FHA Loan Limits for Long Beach-Los Angeles and Orange County – Long Beach Real Estate News

Long Beach Real Estate News

New FHA Loan Limits

Los Angeles County and Orange County FHA loan limits are rising January 1, 2009. What does that mean to todays home buyers? This means that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans remain high through the end of 2008, buyers can qualify for higher loans on homes closing prior to the end of this year. Once the New Year rolls around buyers will have less buying power due to the lower loan limits. This is true for all residential loans, including; homes, condos and residential investment property under 4 units.

Whats the big deal? Lower maximums loan amounts means decreased buying power.

Today is November 16, 2008. It is still possible to find and close on a home or condo before the new lower loan limits take effect. If you have been thinking about buying, were contemplating putting that purchase off until after the New Year and are in the price range that would be affected by the new lower FHA loan limits, you might want to consider getting out there right now while you can still take advantage of the higher FHA loan limits. Remember, your escrow must close prior to 12/31/2008.

Federal Housing Authority Home

Real estate is always a good purchase, now really is a very good time to consider purchasing a Long Beach Home, Condo or Income Property. If you have been sitting on the fence call us today to discuss your needs and wants. We are always here for you. Call Laurie (562) 212-5420

Search the entire Southern California MLS

Get Your Long Beach Homes Value

Contact Us

Read More Details

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Laurie Manny

Long Beach Home Buyers-Understanding Your Credit Scores

Long Beach Home Loans – Understanding Your Credit Scores

Understanding how your credit score will affect the purchase of Long Beach
homes.

We all know that a good credit score is not only helpful, but today it is necessary to get a mortgage to purchase Long Beach homes, or even buy a car.  Your credit score will also determine the interest rate you have to pay.

Factors that go into figuring a credit score?

• Have you Established Credit? Paying cash is often construed to be the act of a responsible consumer, by doing so you establish no history for a mortgage lender to examine. One way to establish credit is to get credit cards and use them – you can, and should, pay them off every month and on time.  A credit score considers the number of creditors as well as payment history.
  

Read Also: How to establish credit

• Prompt Payment of Financial Obligations. This is very important, but you should know that this accounts for only about a third of the total score.

• Amount of Available Credit. Your credit score might be impacted by the number of credit cards you have, even if you never use them.  They indicate the amount of credit you have access to, thus opening up the chance of financial strain.

• Your Debt Ratio.
  Lenders will consider your debt ratio when you apply for a Long Beach mortgage. In spite of an excellent credit rating they will use this debt ratio to see if you can take on additional debt for a mortgage on your Long Beach home.

• Consolidation of Debt. Although, this might make it easier to pay off debt and thus increase your credit score, the process of consolidation will have no effect on your credit score.
  

What do the Credit Score numbers mean?

Your FICO score is comprised of a compilation of your credit history from the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. Basically your credit score is determined by a formula that is calculated that is proprietary information and owned by Fair Isaac.  Your credit score number will be between 300-900, and the higher the number the better off you are.

Are you ready to start the process of applying for a Long Beach Mortgage now?  Before you approach a lending institution for a Long Beach home mortgage, know where you stand with your credit score.  Not sure where you stand, a good Mortgage professional will assist you with obtaining a copy of your report.  After obtaining a copy of it, they will review it with you and assist you to resolve any issues that are affecting your
credit score negatively.

Guest author: Colleen Kulikowski, Buffalo NY Realtor

Read More Details

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Laurie Manny

3650 Olive Ave California Heights Historic Home SOLD – Long Beach Real Estate Sales

3650 Olive Ave California Heights

California Heights Historic Home SOLD

Closed Sale	California Heights Historic District Charming Historic Home
	2 Bedroom 1 Bath 960 Square Feet 3,840 Lot Size Built 1924 Detached 2 Car Garage Most Original Features Intact Hardwood Floors French Doors Crown Molding Nice Landscaping Sprinkler System Copper Plumbing 5 Days on Market 184 Combined Days on Market Subject to Historic District Rules Buyer Represented by: Laurie Manny Long Beach Realtor (562) 212-5420 Long Beach Real Estate Blog Long Beach Real Estate Website Long Beach Photoblog
Represented Buyer	Offered at: $439,000 Closed Escrow at: $439,000 Closed November 10, 2008

California Heights Historic District Market Report (Updated every couple of months)

Marketing your homes on the internet is critical in this market.

