As the financial crisis continues to unfold in the U.S., many home sellers
have found themselves in a bind. Prices have dropped, banks are failing, and
home buyers are having an increasingly hard time getting mortgage loans.
So how does one go about selling a house in the current economy? For
starters, you need to price your home properly. The pricing process intimidates
a lot of sellers, especially those who are handling the process by themselves
(without an agent). But it doesn’t have to be scary or confusing. Here are some
tips to help you get it right.
1. Detach Your Emotions
When you live in a home for a certain length of time, you develop an
emotional attachment to it. This is perfectly natural. After all, it’s your
“safe haven” from the world. It’s where you go for privacy, security and
relaxation. It might even be the place where you witnessed your child’s first
steps, or their first day at school.
But the thing to keep in mind when selling your house is that emotional value
does not carry over into financial value. In other words, you can’t price a home
based on the memories it holds or the good times it has given you. You cannot
set the selling price based on what the place is worth to you. Instead, you must
base your numbers on what the house is worth in the current market, based on the
concept of comparable sales that we will discuss below.
You might think this is something of a no-brainer or an obvious point. Yet,
you would be surprise by how many sellers let their emotions get in the way of
real estate reality.
2. Research Comparable Sales in Your Area
The pricing process will be much easier for you when you research comparable
sales in your area, as well as homes that are currently listed for sale. The
real estate terminology for this is “comps,” short for comparable sales. Here,
we are talking about homes that are similar to yours that have been sold in your
area recently. By using this information, you can determine your own price — and
it will be based on real data, not on emotions.
If you decide to work with a real estate agent during your selling process,
this will all be easier for you. This is one of the things an agent will handle
for you. They refer to it as the comparative market analysis, or CMA. If you
would rather handle the pricing yourself, you can do that too. Agents get their
data from public information, not from some private source. They look at the
same thing you could look at — recent sales data on similar homes in your
area.
3. Consider Supply and Demand
This is always an important consideration for sellers, but right now it plays
a major role. Due to recent economic events, the supply and demand of real
estate is skewed like never before. The subprime mortgage crisis has led to
record numbers of home foreclosure, which drives up the supply of houses. But it
has also become much harder for buyers to qualify for mortgage loans, which
decreases the demand. When supply goes up and demand goes down, it becomes a
buyer’s market. This is what’s happening in most cities across the country right
now.
Of course, there are some anomalies in certain cities across the U.S. For
example, I live in Austin, Texas, and the market here has not suffered as badly
as other cities. The reasons are twofold — (1) our housing prices were not
artificially inflated before this crisis, and (2) there is a high rate of
immigration as people relocate here from elsewhere in the country.
To figure out the supply and demand situation in your area, you’ll have to do
some homework. Your local newspaper is a good place to start.
Conclusion and Going Forward
It may be harder to sell a home in today’s market, but it is by no means
impossible. The key is to go into the process with proper research and
expectations. If you do your homework and price your home based on real market
conditions — and if you do a good job preparing and marketing the property —
there is no reason you can’t sell in a reasonable amount of time. On the other
hand, if you have conjured your asking price out of thin air, you will be in for
a rude awakening.
© 2009, Cornett Communications.
About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and
publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.
View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com
When you buy a home, your mortgage lender will require a homeowners insurance policy in order to protect their interest in the home. In most cases, the lending institution owns most of the home during the first years of the home, until the homeowner gains equity. So it only makes sense that lenders want to protect their investment in the home.
But this policy protects your investment in the home, as well. It gives you peace of mind that, in the event of a loss, you will be covered in some form or fashion. So you should make sure you get solid coverage from a reputable insurance provider.
With that being said, it sure is nice to save money wherever possible. And this goes for insurance policies as well. Here are some of the ways you can lower the overall cost you pay for a homeowners insurance policy.
Compare Insurance Companies
When you compare one provider to another, you are doing two important things at once. First, and most obvious, you are finding out who offers the lowest rates for a comparable level of coverage. Secondly, you are learning about the different types of coverage these companies provide, including the many components that make up a policy, the terminology associated with it, etc. Both of these items are important when trying to lower the cost you pay out of pocket.
Save Time by Using the Internet
The good news is that you can conduct much of the above-mentioned research fairly easily, just by using the Internet. In the past, you had to make a lot of phone calls (or even office visits) to compare insurance companies and policies. There are many big insurance websites that allow you to do this. But as always, watch out for scam websites that ask for too much personal information up front.
Another benefit to getting a home insurance quote online is the speed factor. Using the Internet, you can accomplish in a few hours what used to take a few days or even weeks.
Improve Your Credit Score
These days, in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007 - 2008, it’s more important than ever to have a good credit score. For one thing, mortgage lenders require that borrowers have higher scores these days to get the best loan rates. But there’s another good reason to maintain good credit. Many insurance companies are beginning to use this factor when determining the price for policies.
Raise Deductible to Lower the Costs
The deductible is the money you would pay toward a loss before your insurance policy would cover the rest. If you have coverage on your car, you are probably familiar with the concept of deductibles. It’s the same basic concept with a homeowner policy.
