South Bay area Real Estate Sales for 2010

As reported May 18, 2010 on DQNews.com (DataQuick) in Southern California as a whole, homes sales volume dipped slightly last month (see first 3 paragraphs and link to entire report below).

Here in the South Bay sales held steady, significantly ahead of March and April 2009 (see chart below) and the number of pending sales is higher than at any point in the past 18 months. Days on market are down and properties are holding, on average about 95% of their list price (based on 2674 sales in April).

Low interest rates, tax breaks and perceived bargains on homes are still the leading reasons for a percentage of buyers, low interest being the most compelling. Contrary to what many people (not in the market) believe, there are transactions happening. Banks are lending and buyers are closing deals and here locally the majority of properties purchased are not REOs or Short Sales. Of the 416 Single Family Residences, Condominium or Townhomes sold since January 1, 2010 (sample area: Walteria, the Hollywood Riviera, Southwood, West Torrance, North and South Redondo Beach) only 57 were classified as In Foreclosure, Notice of Default, Real Estate Owned or Short Pay.

Southern California home sales dip, median price rises from ’09

Southern California’s housing market leveled off last month as sales activity migrated ever-so-slightly from inland bargain areas toward entry- and mid-market neighborhoods closer to the coast. The overall median price was unchanged from the month before, but it jumped compared with April 2009’s low point, a real estate information service reported.

Sales of new and resale homes totaled 20,299 in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties last month. That was down 0.9 percent from 20,476 in March, and down 1.0 percent from 20,514 for April 2009, according to MDA DataQuick of San Diego.

It’s possible that a significant number of sales that would otherwise have closed escrow in April were delayed until May as buyers tried to take advantage of new state tax credits effective May 1. In addition, those who rushed to sign a sales contract last month before the April 30 deadline for a federal home buyer tax credit would likely close escrow in May or June.

This report covers the entire Greater South Bay area. If you are interested in similar information on a more specific segment or multiple areas, please contact me with you needs.

The full report includes charts and data on: the Number of Homes For Sale vs. Sold vs. Pended, Average Price per SQFT, Average Days On Market and Sale Price/Original List Price Percentage, Average Price of For Sale and Sold.

Big Banks want MORE!!!

Big Banks and Financial Companies, the same institutions that set the stage for our current downturn, got billions in tax-payer bail-outs and are already becoming profitable (while many American’s continue to struggle or worry) would like yet another pound of flesh from those caught in the cross-fire.


It’s important to note that most of the recent and pending foreclosure activity IS NOT subprime, but prime loans and mortgages. These are A-paper borrowers succumbing to extreme economic challenges.


The piece below, from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® provides information and background.


When is Enough, Enough?
The Big Banks are Opposing C.A.R.'s Bill to Protect Borrowers

C.A.R. is sponsoring SB 1178 (Corbett) to extend anti-deficiency protections to homeowners who have refinanced "purchase money" loans and are now facing foreclosure. Most homeowners didn't even know that when they refinanced they lost their legal protections, and now may be personally liable for the difference between the value of the foreclosed property and the amount owed to the lender. SB 1178 will be voted on soon by the entire Senate.

One can't help but think, "when is enough, enough?" Banks have already foreclosed upon a family's home and now lenders can continue to hound them for additional payment. How much more money can today's families afford to pay when they've already lost their homes and most likely their jobs? Are they never to have the opportunity to begin again?

Action Item
Call Senator Rod Wright Today at 1-800-672-3135
Urge him to vote "Yes" on SB 1178.
Non-C.A.R. members enter PIN number -- 182003468

Background

California has protected borrowers from so called "deficiency" liability on their home mortgages since the 1930s, but the evolution of mortgage finance requires the statute to be updated.

Current law says that if a homeowner defaults on a mortgage used to purchase his or her home, the homeowner's liability on the mortgage is limited to the property itself. The law has worked well since the 1930s to protect borrowers, ensure the quality of loan underwriting and allow borrowers who are brought down by financial crisis to get back on their feet.

Unfortunately, the 1930s law does not extend the protection for purchase money mortgages to loans that re-finance the original purchase debt -- even if the re-finance was only to gain a lower interest rate. Recent years of low interest rates have induced tens of thousands of homeowners to re-finance their mortgages, yet almost no one realized that by re-financing their mortgages to obtain a lower rate, they were forfeiting their protections. These borrowers became personally liable for the balance of the loan.

C.A.R. is Sponsoring SB 1178 Because:

SB 1178 is fair. Home buyers, and lenders, entered into the purchase with the idea that the mortgage would be non-recourse debt, and that the lender would look to the security (the house) itself to make good on the debt if the borrower cannot. It meets the legitimate expectation of the borrowers, who have no idea that they are losing this protection by a re-finance. Homeowners didn't know that their re-finance exposed them to personal liability, and new tax liability, on the note. It would be unfair to allow a lender, or someone that has purchased a note from a lender, to pursue the borrower beyond the value of the agreed upon security.

SB 1178 is consistent with the intent of the orginal law and simply updates it for modern times. Current law was intended to ensure that if someone lost their home to foreclosure, they wouldn't be liable for additional payment. Since the law was passed over 70 years ago, homeowners re-financing from the original loan to lower their interest rate has become commonplace. The 1930s legislature didn't anticipate how mortgages would change over time.

Lenders could pursue families to collect this "deficiency" debt years down the road. Under current law, lenders have up ten years to collect on the additional debt after a judgment has been entered on the foreclosure. Years after a family has lost their home, they could find themselves in even more financial trouble. Lenders could even sell these accounts to aggressive collection agencies or even bundle them into securities. The end result would be banks who didn't lend responsibly in the first place coming after families for even more money that they don't have.

SB 1178 does NOT apply to "cash-out" re-finances, unless the money was used to improve the home and it doesn't apply to HELOCs.