No Need To Panic
NO NEED TO
PANIC
Lately, the news has been focusing on a
five year low in existing home sales, the difficulties in the subprime mortgage
market, and “jumbo” loans. One would think the whole world of residential real
estate is crashing, but that is not true.
The national statistics are just that, “national,” and they reflect
conditions in ultra high growth markets where builders have over expanded. Here
in
Borrowers with good credit scores,
good jobs, and a down payment, still have ready access to 30-year
"conforming" loans — those funded through banks and mortgage
brokerages by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the giant federally chartered
companies that fund the bulk of the nation's mortgages.
Real estate still remains one of the
best performing and consistent long-term investments. The larger
inventory of homes for sale right now gives buyers more to choose from and a
greater capacity for negotiation.