Previewing Homes Today

Aside from some recent Broker Luncheons, I have found that I have not spent the time lately to go out there and see what was available on the market. With the market as it has been here the past couple of months, I found myself spending more time keeping in touch with potential clients, figuring out how to market my listings so they stand out from the crowd, and stressing. What I have not done was to just go out and see what some local builders have been working on, check out the new subdivisions, and spend a little time with other agents in my office. It was time well spent. The conversations, hearing what other agents are going through right now, bouncing ideas off each other; really helped me to spend less time stressing and more time focusing on what I need to do. It was also good to step away from the computer for a little bit. I enjoy what I do. I find a great amount of satisfaction from helping a client sell their home and a buyer finally find the right home for them. lately it has been just a little less fun. Now, I put on my optimistic, positive goggles, and look forward to the opportunities before me tomorrow.

Tonight it is supposed to get below freezing

Tonight it is supposed to get below freezing for the first time this fall. I think it is around this time of year that I really start to love my home. There is just something so cozy about the crisp air outside, and the warmth in the home. I am a sucker for an evening at home with my husband, and our dogs laying on the couch and watching something interesting on TV. It’s the time of year when the days are shorter, I come home earlier, and I am able to spend more time with my family.
It may be my own opinion, but I would like to thank the media for bringing fear to the American people about the current economic condition. I hear people tell me over and over again, “we are going to wait until the beginning of next year before we do anything” and “we are just going to rent right now”. So, I arrive home from work a little earlier, because my clients are deciding to wait to buy and wait to sell. Buying and selling a home is an important decision in a person’s life. I understand some of their concerns. But there are others that I have spoken with, and many more that I have not had the pleasure to meet just yet; and they don’t know that now is a fantastic time to buy a home. Interest rates are low. Email me and I will send you a graph showing interest rates for the past 30 years. Interest rates are low. There is a lot of inventory on the market. Sellers are more willing to negotiate with buyers. This does not mean that people are giving their houses away. This means that a buyer may be able to get a very fair price for the home, maybe get more of the repairs completed that the buyer requests or seller pay closing costs.
Take some time to think again about whether now is a good time for you to buy a home. Ask a Realtor to help you discover if now a good time is for you. Where do you want to be this winter?

Amazing Housing Opportunities

Interest rates are low. There are solid mortgage loan programs available to homebuyers. There are a lot of houses on the market to choose from. Although sellers are not giving their homes away, sellers are willing to negotiate. It is a great time to be a home buyer in America.

The fact of the matter is that you have to live somewhere. If you are considering buying your first home, but you think now is not a good time to take the leap to homeownership; I would like you to reconsider. How much are you spending in rent? Look at the mortgage calculator at the bottom of this page. Plug in the numbers to see what you would be paying if you own a home. Say you decide on a home that costs $135,000. If you get a mortgage for the entire amount, and you figure an interest rate of 6%, estimate the property tax for about $1100 a year and $450 for homeowner’s insurance. Now remember that the money you put into a home is an investment. The money you pay to rent just gives you a place to live for another month.

Does it look like maybe you should speak to a Realtor or a mortgage broker to see if is the right time for you to buy your first home? Contact me for more information so you can make the right decision for you.