You can lower your premium by raising your deductible amount. Many financial experts recommend doing this as a way of lowering premium costs. The logic is that you know for certain that you’ll pay the premium on your policy, but there’s only a small statistical chance of suffering a loss and having to file an actual claim. So this approach seeks to lower the amount you know you’re going to pay (the premium) by increasing the amount you may never have to pay (the deductible).
Purchasing insurance for your home can be a balance between cost and coverage. You want to control the former without sacrificing the latter. I hope this article has given you the knowledge and confidence you need to accomplish these goals.
© 2009, Cornett Communications.
About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.
View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com
Most real estate experts agree that it’s best to sell your home during the
warmer months of spring and summer. For one thing, home buyers with children
will often plan their house hunting / home buying process for the summer, when
their children are out of school.
But what if you can’t sell your home during the spring or summer? What if
it’s just not in the cards? Perhaps you cannot afford the home any more and you
need to sell it fast, regardless of the season. Or maybe you have a job transfer
that requires you to move during the winter months.
Whatever the reason, you need not despair. While there are certain challenges
to selling a home during winter, they do not by any means make it impossible. On
the contrary, if you follow the selling techniques and tips in this article (and
the advice provided by your real estate agent), you should be able to sell your
home in the winter nearly as easily as you would in the summer.
Contrast the Cold With the Warmth
Emotions play a big role in the home buying process. Granted, the buyers will
be most concerned with the size of the home, the number of rooms, and other
tangible items. But “gut” feelings and first impressions go a long way as well.
So even in the coldest winter months, you can put this knowledge into practice.
In fact, you can even take advantage of the winter cold!
The best way to do this is by showcasing the warmth and coziness of your
home. By doing this, you will create a favorable first impression that the
buyers will take with them throughout your house. Let’s look at an example of
this concept in action.
Imagine This Realistic Scenario
Local home buyers John and Jane visit your home while house hunting. It’s
cold outside, with wind and rain on top of that — the kind of conditions that
make you want to hunker down someplace warm. John and Jane open the front door
and enter the home. The house is well lit and exudes warmth. Candles burn atop
the mantle. A fire crackles softly in the fireplace. The smell of gingerbread
cookies (recently baked on offered on a glass plate) permeates the air.
Doesn’t that feel inviting? It will be the same way for buyers. So just by
showcasing the warmth of your home, you have increased the likelihood of selling
it. You are creating a favorable first impression by literally welcoming the
buyers in from the cold.
You can think about it in terms of both psychology and physiology. The first
physical impression will be one of warmth and relaxation, just as soon as the
buyers walk in. This will lead to a favorable mental impression as well, and the
buyers will carry this impression with them through the rest of the home.
Conclusion
Some people will tell you that selling a home fast during winter is
impossible. We say it depends upon two things — (A) the amount of effort you put
into it, and (B) the type of real estate market you are in. So one cannot say
across the board that selling a home fast in winter is impossible. It is a
case-by-case situation. Use the tips provided in this article, follow the expert
advice of your real estate agent, and you have every chance of selling your home
during winter!
© 2009, Cornett Communications.
About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and
publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.
View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com
A free shuttle bus service is to be available on Independence Day so that spectators going to the Melbourne’s 9 p.m. fireworks display will not have to contend with limited parking in the vicinity of Claude Edge Front Street Park. The buses will originate at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Boulevard, where parking will be plentiful.
The bus service will not begin until 7:10 p.m. on July 4, since budget constraints have eliminated other activities at the park. The park provides the primary viewing area for the fireworks display. In previous years, afternoon entertainment and evening concerts were also provided at the park.
Buses are to depart for the park at 7:10, 7:50, and 8:10 p.m. Buses are to return to the auditorium at 7:30, 8:10, 8:50, 9:30, and 10:10. The bus transportation is being funded by a $1,350 contribution from Reiss Engineering, Inc.
The portion of New Haven Avenue between Front Street and Highway U.S. 1 is to be closed to traffic from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4. A section of Melbourne Avenue near Front Street will be restricted to eastbound traffic during the same period. The Melbourne Causeway is to be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from about 8:15 to 10 p.m. for safety reasons. The boat ramp at Front Street is to be closed from 5 p.m. on July 3 until 9 a.m. on July 5.
The City co-sponsors an Independence Day parade organized by Honor America, Inc. and scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 4 in the historic downtown area of Melbourne. The parade is to begin on New Haven Avenue near the railroad tracks and proceed westward to Oak Street, then travel northward on Oak Street to the Liberty Bell Museum.
The $11,000 cost of the fireworks display is funded by community contributions, with the majority of funding coming from private businesses. Event co-sponsors include Brevard County Parks & Recreation; Gray Robinson Law Firm; Harris Sanitation Inc. - a Waste Management Company; Health First Health Plans; the Melbourne Greyhound Park/Club 52; The B.A.C.K. Center; Bright House Networks; Certified General Contractors; Coastal Mitsubishi/Coastal Hyundai; Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A.; Florida Today; Frazier Engineering; Public Financial Management, Inc.; and Sutton Properties of Melbourne.
