Real Estate Market Update - Seattle & Bellevue - July and August 2020
As your real estate professional, it is my pleasure to provide to you, as much relevant real estate information as possible. This article contains numerous links to more information, videos with quick infographic statistic updates, and updates from local lenders from the mortgage & financing prospective. Contact me anytime to discuss this info and what it means to you. Let me know if you would like specific information for your neighborhood and share with me any information you come across to help me make this info the best it can be.
According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS):
“Northwest MLS brokers report robust activity amid low interest rates, tight inventory, changing lifestyles - Historically low interest rates and lifestyle changes are fueling housing activity around Washington state, according to Dean Rebhuhn, president of Village Homes and Properties in Woodinville. Commenting on just-released June statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service, he and other brokers say multiple offers are common “especially in the median price range.”… To read the complete NWMLS July Press Release click here
Big news! - April 27th the MLS added Virtual Open Houses! While the syndicated listings to RE/MAX, Redfin, Zillow, CBB, John L Scott, Windermere, and all the other companies are not yet showing the open houses… those companies are each working to start providing that information. If you have a search portal set up from your real estate professional in the MLS Portal, click the “world” icon for the open house info. There are many different available formats. So far it looks like most brokers are using Zoom or Facebook Live. Even after things get back to normal, these virtual open houses may continue as a way for people to save time and shop remotely. In-person showings are currently allowed with strict Covid19 protocol, 3 people at a time (one being the broker), by appointment (even if vacant), and strictly following social distancing guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") by remaining at least six feet apart at all times. Here is a link to the MLS Covid19 Guide for Buyers and Sellers.
As of July 7, Wearing face masks is required for all in-person real estate showings. For a link to more info please read the Overview of COVID-19 Statewide Face Covering Requirements.
Lender updates from Tina, Eric, & Mark
If you want to know what is happening with the money-side of things in real estate, ask a mortgage lender. Below is info from Tina, Eric & Mark. I hope you find this info helpful. These lenders are available for you and can provide information to you regarding your plans to purchase or refinance a home. Let me know if you talk with them and how I can assist you as your Realtor. Thanks! Jen 206-550-1676
Click on the video image above for the latest Mortgage Minutes posted July 29, 2020 with Tina Mitchell for an explanation of:
Mortgage Minutes Update
Tina Mitchell with Highlands Residential Mortgage is a fabulous lender. She has been in the mortgage industry for over 2 decades and has been recognized in the top 1% Nationwide. She is a numbers gal and can talk with you about possible loan options. I also really like her communication style. You can schedule a time with Tina now (for a video zoom conference call) using this link. She is available by cellular phone and even works nights & weekends! Tina promptly follows up your no obligation consultation with informative emails showing your different loan options, estimations of costs, and other important info in writing and throughout the process has the best communications of any lender I have ever seen. The first step is to schedule a meeting to review loan options, cash needed and payment breakdown. There is no cost or commitment to move forward, it’s just education. Call Tina now or if it’s more convenient you can use the following online calendar to Schedule a Consultation at https://calendly.com/tinamitchell/. Tina Mitchell, Highlands Residential Mortgage • Loan Originator, NMLS 145420 • Cellular: (425) 647-0205 • “Live Your Dream Now!” Read more about Tinawww.TinaMitchellTeam.com
These thorough market updates from lender, Eric Aasness, Branch Sales Manager, Homebridge Financial are full of great charts and economic information. At the end of each article, Eric has included the links to more than 10 additional articles related to home loans and the real estate market.
July 2, 2020 - Huge Housing Rebound, All-Time Low Rates, But At What Cost?
July 10, 2020 - Mortgage Market Ridiculously Good or Just Ridiculous?
July 17, 2020 - It's Time To Refinance (Again)
July 24, 2020 - How Low Can Rates Eventually Go?
July 31, 2020 - Should You Wait For Lower Rates?
August 7, 2020 - The Rate Also Rises
August 14, 2020 - Mortgage Rates Are Not 1.99%. In Fact They're Back Over 3%
August 21, 2020 - Best Housing Market Since 2007, But There's a Catch
August 28, 2020 - Huge Developments in The Mortgage World. Are You Getting The Whole Story?
Here are some additional market updates provided by Mark Williams at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation:
July 10, 2020 - Services Sector Shines
July 17, 2020 - Consumer Spending Surges Again
July 24, 2020 - Housing Sector Shines
August 7, 2020 - Massive Job Gains Continue
August 17, 2020 - Retail Sales Rise
August 21, 2020 - Housing Sector Shines
Here are some links to more articles & videos.
