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Cash Flow and Equity Build-up

September 19, 2014 By

Equity Build up graphic

Many years ago, Las Vegas hotels would entice customers with inexpensive rooms, meals and entertainment so they would gamble.  It may have worked initially but if you’ve been to Las Vegas recently, the bargains are gone.  Hotels expect each division to be a profit center on its own.  As a consumer, I might not like the changes but as an investor, I’d have to be pleased with increased profitability.

Years ago, real estate investors used to accept negative cash flow buoyed by tax incentives in hopes of making a big payday due to appreciation when they sold it.   Today’s investors are focusing on tangible, current results like cash flow and equity build-up.

Cash flow is the amount of money you have left over after collecting the rent and paying the expenses.  Since rents have gone up considerably due to supply and demand in the last few years and mortgage rates are at near record lows, income is up and expenses are down, making the cash flows attractive.

If the cash flow is sufficient, you could have a good investment even if the value of the property never increased.  Cash on Cash doesn’t consider appreciation and measures the cash flow before tax advantages by the initial investment.  A rental with $3,170 CFBT divided by an initial investment of $29,000 would generate a 10.93% Cash on Cash rate of return.

Low down payments on investor properties are also a thing of the past.  Non-owner occupied mortgage money is available but the investor should expect to put down 25-30%. An advantage of having a smaller mortgage is a lower payment.

Most mortgages are amortized loans with both principal and interest due with each payment.  The forced savings of the principal contribution builds equity in the property and can be considered a part of the rate of return.

A $100,000 mortgage at 4.5% for 30 years would have $1,613.29 applied to principal in the first year.  Divide that by the same $29,000 initial investment and the amortization would generate another 6%.

Without factoring in appreciation or tax advantages, this rental example generates much more than most alternative investments.  There certainly are many different aspects that affect the risk and return on rental investments.  If you haven’t scrutinized single-family rental opportunities in a while, you should look again.

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Which Filter to Use?

September 19, 2014 By

filter graphic

A dirty air filter decreases the effectiveness of your HVAC system because it inhibits airflow and allows dirt, dust, pollen and other materials to blow through the system.

The challenge is how often it should be changed to keep the system working efficiently and extend the equipment life. Too often and you’re wasting money and not often enough and your increasing the operating and maintenance costs.

Fiberglass panel filters are inexpensive and easy to find but they’re not very efficient and they allow most dust to pass through. They were popular years ago but there are much better products available currently.

Pleated air filters are available in MERV ratings from 5 to 12. As these filters collect dirt and other particles, they become less efficient to the point of impacting air flow. Allergy sufferers can benefit from this type of filter. These should be changed every two to three months based on local conditions.

HEPA filters stand for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance. They are very efficient and more expensive than previously described filters. Since they are very efficient, they require changing more frequently; possibly, every month.

Electrostatic air filters are permanent and washable. They generally cost more initially but the savings will be based on how long they last. This type does not add to landfill issues or produce ozone.

Improperly maintained filters will lower the quality of the air in the home, have a negative impact on air flow, cause it to use more electricity and eventually require maintenance to the systems.

In an attempt to easily comparing filters, a rating system was created called MERV, an acronym for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The rating from 1 to 16 indicates the efficiency of a filter based on standards set by ASHRAE. Higher ratings indicate a greater percentage of particles are being captured in the filter.

To create a system to remind you when to change your filters, set a reminder on your electronic calendar to recur for whatever frequency you determine is best for you. Be sure to keep a supply of filters on hand to be ready to change them out when the time comes.

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How’s Your Memory?

September 19, 2014 By

Home Inventory graphic

How old is your bedroom furniture and what did you pay for it?  Don’t know?  That’s okay, let’s try an easier question.  When did you buy the TV in your family room and is it a plasma, LCD or a LED?

Whether you are the victim of a burglary, a fire or a tornado, most people are comforted they have insurance to cover the losses.  However, unless you’ve filed a claim, you may not be familiar with the procedures.

The adjustor will want to know the date and how the loss occurred.  Assuming you have contents coverage, the claim for personal belongings is separate from damage to the home.

You’ll be asked to provide proof of purchase, like receipts or cancelled checks, or a current inventory.  If they’re not available, you can reconstruct an inventory from memory.  The challenge is trying to remember things you may not have used for years and may not miss for years more.