Other contributors include Bolton Partners Inc.; Brandon Properties; Hoyman, Dobson, and Company; the Town of Melbourne Beach; Nabors, Giblin & Nickersen, P.A.; Land Design Innovations; Meehans’ Office Products; the Town of Indialantic; Ascension Catholic Church; Henderson Southeast Corp.; Modus Operandi, Inc.; Professional Administrators; Sorenson Moving & Storage Co.; and Joyal Construction.
Other contributors include Dorothy & Ira Adams, Frederick & Helen Baker, Jackie Burns & Family, Michael Crotty, Theodor & Helouise Doroghazi, Frank & Estella Driskill, James & Katherine Fletcher, Eric & Alice Griggs, W. Ann McDougall, Jerry & Peggy Oliver, Ed & Lee Palmer, George & Evelyn Pasonski, Pat & Bill Poole, Lorraine Proulx, Edward & Barbara Reilly, Jack Schluckebier & Denise Young, Kathleen Spatenga & Lori Spatenga-Newman, Pat Swatek in memory of Enid Swatek, and Norman Williams.
.MsgBody-text, .MsgBody-text * { font: 10pt monospace; }
A fireworks display over the Indian River Lagoon is to provide the highlight of
Melbourne’s Independence Day celebration. The display is scheduled for 9 p.m. on
July 4 over the Indian River Lagoon just south of the Melbourne
Causeway.
The $11,000 cost of the fireworks display is funded by
community contributions, with the majority of funding coming from private
businesses. “The generous contributions are ensuring that this traditional
celebration can continue despite the current economic difficulties,” City
Manager Jack Schluckebier said. “Because of budget cutbacks, the music and
other outside activities at Claude Edge Front Street Park had to be curtailed
this year.”
The park provides the primary viewing area for the fireworks
display. Free bus transportation is to be provided between the park and the
Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Boulevard, and is being funded by a $1,350
contribution from Reiss Engineering, Inc. Buses are to depart for the park at
7:10, 7:50, and 8:10. Buses are to return to the auditorium at 7:30, 8:10,
8:50, 9:30, and 10:10.
The portion of New Haven Avenue between Front
Street and Highway U.S. 1 is to be closed to traffic from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on
July 4. A section of Melbourne Avenue near Front Street will be restricted to
eastbound traffic during the same period. The Melbourne Causeway is to be
closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from about 8:15 to 10 p.m. for safety
reasons. The boat ramp at Front Street is to be closed from 5 p.m. on July 3
until 9 a.m. on July 5.
The City co-sponsors an Independence Day parade
organized by Honor America, Inc. and scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 4 in the
historic downtown area of Melbourne. The parade is to begin on New Haven Avenue
near the railroad tracks and proceed westward to Oak Street, then travel
northward on Oak Street to the Liberty Bell Museum.
Community Fireworks
Fund Co-sponsors providing $1,000 include Brevard County Parks & Recreation,
Gray Robinson Law Firm, Harris Sanitation Inc. - a Waste Management Company; and
Health First Health Plans. Co-sponsors providing $500 included The B.A.C.K.
Center; Bright House Networks; Certified General Contractors; Coastal
Mitsubishi/Coastal Hyundai; Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A.; Florida
Today; Frazier Engineering; Public Financial Management, Inc.; and Sutton
Properties of Melbourne.
.MsgBody-text, .MsgBody-text * { font: 10pt monospace; }Other contributors include Bolton Partners Inc.; Brandon Properties; Hoyman,
Dobson, and Company; the Town of Melbourne Beach; and Nabors, Giblin &
Nickersen, P.A., each contributing $250; Land Design Innovations; Meehans’
Office Products; and the Town of Indialantic, each contributing $200; Ascension
Catholic Church; Henderson Southeast Corp.; Modus Operandi, Inc.; and
Professional Administrators, each contributing $100; Sorenson Moving &
Storage Co., contributing $50; and Joyal Construction, contributing $25.
Other contributors include Dorothy & Ira Adams, Frederick &
Helen Baker, Jackie Burns & Family, Michael Crotty, Theodor & Helouise
Doroghazi, Frank & Estella Driskill, James & Katherine Fletcher, Eric
& Alice Griggs, W. Ann McDougall, Jerry & Peggy Oliver, Ed & Lee
Palmer, George & Evelyn Pasonski, Pat & Bill Poole, Lorraine Proulx,
Edward & Barbara Reilly, Jack Schluckebier & Denise Young, Kathleen
Spatenga & Lori Spatenga-Newman, Pat Swatek in memory of Enid Swatek, and
Norman Williams.
