To Buy or Not to Buy?
This time of year there is so much to do. The list seems to go on forever and next year we will have to start in January just to be able to get things done. But could you possibly fit in one more item on that long list? A decision that may affect you way after the holidays have passed is – Is it time to buy a house? What, you say to yourself. How could you ever think of something like that at a time like this?
Let’s consider the following: Sellers who are willing to list their home during the busiest time of the year are the sellers that really need to sell their home. Buyers can take advantage of this rush, whether it is as an investment property or a new place to call home. It sounds like a no-brainer. Sellers want as many offers as possible, as fast as possible and they are ready to negotiate.
There are still strategies you can use to obtain your dream home. If you do not find a home that fits you, you may be able to tap into homes that do not have a for sale sign in their front yard. First find a creative real estate agent to help you find the home of your dreams. Ask your agent to look up expired real estate. Your agent will be able to research the current status of the home and why the listing expired. On the opposite end, ask your professional to check and see if there are any homes coming soon onto the market. Your agent should have a network of other real estate professionals and brokers to get this information to you. Ask your agent to send out letters to your desired neighborhoods stating that you are in the market to purchase a home, and ask if they are interested in selling!
If the timing for you is NOW, don’t let the lack of inventory keep you from looking. Make sure you are hiring the right Realtor. Realtors are not magicians. They can’t make what is not currently available, become available. But a good Realtor will be able to find what is not currently available and see about making it available.
Why is now the right timing for a purchase? Many personal factors come into play so I’ll let you answer those questions. One really good reason why now is a good time, is because rates are still really low. A home owner can still lock in a 30 year fixed rate mortgage for around 4%. The rates have been low for quite some time and I think many anticipate rates will remain low in effort to keep the economy from collapsing. If the rates start to hike up, the amount of home you can afford will decrease.
As everyone’s situation is different, it’s extremely important for anybody looking to make a real estate decision, to consult with several professionals. A Realtor being one of those professionals. Explain your situation, your goals and your estimated plans for the next several years. Your hired professionals will provide market information that will allow you to decide if it is time to buy or not to buy.
Scott Bird, Realtor The Bird Team
