Wednesday, December 17, 2008

There is no such thing as........ "The Real Estate Market"
















M
ost all Media reports regarding real estate focus on national statistics such as median homes prices and the amount of homes sold. It is definitely true that we all need to keep up on the national market, but aren't we all concerned about the market around and near us?

Each national poll is made up of thousands and thousands of markets with all different circumstances. Locally there can be many unique factors that determine the prices of homes. The local economy, government policies, taxes, and the current employment rate locally. These factors will have much more of an impact on the local market, than the national statistics. This is why you see some areas where the homes are still selling for asking price, while other areas have been hit very hard with price reductions. Be sure to contact me to understand your local market and get the most updated information.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

New Years Resolution










The New Year is right around the corner! If you are considering buying a home next year, here are a few resolutions that can help you prepare:

Know your credit.
Make all bill payments by the due date. Apply for credit in moderation and take on new credit only when you absolutely need it. Get a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com
, and clean up any errors on your report.

Save for a down payment.
Although it is possible to get a mortgage with a small percentage down, you can usually get
a better interest rate if you put more down – shoot for 20%.

Pay yourself first.
On a regular basis,set aside an amount you want to save towards your down payment and put it in a special savings account so that you don't spend it impulsively.

Reduce your debt.
Generally, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36% of income. Increase your income. If necessary, take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high enough level to qualify for the home you want.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

First Time Home Buyers?? This is for you!














This market is perfect for the first time home buyer! Low Prices, Lot's of inventory, low interest rates!...and best of all........the first time home buyer tax credit! You can get up to $7,500 back if you purchase a home before July 1,2009. Time is of the essence!

Buyers Market- Great time to buy??




















Whether you are a first time home buyer or a current homeowner..now is definitely the time to be thinking about the real estate market. The prices are low, the inventory of homes is extremely large, and the interest rates are falling. Perfect time to buy right? Yes, I do believe it is a perfect time to purchase a home. Finding lending is getting a bit trickier...you can't only just be able to fog a mirror, you actually have to have a strong credit score.Gary Welch with Countrywide has helped me tremendously with previous transactions and continues to help my buyers with their financing.
If buying a home is anywhere in your short-term future goals, I must say that now is the time! Interest rates, even though they are low right now, will probably increase as the market starts to come back. Contact me today to get pre-qualified.