CONTACT: Mike Moore, Public Information
Officer
321/953-6282 - cityhall@melbourneflorida.org
Courtesy of: Bill Monahan
Rates were moving down nicely last
week until Thurs and Fri when all the gains were given back. It is really hard
to predict what the markets are going to do. On Monday they began to lower
again, but stalled today. Mostly the fear is for future inflation. The
Government is spending too much and preparing to spend even more, and thus far,
according to the unemployment numbers the stimulus has not helped. Not only
that but no one seems to know where the money has gone. Even the Vice
President, who is supposed to keep track of the funds, doesn’t
know.
On top of that the President is
proposing a new layer of Government regulation, so now the regulators (SEC, HUD,
FDIC, etc) will be regulated. And who do they propose to put in charge? The
Federal Reserve, a non-government entity that was formed in 1913 and has never
been audited. This is a private concern that is owned by the banks it is
supposed to regulate. Does that make sense to you? It sure doesn’t to me.
These are the same people whose greed caused the current crisis. There already
is enough regulation on the books, what is needed is enforcement. And look at
the recent announcement of the record bonuses for Goldman Sachs, which took TARP
money
The Government cannot mandate that
Lenders give out loans as they did in the 1990’s and 2000’s and not expect banks
to cut corners to get the number of loans through the system. Regulators cannot
just stand by while house prices are increasing 10-20% per year and expect that
to continue forever. Banks saw and underwrote every loan, yet they allowed all
manner of problems to get through. The Banks created the bizarre loan scenarios
in order to satisfy the appetites for the purchasers for Mortgage Backed
Securities which were sold worldwide. All the upper echelon players were at
fault, yet the American people have been the ones paying the price. And now the
Government thinks more regulation and an entire new bureaucracy will be created
adding even more expense to tax payers and home
buyers.
The marketplace is very concerned
with inflation. The Government cannot keep spending money it does not have for
eventually the investors (China, Saudi
Arabia, Japan, Europe
and pension and other funds) will stop because inflation will become real. We
just have to look at the late 1970’s. Imagine what would happen if mortgage
rates climbed to 18-19%. Let us hope it does not do that
again.
The Fed is meeting toady and
tomorrow and what they say may direct the markets. AS long as the Central Banks
continue to buy USA debt, inflation will be lessened
since I do not think we are at the bottom yet. Eventually though the rates will
go up.
Bill
Monahan
1st Alliance Mortgage
407-894-4664
407-290-3471
Fax
www.1stalliancemortgagefl.com
Yesterday, I received the following question from a confused consumer through
my Credit Help Q&A blog:
“I see a lot of offers for free credit report online, and even on TV
commercials. But whenever I visit the actual website and read the information
there, it seems like I have to sign up for something and pay a fee. Is there any
way to get my free reports with no strings attached? Where do I go?”
If you share this reader’s confusion, let me start by saying you are not
alone. This is one of the most common questions I receive from consumers, and
it’s easy to understand why. I see those “free credit report” commercials on TV
all the time. Sometimes I can’t even get that song out of my head, but that’s
another subject entirely. I also encounter a ton of banner ads for companies who
offer the same thing online.
But therein lies the confusion. Some of them charge a fee, while others do
not. Some offer credit scores and other items in addition to the reports. It’s
completely confusing, so I am happy to set the record straight.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Only Website Recommended by the FTC
By law, you are entitled to one free credit report per year, from all three
of the companies who maintain them. This includes TransUnion, Equifax and
Experian. These are privately-held companies who maintain historical financial
data on U.S. consumers. When you apply for a car loan or a mortgage loan, and
the lender “checks your credit,” this is who they request the information
from.
The companies mentioned above have a joint website through which you can
request all three of your reports at once. The website is
AnnualCreditReport.com. In terms of getting your reports for free, this is the
only website that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) endorses and
recommends.
Your Score Comes Separately
Your credit score is a different story. You will have to request it
separately, and you will probably have to pay for it. This is where a lot of
people get confused, and I think product marketing is the problem. Many
companies will actually package all of this information together and then add on
some kind of credit monitoring / identify theft prevention service. So they use
the “free” credit reports and scores as an enticement, but then you find out you
have to sign up for the monitoring service in order to get the freebies. Like I
said, it can all get pretty confusing!
That’s why I used the phrase “no strings attached” in the title of this
article. To the best of my knowledge, the only place where you can get a totally
free credit report with no strings is through the jointly owned website
mentioned above - the one recommended by the FTC. Hopefully this will alleviate
your confusion once and for all.
© 2009, Cornett Communications.
About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and
publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.
View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com
You hear the word tossed around a lot in real estate circles. You hear it
mentioned on home-selling programs on HGTV and other networks. But what exactly
is “curb appeal,” and why should you care about it when selling your home?
In this article, we will start by answering this fundamental question. Then
we will take a closer look at the elements of curb appeal, and how you can use
them to increase your chances for a quick sale! But first, a definition.
What is Curb Appeal?
Let’s start with a basic definition, just so we are on the same page. Curb
appeal is the first impression people get when pulling up in front of your
house. It is their perspective from the curb, literally. It’s the first and most
powerful impression your house will make on potential buyers, so it’s a topic
you should take seriously.