If you find great articles that you would like to share with me, please email those to me at jen@jensrealty.com. I am always working hard to be your source for real estate information! Thanks, Jen
Comments on June Employment Report Calculated Risk Blog
Luxury Home Prices Dropped 2.3% This Spring, Reversing Course From Pre-Pandemic Growth Redfin
US jobs increase by 4.8 million in June, vs 2.9 million estimate; unemployment rate at 11.1% CNBC
Correlation Between Low Housing Supply and Purchase Loan Size Around The Web
Construction Spending Decreased in May Calculated Risk Blog
Purchase Apps Retreat Again as Inventory Dries Up Mortgage News Daily
Biggest Drop yet in Forbearances Brings us Back to April's Levels Mortgage News Daily
FHFA Extends COVID-Related Loan Processing Flexibilities for FannieMae and FreddieMac Customers Through August Around The Web
Sure, Rates Are Low, But It's Getting Harder to Get a Loan Mortgage News Daily
Realtors Report that their Customers are Back Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Application Volume Recovers its Momentum Mortgage News Daily
Study Shows Low Housing Supply Leads to Gentrification Mortgage News Daily
Housing Market Confidence Continues to Bounce Back Mortgage News Daily
2021 Could See First Decline in Home Prices in 9 Years Mortgage News Daily
Construction Hiring Surged in May Around The Web
Mortgage Rates Just Got Even Lower Mortgage News Daily
Construction Spending Showing Promise Mortgage News Daily
Forbearance Plans Resume Downtrend After Last Week's Uptick Mortgage News Daily
Freddie Mac's Growth Slowed, Delinquencies Spiked in May Mortgage News Daily
Comments on June Housing Starts Calculated Risk Blog
Construction Continues Post-Plunge Gains Mortgage News Daily
Average FICO Scores Rise 9 Points Since March Mortgage News Daily
Forbearance Plan Numbers at Lowest Levels Since May Mortgage News Daily
U.S. Median Home Sale Price up 3% to a New High in June Redfin
Remodeling Market Shows Optimism despite COVID-19 Around The Web
Another Massive Jump in Builder Confidence Mortgage News Daily
Retail Sales increased 7.5% in June Calculated Risk Blog
New Home Sales Expected to Surge Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Application Volume is Up, Forbearances Continue to Wane Mortgage News Daily
Forecasters See Surprisingly Strong Housing Rebound, But There Are Risks Mortgage News Daily
Delinquencies Spike in April as Pandemic Data Rolls In Mortgage News Daily
Wells Fargo reports $2.4 billion loss for the quarter, cutting dividend by 10 cents CNBC
Rising Softwood Lumber Costs Lead Building Materials Prices Higher in June Around The Web
You might have a tough time getting a 'jumbo mortgage' during pandemic. Here's what to expect CNBC
Six High Frequency Indicators for a Recovery Calculated Risk Blog
June new home sales spike as real estate market heats up CNBC
New Home Sales Explode Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels Mortgage News Daily
HUD Eliminates Obama Era Fair Housing Rule Mortgage News Daily
Fannie/Freddie Borrowers Continue to Exit Forbearance Mortgage News Daily
90 Day Delinquencies Edge up as Crisis Hits Three Month Mark Mortgage News Daily
A few Comments on June New Home Sales Calculated Risk Blog
Fed hoped to skirt a second virus wave. Small businesses may sink in it Reuters
Mortgage Rates Struggling to Set New Records Mortgage News Daily
Home Sellers' Asking Prices up 13% from Last Year as Demand Keeps Soaring Redfin
NMHC: "July Apartment Market Conditions Showed Continued Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak" Calculated Risk Blog
Forbearance Penalties Are Making Things Harder for Low-FICO, First-time Borrowers Mortgage News Daily
This zero-down payment mortgage helps lower-income people become homeowners CNBC
Home Sellers Pocketed Record Profits as the Coronavirus Pandemic Surged in the U.S. Around The Web
AIA: "Architecture billings remain in negative territory, begin to stabilize" Calculated Risk Blog
Comments on June Existing Home Sales Calculated Risk Blog
Existing Home Sales Roared Back in June, Ending 3-Month Drought Mortgage News Daily
Home Prices Fell Slightly in May Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Apps Continue Gains, Forbearance Totals Drop Below 4 Million Mortgage News Daily
Home Purchase Plans Have Not Significantly Changed Because of COVID-19 Around The Web
