Another much-discussed subject is that of a predicted tidal wave of soon-to-arrive inventory. I can't comment on any bank's backlog of to-be-foreclosed loans as I don't have access to that info if they haven't filed a lis pendens. As Local Appraiser mentioned we can get a feel for the number of troubled owners in a complex who may be in trouble by searching for HOA liens which, in most complexes, will be recorded before a lender gets around to filing a lis pendens. Looking at one large 8 year old complex that we have discussed often we find that the association filed it's first lien for unpaid association dues in 2007. The history of this association's liens and MLS foreclosure sales is charted below. The correlation between HOA liens and foreclosure sales is obvious. There are three foreclosed units under contract at the moment with no others actively for sale. There are less than five unsatisfied liens besides the three foreclosed units under contract. Interestingly, this particular complex had it's own little mini-flood of foreclosures dumped on the market in two separate groups. The last group sold for about 20% more than the first group. As always, draw your own conclusions.
This brings up another point, the idea of a "market" that behaves in sync. Ours does not. The dynamics are entirely different in a complex that was completed at the peak of prices. Example: Mystic Vistas, Portside Villas, Sea Spray Townhomes, Meridian, Oak Park, etc. Because these units closed when prices were highest, every owner found themselves with a unit worth less than their purchase price within a year or two of purchase. By 2009 those who bought with a low down payment mortgage found themselves owing more than their units would sell for. Their options were; keep making payments on a depreciating property, short sale,default or sell for a loss and write a check for the difference. The ones who paid cash had the bitter luxury of being able to wait for a rebound or selling for a loss and moving on.
In complexes that were completed before the run-up of prices in the mid-2000s the dynamic was, and is, far different. Except for units that turned over during the peak years or were refinanced, the pressure to sell didn't exist. Prices did retreat in these complexes as the market cooled but at a far lower rate than the new complexes. We saw prices retreat by over 70% in some of the new buildings while some older complexes had declines of less than 30%. These older buildings are likely to have far fewer foreclosures going forward and consequently less downward pressure on prices. My point is that a flood of foreclosures, should it come, will not be equally spread among complexes and will not have equal effect. The "average" would be affected but no one buys or sells the "average".
For the record, I maintain my opinion that we will not see a flood of new foreclosures in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. The declining incidence of HOA liens seems to support the fact that there isn't a massive group of troubled owners that are freeloading on the bank's dime. Maybe there are hundreds of condo owners in default who are current on their HOA fees. I tend to agree with Local Appraiser that, whatever the number of properties that will be foreclosed, they will be not be dumped on the market at once. The banks find themselves in a good position of very low supply and can use that just like they did at Mystic Vistas to get higher prices. I could be wrong but I'll be happily wrong at the beach with my toes in the sand. Thanks to all those who commented (especially Snowy and Local A) for the spirited discussion. I gladly entertain dissenting opinions and other's research.
"Nothing in life is quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without results." ____________Winston Churchill
I as well would love to bury my toes in the sand of the beautiful beach in Cocoa.But----can't ignore the upheaval that is taking place. I know only to well that the markets are on the big upswing. But does anyone really think our problems are really any different now than in 08. I don't think so.We are making the same kind of error we made then.Look at the facts--they are available--then throw in the EUROPEAN problems--especially Spain at the moment--and the problems become even worse than 08.A whole lot of intellects are playing Ostrich.They are hiding their heads in the sand and foolishly ignoring the growing problems,and hoping they will magically evaporate into the abyss.I as well as yourself really hope I'm way out in right field.We will have a better understanding down the road.Don't get me wrong--I'm not the Grim Reaper--I rely on facts that are staring us in the face. No hyperbole-just fact.I've been doing this for longer than I care to remember and my memory is not that great to begin with.
ReplyDeleteSnowman, I’m curious what your objective is for purchasing a place. The way you talk, you sound like you’re buying with the intent of re-selling the property, which certainly involves a different perspective than someone who is buying strictly for personal use for the foreseeable future.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, having to re-sell is always a possibility and one that I took into account when I finally purchased a condo this year in Cocoa Beach. I know full well that I may lose some or all of my investment. I also know that investment was 30+% less than it would have been 3 or 4 years ago. Given the personal enjoyment we’ll be able to get out of the property and our intention to retire there permanently at some point (not to mention the meager rate of interest I was getting on the cash) the purchase made a lot of sense, even with the risk involved.
To enjoy for sure.But--the risk at this point is just way to high for me. More power to you. Enjoy--that's what life is all about.I'll have a better read on things in about seven months.If things change I'll buy you both a beer on the beautiful white sands of Cocoa Beach. But--once again--I'm not holding my breath or making ice cubes for a few old fashions.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your blog. As a life long resident and retired (which few can say), I wish I had bought rentals a year or two ago but hesitated. Recently asked by a friend if I was interested in his aging mother's condo, I looked through the Appraiser's site. I found that unless purchased recently, the vast majority were bought 25 years ago which tells you about their age and everyone else bought in the mid 2000s and is way upside down. This is probably typical of non ocean front. Also the canals are lined with widows of Apollo workers who are getting up there in age. To me this equates to a constant supply on the market for the foreseeable future. Yet home prices have surged. Are there enough baby boomers from up north with the cash to support this? We'll see.
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