Lets
lock all mortgage rates at application, regardless of when its
closing. I think this is about as good as it gets for a while. I
still see 30 year fixed rates a tad under 6% (5.875%) but the good
economic data, released today, could drive Long Beach mortgage rates up
next week.
Here on our Long Beach Real Estate site I usually write purely real estate related articles targeted at educating and informing buyers and sellers of Long Beach Real Estate. Today I would like to give you a little peek into the business side of things and explain how they can affect the sale or purchase of your Long Beach homes.
In a recently published post I disclosed the 2008 closed sales in Long Beach; 674 of them, through 4/30/08. While the chart shows the sales increasing each month, the sales figures are still very low. (Includes sales of homes, condos, lofts, co-ops, Oyos, 2-4 units and 5+ units as recorded on the MLS)
Jan 130
Feb 153
Mar 179
Apr 212
Total: 674
These are difficult times for those of us surviving in the real estate industry. Going into this down market there were about 2900 licensed Realtors on record, there are currently about 1600 licensees active in the Long Beach area. Every market will support a certain amount of agents based on the closed sales of that market. Each agent needs a certain amount of closed sales in order to survive. Lets assume that 8 to 10 closed sales for the year are required for a Realtor to even survive this market; 674 closed sales would produce 8 to 10 sales for the year, for between 200 and 250 Realtors. Those sales are currently spread across 1600 current licensees, which would equate to less than ½ of a sale for each Realtor for the first 4 months of 2008.
In the real estate industry we have an 80/20 saying. It states that 20% of the agents do 80% of the business. 20% of 1600 agents = 320 which would equate to about 2 closed sales for the majority of the 20% still doing business.
So how are 1600 Realtors surviving a market with sales that will currently only support 200 to 250?
Some have other income, or a spouse or significant other with income.
Some have taken on Part or Full time jobs, while trying to juggle their real estate.
Some have anticipated this market and made plans to survive it.
Some are making enough sales to manage.
What of the 80%? That is 1280 agents, still active, for the last 4 months. How are they surviving with little or no sales? Well, they either have spousal support a trust fund or they have accepted salaried positions. Lets take a look at that. Real estate is a more than full time job; it is a commitment which permeates every hour of every day of our lives. Real estate transactions require a lot of attention on a daily basis. Escrow, title, lenders, inspections, appraisers banks and more need to be attended to, mostly during normal business hours. Buyers need to see properties around their schedules which often means after work or weekend showings. Sellers properties often need tending, flyers run out; keys go missing from a lock box or end up in another box on the same property. A pipe may burst on a listing with an out of town owner; anything can happen. How is an agent who has accepted employment elsewhere, with a set schedule, going to be able to deal with the schedule and responsibilities of a full time Realtor? How does that affect the buyer or seller? Has the agent even disclosed to the buyer or seller that they are not fully available? Do you know if your agent is available to conduct business, full time on your behalf?
No
real change in my posture. I still believe that Long Beach mortgage rates have
room to go lower in the next 30-90 days but Im advising clients who
are closing in less than 17 days to lock. All others can float.
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
One of the most appealing draws to living in Long Beach California
is the walkability of many of our local neighborhoods. Well, somebody
finally decided to start ranking walkable neighborhoods across the
country. Walk Score has ranked 2,508 neighborhoods in 40 of the largest US cities to help buyers find walkable communities to live in.
Long Beach California has been ranked as the 8th Most Walkable Neighborhood!
If you are relocating to Long Beach California you will need lots of information. You will be curious to know about Long Beach communities, neighborhoods and resources. We have tried to include as many area resources as possible here to make your transition a smooth one.
Long Beach California has become a destination resort area. This sleepy seaside city, known as Iowa by the sea, has blossomed into a fabulous beach resort area. Luxury high rise condos are sprouting all along the coastline, in Downtown Long Beach and Alamitos Beach.
These elegant and prestigious coastal properties provide sweeping ocean
views down the beautiful California coastline, views of Catalina Island
- 25 miles off of our coastline and delicious, clean ocean breezes
wafting in daily. The sound of gently lapping waves can be heard from
your 17th floor Hi Rise condo on the sand. Read More>>>>
Need A Bigger Home?
Prices are at their lowest in many years.
It's a good time to buy YOUR next home!
Call Laurie today to begin your search (562) 212-5420