Dave Sutton

What it "'really means" is that you've made a chart from some fairly broad historical statistical data and want to use it to forecast the future. We all want to believe (in whatever endeavor) that the past is a predictor of the future -- that a stock that's going up will continue to go up. Here's a radical concept for you - "buy low, sell high". As I write this, GM stock is $3.18/share. If you believe their future is brighter than their recent past, whether by government bail-out, working through a bankruptcy, or for whatever reason, you should buy now.
If it goes to, say $2.18 have you "lost" money? Only if you sell at that price. Did you buy at the absolute bottom? In this example, no.
So, too, for the housing market. If you're intending to flip a house at a tidy profit, that's an uphill battle at any price in today's market. If you're going to live in it for five or more years, of what consequence is it that you didn't buy at the absolute bottom of the market? You'd be able to moan about the fact that if you'd waited, you might have been able to buy at a lower price, hence you would have made more when you sell.
I'd submit that is only one part of a calculation on buying. You also need to consider the benefits of buying - lower commute times, better schools for your kids, that extra bedroom for the new baby, and I could go on.
So use your data as one factor in your buying decision, not the whole criteria, and be aware that past performance is no predictor of future price performance. - Yesterday, 04:57

You are right that certain cultures do not want to buy a home in which someone has died. The only way that affects resale is by (slightly) reducing the number of potential buyers. It should not affect the price. In addition,
the seller's obligation to disclose a death in the home to a buyer only covers the previous three years. So if the sale is more than three years after the purchase, there should be no effect. - Wed Nov 12 2008, 01:01

Contact Carol, the listing agent. She will have that answer right away

Office Phone: (805)934-1000
Cell Phone: (805)878-1982
Fax: (805)361-9429
Email: carol@carolsiri.com - Tue Nov 11 2008, 17:06

At the risk of beating the proverbial dead horse, a new home warranty provided by the builder, especially a 10-year one, may not be worth that much. Will the builder still be in business 10 years from now? Five? How long will it take to actually get something fixed by the builder? I know of people who've had to wait months to get problems fixed.
On the other hand, a seller will provide a 1-year home warranty from an independent company who will send their own contracted tradespeople, and promptly. Then for a few hundred dollars a buyer can renew for a second year or more (personally I just yesterday renewed for my fourth).
The bottom line here is you shouldn't buy a new home thinking it's perfect. You're much more likely to know what's wrong with a resale (from the professional home inspection), and maybe get seller credit for much of it besides. - Tue Nov 11 2008, 16:45

You might be surprised at the concessions or extras you can get from any builder/developer in today's market. Before you visit a builder's models, find a Realtor to be on your side. Buying from a builder's captive agent is like inviting a fox in to your hen house. In order for a Realtor to get paid by the builder, you must go with the Realtor for your first visit so both can register together.
You need a Realtor on your side, whether you're talking about new construction or existing homes. (Personally I prefer existing homes because new homes - from any builder - come with a number of problems you don't want to deal with. An existing home has ironed out all those issues. - Tue Nov 11 2008, 13:04

I'm willing to work with a mortgage banker who will be happy to work with your VA Home Loan certificate. I just need to know the address of the home you're considering. (Even though you've looked at the listing, it doesn't automatically attach to your question) - Mon Nov 10 2008, 23:49