Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling In Phoenix

Over the past several weeks we have taken a bird's eye view of the US economy. In this post I will be addressing what we will likely see happening in mortgage and real estate markets in 2009. Finally, I will point out the unique opportunities that are available in this type of environment.

Credit and Financial Markets

It seems the biggest story coming out of 2008 is the Fed's announcement in November to buy up $600 billion in unsecured debt and mortgage-backed securities from Fannie and Freddie. The push is an attempt by the Federal Reserve and the Treasury to steer toward lower mortgage rates - not just lower short-term rates.

The goal, whether it is a good idea or not, is to make it less expensive to get a mortgage. The idea is to lower debt costs to bring possible home-buyers or investors with credit to stabilize the market.

If investors and retail buyers come back into the market, property values will begin to stabilize thereby improving the balance sheets in the banking industry. This has always been the role of investors in the real estate cycle. This is also a plus for the mortgage loan officers and brokers because the credit markets will ultimately loosen and in 2009 the mortgage market should swing back up. The cycle to this point has been fairly predictable and we have long been predicting the next refinance boom following government intervention.

Real Estate Markets

If housing permits continue to slow, it may be some time before the real estate market improves in the US. Keen an eye on a few things in Houston however. Some cities (including Houston) are still countering the global economic trend. However, even in Houston, permits are starting to slow which may lead to a retraction as we move into next year.

Layoffs will be the biggest indicator for Houston for next year. If there are massive job losses then the already fragile market could see a big setback.

Opportunities

The credit crisis has brought fear into markets whose economic fundamentals would not otherwise justify it. Therefore there may never be a better time to buy single family homes in Houston because the emotional fear does not match the fundamentals and prices have fallen below what they would otherwise warrant without the short-term, emotionally-driven fear.

With credit standards like they are right now, many investors (and most retail buyers) are out of the game because they are not able to get financing for single family homes. So now is a window of opportunity for smart investors with good credit to buy up undervalued investment properies in Houston.