We market Long Beach Homes for sale and reverse prospect for our buyers special needs:

Seeking California Heights Home for sale

Call Laurie for all of your Long Beach Real Estate needs

(562) 212-5420

Read More Details

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Laurie Manny

Long Beach California Luxury Home Market Update

Long Beach California is home to the West Coasts most affordable beach real estate.  Set in sunny Southern California we enjoy moderate temperatures year round, sweet ocean breezes and a resort atmosphere.  With our purchase prices so reasonable is it any wonder snowbirds are flocking here?  Palm Desert, 2 hours inland, is fantastic, but nothing compares to luxury oceanfront property and the beach is just more fun!

Long Beach has an endless array of entertainment to suit any lifestyle or age from water-sports to nightlife, theater and fine dining.  This is the perfect place to do everything, do nothing or to just go fly a kite!

Yes we have golf courses!  Long Beach is centrally located making access to all Southern California golf courses just a short drive.

Long Beach is conveniently located just 20 minutes south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 20 minutes north of John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Irvine, and home to our own Long Beach Airport – which we love.  We are also just a 20 minute drive into Downtown Los Angeles – in case you were thinking about catching a Lakers game; attending a concert at the fabulous Staples Center or a performance at our beautiful Music Center.  Fantabulous and incomparable, 8 time Grammy award winner, Tina Turner
is performing at the Staples Center as I write this, had I known that ahead of time I would be there tonight singing along……..What’s love got to do with it? La la la… Gotta love that woman!

Did I say we were centrally located?  A 2 hour drive north will find you in beautiful Santa Barbara.  Head north just a little further and enjoy a day, or a romantic weekend, in wine country.  A leisurely drive south will take you into lovely San Diego.  Catch a Padres game or spend a day at the San Diego Zoo or perhaps SeaWorld with the family then head into the Downtown San Diego gaslight district for a delicious dinner and some relaxing down time.

Surfer? 10 minutes to surf city – Huntington Beach, where you will catch some of the finest waves on the west coast.

Long Beach is slated to become the new home of the largest movie studio in California.  A deal has been struck to take over the Boeing facility near the Long Beach airport. This will infuse new life into Long Beach and will certainly attract celebrities to our lovely waterfront homes and high rise condominiums.  How could they resist?  You never know who your new neighbor may be!

Did you know that Hollywood got its start in Long Beach?  Long Beach was known as the motion picture capital of the world until post World War I when Hollywood developed around the glitz of the era.  With its perfect Southern California climate, Long Beach afforded the perfect setting for the industry.  There were eight film houses, two stock companies,  roller-coasters and bath houses at the historic Pike, along the shore of Downtown Long Beach.  This was the home of the Balboa Amusement Production Company, the  world’s most prolific silent-film studio.  W. C. Fields and other stars lived in beautiful mansions in the Bluff Park neighborhood along Ocean Boulevard and First Street, many of which remain in the families to this day.

Speaking of historic districts, Long Beach has 17 of them, California Heights being the largest.  We love our historic homes here.  You can find out more about the history of Long Beach here as well.

Redevelopment in Alamitos Beach and the bustling Downtown Long Beach communities has birthed fabulous luxury high rise condominiums with endless ocean views, Manhattan style lofts and many fabulous new dining opportunities.

The luxury home market is generally a cash market.  Brian Brady’s 2009 Real Estate Market outlook predicts that disappearing jobs and financing will likely drive the price of luxury properties down in our waterfront and higher end communities.  While that is tragic for the owners of these Long Beach properties it is an incredible opportunity to purchase the Long Beach home, condo or vacation property you, the buyer has been waiting for.

The Long Beach real estate market has gone through several tumultuous years, this winter is certain to be a difficult time for sellers of Long Beach luxury homes, condos and income properties.  FHA loan limits, currently capping at $729,750 for single family home purchases are slated to be decreased to around $625,000 on January 1, 2009.  Decreasing buyer purchasing power is certain to affect prices in the mid-market range of $700,000 to about $1,000,000.

What does this mean for sellers?  If you are planning on selling, you should plan on closing your escrow before the end of the year and should price it to do so. It would be our pleasure to provide a home value assessment.

