The United States is deep in its worst housing slump since..

The United States is deep in its worst housing slump since..

Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 0 votes

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- ,The United States is deep in its worst housing slump since the great depression.. and according to a One such place is Punta Gorda, Fla. In Moody's outlook, prices there will undergo the steepest correction of any U.S. market. From their peak during the first three months of 2006, to their bottom, forecast for the second quarter of 2009, prices will decline 35.3 percent. That's in nominal dollars; adjusted for inflation, the loss will be even greater.

Other metro areas expected to go through crushing price drops include: Stockton, Calif., where prices are forecast to drop 31.6 percent, Modesto, Calif. (-31.3 percent), Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (-30.4 percent) and Naples, Fla.The worst hit market outside the Sun Belt is expected to be Ocean City, N.J. where prices will fall 24.9 percent, according to Moody's. Prices in St. George, Utah (-21.8 percent), Grand Junction, Colo. (-18.9 percent) and Atlantic City, N.J. (-18.6 percent) will also suffer. In the Washington, D.C. metro area, Moody's forecasts a decline of 18.4 percent.

ENTIRE ARTICLE LINK:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/19/real_estate/steeper_price_slump/index.htm

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  • Raleigh, NC · Member since 2008 · 91 posts · 0 votes
    18y

    so does this mean I should offer 25% lower than the listed price when I buy my 1st home? :D

    heck yea!

  • Real Estate Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 447 votes
    18y

    The listed price is irrelevant. Based on that theory, if a homeowner lists a $200,000 house for $300,000 you would offer him $225,000. Great deal for the homeowner. Now if you were to offer 25% less than comps, that’s a different story.

    8)

  • Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    18y

    James,
    Do you just mean "don't be overly leveraged"? Or, is there something specific with HELOCs that's worrisome?
    Jon

  • Real Estate Investor · London · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 74 votes
    18y
    Originally posted by "atarget":
    Originally posted by "**********":
    Best advise- DON'T take any equity lines out!

    ok, so HELOCs ain't any good..... why didn't you mention home equity LOANS ? are they any better ? :wink:
    atarget

    HELOC == Home Equity Line Of Credit.

    James is saying to keep the total loan to value low.

    A loan is a loan and a HELOC is not really that different. It does let you pay it down and raise it back up but otherwise the impact of being over leveraged will be the same.

    There are some 1st loans that let you go up or down so they are more like a HELOC than what most people think of when the word mortgage is used.

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Aspen, CO · Member since 2008 · 155 posts · 4 votes
    18y
    Originally posted by "**********":
    This is NOT the time to be using your home as a bank. Stay below 70% LTV no matter what!
    Just my opinion!

    I have to disagree. It totally depends what you do with that money. If you are taking out a HELOC to buy a car and otherwise spend the money. YES, do not do it. On the other hand if you take out a HELOC and buy another property that is cash flow positive (including the interest of the HELOC) then go for it.

    I guess the question is more of a theoretical nature since my local mortgage broker is telling me that the HELOC market is all but dried up.

  • Real Estate Investor · London · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 74 votes
    18y

    Toby,

    What you use the debt for is important. Also the total level of the debt compared to the value.

    We are on the same page but the subtle differences can be confusing to some reader so splitting hairs is a good idea.

  • Investor · DFW, TX · Member since 2008 · 66 posts · 2 votes
    18y

    As long as the investments are sound, the more leverage the better. I think leverage is the key to growth and wealth.

    For example, is it better to prepay your mortgage or to use the extra money in investments? A lot of folk will say pay off the principal, but I am of the opinion that there is a point where accumulated investments outperform a free and clear house.

  • Real Estate Investor · London · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 74 votes
    18y

    Will,

    I agree.

    The secret is knowing when too much leverage is too much.

    Cash flow problems is what terminates most businesses and the same for REI who are over extended.

    Anyone using all cash and no debt tends to stay out of cash flow problems.

    Somewhere in the middle is a growth strategy that does not wipe people out. The right level varies based on market conditions.

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