Curb appeal encompasses many things, each of which we will discuss in more
detail. These elements include your landscaping (lawn, shrubs, trees and
flowers); your home’s entryway; the doors and shutters; and the overall
appearance of the home (paint, structural integrity, etc.).
When potential buyers pull up in front of your home, they will try to imagine
themselves in it. They will also imagine pulling up to the house after work each
day, inviting friends over, etc. Will the house give them a sense of
satisfaction and joy when they pull up to it? Will they be proud when they have
guests over? Or do they have a negative impression right from the start?
You can rest assured that all buyers will go through this mental (and
sometimes verbal) checklist when they first visit. It may happen in a flash,
mostly on the subconscious level. Or it may happen over a span of fifteen
minutes, as the buyers stand out front waiting for their agent to arrive. But it
will certainly happen. And as the saying goes, you never get a second chance to
make a first impression.
Take the Test
We will get to the specific tips and techniques in just a moment. But first,
I want to teach you a simple but effective way to assess your current level of
curb appeal. Take a notepad out in the street in front of your house. Now
imagine you’re a buyer, and you’ve just pulled up in front of the house in your
agent’s car. Remember, it’s not your house — it’s just one you’re thinking of
buying.
On your notepad, write down anything that catches your eye in a bad way. The
grass is turning brown, the windows are dirty, the bushes look shabby, that sort
of thing. Be as specific as possible. Draw a sketch if necessary. For instance,
if there’s a particular area of the lawn than needs attention, or a certain part
of the facade that needs painting, write those details down.
When you have finished your list, it will serve as your plan of attack for
improving your curb appeal. Prioritize the items by putting the most noticeable
items at the top. This will be important later on, when you divide your list
into (A) things that must be done and (B) things to do if time allows.
Curb Appeal Essentials
The notepad test will be more effective if you know what to look for. So
review this list of curb appeal tips before and after you create your list.
- Start by assessing your lawn. The grass should be green and healthy (unless
it’s winter). If your lawn has problems such as brown patches, you need to
address those problems right away. Turning a lawn around can take time,
depending on how severe the problems are.
- Is the exterior paint chipped or faded? If so, give it a fresh coat. It’s
relatively inexpensive, and it will do wonders for that critical first
impression we talked about.
- When evaluating the paint, pay particular attention to the shutters, doors
and trim. Sometimes you can get away with hosing them off. Other times they
simply need to be painted. If the doors and shutters are painted different /
contrasting colors, you may want to standardize them.
- Planting fresh flowers can really brighten up a yard. Healthy shrubs can do
the same, and they don’t cost much either. If you don’t have a green thumb,
enlist help from a friend of family member who does.
- The windowpanes should be spotless, and the frames around them should be
free of dirt, chips and defects.
- Lighting can be used for aesthetic and safety reasons at the same time. If
you have potential buyers coming by in the evenings, light up the walkways and
entry. Consider using decorative lighting to illuminate landscaping features,
trees, etc.
- Do you have vinyl railings, shutters or storm doors outside your home’s
entryway? If so, give them a good washing. You would be amazed at what a little
elbow grease can do for these areas. It’s quick, easy and affordable — all you
need is a hose, a bucket and some concentrated car wash liquid.
Create a Plan of Attack
The key here is to avoid taking on too much work at once, or spending too
much money. You need to strike a balance of cost versus gain. If you bite off
more than you can chew and create a long list of improvements, you could delay
your ability to show the property. Start small. Using the notes you created
earlier (when standing in front of your house), create a checklist of all the
projects you feel are necessary.
Next, prioritize your projects by level of importance. Organize the list by
things that must be done immediately, things that can wait, things that aren’t a
big deal, etc. That way, if you run out of money or time, you’ll have the most
important items out of the way first. And remember to start with the lawn!
Making the grass greener is a gradual process, so start that right away.
Conclusion and Going Forward
Let’s summarize some key points. Curb appeal is essential when selling a home
because it gives buyers a good first impression. On the other hand, if they get
a bad first impression when pulling up to the house, they will carry that
negativity into the house with them. This is not something you want.
Do what is necessary to improve your home’s outward appearance, but don’t
take on so much that you postpone the listing / showing of the property. And get
help where you need it, if you’re not handy with a certain project. All of your
efforts will pay off in the end.
© 2009, Cornett Communications.
About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and
publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.
View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com
Should I buy a house now or wait until later? This has always been a common
question among first-time home buyers. But with the uncertainty of our current
economy, this question becomes even more important. In truth, nobody can answer
this question for you. It’s up to you, the home buyer, to decide whether or not
it’s a good time to take the plunge.
Five Good Reasons for Buying Now
Should you buy a house now, or wait until next year? Here are five things to
consider when making this important decision.
- In May 2009, housing starts rose by 17% over April. This surprised many
economists, who were not expecting such an increase. This rise in housing starts
(new construction) indicates rising confidence within the building industry.
This kind of trend usually coincides with housing recovery in general.