What does this mean for buyers?  This is an incredible opportunity to purchase your new home at an incredible price.

International buyers are flocking to the United States to purchase real estate at our current depressed prices, there is limited financing for foreign nationals, most are purchasing with all cash.  Long Beach prices have become very attractive to these buyers. You can start your search for Long Beach homes here.  VIP service is provided with the ability to set up custom searches with an automatic email alert system.

If you are interested in purchasing a Long Beach luxury oceanfront home or a high rise luxury waterfront condominium, this winter is the time to make that purchase. It would be our pleasure to assist you.

Long Beach California City and Relocation Resource Guide

Read More Details

Posted on October 17, 2008 by Laurie Manny

Long Beach 2009 Real Estate Market Outlook

Long Beach Real Estate News

Long Beach real estate market 2009 Forecast

Author: Brian Brady.

If bifurcation was the theme for the 2008 Long Beach real estate market, convergence will be the theme in 2009. Both the bifurcation of 2008 and the Convergence of 2009 are closely tied to the ability to finance Long Beach properties.  While prices were lower across Long Beach, this past year, the under
$400,000 real estate market was extremely hard hit. Vanishing stated income and Sub-prime loan programs reduced the number of qualified buyers, driving prices dramatically lower in areas like California Heights, Lakewood Plaza/Rancho, Bixby Knolls, and the non-waterfront condominiums in Downtown Long Beach. In some cases, those prices are below the fundamental value, and offer a great buy for investors and owner-occupants alike.

The Long Beach neighborhoods of Belmont Shore, Belmont Heights, Bluff Park, Alamitos Beach and Virginia Country Club might not fare so well in 2009, While I expect Long Beach homes priced below $500,000 to hold relative value next year, it’s the homes priced over $700,000 and below $1,000,000 that are most vulnerable to vanishing financing. I discussed this very challenge in my 2009 San Diego Real Estate Outlook:

The key component to the housing recovery for San Diego remains in
The ability for a home buyer to get financing. The US Treasury stepped
In to provide financing for properties under $625,000, by:

(a) increasing the loan limits for FHA, conforming and VA loans to 115% of median price (expected Jan,2009)
(b) nationalizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (guaranteeing the loan from default)

The luxury home market ($1,000,000 and above) is generally a cash
Market. As such, credit availability affects those housing units far
Less than the “rank and file” developments inhabited by those of us in
The “working class”. Expect SOME softness in the luxury home market but
If the buyer likes the home, she’ll either pay cash or have access to
Highly specialized financing available to the only asset-rich.

After January 1, 2009, the government loan limits will be capped at $625,000 for Long Beach. This means that rates for loan amounts above that number will be as much as 2% higher than the government-backed Financing and downpayment requirements will be 25% or greater. If you’re selling a home in that price range, the buyer pool is about to shrink in about 3 months.

Exacerbating this financing issue is the loss of jobs a recession may bring. Unemployment in California has spiked this past year.  Job losses have been concentrated in the lower to middle income range
in 2008 while the upper-income jobs have remained relatively safe. A recession will hit those upper-income jobs harder than the lower income ones. I said that 2008 is the year where the “rich will get not rich and the poor will get clobbered“; that certainly happened this year. 2009 will be the great equalizer as the higher-priced homes decline and higher-paid jobs disappear.

What then, should be your strategy for 2009?

Investors should pay close attention to the lower-end of the real estate market for fantastic buys. Long Beach real estate is a great investment and opportunities to own a property that offers positive cash flow are evident today in the under $500,000 market. There will be some great opportunities in those mid-priced homes, next year as well as the $700,000 to $1,000,000 drops below the financing caps.

If you’re planning on selling a Long Beach home in that $700,000 to $1,000,000 price range, better to list it today rather than to wait until after the new year. Veterans can buy up to $729,000 with no money down. FHA buyers can buy up to $729,000 with 3.5% down. Conventional buyers can buy to that limit with as little as 5% down…today. Next year, that all goes away.

Brian Brady is a Managing Director with World Wide Credit Corporation, a San Diego-based mortgage banking and brokerage firm. Google calls him America’s #1 Mortgage Broker; you can call him at (858)-777-9751

Read More Details

Posted on October 15, 2008 by Laurie Manny