If you are in the market to purchase a home, or if you are locked into a high interest rate on your present mortgage, NOW is the time to act!  Luann Watkins at The First Bank in Picayune, MS, says that rates are the lowest she has ever seen them (and she’s been in the mortgage business for a LONG time!).

Currently, the interest rate on a Conventional Loan is hanging at 4.35% on a 30 year term, and 4.75% for a 15 year term.  FHA and RD (Rural Development) is at 4.25% with 95% LTV (Loan-to-Value).   If your current mortage is at 5.3% or higher, this might possibly be the best time to do a re-finance!

If you are interested in knowing more about current interest rates (in relation to your credit score**), give Luann Watkins a call at 601-798-2987.  And if you’re pre-approved and ready to find your next home, call Michelle Fradella at 601-569-0075!

All rates are subject to change.  All rates quoted are for purchase loans only with 1% origination.  *Conventional rates are based on a loan with a credit score of 700 at a 95% loan-to-value.  **FHA, VA, and RD rates are based on a purchase price of $120,000 with a credit score of 700 at maximum LTV.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill, this past Thursday, that includes an extension and expansion of the current home buyer tax credit.  The bill would extend the present $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers through April 30, 2010. Current homeowners are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit through April 30, provided they have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as principal residence for five consecutive years in the past eight years. If potential home buyers have a binding contract on or before that date, they will have until July 1 to close the transaction.

Income limits for eligible home buyers are expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. The purchase price of the home cannot exceed $800,000. To help guard against fraud, buyers are required to attach documentation of purchase to their tax return.

This is a great boost for the Real Estate Market, giving buyers a great incentive to purchase their next home by Spring 2010.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this great tax credit, and want to see what properties are available in the Picayune and Pearl River County areas, please go to www.prchomes.com to search the database for what’s available on the market today!

The June mark is a good time to assess how our market is holding up. Over the past year, there have been 5 properties sold, with most of these homes having under 3,000 square foot living area. Our average price per square foot is now up to $119.00. If you remember from my previous post, this is up from $104/sq ft.

North Hill has always been a desirable neighborhood, and I think the average Days on Market reflects that, with the average being 31 days (over the past year). Pricing is always a key factor in determining the length of time a property sits on the market, and these houses have demonstrated that if the property is priced right, it will sell. These homes sold an average of 96% of listing price.

For a 2443 sq ft house (heated and cooled), the value is currently at $290,717. This is great news for our community, because we have continued to appreciate in value over the past year.

If you have any questions about today’s market, or the figures from above, please call Michelle Fradella at Pinnacle Real Estate Services – 601-799-1848 or 601-569-0075.