Posts Tagged ‘go back alittle to leap furthur’

First let’s congratulate the Morris Plains Marlins Swim Team for their third undefeated season.  The Marlins are 21 and 0 over the last three years.  Coach Tina Cecala and her staff should be congratulated for their tremendous effort.  The swim team is one of the best recreation programs in the county.  The coaches have succeeded   in combining personal achievement and solid team work to produce a great summer swim team.  Good luck in the County Championships

There are at least 11 million people in the US that owe more than their home is worth, and a ton more whose property is worth a bunch less than they paid for it.  If you fall in this category you may not be as trapped as you think. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, record low Mortgage rates and a new slump in home prices are presenting some unusual opportunities in the housing market.  Even underwater home owners may benefit.

Many home owners are intentionally taking a hit on their current house writing a check to retire the loan in order to buy a much larger house for not that much more money.  Some are throwing conservative financial advice to the dogs.  They are opting to cash in refinancing.   They are paying thousands out of their pocket to settle their loans and then taking out new mortgages with lower payments and shorter terms.

Essentially these people are doubling down on their homes and taking a chance that when the economy recovers they will have put themselves in a position where there new properties will appreciate faster than if they had waited for their older home to do so.  Economists are saying that this may not be such a bad idea.  Christopher Mayer from Columbia Business School says that “If you are trading up, what better time than now”  Interest rates are rock bottom and the cost of a larger home is much less then what it was 2,3 4 years ago. Someone who wants to refinance is home could plunk down cash to retire the  higher rate loan then refinance the new loan and might be able to reduce his monthly payments as well as shortening is loan term.  Look at the graphs below

For example, 2 years ago someone bought a home for 246,000. That same home has appraised for 228,000 today.  Our home owner has paid 29,000 in principle and closing costs to refinance his current 30 year loan at 5.87% into a 20 year loan at 4.5%.  This will save the home owner 95,000 in interest over the life of his loan and lowers his monthly payment by 148.00 dollars.  If you do the math our home owners not only saves the 95 grand over the course of his loan.  He also earns a return of about 10% a year for 5 years on his investment of 29,000.

It is not easy for many of us to accept the fact that we have lost tens of thousands of dollars on our homes.  However for scores of home owners summoning the courage to take a loss now could lead to large gains later. 

This is agreat time to be a buyer especially in Morris Plains.  There are a number of homes in town that are competively priced to the current market.  These homes will sell very quickly, I know of one that already has had alot of interest in it.  If you need any information about the town give me a call and I will be happy to assist you.

Thanks for reading my blog on Morris Plains Homes NJ and here is the Quote.”Go back a little to leap further.”  John Clarke