Low Housing Inventory and High Interest Rates – If Your a Buyer, What Does this all Mean?

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Housing inventory remains very low in the Bay Area.  Even though interest rates remain high due to inflationary fears from the Fed’s, the higher cost of financing isn’t slowing the market down. 

In Santa Clara County, there are approximately 930 properties for sale (consisting of homes, town house and condos (as of July 2023)) with a median days on the market of 10 days.

In Santa Cruz County, there are approximately 305 properties for sale with a median days on the market of 22 days per Charles Holcomb with Compass Real Estate with the Dawn Thomas Team.  Its still very much a seller’s market with sellers demanding and getting prices well over list prices.

Last year I sold my home in Saratoga to downsize, thinking prices would go lower due to higher rates allowing to scoop up a great deal…Was I wrong!  In searching for property, I have seen multiple offers and listings going well above the list price.  In fact, I have seen accepted offers well above what comps support.  It feels a little like 2018 again.  Jen Beehler with the Elevate Group states as inventory remains lows, expect more of this.  She then went on to explain that when making an offer where financing is involved, its very important to be fully preapproved with the ability to close quickly.

At 101 Loan, we take pride in that, our preapprovals are fully underwritten (with DU run) allowing our buyers the ability to make offers without a loan contingency and close in a timely manner, sometimes in 3 weeks or less.  This helps our buyers make the strongest offer possible often times resulting in accepted offer.

For more on what we do for our buyers, please see below:

  • We get the buyer completely pre-approved before they make an offer, so they won’t need a loan contingency (unless we recommend having one), something seller’s require.
  • We strategize with the buyer and Realtor, to close in the quickest amount of time with the least amount of contingencies while keeping the buyers risk as low as possible.
  • At the time of an offer, we call the listing agent on behalf of the buyer and their Realtor to differentiate the offer over someone else’s. (This makes a huge difference in the eyes of the listing agent and seller and conveys strength in the preapproval)
  • We can close purchases in 21 to 25 days (as needed) depending on the loan program the buyer chooses. Faster is better in the eyes of the seller!
  • We provide a timeline to the buyer, the listing agent and the buyers agent, once the loan is locked; detailing each step of the transaction to ensure a smooth closing.  We ensure the buyer knows exactly what the loan will cost once locked and then update them immediately if there are any changes to the loan structure, as a result due to a change of circumstance.  We then re-summarize the costs before the buyer signs the loan docs.
  • We coordinate the buyer’s signoff with escrow and their Realtor, to ensure the purchase closes on time, as scheduled.

We basically “micro-manage” the purchase from start to finish to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible, something crucial in this market, to ensure all parties have a smooth and stress-free closing.

If you’d like to get preapproved or determine your purchase power, please contact us.

Best Regards,

Rob McCarthy

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.101Loan.com

650-465-8957 c  408-377-4123 o  408-608-1921 f

CA DRE – License # 01205444  NMLS #326829

6090 Hellyer Ave #100, San Jose, CA 95138

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 50 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook and Linkedin.

Note: Interest rates and loan programs quoted are subject to change without notice or until locked and approved by lender.

 

The New Jumbo 2 to 1 Buydown…

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I have a new loan product that helps developers sell more property in today’s high-rate market.  It’s called 2 to 1 Jumbo Loan and no retail bank offers it.

The concept of this program works like this… Current jumbo rates are approximately 6%.  The buydown (which is priced a tad higher than current market), allows the borrower or seller (builder or developer) to buy down the rate by 2% year 1 so instead of the borrower paying 6.5%, they pay 4.5% for the first 12 months.  Year 2, the borrower pay’s 5.5%, then year 3, 6.5% for the remainder of the loan but will most likely refi in 1 to 2 years when rates go lower.

The cost of the buy down averages between $35k to $40k and put into an escrow account to cover the buydown over the life of the loan but is usually paid by the developer, builder or seller as a way to incent the buyer to purchase and close on the unit.  In return, they get the following:

  • On the price of $2m at 25% down, the P&I payment on the mortgage of $1.5m at 6.5% would be $9481/month.  At 4.5%, the payment would be $7600/month saving the buyer/borrower $1881/month year 1 for 12 months.
  • Year 2, the payment would be $8517/month saving $964/month over month 13 to month 24.
  • Over 2 years, that’s a saving of $34,140 over 2 years.