- Many economists are saying that the housing market has reached bottom in
many parts of the country. In other cities, prices are still falling but are
expected to reach bottom in the near future. This means that buyers could get
into a home at “rock bottom” prices, and without losing any further value after
the purchase.
- Mortgage rates have been at record lows for several months now, but they are
starting to rise. During the week of June 8, 2009, the average rates on a
30-year fixed mortgage reached their highest point in seven months. Nobody has a
crystal ball, of course, but many economists expect rates to exceed 6% by the
end of this year (they were around 5.3% at the time of this article). Rising
rates are another good reason to buy now instead of later.
- “First-time” home buyers who have not owned a home in the last three years
can still qualify for a tax credit on their purchase, up to $8,000. Currently,
this program is set to expire in December 2009. So it’s yet another reason to
buy a house now, rather than later.
- Prices are still relatively low in most cities across the United States, but
this may soon change. The positive signs mentioned above will be bring more
buyers into the market. This will eventually reduce the huge surplus of homes
for sale, which in turn will drive prices upward once again.
Here’s what it all boils down to. Only you can decide if now is a good time
to buy a house. You need to review your finances and establish a budget, before
you can answer this question with any certainty. But there are plenty of good
reasons to buy a home sooner, rather than later. So give it some serious
consideration!
© 2009, Cornett Communications.
About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and
publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.
View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com
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If you are looking for the best that Port St Lucie has to
offer, then look no further than PGA Village Golf & Country Club.
Located on the East coast of Florida in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast
and St. Lucie West, about 130 miles south of Orlando, 50 miles North of Palm
Beach International Airport and minutes from Hutchinson Island, Jensen Beach,
shopping venues including retail outlets, specialty boutiques, restaurants,
three nearby hospitals, schools, universities and much more!
Whether you are a first-time buyer, relocating or retiring, PGA Village offers
a comfortable quality of life. Named by Golf Digest as one of the "75 Best
Golf Resorts in North America", PGA Village provides 72 holes of
championship golf, a 35 acre state-of-the-art learning center with full-time
PGA professional staff, tennis, fitness and more.
The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club a non-equity private club offering 27 holes
of fantastic golf for all skill levels. The home to a 7,023 yard championship
course designed by George Fazio, as well as a 9 Hole Par 3 Course by Jim Fazio.
The Tennis facility boasts six har-tru lighted courts, with a fully stocked
shop for apparel or repair needs, as well as individual or group instruction.
Sun yourself on a large pool deck and enjoy the Olympic-size heated swimming
pool, which overlooks the driving range, practice course and tennis courts.
This is a delightful way to spend your day at PGA Village. The clubhouse offers
an abundance of social activities with a casually elegant dining experience, a
popular place to meet with friends and neighbors of the community. PGA
memberships range from affordable single and family to a premier golf
membership for extremely active golfers.
The residential real estate market in PGA Village is
currently "Red Hot" with affordable Golf Villa Condominiums starting
at $116,900, Single Family Homes starting at $149,000. Townhomes & Villas
starting at $134,900. The high-end market, at a range between $1.1 and $1.9 million. A new clubhouse includes a state-of-the-art fitness center,
spa, swimming pools, card rooms and tennis. PGA Village is professionally
manned with roving patrol officers 24-hours a day.
The time has come to enjoy the Florida lifestyle and see the paradise that lies
behind the gates of PGA Village Golf & Country Club. Contact our office for
exclusive inventory of all residential homes currently available for sale. Bold
Real Estate Group will provide concierge services including set up of
community tour and area information. Please contact us by email at communityinfo@comcast.net or toll free (888) 502-0136.
We encourage your visit and will be happy to assist you with information and
availability of One and Two bedroom or guest suite Golf Villas located in PGA
Village offering private garages, decks, and screened patios with FREE access
to 6-holes Short Course. Heated swimming pool, picnic & barbecue areas.
Fully equipped kitchens. Two onsite restaurants. Please contact us for current
rates and reservations.
All First-time home buyers who want to take advantage of the
$8,000 federal tax credit needs to move fast! FHA will allow lenders and
government agencies to use the $8,000 federal tax credit, providing the home
buyer with downpayment cash upfront at closing, rather than waiting for the IRS
to mail them a tax credit check. Buyer must close no later than November
30th, 2009 to be eligible.
To view great deals in Port St Lucie, Click Millie's Top Ten Real Estate Deals list. Millie Gil is Vice President/Broker of Bold Real Estate Group servicing buyers nationally & Internationally with exclusive inventory of properties. If you're interested in purchasing foreclosures, short sales or other properties in Florida, contact Millie at (772) 224-1634 or communityinfo@comcast.net
t's a Buyer's Market....Are You
Ready? Click here & view St Lucie West
Listings. Find great investment opportunities from Single Family
Homes, Townhomes and Villas in the low $100's in St. Lucie West. Golf &
Lifestyle Condominiums below $100's in St. Lucie West.
