Dec 03
There is more and more research coming out showing that it makes great financial sense to purchase a home today. Purchasing a home right now is a bargain compared to historic norms whether it be rent vs. buy ratios, income-to-price ratios or income-to-mortgage payment ratios. In addition to these benchmarks, it is interesting to look at the COST of a …
Nov 26
Among all the other challenges of purchasing a home, today’s buyer often has an added burden: the advice of friends, co-workers and family. And what do these well-meaning-advice givers saying their very ‘knowing’ tones of voice? Well, a sampling of advice might include: (a) How dirt cheap ‘those foreclosures’ are; (b) How much of a …
Apr 27
Pricing under pressure Some of the challenges facing the housing market are easing as the economy adds jobs, boosting demand and reducing mortgage delinquencies. But tight credit, lost equity, and weak confidence have put prices under pressure. Buyers are demanding big discounts and sellers are unable or unwilling to chop prices. — 4/25/11 Wall Street …
Apr 12
Every day we are bombarded with statistics and data. Housing starts are up, housing starts are down; more job losses, unemployment is improving; foreclosures, short sales, housing inventory, interest rate movements and much more. It’s enough to make your head spin There’s an old saying that claims: “All real estate is local”. It infers that …
Mar 31
Most Americans still believe in the value of home ownership …despite the debacle of the past few years full of foreclosures and negative equity. Call it the inherent American optimism, or perhaps just a world-wise perspective that everything has peaks and valleys… albeit, the latest ‘valley’ was very deep. According to the latest housing survey released …
Mar 26
The Third Decline in U.S. home prices in three years is driving a pickup in sales as bargain hunters rush to buy before mortgage rates rise… even as home values may slump further. Foreclosures drive down prices Mounting foreclosures pushed the median price for a U.S. existing home to $158,800 in January, the lowest level since …
Mar 26
For Buyers wanting a ‘good deal’ Most buyers want to make sure they get a ‘good deal’ when they purchase something, and purchasers of real estate are no different. That is why many decide to buy a distressed property (a foreclosure or a short sale). The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reported foreclosures, on …
Mar 22
Probably yes. Because of recent government involvement, an opportunity exists today that may never again be available in our lifetimes. Two advantages are available to a home purchaser today that may disappear in the future due to current government changes now under consideration: Historically low interest rates The ability to lock in these rates for thirty …
Feb 11
Still sitting on the fence waiting for home prices to hit ‘The Bottom’? It’s a given that cautious buyers want to make sure that they don’t overpay for their new home. Unfortunately, it’s not all about the price… Buyers shouldn’t be so concerned about home prices as they should be about the cost. The cost of a house is made …