Relying on memory can be a very expensive alternative.  A prudent homeowner will create a home inventory with pictures or videos while all of their belongings are in the home and they can see them.

Download a home inventory to make your project a little easier.

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Reverse Mortgage

September 19, 2014 By

House Dollar Sign graphic

With all of the encouragement from celebrity spokespersons like Fred
Thompson, Robert Wagner and Henry Winkler, there is a growing awareness of
reverse mortgages.  The fact is that our population is getting older and
more than 25 million homeowners meet the age requirement.

A reverse mortgage will allow homeowners age 62 or older currently living in
their home to tap into their equity. The amount available is determined by the
borrower’s age, the home’s current value and current interest rates.  The
loan proceeds can be received in a single, lump-sum or periodic payments. 
The closing costs can be paid in cash or rolled into the loan amount. 

There are no payments on a reverse mortgage but the homeowner is still
responsible for property taxes, insurance, maintenance and other home costs. 

When the borrower dies, moves or fails to fulfill the terms of the loan, the
lender is paid from the sale of the home.  The borrower or their estate is
not responsible for more than the proceeds of the sale.  However, if the
proceeds are greater than the amount owed to the lender, the remainder goes to
the homeowner or their heirs.

Unlike normal mortgage requirements, the borrower’s income and credit are not
used to determine the amount of the loan.  The homeowner must occupy the
home as their principal residence and it must be free and clear of encumbrances
or have substantial equity.

Reverse mortgages are an opportunity to generate income or funds for capital
expenditures but they can pose risks to homeowners.  HUD, the largest
insurer of reverse mortgages, is concerned about misleading or deceptive program
descriptions encouraging borrowers to obtain HUD reverse mortgages also known as
the HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage).  As of June 18, 2014, FHA will
only insure fixed rate reverse mortgages where the homeowner is limited to a
single, full draw made at closing.

A reverse mortgage, like any financial decision involving a home, is an
important decision that deserves careful consideration, due diligence and expert
advice. 

For more information, check out The National Association of REALTORS®

Field Guide to Reverse Mortgages,

FAQs about HUD’s Reverse Mortgages  and Reverse Mortgages –
Alternative Home
Equity Funding by Real Estate Center at Texas A & M.

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How Was It Measured?

September 19, 2014 By

tape measure graphic

In an attempt to compare homes, one of the common denominators has been price per square foot.  It seems like a fairly, straight forward method but there are differences in the way homes are measured.

The first assumption that has to be made is that the comparable homes are similar in size, location, condition and amenities.  Obviously, a variance in any of these things affects the price per square foot which will not give you a fair comparison.

The second critical area is that the square footage is correct.  The three most common sources for the square footage are from the builder or original plans, an appraisal or the tax assessor.  The problem is that none of sources are infallible and errors can always be made.

Still another issue that causes confusion is what is included in measuring square footage.  It is commonly accepted to measure the outside of the dwelling but then, do you include porches and patios?  Do you give any value for the garage, storage or other areas that are not covered by air-conditioning?

Then, there’s the subject of basements.  Many local areas don’t include anything below the grade in the square footage calculation but almost everyone agrees that the finish of the basement area could add significant value to the property.

Accurate square footage matters because it is used to value homes that both buyers and sellers base their decisions upon.

Let’s say that an appraiser measures a home with 2,800 square feet and values it at $275,000 making the price per square foot to be $98.21.  If the assessor reports there are 2,650 square feet in the dwelling and the owner believes based on the builder, there is 2,975 square feet, you can see the challenge.

If the property sold for the $275,000, based on the assessor’s measurements, it sold for $103.77 per square foot and by the owner’s measurements, it sold for $92.44 per square foot.
Depending on which price per square foot was used for a comparable, valuing another property with similar square footage could have a $30,000 difference.

The solution to the dilemma is to dig a little deeper into where the numbers come from and not to take the square footage at “face value”.  It is important to recognize that there are differences in the way square footage is handled.

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The Reason They’re Called Benefits

September 19, 2014 By

VA Loan Graphic

The Veterans Administration guarantees home loans for eligible veterans.  It is considered an attractive loan because the veteran can purchase the home with no down payment up to specific loan limits and no mortgage insurance. This makes the monthly payment considerably lower.

Let’s assume a buyer wants to purchase a $200,000 home and can get a 4.5% interest mortgage for 30 years.

