Are you ready to buy but still unsure if now is the right time? Are you confident you can time the market to ensure you receive the absolutely lowest price?
The problem with waiting to buy in an effort to time the market is Sellers are monitoring the same information you are. When the market starts to shift they may be less cooperative. Fortunately, there are additional ways to determine if now is the best time to buy for your personal situation.
Specific opportunities this current market offers first-time home buyers to purchase includes: low home prices, in some areas up to 50% less than prior years; low fixed interest rates for your home and investment; the government is giving an $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit or down payment, that does not need to be re-paid; and finally, FHA loans are available that will allow you to put as little as 3.5% down. This down payment can be gifted to you by a relative and does not have to be seasoned.
While there are multiple reasons to buy now, as with all markets, there are also challenges you need to consider: with purchase prices under $200,000, there is competition with other first-time home buyers and investors; lenders are continually changing and tightening guidelines; and banks are now controlling most of the timelines for purchases with REO (Real Estate Owned) and Short Sales, with these types of processes potentially taking up to 6 months when multiple offers are included.
My ultimate goal is to be your personal resource for all aspects of your real estate needs. I look forward to not only identifying the perfect property for your first home, but to also provide you with the knowledge and guidance to dissect all the components that make up the complex real estate industry, so you can make a clear and informed decision that best suits you. If you are in need, I also have trusted colleagues I can recommend for you to get pre-approved for a home loan, discuss life insurance options and much more.