More Buying Thoughts

OK, so everyone is talking about the real estate market, but here are some more buying thoughts. I just read an article talking about the great opportunity for profit when buying an island. I know, not everyone can afford to buy an island, even if it is a great investment. But, how about a three bedroom ranch. The experts say the market will not recover to 2005 prices until 2014. A long time, yes, but if you are thinking about a move now, this could be your lucky day. Not only are prices low; rates are lower than they have been for years. I know the doubters say, but I won't get what my house is worth if I sell now. Yes you will..... Your house is worth today what it will sell for today. It is not worth what it would have sold for last year. So, to me it looks like an even trade. Stage your home and fix it up to sell for as much as it can and get out there and find a bargin.

Exceeding your Expectations

Belita

It's Too Cold to Sell a House

Nonsense, it's not too cold to sell a house. Believe it or not, lots of homes sell in the winter. Just be careful..... you need to have a good home inspector to be able to see some of the things that are hidden by the winter cold. And, let's not forget a great Agent to keep an eye out for the pitfalls. I remember moving into my home in January and in the snow. It was cold, but what a warm feeling. Wow.

Exceeding your Expectations

Belita

First Time Homebuyers

First time homebuyers could not be in a better position. The market is full of inventory and the rates keep coming down. Now is the time to move....

Mortgage rates continue their 2008 downward trend. The overall combined average of the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped by 16 basis points (.16%), closing the nation's widest survey of mortgage prices at 6.31%. Hybrid 5/1 ARMs shed a whopping 23 basis points, ending the survey week at an average 5.92%.
Conforming 30-year fixed rates averaged 5.87%, their lowest point since late September 2005. The average 5/1 ARM hit its lowest point in nearly two years. All of this confirms what I have been saying. Now is a great time for first time homebuyers to buy.

Who's Selling What?

Who's selling what becomes very apparent when you look at the 2007 results. Holly cow.... I am really proud to be a part of RE/MAX Central. Our office is certainly proving that we don't just list properties. We sell them too.

Each and every Agent takes pride in what they do and the results speak for themselves.

Exceeding Your Expectations

Belita

What's next

What's next reprinted from Realtor.com

Surveys indicate that people will pay up to $5,000 for "greening" a home, says David Pratt, a principal in the Lorax Partnership consulting firm and president of the Baltimore chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. "Green is in because there is a higher level of awareness now of the issues surrounding the environment and, specifically, global warming."
High-tech comfort is in. Demand is on the upswing for amenities such as massaging bubble jets in tubs, mirrors with built-in, vanishing television screens,; super-quiet garbage disposals that are heavy-duty enough to crunch most dinner waste, dual-temperature beverage centers (warmer for wine, cooler for soda), and gas fireplaces with battery backups so they generate heat when the power goes out. "People are nesting and putting nice stuff in their houses," says Brett Schoolnick, president of the Baywood Design & Build Group in Columbia, Md.

Timing in Real Estate

Timing in Real Estate may not be everything, but it
certainly makes a difference and nobody will ever deny the fact that it does. The perfect buyer may come along, but if the closing of their home and the purchase of yours doesn't match well....... it could be a deal gone bad. So, timing is important; how about when to list? Lots of sellers are frustrated with not being able to sell and now are figuring, "Let's just wait until Spring". Wait just a minute........ if everyone waits until Spring, there will be a "ton" of homes coming on the market all at the same time...... In the Spring.

So, what should a seller do? Well, it sound to me like the smart money would be on being among the first to list with a Realtor so you are ready for buyers looking now as well as those who will start...... whenever. What are your thoughts about timing in Real Estate.

Exceeding Your Expectations.

Belita

Happy New Year