NJ's Unemployment: 3.8%

CounsellorsTitle.net

August 8th

Title Wise

Title Tips & Tactics for Today's Real Estate Professionals

The strong economy is not only bringing New Jersey's unemployment rate down to 3.8% but it seems to be driving homes with negative equity lower still. And as home values rise, inventories shrink, rents hit a new all-time high of $1,483. Until housing supplies remain at historic lows and the economy remains stable, both rents and homes are going to command more of the worker's paycheck.

Please feel free to email me at ralph@counsellorstitle.com

if you have any questions or would like to follow up on any of this edition's articles.

Ralph Aponte

732.914.1400

Negative Equity Falls to 4.1%

Key Findings on the Economic Influence of Housing

The number of homes with negative equity has decreased.

Total percent of homes underwater went from 25.9% in the first quarter of 2010 to 4.1% in the first quarter of 2019.

Total home equity hits new record
At the end of the first quarter of 2019, total home equity reached $15.8 trillion, up from $6.1 trillion in the first quarter of 2009. Between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2019, the average equity per borrower increased from approximately $75,000 to approximately $171,000.

Since 2010, the housing flip rate has increased significantly.
In the first quarter of 2018, the number of properties bought and sold again within a two-year period reached its highest point at 11.4%.

Strong recovery for home prices and rents
Since June 2009, home prices and rents have continued to grow. Through May 2019, home prices increased a cumulative 50% and single-family rents increased 33% in the United States.

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New Jersey Skinny

New Jersey's unemployment rate has fallen to 3.8%, the lowest level since April 2001.

NJ Realtors® - Q2

How Rituals Can Increase Sales

The Power of Rituals
What is the difference between a ritual and a routine?
A routine keeps you doing the same thing and getting the same result, while a ritual may appear to have you doing the same thing, but because of the dynamic inherent in the activity, it results in positive and sometime dramatic change.

A Harvard study found that, "Unlike the routine habits or obligations people feel they must get done, relationship rituals are pleasurable experiences that hold significance, acting as symbolically meaningful signs of a solid and happy partnership."

The Harvard article 'discovered' something that most of us have already known: Relationship rituals are powerful commitment devices.

The article states, "Rituals have two key traits: They involve a repeated pattern of activity that continues over time, and they have shared symbolic meaning."

That is why such networking functions and groups as BNI become so effective. They involve more than an obligation but rather that relational obligation.

Such rituals also cross over into such iterations as golf or even hunting.

One study cited in the article found "64 percent of the rituals involved consumption of a good or service." Going out for Starbucks coffee is an example. Even going out to support the same charity event can bring about a shared and deeper commitment in a business relationship.

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Zillow Reports Significant Rent Growth

The median monthly rent has climbed 3% year-over-year in June, reaching $1,483 in the U.S. today.

This is an all-time high. Home values, on the other hand, have slowed down in their appreciation to 5.2% from the 7.6% recorded back in 2018.

According to the Zillow report, rents were held back by the increase in supply, which has been ultimately digested.

What the report found also was that "Rent was up year-over-year in 49 of the nation's top 50 markets (Milwaukee is the only exception)."

The rents were growing fastest in the following regions:
Las Vegas + 10%
Phoenix + 8.4%
Orlando + 7.4%
Jacksonville + 6.6%
Riverside + 6.3%

This is the first time that rent growth has hit 3% since 2016.

To get a better view of this trend, back in 2011, the average U. S. rent was approximately $1,250; in 2014 it reach $1,300 and it broke $1,400 in late 2016 with annual rent growth accelerating in each of the past nine months compared to the month prior.

What the numbers might represent is that as homes become more expensive, and more households are formed, demand for rents has begun to grow accordingly.

The Zillow report stated, "The median U.S. home value grew 5.2% year-over-year in June, to $227,700 - down markedly from 8.1% annual growth in January."

In addition, the scarcity of home inventory will continue to put pressure on both buyers and renters; the number of homes for sale nationwide has fallen year-over-year in each of the past four months.

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Our Commitment to Excellence

Counsellors Title Agency wants to thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your clients to grow your business. Please feel free to click the link above or here to leave us a review on Google. We appreciate your business.

Careers @ Counsellors

Sales: Leading NJ title insurance agency seeks experienced licensed salespersons to help expand its market share throughout the entire state. Benefits include health insurance, 401k with an employer match, flexible spending account, expense account, & marketing support. Send resumes by fax: 732-914-8898 or ralph@counsellorstitle.com

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Free Online Title Insurance Calculator

Counsellors Title Agency announced its updated Title Calculator for New Jersey home purchases & refinances at: Title Calculator

Loan officers, real estate agents and home buyers can find out how

much title insurance will cost for purchases made in New Jersey.

Easy-To-Use Functionality
This online tool includes many of the endorsements involved in calculating the cost of a title policy in New Jersey. CTA's Title Calculator is a great tool for real estate salespersons, loan officers, attorneys and those who are buying or refinancing their home.

It calculates the cost of title insurance based upon the purchase price of the home, the loan amount, and the various endorsements that can accompany the loan. The calculator provides the user the scalability of selecting the various endorsements involved in the transaction.

Counsellors Title Closing Services for Attorneys

Counsellors Title provides its Attorney Settlement Assistance Program [ASAP] with the real estate attorney in mind.

The Counsellors ASAP program offers secretarial services to assist in the process of a sale, purchase, refinance or loan closing.

Counsellors will even communicate directly with all the parties involved in the transaction to coordinate and obtain all the items necessary to assist in the close.

ASAP includes:

Documentation Preparation
Disbursement of Funds
Attendance at Closing
HUD Preparation or
Post-Closing Matters

For more information about the attorney services provided by Counsellors Title call our home office: 732.914.1400 or email us at info@counsellorstitle.com.