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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Home Buddies Quarterly Economic Report - Part 3 - Opportunities

By Cliff Pape

We studied the macroeconomic factors effecting the US in first two parts of the Quarterly Economic Report. This week, we will look into the future and give an outlook on the real estate and mortgage markets of 2009. Last, we are going to propose some opportunities that every investor should recognize in this stage of the surprisingly predictable real estate cycle.

Credit and Financial Markets

At the end 2008, probably the biggest news is the determination of the Treasury and the Fed to try to push mortgage rate lower. Six hundred billion dollars of Fannie and Freddie mortgage-backed securities and unsecured debt are to be purchased by the Fed according to their November 25th announcement.

The sole reason the Fed did this was to lower debt cost (i.e. make it cheaper to obtain a mortgage). They are attempting to kill two birds with one stone by making mortgages cheaper in hopes of enticing potential single family home buyers with credit to come off of the sidelines and purchase.

Furthermore, if home buyers jump into the real estate market, this will further stabilize home values which will help the banks' balance sheets. All of this bodes well for mortgage brokers and loan officers because the ultimate goal of the government is to get mortgage lenders to loosen credit and they have committed to do it. At some point during 2009 mortgage lending should begin to pick up. Expect a refinance boom when the mess clears up.

Real Estate Markets

There are a few things to keep an eye on in Houston. If housing permits continue to contract, it could be a while before the national residential real estate scene improves. Several markets such as Houston are still bucking the national trend, but, even in these markets, permits are beginning to contract which is pointing toward a slow-down as we head into 2009.

If unemployment figures creep up in Houston next year then that may be a sign that Houston may not escape the US and global economic turmoil with just a small hiccup.

Opportunities for Investors

With all the "fear" that is surrounding the mortgage and real estate markets, there has never been a better time to buy single family residential homes. Consumer concern over the financial crisis is causing real estate prices in stable markets, such as Houston, to fall under what the market fundamentals in Houston would otherwise warrant.

With credit standards like they are right now, many investors (and most retail buyers) are out of the game because they are not able to get financing for single family homes. So now is a window of opportunity for smart investors with good credit to buy up undervalued investment properies in Houston.

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