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July 3, 2014July 5, 2019

Homeownership, freedom and independence

While we enjoy the barbecues and fireworks that come along with the Fourth of July Holiday, we might take a moment to think about our freedom and independence. And of course – homeownership is an expression of those liberties which is part of the “American Spirit” that drives us to achieve the American Dream.

The American Dream is not dead, as some will have you believe; the dream of homeownership is like a phoenix that is renewed after the fire, and is resumed by a new generation of home buyers. In his April 2009 Vanity Fair article “Rethinking the American Dream,” David Kamp gave a wide perspective of the American Dream; from its origin to diametrically opposed viewpoints. In his conclusion, Kamp states, “…The American Dream should accommodate the goal of home ownership, but without imposing a lifelong burden of unmeetable debt. Above all, the American Dream should be embraced as the unique sense of possibility that this country gives its citizens—the decent chance, as Moss Hart would say, to scale the walls and achieve what you wish.”

As we emerge from the housing and financial crises, many are discussing the benefits of homeownership once again. Even after the Great Recession, many prefer owning a home over renting. Survey after survey indicates that a majority of respondents positively viewed homeownership as a desire or goal (Rohe & Boshamer, Reexamining the Social Benefits of Homeownership after the Housing Crisis, Joint Center for Housing Studies Harvard University, August 2013).

So what is it about homeownership that makes it an aspiration for so many of us? Besides the fact that we all need a place to live; a home is an asset that has relative value to the housing market at any given time. Housing is also still perceived by many as an investment that can appreciate over a period of time. Additionally, those who have a mortgage on their home may be able to take advantage of the mortgage interest tax deduction (check with your tax preparer).

Home owners are more inclined to maintain their homes and neighborhoods, as well as being invested in protecting their home and community; which may account for lower incidences of reported crime. Besides stabilizing communities, many of these benefits may also account for positively affecting home values.

Additionally, there has been a lot said about the social benefits of homeownership. A National Association of Realtors® blog post by Research Economist Selma Hepp, titled Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing lists many of the documented social benefits. She cites that home owners tend to: be more charitable; participate more in their community (including voting); have an increased connection to their neighborhood and neighbors; have an increased general positive life outlook; express an increased self esteem and higher life satisfaction; and be healthier.

There are many studies that also indicate homeownership benefits children. Hepp includes some of the benefits of children living in owned homes, which include: lower teen pregnancy rate; higher test scores; higher high school graduation rate; decreased delinquencies; and an increased participation in organized activities.

Although June was officially declared “Homeownership Month” in 2002; July is a more appropriate month because of homeownership’s association with freedom, independence, and the American Dream.

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By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2014

Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

June 20, 2012

Perceptions of U.S. housing boosted by international investors

by Dan Krell ©2012
DanKrell.com

A June 11th report by the National Association of Realtors® discussed how international home buyers are an increasingly important segment of the U.S. housing market (realtor.org). The NAR release, “International Sales Continue to Climb in U.S. Market, Realtors® Report,” indicated that the dollar volume of U.S. homes bought by foreign home buyers increased about $16.1 billion over the last year. As encouraging as this may sound, there’s more to the story than you might imagine.

Interestingly, the report stated that average price paid for a U.S. home by an international home buyer is $400,000; and 30% of the homes purchased were priced between $250,000 and $500,000. Because foreign home buyers typically find it difficult to obtain a mortgage, it was reported that 62% of the purchases were cash deals. The NAR report stated that although many of these home purchases were for primary residences, a majority of international home buyer purchases were for vacation and investment uses.

Would you believe that 55% of international home buyers originated from Canada, China, United Kingdom, Mexico, and India? Canada accounted for the largest number of foreign home buyers (24%), followed by China (11%), the U.K. and Mexico (6% each).

But before you decide to learn a new language, you should note that four states have received the most attention from these home buyers; Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas “accounted for 51% of the purchases.” Of these sales, Florida accounted for 26% of all foreign home purchases, and California coming in second with 11% of foreign purchaser sales.

This market segment is not a new phenomenon; international home buyers have participated in the U.S. housing market for a long time. It just seems as if this segment of home buyers has been stronger during economic turmoil (Are you old enough to remember the influx of Middle East investors during the 1970’s and Japanese investors during the 1980’s?). The increasing number of international home buyers investing in the housing market is a tribute to the perceived value of U.S. real estate.

