Based on the data provided by S&P Case Shiller, the bottom is over (See Graph Below) and we are moving up again and this time it’s going to be even bigger!  

It appears from the graph of the Phoenix House Values below, that the real estate market in the Phoenix area is heading up. Is it time to buy real estate again? How long will it take to come back to normal? Should I get out of the market and wait? These are hard questions to answer but Dennis makes these recommendations:

The upturn in values are due to LACK OF INVENTORY AND RECORD LOW INTEREST RATES.

Keep your home if possible. Do whatever it takes to keep the current home.

Do a Mortgage modification? HAPR 2. Its possible but there are very few who are successful.

If you ‘bail out’ and let the bank foreclose, you will not be able to purchase a home for 5-7 years, maybe even never again!

Inflation will it come back and will the value of the dollar drop dramatically? (This could change if the USA will cut spending and raise taxes, cut medical/social security, and increase the tax rate by 45%. I don’t think this will happen.)

The amount of debt in the USA will continue to grow. The amount is very frightening.

At this rate, in 5-7 years, it will cost $10 to buy a loaf of bread. Gasoline will cost $25/gallon. And the average starter home price will be $600,000.

Get out of debt; get rid of the credit cards and pay them off. Purchase only if you have the cash. Do not get into any debt.  (I sound like your mother here, but she was correct.)

Start a side business. It’s too difficult to explain why here, but the best reason is the potential tax advantage and the possible income. Your own side business is the LAST area the government has yet to attack. Make it simple and get going. An extra $400 per month really helps.

If you are able, purchase quality single family homes in a good area and turn them into rental units. (Your side business?)

I’ve talked to a lot of people who feel that they can ‘let their home go and rent for awhile’. Rental rates are lower than their mortgage rates. Yes, they are! ‘We can save a lot of money by renting vs. paying the mortgage, and in 2 years we can purchase again and have a good down payment.’ Well, it’s actually going to be 5-7 years before your credit report looks good enough to purchase a home again. And can you really save the money? Most people will spend the money on toys. If hyper-inflation hits, like some economists predict, then you’ll be priced out of the market. Do you want to take the chance? Keep your home, do a HARP 2 Mortgage modification, and hang on — the next 5-7 years are going to be enjoyable.

Dennis Dahlberg is Broker/RI/CEO of Level 4 Funding, with many years of experience in lending, flipping and fixing.       UPDATED 9/13/16

For Phoenix the bottom was officially September 2011.

For a PDF of this Graph Click Here

Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com
https://level4funding.com
NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the author: Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true.

Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.