Note:  Payment above is P&I only and does not include property taxes and property insurance paid monthly.  Above based on a purchase with borrowers having a 780 mid fico and above.  Apr on 6.5% is 6.879.

This program will help more property be sold and we are the only lender in the US currently offering this program.  Let me know if you’d like to discuss this further.

Thanks.

Best Regards,

Rob McCarthy

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.101Loan.com

650-465-8957 c  408-377-4123 o  408-608-1921 f

101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

101 Loan LLC – CA DRE #01165697  NMLS #121019

101 Loan is an Associate of General Mortgage Capital Corporation

 

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 50 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook and Linkedin.

Note: Interest rates and loan programs quoted are subject to change without notice or until locked and approved by lender.

Want a Lower Payment and a Lower Rate Below Market…A 2-1 Buydown May be the Trick!

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Want a Lower Payment and a Lower Rate Below Market…A 2-1 Buydown May be the Trick!…(Read Below for More Info)

 

What is a 2-1 Buydown?

A Buydown temporarily reduces the mortgage payment for the borrower. This happens because the seller offers a credit that pays the difference between the full P&I payment and the reduced P&I payment. The seller only needs to provide the credit and the lender handles supplementing the payment. So, it’s a seller credit used in a different way!

Why would a seller want to give this credit to the buyer?

A Buydown is paid for by the seller instead of the traditional lowering of the sales price when a listing doesn’t sell.  This potentially attracts more buyers because they get a much lower rate and payment for the first 2 years.  It also provides a lower payment helps buyers ease into their new home given all the new expenses they may have.  It also allows them to refinance when rates drop.

This also allows the seller to maybe not have to lower the list price.  This keeps home values as high as possible!  Since this is also a cost to sell the property then the sellers potentially get a tax break by lowering any capital gains (of course sellers should always contact their tax advisor on this).

You can also have a situation where the list price is fine and the sellers don’t need to lower it or give a credit to the buyers.  So then the buyers can counter to increase the sales price to cover the buydown subsidy and then have the sellers give that buydown subsidy!  Sellers get the same net sales price and of course the buyers are getting a much lower payment on their first 2 years!  Of course to do this the property has to appraise for the higher purchase price.  The buyers have to have the extra couple thousand for the down payment because of the slightly higher purchase price in order for this scenario to work.

Basically this is the borrower “financing” their buydown with the higher purchase price in order to get the seller to give the credit to fund the buydown!

Here Is an Example for Educational Purposes Only:

Interest Rate is 6.50%       Loan Amount is $715,000

P&I at $715,000 with a rate of 6.50% is equal to $4519.29/month

If a Seller credits the buyer with a subsidy, this amount can be applied to the buydown and reduce the 1st, 2nd or 3rd year payment, depending on the subsidy amount.

Let’s say a seller agrees to supplement the payment difference for years one and two.

The first-year payment for the borrower would be a rate of 4.50%.  The second-year payment for the borrower would be a rate of 5.50%.  Years 3-30 would be the normal rate of 6.50%.

Year One@ 4.50% = $3622.80 – P&I/Month

Year Two@ 5.50% = $4059.69 – P&I/Month

  • Keep in mind that the borrower still has to qualify at the NOTE RATE and not the buydown rate so in this scenario the borrower qualifies at the note rate of 6.50%
  • In this scenario with the 1st year rate being 4.50% and the 2nd year rate at 5.50% then this means their average rate for the first 2 years is at 5.00% which is still 1.50% LOWER than the current market rate!!

Seller Subsidy:

The difference between the Normal Payment of $4519.29 and Yr. One of $3622.80 is $896.49/Month.

The difference between the Normal Payment of $4519.29 and Yr. Two of $4059.69 is $459.60/Month.

If the Seller offers a subsidy of $896.49 x 12 = $10,757.88 (for 1st year) plus $459.60 x 12 = $5515.20 (for 2nd year) they would offer the borrower a total subsidy of $16,273.08 which would pay for the payment difference the first two years.

This strategy helps a homebuyer ease into their house payment and frees up funds for other things that would have normally gone to a house payment. NOTE: Seller credit cannot exceed maximum seller contribution for program selected.

 

For More Info, please contact me.

Best Regards,

Rob McCarthy

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.101Loan.com

408-377-4123 o  650-465-8957 c   408-608-1921 f

101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

101 Loan LLC – CA DRE #01165697  NMLS #121019

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 50 banks with over 200 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook and Linkedin.

