Demand for mortgages (home loans) from homebuyers dropped to its lowest point since 1995. This is because interest rates are rising, which makes people worried about inflation and causes the Federal Reserve to consider raising rates for a longer period of time. The number of existing home sales also decreased by 2.2 percent from June to July alone, and was a signficant 16.6 percent lower compared to last year. This is because there are not enough homes available for sale and the mortgage rates are not favorable for buyers. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage increased to 7.31 percent from 7.16 percent the previous week. Wow!
Home insurance companies are reducing the coverage they offer in areas that are at high risk for extreme weather events. This is because the insurance companies believe that climate change is causing more frequent and severe weather patterns. A survey conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that policies will no longer cover damage caused by hurricanes, wind, and hail in coastal areas and regions prone to wildfires. Allstate plans to limit new policies in hurricane-prone areas and may have specific deductibles or exclusions for wind and hail damage. Recent extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Idalia and Tropical Storm Hilary, have caused significant damage in several states. There have also been costly wildfires in Maui. Over the past three years, insurance companies in the US have paid a record $295.8 billion for natural disaster claims. In the first half of 2023 alone, there were $40 billion in insured losses due to natural disasters, making it one of the most expensive first halves on record. Climate change is causing changes in weather patterns, resulting in longer wildfire seasons, more frequent and intense hurricanes, and a shift in tornado-prone areas. Some homeowners are unable to find insurance coverage, and state governments are having to step in to provide coverage as a last resort. This is resulting in homeowners having difficulty finding insurance and new homebuyers having difficulty buying a home for the first time.
Annoura Realty had a busy month with Mariko closing a big 12 home portfolio on Friday. The same investor had a warehouse in Baytown, who Mariko also helped lease out. Glenshannon’s rental found a tenant after a lengthy search. On the listing side of things, our cute red barn house in Damon made it out of option and is headed for the next hurdle, the appraisal. Fingers crossed for smooth sailing in the next couple of weeks. The tenant in Cypress Pond vacated at the end of August and our investor in California decided to put it on the market for sale. That listing will hit the market this week. Meanwhile, thank you to Jim Brackeen for referring Sharon and Tom to us. Mike and Michelle are doing some easy make ready before we bring that lovely one story in Northfork to market, hopefully later this week. We have one more listing coming up in the Texas Medical Center, a two story townhome in a gated complex. Stay tuned for details on that one! Over on the apartment leasing front, Mariko found a nice unit for a friend’s mom at Charleston at Fannin Station while Mik and Susan found a perfect apartment in the Memorial area for a new Daikin expat. On the horizon are two new expats from the Government of Japan and a new doctor from Oita looking for apartment space in the Med Center. Thank you all for your referrals! Annoura Realty depends on word of mouth advertisting from past clients like you!
The Annouras have been very busy this month again! Koh is still in Europe assisting a paracylist, Mr. Kanno, compete in several races. Altogether, he raced 3 races in France (Pontrieux and Ploermel) and two races in Spain (Xativa and Valencia), taking home four 1st place finishes and one 2nd place finish. Congratulations to coach and athlete! Koh heads back to Houston this week. Meanwhile, Susan went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to teach three modules of CIPS classes. Her first class of graduates will be pinned at the NAR conference in Anaheim, California in November! On September 6th, Susan went to San Antonio to attend the annual Texas Realtors Shaping Texas real estate conference. As this year’s TR Global Chair, Susan led the Global Forum and Committee Meeting, as well as three global networking events. Eleven guests from the Mexican Real Estate Association (AMPI), including their national president, was in attendance. With Koh and Susan gone, the boys were back in Houston working hard at school and sports. Ty competed in a national wrestling tournament qualifier called the Super 32 Early Entry and came away as the champion of his weight class, 126 pounds. The Super 32 Tournament will take place in North Carolina in late October.
Though busy as a bee with many personal and volunteer activities, Susan and her team were very productive these past 2 weeks! Teamed up with Mik Ebisu, Annoura Realty Group helped close a home in Pearland, fetching a fantastic price in single digit days and a very convenient lease back. Congratulations to Isoka san and Shawn, who will be moving back to Japan in a couple of months. Thank you Anami san for the referral! Next up, Susan teamed up with Mik again to list a condo in the Texas Medical Center and fetched multiple offers on day 2! We are now doing side by side comparisons and advising the owner on which one to choose and how to respond. Fingers crossed for our repeat client Angela, for a smooth negotiation and path to closing! Speaking of past clients, Abbie Grubb asked us to help her parents lease their home in Richmond. That listing hit the market on Aug 22 and we just got our first application four days later. Once we get this one closed, we will add it to the Annoura Realty property management portfolio. On the sale front, Mariko is working on a 13 home portfolio sale to one of her buyer clients. They are in the home stretch now with closing slated for just after Labor Day. Susan picked up a listing in Damon, TX, which hit the market on Aug 24th after going through weeks of preparation. The owner will be downsizing from this 4000sf 5 bedroom 3 full bath country home which sits on 4.4 acres. He spent many weeks de-cluttering and simplifying his belongings, and then soon after, Susan sent in her crew of vendors to get the home ready for the market. After a very successful photo shoot and a two day open house on Aug 26-27, we are hoping this special ‘red barn house’ will attract an offer or two. Check out pictures here: www.har.com/89982771 On the horizon, we will be bringing 2 homes to the market in early September. Both are owned by California investors, so we will help them remodel then help them sell, after both of their tenants vacate at the end of this week. On the lease side, Susan was excited to help a new Mitsui E&P expat find his Galleria area apartment. Susan and Mik helped a new Daikin expat apply for a nice Memorial area apartment. Susan also helped a Daikin family move from one place to another within Houston, which was also very rewarding! On the horizon for leasing are two new expats from the Government of Japan, a new expat from Kuraray, and one more new expat from Daikin. Lots going on and our team is always excited to help. Ready, set, September here we come!