Take a look at any recent or even past marketing or market-related reporting coming from NAR, the National Association of Realtors, and you’ll find that it’s always a good time to buy a home. Right now with dismal sales, a lousy economy, and almost no first time home buyers anywhere to be found, just where is the “pent up buying demand” that the industry wants so much to promote? By promising that demand is about to spike, it makes some people feel safer in buying and expecting prices to appreciate.
Unfortunately, almost no data exists to support this theory. People aren’t buying or selling homes for a number of fundamental reasons:
• They’re insecure in their jobs.
• They’re experiencing wage increases below the inflation rate.

Hello DG Family,
Well, I wanted to make an effort to get here to this site much more frequently. But, sadly that hasn't happened. I've been working on a deal for the past 11 months that finally has come to fruition. You know me..., its one of Tammy's crazy deals! A short sale with 2 loans that's a divorce with IRS and other liens. Yes, I attract the problem properties, don't I? But I'm not complaining. I AM A PROBLEM SOLVER after all. And this one, I left in other's hands to resolve the problems while I worked on a few other deals.

New Cities, but Also Moving Downtown
The first article in this issue addresses companies moving to attract younger workers who want a big city lifestyle. There’s another trend however, as in just about all cities all workers are moving closer to the center of the city and the activity. They’re leaving suburban areas and commercial buildings are beginning to go to empty status in the suburbs.

More Homeowners Becoming Landlords

It’s not new news that a major chunk of home purchases are being made with cash. For several years now, there’s been a steady 30%+ of cash home purchases fueled by investor demand. This is more true than we can prove with hard numbers, as many deals over the past few years were “off the books” in a way. Investors were buying before homes hit the MLS, buying directly from banks, and thousands of homes were purchased in bulk deals. Many of these are not in the data that reports that 30% number.

The title could easily indicate a movement of business in a local area to accommodate where people want to live. However, there is another and much larger trend that’s changing where businesses locate by much larger distances.
According to a report from Cushman & Wakefield titled “Human Capital: The War for Talent and its Effect on Real Estate,” there’s a massive shortage of available workers between the ages of 18 and 64 developing in many areas of the country. The report predicts that this trend will cause a lot of changes in real estate markets over the next couple of decades.

Interest Rates Move Strongly Downward
On Jun 12, interest rates moved downward following a well-received 30-year Treasury auction. The most commonly quoted rates are:
• 30-year fixed at 4.25%
• 15-year fixed at 3.375%
• FHA/VA at 3.75%
• 5-year ARMs at 3.0 to 3.5%
Low rates seem to be the norm for now.

What Today’s Renters Want
There are only two shorts this week, as this one is a bit longer and in two parts.
1. Survey of renters shows they most want:
a. To pay using debit and credit cards.
b. Fitness centers.
c. Wireless Internet access.
d. Open floor plans.
e. Pet perks, like pet park or walking areas.
f. Safe and ample parking.
2. What they’re considering when choosing location:
a. Transportation needs.
b. Safe neighborhoods.