St. Lucie West Bank Owned
Properties:
Please register
here to learn more about buying a bank owned property or search a Florida city
for foreclosed homes already on the market serviced by Bold Real Estate Group
and Team of Florida Agents .
PGA Village (Golf Community) Single Family,
Townhomes, Condominiums
Country
Club Estates (Golf Community) Single Family
Lake
Charles - Single Family
Heatherwood
- Single Family
Kings
Isles (55+) Single Family
The
Cascades (55+) Single Family
Magnolia
Lakes - Single Family
Lake
Forest Point - Single Family
Lake
Forest - Single Family
The
Vineyards - Single Family
Belmont
at St Lucie West (Condominiums)
The
Club at St Lucie West (Condominiums)
Verano
of Florida - Single Family, Villas
Viscaya
Falls - Single Family
For more information about St
Lucie West private communities, contact Bold Real Estate Group at communityinfo@comcast.net or (772)
905-8173.
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Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con su
compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional. Nuestro
equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la
negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o
comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma
de decisión de compra en el Mercado estado unídense.
Nuestro compromiso
es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar
o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como
logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor
selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla
con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su disposición y siguiendo
cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso. Para mas
información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo
electronico communityinfo@comcast.net
www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com is your one-stop source for residential and commercial
real estate. Our site makes your search for Florida Real Estate very easy. The
site includes all St Lucie MLS Listings in a searchable online database.
Find
"Florida Bargains" Here 24-hours a day, 7 days a
week!
St Lucie County: Corporate Owned Real
Estate, Short Sale Real
Estate, Bank Owned Real
Estate, Port St Lucie Real
Estate, Hutchinson Island Real
Estate, Fort Pierce Real
Estate, St Lucie West Real
Estate
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Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con su
compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional. Nuestro
equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la
negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o
comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma
de decisión de compra en el Mercado estado unídense.
Nuestro compromiso
es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar
o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como
logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor
selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla
con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su disposición y siguiendo
cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso. Para mas
información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo
electronico communityinfo@comcast.net
It's
a Buyer's Market....Are You Ready? Click here &
view listings in the Town of Tradition. Featuring Single Family Homes, Luxury Villas,
Condominiums in the low $100's. Search Exclusive inventory for Lakes at
Tradition, Bedford Park at Tradition, The Estates at Tradition, Victoria Parc at
Tradition, Heritage Oaks at Tradition, Town Parc at Tradition. Contact Bold Real
Estate Group to schedule a tour of the town of Tradition
in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (772) 905-8173 or communityinfo@comcast.net Preview homes at
www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com
Click
& View Bank Owned
properties or contact Bold Real
Estate Group at communityinfo@comcast.net or (772)
905-8173.
Se
Habla
Español
Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con su
compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional. Nuestro
equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la
negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o
comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma
de decisión de compra en el Mercado estado unídense.
Nuestro compromiso
es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar
o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como
logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor
selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla
con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su disposición y siguiendo
cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso. Para mas
información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo
electronico communityinfo@comcast.net
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Worth, Lakeland, Lakewood Ranch, Land O Lakes, Largo, Lecanto, Leesburg, Lehigh
Acres, Lighthouse
Point, Lithia, Longboat Key, Longwood, Loxahatchee, Lutz, Macclenny,
Madeira Beach, Maitland, Marathon, Marco
Island, Marianna, Margate,
Mary Esther, Melbourne,
Melbourne
Beach, Melrose,
Merritt
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Ormond
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Palm
Bay, Palm
Beach, Palm
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City, Palm
Coast, Palm Harbor, Panama City, Panacea, Panama City Beach, Parkland,
Parrish, Pembroke
Pines, Pensacola, Pinecrest, Plant City, Plantation,
Pompano
Beach, Ponte
Vedra Beach, Port
Charlotte, Port Orange,
Port Richey, Port St Joe, Port
St Lucie, Punta Gorda,
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Palm Beach, Safety
Harbor, Saint
Augustine, Saint
Augustine Beach, Saint
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Point, Sewalls
Point, Saint
Lucie West, Sarasota,
San
Mateo, Satellite
Beach, Satsuma,
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Ranches, Spring Hill,
St Cloud, Starke,
Stuart,
Surfside,
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Trinity, Valrico, Venice,
Vero
Beach, Wellington,
West
Melbourne, West
Palm Beach, Weston,
Westport, Wiehl, Wilton
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Winter Park, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills, Yulee.