By the way, the influence of international sales has not gone unnoticed by Congress either. In an effort to help stimulate this sector of the housing market, S. 1746: Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America Act was introduced in October 2011, by Senators Charles Schumer [D., N.Y.] and Mike Lee [R., Utah], and H.R. 3341: Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America Act, was introduced in November 2011 by Rep. Mazie Hirono [D-HI2] and Rep. David Dreier [R-CA26]). These bills offered resident visas to foreign investors who invested at least $500,000 in U.S. real estate. However, some have criticized such stimulus as an empty gesture because international home buyers may not need additional incentive to purchase homes in the U.S.

Will foreign home buyers save the housing market, as a U.S. News and Report piece suggested (October 28, 2011)? Unlike the clichéd climax of a dramatic film noire, when the foreign investor saves the day, the answer may be “yes” and “no”. Although housing is receiving an increased amount of attention from foreign investors, it is unlikely that the increased activity itself would save the U.S. housing market. However, the increased foreign investment in U.S. housing may boost the perceived value of housing and the perception of home ownership.

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of June 18, 2012. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

March 28, 2012

Individual mandates and housing

by Dan Krell © 2012
DanKrell.com

This week, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) heard arguments for and against issues surrounding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). The arguments don’t have much of anything to do with providing healthcare, but rather the arguments are about certain elements of PPACA and the Constitution. In fact, Tuesday’s arguments about the individual mandate could be applied to anything – even the housing market.

The individual mandate portion of the PPACA basically requires certain individuals to purchase healthcare insurance or pay a penalty. Individual mandates are not new, and have been enacted in the past. For example, military drafts and income tax have been mandated (the initial enactment of an income tax was found unconstitutional- so the Constitution was amended which resulted in the sixteenth amendment).

I’m not an attorney, and I’m sure that I don’t begin to scratch the surface of the issue; however, the arguments for and against the individual mandate can basically be summed up as follows: Those that oppose the PPACA individual mandate argue that this mandate is different from others such that it regulates commercial inactivity (e.g., levying a fine when a product or service is not purchased); while those in support of the mandate argue it is not a fine for non-participation, but rather a tax.

Regardless, which way you approach the mandate, some contend that a mandate is only one way to have the public engage in commerce. In an editorial that appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, Einer Elhauge, J.D. described the individual mandate as an alternative to providing subsidies (Elhauge, E (2012). The Irrelevance of the Broccoli Argument against the Insurance Mandate. The New England Journal of Medicine 366, e1. published on December 21, 2011). Putting aside Elhauge’s reasoning and opinion of the SCOTUS case; he points out that the Government has many ways to affect industries and commerce. Typically, the Government attempts to persuade us to engage in specific businesses industries by providing incentives and subsidies, such as tax credits to industry participants or purchasers of specific products. However, rather than persuading economic activity, the PPACA individual mandate is historic in that it requires participation and fines those who do not participate.

Like other industries, the housing industry is subsidized to encourage participation; home ownership is encouraged through the mortgage interest tax deduction and low interest rate mortgage programs (and for a brief time- first time home buyer tax credits). However, it is not implausible to think that if SCOTUS upholds the individual mandate, Congress could require people to make home a purchase, renovate, or retrofit their homes with green technologies (in an effort to increase economic activity in those industries).

There are some that argue that subsidies are bad enough for the housing market; one argument is that the mortgage interest deduction has artificially elevated home prices. However, some subsidies may only influence the timing of purchases rather than value: recent data suggests that the brief first time home buyer tax credit created short-term spikes of home sales that would have likely occurred over a period of time.

On the face of it, the housing market has little to do with health care. However, this week, housing and other industries may be affected by the SCOTUS decision regarding the healthcare individual mandate. Subsidies verses mandates- it may ultimately be about semantics and interpretation.

More news and articles on “the Blog”
This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of March 26, 2012. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

June 9, 2011July 27, 2019

Should you buy a home?

Last year I attempted to answer the question everyone was asking, “Should I buy a home in today’s economy?” (see: Is now the time to buy a home? The question continues to be as legitimate (or more so) today than it was a year ago.

The recent big surprise (or not) is the increased chatter about a double dip recession. Unlike last year’s mixed economic data and discussion of a sluggish economy, recent economic data suggest continued angst on many fronts, including housing. Unlike previous years’ economic hardships, when stimulus plans and tax cuts encouraged optimism; recent housing data may not only fail to illicit optimism, but has many experts talking about a deeper recession- or even a depression.

But there are bright spots as well!

Although we have not yet reached the levels to declare an economic depression, consider that Zillow (Zillow.com) reported in January of this year that the decrease in national home values from November 2010 further pushed the fifty-three month decline of the Zillow Home Value Index to 26% from the all time high in 2006. Zillow pointed out that the 26% decrease from the all time high in home values exceeds the 25.9% decline of home values between the “depression-era years” of 1928 and 1933.