A FHA loan would require a $7,000 down payment plus $3,377.50 in up-front MIP which can be rolled into the mortgage. The monthly mortgage insurance premium would be $221 per month for a total payment of $1,215.94.

The VA loan doesn’t require a down payment. There is a 2.15% VA funding fee that can be rolled into the mortgage which would make the principal and interest payment on $204,300 much less at $1,035.16.

The revised loan limits for 2014 are published by VA and can change each year especially based on high-cost areas. However, a lender can allow a home purchase in excess of these amounts with a 25% down payment on the amount above the limit.

If a purchaser wants to buy a $600,000 home in an area where the VA limit is $417,000, the lender could require a $45,750 down payment and make a $554,250 mortgage. In this example, the purchaser is able to get in for less than 10% down payment and no mortgage insurance.

Veterans with the available funds for a down payment should compare all loan products to consider which will provide the lowest cost of housing. A skilled real estate professional and a trusted mortgage advisor can be valuable resources.

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July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36092 Wetumpka, AL

September 15, 2014 By

These were the existing Homes for Sale July 2014 for Zip Code 36092 in Wetumpka, Holtville, Dozier, Wallsboro, Lake Jordan and Elmore County including subdivisions Cotton Lakes, Jordan Trace, River Oaks, Macon Place, Cherokee Estates, Stone River, Country Club Estates, Cadens Creek, and Foxfire. How to use: Find the Price Range in which your home falls. This will show the number of active listings (your competition if you are selling your home), the number of homes that closed in the last 90 days, the number of homes that close on average in a month, the Percentage Closed Monthly (the likelihood that one home will close in a month), and the Months of Inventory (how many months worth of homes to sell if no other homes come on the market). A high Months of Inventory figure indicates a better chance of a bargain if you are buying. For a personalized report, feel free to contact me.
Chart July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36092

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July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36067 Prattville, AL

September 15, 2014 By

These were the existing Homes for Sale July 2014 for Zip Code 36067 in Prattville and Autauga County including subdivisions Camellia Estates, Live Oak, The Oaks of Buena Vista, Aspen Ridge, Bridge Creek Reserve, and Hearthstone How to use: Find the Price Range in which your home falls. This will show the number of active listings (your competition if you are selling), the number of homes that closed in the last 90 days, the number of homes that close on average in a month, the Percentage Closed Monthly (the likelihood that one home will close in a month), and the Months of Inventory (how many months worth of homes to sell if no other homes come on the market). A high Months of Inventory figure means a better chance of a bargain for a buyer. For a personalized report, feel free to contact me.
Chart July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36067

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July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36064 Pike Road, AL

September 15, 2014 By

These were the existing Homes for Sale July 2014 for Zip Code 36064 for Pike Road and eastern Montgomery County including subdivisions Bon Terre, Woodland Creek, Bridle Brook, Avalon, Merrywood, Foxwood Providence and The Waters. How to use: Find the Price Range in which your home falls. This will show the number of active listings (your competition if you are selling), the number of homes that closed in the last 90 days, the number of homes that close on average in a month, the Percentage Closed Monthly (the likelihood that one home will close in a month), and the Months of Inventory (how many months worth of homes to sell if no other homes come on the market). A high Months of Inventory figure indicates a chance for a better bargain for a buyer. For a personalized report, feel free to contact me.
Chart July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36064

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July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36093 Redland Wetumpka, AL

September 15, 2014 By

These were the existing Homes for Sale in July 2014 for Zip Code 36093 in Redland, Wetumpka, and Elmore County including the subdivisions Emerald Mountain, Blue Ridge, Mitchell Creek Estates, Grand Ridge, Jasmine Hill, Stonegate, Windsong Ridge, Wildwood, Harrogate Springs, Jackson Trace, and Brookwood. How to use: Find the Price Range in which your home falls. This will show the number of active listings (if you are selling this is your competition), the number of homes that closed in the last 90 days, the number of homes that close on average in a month, the Percentage Closed Monthly (the likelihood that one home will close in a month), and the Months of Inventory (how many months worth of homes to sell if no other homes come on the market). A high Months of Inventory figure would indicate a chance of a better bargain for a buyer. For a personalized report, feel free to contact me.
Chart July 2014 Home Sales Zip Code 36093

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