Bernanke and Yellen say the Fed needs to find out why the market broke down in March CNBC
Early Q3 GDP Forecasts Calculated Risk Blog
Multiple Offers For Homes on the Market Are Becoming More Common Around The Web
Condo Prices Down 1.4% in June, Sales Down 31%, But Demand Is Ticking Up Redfin
JD Power Ranks Mortgage Servicer Satisfaction Mortgage News Daily
Fannie and Freddie Remain Profitable Despite Mortgage Delinquencies Mortgage News Daily
Housing Share of GDP Climbs to 13-Year High Around The Web
Survey: Almost Half of Recent Homebuyers Made an Offer Sight-Unseen, the Highest Share on Record Redfin
Hotels: Occupancy Rate Declined 38% Year-over-year Calculated Risk Blog
Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Rebounds in Second Quarter Around The Web
How the Coronavirus Pandemic Pushed Home Prices to a Record High Around The Web
2 Underreported Risks: Homeowners Extending & Re-Entering Mortgage Forbearances The Basis Point
Pending Home Sales Continue Remarkable Rebound Mortgage News Daily
Census: Household Pulse Survey shows 26.5% Missed or Expect to Miss Rent or Mortgage Payment Calculated Risk Blog
Mortgage Apps Pull Back for the First Time in a Month Mortgage News Daily
Freddie Mac's Volume Increased in June, Delinquencies Skyrocketed Mortgage News Daily
Update: A few comments on the Seasonal Pattern for House Prices Calculated Risk Blog
May Home Prices Unexpectedly Stall Mortgage News Daily
20% of Winning Home Offers Waived the Inspection Contingency in June, Up From 13% Last Year Redfin
Millions of Americans Could Soon Become Homeless as Protections Expire Around The Web
Housing Affordability is Still a Challenge, but Improving Mortgage News Daily
Jumbo Mortgage Rates Are No Longer the Cheapest Mortgages Around Around The Web
MBA Survey: "Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Decreases for Sixth Straight Week to 7.74%" of Portfolio Volume Calculated Risk Blog
Zillow CEO: Real estate market is beginning 'great reshuffling' as people seek more space at home CNBC
Another Wave of Forbearances is Probably On The Way Mortgage News Daily
Comments on July Employment Report Calculated Risk Blog
Most Mortgage Rate Headlines Are Wrong Today Mortgage News Daily
Foreign Buyers are Pumping the Brakes on Home Purchases Mortgage News Daily
Housing Affordability Hits 18-Month Low on Lack of Supply, Higher Prices Around The Web
Suburban growth is now double that of cities—Here's what it could mean for the urban future CNBC
Will Zillow buy my house? Yes, Zillow resumes buying in 24 cities after COVID pause. The Basis Point
Mortgage Application Volume Pulls Back For Second Consecutive Week Mortgage News Daily
Maybe Home Prices Aren't in Trouble After All? Mortgage News Daily
Survey: 25% of Homebuyers Are MovingOr Moving Sooner Than PlannedBecause of the Pandemic Redfin
New Mortgage Rate Record; What Is a "Top Tier" Scenario? Mortgage News Daily
Update: Framing Lumber Prices Up 81% Year-over-year Calculated Risk Blog
CoreLogic: House Prices up 4.9% Year-over-year in June Calculated Risk Blog
Construction Spending Largely Unchanged as Shutdowns End Mortgage News Daily
More Home Buyers are in the Market, but Shopping Takes Longer Mortgage News Daily
Housing Affordability Best in Four Years, Purchase Rate Locks Surge Mortgage News Daily
More Evidence of Strength in Housing as GDP Tumbles Mortgage News Daily
Home Prices Up 8% as Supply Fell 22% to a New All-Time Low in July Redfin
Consumer sentiment index beats expectations, 72.8 vs 71 expected CNBC
Forbearances Decline for Second Week, Falling Below 4 Million Mortgage News Daily
Industrial Production Increased 3.0 Percent in July; Still 8.4% Below Pre-Crisis Level Calculated Risk Blog
MBA Predicts New Home Sales Surge in July Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Rates Pummeled By Regulatory Drama Mortgage News Daily
What Pandemic? Home Prices Continue Gains in Q2 Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage refinancing will be more expensive as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac raise fees CNBC
Tell Congress: Urge FHFA and the GSEs to Withdraw Adverse Market Refinance Fee Around The Web
FHFA Drops a Bomb; Your Refi Just Got Much More Expensive! Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Apps on the Rise Again, Driven by Last Week's Low Rates Mortgage News Daily
Biggest Jump in 2 Months For Mortgage Rates Mortgage News Daily
