OMG - He's embarrased to be a Realtor! Then find another job - you seem like a very negative person.
Think Zen...
To clarify MY answer. It is soley based upon what I am hearing from my "prospective buyers". Not the commericals on TV.
#1 THEY know it's great time to buy. I don't have to "sell" them on anything. They are educated on what is going on in the markets, stock and real estate and were waiting on the election results. And now, in my follow up with them, they feel confident and plan to move forward in the next 1-2 mos.
#2 interest rates are LOW! Come on, 6% - PLEASE, this is a DEAL !
#3 Homes are still getting within 3-5% of asking price in our market BUT the asking prices have been adjusted from last years prices.
#4 $7,500 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT.
I am not here to argue, just posting the facts from my immediate market in Westchester, IL a Suburb 20 min. west of Chicago :)
Happy House Hunting! - Yesterday, 15:07
OMG! I don't believe that people are still asking this question!
This is the BEST TIME TO BUY PEOPLE !!! - Sun Nov 16 2008, 19:09
Got it! Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you ! - Tue Jun 24 2008, 13:36
How Do I remove myself FROM THIS MADNESS!! I keep getting emails! - Tue Jun 24 2008, 13:22
ARE YOU STILL going in circles? I see that no headway was made since my last post. You guys have way too much time on your hands.
The fact is, there will always be buyers and there will always be sellers.
Time to move on. - Sun Jun 15 2008, 17:51
I dont need to pay for data when I can can pull it myself from MLS...specific to my markets. And I talk to local Realtors and people in different markets.
It's a fresher approach and much better than data mining. - Wed Jun 11 2008, 09:37
What market is losing 2.5% a month!!!!
I dont believe that...where? - Wed Jun 11 2008, 08:41
However, Zack, you get write offs ROI, tax deductions for the expenses & interest. How can you say that a person is better off renting? I am talking specific to local markets not Las Vegas or Florida.
Our market has improved and is not stagnant and I am hearing this from many in different LOCAL markets.
Buyers are making their moves now more than before and I think it has more to do with creeping
of interest rates lately than anything.
IT will always be better to own than rent, even if it s a small condo - IT'S YOURS! - Wed Jun 11 2008, 08:32
I say just rent and don't fret Nick! - Wed Jun 11 2008, 07:19
Depends on what market you are looking to buy. The current trend in Brookfield, Illinois actually showed an increase in sales and up 2% from 93% to 95% of asking price since January.
Data and trends are specific to each market...you will not get accurate figures from national averages. - Tue Jun 10 2008, 15:48
No point missed.
We are at the point of leveling off now. - Tue Jun 10 2008, 14:37
Past trends show if you plan on keeping a home for at least 5 - 8 years, you will not lose. Or wait, paying the Landlord is a better option...
How about the recent interest rate increase from 5.87% to 6.18% ? Any comments?.
Why not you become your own Landlord and pay yourself!
It's all a state of mind... - Tue Jun 10 2008, 13:52
Can't we all just get along.... :) - Mon May 19 2008, 14:06
No one really knows when the home prices will stop dropping. Forecasters say it will level off sometime by this summer others say next year (2009). Some good indicators are past trends, but even that is not 100%.
If you must sell your house, put it up for fair price, clean it up, declutter, stage it right (with what you have or little investment) and it will sell.
Selling now, yes, you may get a better price than later.
There are still buyers out there that need to move or relocate for whatever reason be it schools, job, etc.
The world is not coming to an end. - Fri May 16 2008, 13:10
Every market is different and some Chicago suburbs & neighborhoods are still thriving through everything albeit at lower values. But forecasters are looking at historical trends and predict that the housing market will stablize this summer. The thing that people don't want to understand is that it takes work to find great deals (with instant equity in a great location) so even if the market continues to slow you cannot lose. And another great thing is that INTEREST rates are at 5.8%.
Why wouldn't someone take advantage of that? - Tue May 13 2008, 16:00