Further adding to the buzz in the housing industry is the most recent S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices (standardandpoors.com), released May 31st. Analyzing housing data through March 2011, the conclusion was that nationwide home prices are now where they were in 2002. Data indicated that the U.S. National Home Price Index fell 4.2% during the first quarter of this year; compared to the first quarter of 2010, the index revealed an annual decrease of home prices of 5.1%. The Washington DC region was the only city in this press release where there was a quarterly and annual increase in home prices.

Unemployment continues to be a drag on the economy. Solving this issue might very well be the key to solving the continued housing doldrums. A study conducted by the Florida Realors® (“The Face of Foreclosure”; floridarealtors.org) points out the correlation between unemployment and foreclosure. The April 6th 2010 press release quoted, Florida Realtors® vice president of public policy, John Sebree, as saying “”…In most cases, it was a combination of rising living costs, unemployment or decreased pay, health issues and other factors that caused homeowners to get into trouble. Simple answers and trite political responses just don’t tell the whole story.”

Renting is the other side of the housing equation. Although renting is becoming trendy, it is also becoming more expensive. Trulia’s (Trulia.com) most recent rent vs. buy index of second quarter data, released April 28th, indicated that buying a home is more affordable than renting in 80% of the major cities polled! It was more expensive to buy a home compared to renting in the Kansas City, Fort Worth, and New York City regions of the country; the Washington DC region was rated as one of the areas where it was “Much Less Expensive To Buy Than To Rent.”

Home ownership is not for everyone. If you’re thinking of buying a home, consider that timing the market typically yields mixed results. A better approach to home buying is reviewing your long term plans and goals with your financial planner; as well as a keeping tabs on the local market with your Realtor®.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2011

This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

October 6, 2010October 5, 2019

Home ownership is still valued

by Dan Krell © 2010

The shock of the economic crisis is over; however, shock is setting in that the recession is over. Oh, you haven’t heard? The Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research declared that the recession ended in June 2009. Although the recession has been declared statistically “over” (because of an uptick in GDP in that quarter) recent indices and polls might suggest otherwise.

Unemployment, GDP and consumer confidence leads gloom and doom indices that may project how many people feel about the current economic environment. For example, the national unemployment rate is 9.6%; while in Maryland unemployment is 7.3%, which is slightly less than the highest mark since the beginning of the recession (bls.gov). Additionally, GDP measures have been low and/or not meeting expectations; estimates from the second quarter of 2010 have been revised to 1.6% (bea.gov). And, consumer confidence has recently declined.

Although these indices do not instill confidence, recent polling data and housing statistics may be good news.

A Harris Poll (published by Harris Interactive; harrisinteractive.com) of consumer spending that was released on October 4th appears to illustrate the state of the economy through planned consumer spending. The Harris Poll indicates that “economic growth will be sluggish” because of careful spending amid continued unemployment concerns; the overall sentiment is that consumers are not planning to increase their spending anytime soon, especially on “big ticket items.”

However, although all indicators of the Harris Poll point to continued consumer caution, the bright side is that an increase number of consumers are planning to purchase a home in the next six months (10% indicated they are planning a home purchase within six months compared to 7% in May 2010).

Additional good news on the housing front includes increased home sales and home prices. According to the National Association of Realtors (realtor.org) home sales increased about 7.6% during August 2010 (however August sales figures remain about 19% lower than August 2009) and home sale prices are up about 2.9% from the same time last year (although slightly lower from July 2010). Locally, home sales are down from a year ago in the Washington, DC Metro area, but median home prices are about 5.4% higher than the same time last year. The economic forecast provided by the NAR indicates very modest home sale and home sale price increases over the next two years (with 2010 being the bottom).

Signs of housing stability and increased home buyer interest amid continued economic turmoil may not just be a fluke of the polling process. However, it may be an indication of the intrinsic and intangible value that consumers place on home ownership; which is corroborated by research. A recent commentary entitled “Homeownership Matters: Homeownership and Civic Engagement” by Selma Hepp, NAR Research Economist (realtor.org), cited recent studies that purports the benefits of home ownership go beyond home values and is extended into the community. Research indicates that homeowners are more invested and attached to their communities (compared to renters) as evidenced by their increased community involvement and extensive social networks.

Although the shock of the crisis may have subsided, and we have adapted our lifestyles to conform to our expectations of the economy; research and housing indices could indicate that the value of home ownership placed by consumers may transcend the monetary value of the home itself.

This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of October 4, 2010. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2010 Dan Krell.