Softwood Lumber Costs Up Nearly 30% Over Three Months, Push Building Materials Prices Higher in July Around The Web
Homes Flying Off Market at Record Pace46% Accept an Offer Within 2 Weeks Redfin
Delinquencies Growing; More Government Assistance Needed Mortgage News Daily
Pandemic Reveals Flaws in Loan Reporting Mortgage News Daily
Bidding Wars Hold Steady in July, With Over Half of Redfin Offers Encountering Competition Redfin
Appraisal, Valuation, Sales Tools; Training; 50 bp Refi hit and Other Agency Updates Mortgage News Daily
Existing Home Sales are Booming Mortgage News Daily
Forbearances are Leveling Out, With Long-Term Delinquencies now a Concern Mortgage News Daily
Late-Stage Delinquencies are Surging, Especially Those With FHA Loans Mortgage News Daily
Average New Home Price Now $14,000 Higher Due to Lumber Around The Web
Custom Home Building is on a Roll Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Rates Are Actually Lower This Week Mortgage News Daily
The rise in jobless claims may be a warning to Congress that the economy needs stimulus CNBC
Share of Purchase Loans now Catching up With Refis Mortgage News Daily
Phoenix Real Estate in July: Sales up 12% YoY, Active Inventory Down 42% YoY Calculated Risk Blog
CFPB Wants Your Comments on New Kind of QM Mortgage News Daily
Purchase Apps Still Rising Despite Rate Increases Mortgage News Daily
New Single-Family Home Size Leveling Off? Around The Web
Luxury Home Prices Bounce Back, Rising 1.2% in Early Summer Redfin
Homebuilding is on Fire; Best Pace in Over a Decade Mortgage News Daily
Comments on July Housing Starts Calculated Risk Blog
CAR on California July Housing: Sales up 6% YoY, Active Listings down 48% YoY Calculated Risk Blog
Just 6% of Homes Held Open Houses During First Week on Market in July, Down From 16% a Year Earlier Redfin
Builder Confidence Skyrockets, Matching 1988 Record Mortgage News Daily
Homebuyer Interest in Rural Areas Rises, With Prices Up 11% in July Redfin
Lawler: July Residential Home Sales/Inventories in Selected Counties with Beach/Mountain Resort Areas Calculated Risk Blog
Q3 GDP Forecasts Calculated Risk Blog
Fannie/Freddie Extend Foreclosure Relief to Year's End Mortgage News Daily
Fed's Harker says it will take 'a while' for jobs market to heal, would be OK with inflation at 2.5% CNBC
Next up for the Federal Reserve: Convincing the markets it can do what it says it will do CNBC
FHFA Announces Public Listening Sessions on Re-Proposed Capital Rule for the Enterprises FHFA
A Quarter of San Francisco Home Sellers Are Dropping Their Prices, the Highest Rate on Record Redfin
Highest Home Sales Since 2005. Can It Last? Mortgage News Daily
Fed Chair Jerome Powell: Monetary Policy Framework Review Calculated Risk Blog
Freddie Mac Reminds Disaster Victims: Mortgage Relief is Available Mortgage News Daily
Freddie Mac Delinquencies Jump for Second Month Mortgage News Daily
Federal Open Market Committee announces approval of updates to its Statement on Longer-Run Goals and Monetary Policy Strategy Federal Reserve
Don't Be Fooled By Today's Mortgage Rate News Mortgage News Daily
Purchase Applications Decline Even as Rates Move Lower Mortgage News Daily
FHFA Further Extends Buying Loans in Forbearance & COVID-Related Loan Processing Flexibilities FHFA
Framework review complete, Fed's Powell starts hard sell for higher inflation Reuters
New Home Sales Explode in the Midwest, Boosting National Numbers Mortgage News Daily
Home Price Gains Shrug off Covid Concerns Mortgage News Daily
A few Comments on July New Home Sales Calculated Risk Blog
Sales of New-Construction Homes Rebound to Pre-Coronavirus Levels, Rising 10% in July Redfin
Adverse Market Refinance Fee Implementation now December 1 FHFA
If you have any thoughts or questions about this information or would like to talk, please call or text me at 206-550-1676. If you find great articles that you would like to share with me, please email those to me at jen@jensrealty.com. I am always working hard to be your source for real estate information!
Check back for more updates throughout the year. Let’s talk about the market now in your neighborhood, your real estate goals, and whether or not this is a good time for you to list and sell your home. Call, text, or email anytime. I’m always here to help! Thank you,
Jennifer Suemnicht - Jen's Realty - RE/MAX Metro Realty, Inc.
www.JensRealty.com / 206-550-1676 / jen@jensrealty.com