Originally Posted by Gigi Haskins
on 3/31/2008 9:33:49 AM

Finally here is some good news on home sales. Wall Street and others cautiously applauded this week's home sales reports as a sign that the real estate and stock markets may be "scraping along the bottom" in preparation for some slight improvement later this year or in early 2009.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS:

    * There is increasing optimism that the Federal Reserve's recent efforts to lower interest rates and shore up Bear Stearns are having a positive effect on the stock market and may start to bolster home sales later in the year. While it is too early to call a "bottom" to the decline, these signs are  positive indicators.

    * A large inventory of homes to choose from, favorable interest rates, and increase in the FHA and conventional mortgage loan limits ( in South Lake Tahoe the limit is $ 580,000. ) mean consumers will continue to experience favorable pricing in many areas of the state including South Lake Tahoe.

So, if I can help you with any of your South Lake Tahoe Real Estate decisions please let me know. I am here to help you and go
with you all the way in consulting and seving you.

Gigi Haskins

Your Realtor with an International touch

Je parle Francais, Ich spreche Deutsch, Hablo Espanol - English and "American"

Gigi Haskins
Buyer Specialist
gigih@realtordeb.com
Deb Howard & Co.
Lake Tahoe's Real Estate Resource
866 542 2912 OFFICE
925-818-1498 CELL

Originally Posted by Michelle Keck
on 3/25/2008 12:48:39 PM

I received this information from Norm Hansen of AmWest Mortgage on Monday, March 24th, 2008.  It contains valuable information about the local Tahoe market and the lending industry.  I hope you find it useful!

Good Morning,

The Federal Reserve has been discussing the possibility of buying mortgage backed securities to add liquidity to the markets.  My sources suggest that this will not happen because it will set a dangerous precedent. Instead, the Feds are going to lend money to banks using these mortgage backed securities as collateral, a much more conservative approach.  This added liquidity will surely improve rates.

So far today, Mortgage Bonds are getting battered down lower, as Stocks surge higher.  One reason Stocks are moving higher is the expectation that the buyout price of beleaguered Bear Stearns will likely be raised from $2 per share to $10. This is an overall boost to the financial sector, which has been the hardest hit area in the latest Stock market downturn.

Today brings some encouraging news for the housing market. Existing Home Sales for February came in better than expected. Potential home buyers should take note that this is a strong sign that we may have reached or are very close to the bottom for home prices. This surprisingly decent read on housing is also helping Stocks move higher and pressuring Bonds lower still. 

However, with Mortgage Bonds trading above an important level of support, I recommend cautiously floating.

Please call me with your questions.

Best regards,

Norm

Originally Posted by Deb Howard
on 3/25/2008 7:38:19 AM

Bring it on! Spring that is!

Hope springs eternal and we are very hopeful this year that as the season changes from Winter to Spring that it will bring with it a renewal
of interest to our Lake Tahoe Real Estate market.

We're well prepared for the anticipated turn in the market;

PRICES have not been better in years for the resort and home buyer who find the time to be right to get off the fence and find that Lake Tahoe mountain dream home. Median homes prices for our South Shore residential homes that have recently sold are down about 7% -10% from the height of the market and are currently sitting around the $435K price range. You'll be amazed at the amount and quality of home that you can find and at what amazing values are to be had.

INTEREST RATES are anticipated to drop to the best rates they've been in many months perhaps as low as we have seen in recent years, with fixed 30 years rates
hovering around 6% and anticipated to go lower.

HOME LOANS AVAILABLE- Thankfully the fed has been very aggressive in the financial markets with the infusion of billions of dollars of Fed backed funds for purchase money home loans and even more importantly refi alternatives to the ugly neg am sub prime loans that have been the demise of many home owners sadly. This will certainly be a big help as we hopefully turn the corner of a very shaky economic time in our history.

LIMITED SUPPLY- Unlike many markets, particularly in California and lager urban cities through out the nation, we have very limited supply of new development. While this is troublesome for those who have wished to build over the years it has served to keep our prices relatively stable and will continue to do so as the economics of "supply and demand" will continue to serve our realestate values well. Currently there are a approx 400 residential homes on the market at this time in the California south shore market place. The median home price of our actives residences currently on the market are hovering around $535K. To view them go online to www.realtordeb.com and see what fabulous values are to had right now.

NEGOTIATE- While the supply is stable, there's a great variety of homes, condos and a cabins to buy and call your own and the willingness of our sellers to negotiate has never been better. Today's seller's are serious and have priced their homes for the current "buyer's market" prices and negotiation practices.

If you're in the market for the perfect Lake Tahoe property, our team of buyers' specialists are ready to find if for you. Feel free to start your search right now on our user friendly, easy to navigate web site or here at  www.realtordeb.com. You'll find all the great homes, trends and stats of our current market place and you'll find a full profile our team of local realestate specialists; the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic in providing you the personal touch you deserve. 

Our best to you and yours this Spring with our hopes that it will bring us together as we assist you with your real estate needs.

Best Wishes,

Deb Howard