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Why NOW is the Prime Time to Buy!

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Home affordability is at an all-time high.

The median mortgage payment on the median priced
home as a percentage of the median household
income is lower than it’s been in a generation.

Mortgage rates are at rock bottom.

It’s hard to imagine interest rates going much lower, and
when they start to inch back upwards, monthly
payments and total loan costs will spike upwards.

Home prices are back on the rise.

After declining for 30 months, home prices are trending back
upward. The time get in to the market is NOW!

Sellers are motivated.

This means that buyers have the upper hand! From banks looking to
dispose of foreclosed properties to homeowners
who are fiercely competing among an excess of
housing inventory, buyers have untold choices and
negotiating power.

Financing is readily available!

Banks are back in the game and ready to lend to well-qualified
buyers.

Owning vs. renting is increasingly favorable.

Since 2009, the average principal and interest
payment has fallen below the average rental rates,
and the gap is now wider than it’s been in the past
22 years.

Homeownership is still at the core of the American Dream!

Owning a home is critical to financial stability and wealth building. It’s
a forced savings account, a place to live and a fabulous tax deduction.

 

Michele on MiraBay – Take 1

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

How to Choose the Right Neighborhood

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Location, location, location — goes the saying about what’s important in real estate.
Most home buyers start by looking for a suitable area. The following tips will help you find a neighborhood that feels like home.
Priorities
Set priorities about things that matter most to you and your family:
• Is safety a prime concern?
• Are you looking for vibrant nightlife?
• Do you need to live close to work?

The best purchase is usually a trade-off among several desirable elements.
Factors
These factors will help to illuminate a neighborhood’s style:
• Are there good local schools? Whether or not you have children, good schools increase property values.
• Is the area close to services such as hospitals, public transportation, shopping, parks, and recreational and cultural sites?
• How safe is it? Check with local police, and look in the newspaper for crime-watch statistics.
• Are people outside their homes, working in their yards or walking their dogs? Neighbors who interact with one another create a safer and more pleasant environment.
• Is the area popular? Ask your Realtor, and check the number of “for sale” and “sold” signs.
• What is the neighborhood’s price range? Have average property values gone up, gone down or stayed the same? Areas about to become trendy are often found on the fringes of highly desirable locations.
• Is there vacant space nearby? What kind of development is planned for it?
Guidance
REALTORS® are a valuable source of inside information about how to distinguish two neighborhoods that seem alike. Contact me for the latest information about neighborhoods.