Florida North East City &
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City Search, Treasure Coast MLS
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Search, Palm Beach MLS
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Search,
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River MLS Search
Click City & View exclusive inventory
of Florida
properties for sale serviced by our Team of Florida Agents. Alachua, Altamonte Springs, Amelia Island, Apollo Beach, Astor, Atlantic Beach, Aventura,
Avon Park, Baldwin, Bal
Harbour, Belleair
Bluffs, Big Pine Key,
Boca
Raton, Bokeelia, Bonifay, Bonita Springs, Boynton
Beach, Bradenton,
Brandon, Bronson, Brooksville,
Bunnell, Bryceville,
Callahan,
Cape Canaveral, Cape
Coral, Captiva,
Casselberry, Celebration, Charlotte Harbor, Chiefland, Chipley, Clearwater,
Clearwater
Beach, Clermont,
Cocoa,
Cocoa
Beach, Coconut
Creek, Coconut
Grove, Cooper
City, Coral
Gables, Coral
Springs, Crawfordville,
Crescent
City, Crestview, Cross
Key, Crystal River, Dania,
Davenport, Davie,
Daytona
Beach, Daytona
Beach Shores, Doral,
DeBary, Deerfield
Beach, DeFuniak
Springs, DeLand, Delray
Beach, Deltona, Destin, Doctors
Inlet, Dunnellon, Edgewater, Elkton,
Englewood, East
Palatka, Estero, Eustis, Fanning Springs, Florahome,
Flagler
Beach, Fernandina
Beach, Fisher
Island, Fort
Pierce, Fort Walton
Beach, Fort
Lauderdale, Fort
Myers, Fort
Myers Beach, Gainesville,
Georgetown, Glen
Saint Mary, Graceville,
Green
Cove Springs, Greenacres,
Gulf
Stream, Gulf Breeze, Hastings, Hallandale
Beach, Haverhill,
Heathrow, Hernando Beach, Hilliard,
Hialeah,
Highland
Beach, Holiday, Holly Hill, Hollywood,
Hillsboro
Beach, Hobe
Sound, Holmes Beach, Homestead,
Homosassa, Hutchinson
Island, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian
Shores, Interlachen,
Indiantown,
Inverness, Islamorada, Jacksonville,
Jacksonville Beach, Jensen
Beach, Juno
Beach, Jupiter,
Kenansville, Keystone
Heights, Key Biscayne,
Key Largo, Key West, Kissimmee, Lady Lake, Lady Lake City, Lake Mary, Lake Panasoffkee, Lake Park, Lake Placid, Lake
Worth, Lakeland, Lakewood Ranch, Land O Lakes, Largo, Lecanto, Leesburg, Lehigh
Acres, Lighthouse
Point, Lithia, Longboat Key, Longwood, Loxahatchee, Lutz, Macclenny,
Madeira Beach, Maitland, Marathon, Marco
Island, Marianna, Margate,
Mary Esther, Melbourne,
Melbourne
Beach, Melrose,
Merritt
Island, Mexico Beach,
Miami,
Miami
Beach, Miami Lakes, Miami
Shores, Micco,
Middleburg,
Milton, Minneola, Miramar,
Miramar Beach, Monticello, Mount Dora, North
Miami Beach, Naples,
Navarre, Neptune
Beach, New Port Richey,
New
Smyrna Beach, Niceville, Nokomis, North
Palm Beach, Oakland
Park, Oakland, Ocala,
Ochlockonee Bay, Ocoee, Olustee,
Orange City, Orange
Park, Orlando,
Ormond
Beach, Osprey, Oviedo, Pace, Palatka,
Palm
Bay, Palm
Beach, Palm
Beach Gardens, Palm
City, Palm
Coast, Palm Harbor, Panama City, Panacea, Panama City Beach, Parkland,
Parrish, Pembroke
Pines, Pensacola, Pinecrest, Plant City, Plantation,
Pompano
Beach, Ponte
Vedra Beach, Port
Charlotte, Port Orange,
Port Richey, Port St Joe, Port
St Lucie, Punta Gorda,
Redington Beach, Rockledge, Royal
Palm Beach, Safety
Harbor, Saint
Augustine, Saint
Augustine Beach, Saint
Petersburg, Sanford, Sanibel, Sanibel Island, Santa Rosa Beach, Sailfish
Point, Sewalls
Point, Saint
Lucie West, Sarasota,
San
Mateo, Satellite
Beach, Satsuma,
Savannah, Seagrove Beach, Sebastian,
Sebring, Seminole, Shalimar, Singer
Island, Southwest
Ranches, Spring Hill,
St Cloud, Starke,
Stuart,
Surfside,
Summerland Key, Sun City Center, Sunny
Isles, Sunny
Isles Beach, Sunrise,
Tallahassee, Tamarac,
Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Tavares, Tavernier, Tequesta,
Tistusville,
Trinity, Valrico, Venice,
Vero
Beach, Wellington,
West
Melbourne, West
Palm Beach, Weston,
Westport, Wiehl, Wilton
Manors, Winter Haven,
Winter Park, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills, Yulee.
Florida North East City &
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City Search, Treasure Coast MLS
Search, Palm Beach City
Search, Palm Beach MLS
Search, Indian River City
Search,
Indian
River MLS Search
Se
Habla
Español
Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con
su compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional. Nuestro
equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la
negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o
comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma
de decisión de compra en el Mercado estado unídense.
Nuestro compromiso
es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar
o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como
logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor
selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla
con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su disposición y siguiendo
cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso. Para mas
información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo
electronico communityinfo@comcast.net