Note: Interest rates and loan programs quoted are subject to change without notice or until locked and approved by lender.

Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval

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The Pre‐Qualification…Your FIRST Step to Financing a Home

 

Because of the complexities of home financing and the numerous loan programs available to the general public, prequalifying must be done by a qualified loan agent (preferably a mortgage originator) in person, via e-mail or over the phone. The prequalification process is both objective and subjective. Lenders look at much more than just how much cash someone has or have much do they make. They look at the “overall picture”, for what lenders call compensating factors, of the applicant. These compensating factors include income, debt, assets, and credit. Consulting with a qualified loan agent, can help you determine which compensating factors should be emphasized to the lender.

Income

Employment and Bonus Income Commissions Income Self Employment Investment

Interest Income

 Debt

Credit Card Debt Auto Loan Debt Student Loan Debt

Personal Lines of Credit
Assets

Savings and Checking Stocks, Mutuals, Bonds

401k, Pension and Stock Options

IRA’s, Profit Sharing

 Credit

New Accounts Closed Accounts Derogatory Accounts Inquiries

and Liens

 

The Pre‐Approval…Solidifies Your Home Buying Position

Once an applicant is prequalified, the next step is the preapproval. This involves the lender verifying one’s income, debt, credit, and assets. This is done by sending the lender 30 days of pay-stubs,

  •   W-2’s and 1040’s for the last two years
  •   Bank statements on all assets for the last two months
  •   Verification of credit by credit report
  •   A copy of your driver’s license

 

Once the preapproval is done, the buyer strengthens their buying position. Now, buyers have a “walking credit card” to purchase a new home! Buyers should never start their home search without being preapproved. The preapproval is usually valid for 90 days (sometimes longer) as long as the applicant’s income, debt, assets, and credit have not worsened or rates have gone up or loan programs have been eliminated.

October 20, 2019

 

Ref: Prequalification for John and Jane Doe                                           (Prequalification Sample)

 

To whom it may concern,

 

Based on the information provided to me, the above referenced client qualifies for the following:

 

Max Purchase Price Down Payment Loan Program PITI Payment Type of Property
$875,000 20% Fixed or Hybrid $4129/month Home

 

Notes: The PITI payment above is based on principle, interest, taxes and insurance based on a monthly basis. Usually you only pay principle and interest on a monthly basis.

 

Tax Benefits

 

As you may know, once you purchase a home, you are entitled to the tax benefits associated with

home ownership. Below you will find the purchase prices as stated above, that provide the approximate tax write off, net tax benefit, and net effective PITI payment associated with owning versus renting.

 

Purchase Price Tax Write Off Net Tax Benefit Net Effective PITI Payment
$875,000 $3308/month $793/month $3336/month

 

Notes: The above info can vary based on the actual rate, payment and household income of the borrower(s). For a more complete analysis of this benefit, please contact your CPA, tax planner or accountant.

 

Congratulations, you are now pre‐qualified. The next step is the pre‐approval process. To start this process, we will need to meet in person, and I will need you to bring the following with you:

  •   Copies of paystubs for the last 30 days.
  •   Copies of w‐2 and 1040’s for the last 2 years.
  •   Copies of bank statements for the last 2 months, for checking, savings, stock and 401k.
  •   Copy of driver’s license or passport.

 

Once you have put this list of items together, please contact me to schedule an appointment. Thank you for your time and interest.

 

Sincerely,

Rob McCarthy

Senior Mortgage Planner

October 20, 2019

 

(Prequalification sample) 

Ref:   Pre‐Approval for Home Financing

 

Dear John and Jane,

 

This letter is to inform you have been pre‐approved for the purchase price of $875,000.00 based on 20% down. Your credit, income, debt and assets have been reviewed and are satisfactory to the lender.

 

This pre‐approval is subject to the following conditions:

 

  • Review of preliminary title report from lender.
  • Review of appraisal of property per agreed contract price by lender
  • Review of purchase contract by lender

 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,

Rob McCarthy

Senior Mortgage Planner

What We Do is Different!

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Some lenders provide great rates but lack service. Some lenders provide great service but lack good rates. At 101 Loan, we provide both but when it comes to making an offer on your behalf, we go the extra mile to ensure your offer is the strongest possible in the eyes of the seller. This includes the following and something most banks, brokers or credit unions don’t offer: Read more