Housing and Mortgage Trends for 2012

Thinking of buying a home? You need to start soon.  Right now it’s still a buyer’s market, but you’ll be competing with a wave of investors looking for bargain properties.  And although mortgage rates are still low, that won’t last forever.

 

Here are some Housing and Mortgage Trends you may see in 2012 according to national experts:

Home Prices Will Stablize -  Nationally, home prices remain lower than a year ago, but many housing experts say there’s not much room for prices to fall further.   The median home price of existing homes was 3.5 percent lower in November 2011 compared to the previous year, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Mortgage Rates Should Still Remain Low – Thanks to the Fed and a slower economy, mortgage rates are expected to stay near record lows for at least the first few months of 2012.

More Investors Enter the Market – If you plan to buy a house, be ready to compete with investors.  According to the National Association of Realtors, 1 in 5 homes sold in 2011 was purchased by an investor and many of these investors are foreign buyers who want to take advantage of the low prices and the weak dollar.

If you are looking to buy a home in Austin, Texas or Houston, Texas, contact Texas Capital Properties today for a FREE Buyer Search sent directly to your email with daily alerts of new listings!

Real Estate Housing Reports for Austin and Houston

Find out what’s happening in today’s real estate market in Austin, Texas or Houston, Texas online with our HOUSING TRENDS NEWSLETTER – January 2012. 

Did you know that buying is cheaper than renting in 74 percent of the nation’s largest cities…read more

What’s your home’s value….find out

Did you know that December 2011′s existing home sales showed an uptrend according to the National Association of Realtors®…read more

Visit the Texas Capital Properties website to view our current listings, search the Houston MLS, search the Austin MLS, plus much more!

 

Like Us on Facebook for a Chance to Win a $50 Best Buy Giftcard

Texas Capital Properties is giving away a $50 Best Buy Gift Card to one lucky Facebook fan! 

 

Be one of the first 500 fans to “Like” our Facebook page and you’re automatically entered to win.  Winner to be drawn at random once we reach 500 fans.  We have over 300 likes and getting closer to the goal!

 

Texas Capital Properties is your online source for Austin and Houston real estate in Texas. 

 

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A $50 BEST BUY GIFT CARD

Owner Financed Homes in Austin and Houston

Are you looking for a home in Austin, TX or Houston, TX but have been unable to qualify for traditional bank financing? You’re not alone.   You may want to consider alternative options. 

Owner Financing, also called Seller Financing, is an effective way to sell real estate property when conventional financing is difficult to obtain.  Advantages for buyers include: Easy Qualification, Little or No Loan Costs, and Quick Closing.

Now you can search all available owner financed homes in Austin, TX or Houston, TX  here.  Visit our Owner Financing page for more information!

New Texas HOA Laws Effective January 2012

Millions of Texas homeowners live in areas with homeowner associations.  HOAs have had a lot of power in the past, including the ability to foreclose on the homes of owners who failed to pay their association assessments. 

With the new laws that took effect January 1, 2012, one is aimed at how HOAs manage their communities with foreclosure threats.  Homeowners that are working towards paying their HOA dues, late fees or payments will  now have 3 to 18 months to resolve their debts before the HOA can pursue further action.

HOA’s will now also be required to obtain a court order before pursuing foreclosure on a property. The new law also grants homeowners the right to contact their HOA directly about their debts even if the HOA has secured an attorney or representative.

The new law also could be beneficial to lenders who would no longer require HOAs to commit in writing and would have an opportunity to cure delinquent association liens before going to foreclosure.