addition to finding the “right” buyer, we worked diligently on the transaction to give all involved parties peace of mind throughout the process.  By keeping everyone informed of the weekly progress and protracted development, both buyers and sellers understood how the transaction was advancing.  The short sale attorney and negotiating staff did an excellent job of facilitating the transaction with multiple banks.  The attorney was even able to obtain over $15,000 in HAPA reimbursements for the sellers from the very same lenders that approved the home’s short sale and forgave the unpaid balance of the mortgages after the sale.  What began for these sellers with tears of sadness and frustration, ended with real tears of relief and gratitude.

While many people are facing very tough decisions regarding their homes and futures, there are still reasons for optimism.  With real estate inventory at an extreme low, there are great opportunities for those interested in buying and selling in 2012.  If you or someone you know may be able to benefit from our services, please call or email us today.  Real estate is a full time job and passion.  My team and I cannot thank you enough for thinking of us for your family, friends and co-workers’ real estate needs.

Robbie Henderson

2/7/2012

813-931-5000

Info@BellHenderson.com

Loan Type

(30 yr fixed)

Maximum Loan-to-Value

Minimum Down Payment

Rate*

% allowed for Seller paid closing costs

Max Loan amount

96.5%

3.5%

3.75%

6%

$292,500†

100%

0%

3.75%

6%

$417,000

102%

0%

4.00%

6%

varies

95%

5%

3.875%

3%

$417,000

80%

20%

4.625%

6%

$1,000,000

80%

25%

4.875%

6%

$1,500,000

Loan Type

(30 yr fixed)

Maximum Loan-to-Value

Minimum Down Payment

Rate*

% Allowed for Seller Paid Closing Costs

Max Loan Amount

96.5%

3.5%

3.75%

6%

$292,500†

100%

0%

3.75%

6%

$417,000

102%

0%

4.00%

6%

varies

95%

5%

3.875%

3%

$417,000

80%

20%

4.625%

6%

$1,000,000

80%

25%

4.875%

6%

$1,500,000

Loan Type

(30 yr fixed)

Maximum Loan-to-Value

Minimum Down Payment

Rate*

% allowed for Seller paid closing costs

Max Loan amount

96.5%

3.5%

3.75%

6%

$292,500†

100%

0%

3.75%

6%

$417,000

102%

0%

4.00%

6%

varies

95%

5%

3.875%

3%

$417,000

80%

20%

4.625%

6%

$1,000,000

80%

25%

4.875%

6%

$1,500,000