We are going through an incredible time for those who want to invest in Real Estate. The mortgage interest rates have continued to stay very, very low (approx 4.875% on a 30 Yr fixed mortgage). Buying properties at the discounted values for homes today, coupled with awesome interest rates, offers an opportunity to buy properties that cash flow now and can be an excellent investment for the future.

Kale Hassan

Coldwell Banker Burnet-Shoreview / North Oaks Office

651-486-4860

www.kalehassan.com

On 12/16/08 the 30 year fixed conventional intererst rate was hovering around 4.875%! The Fed lowered short term interest rates (the rate that banks charge one another) again in the afternoon. We may see even lower mortgage interest rates. With interest rates this low, as well as a large supply of homes, those in a position to buy a home (or investment property) should buy, buy, buy!

Kale Hassan

Coldwell Banker Burnet

651-486-4860

www.kalehassan.com

1-Buyers looking now are more serious

2-Less competition

3-Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays

4-Buyers are more emotional and buying a home is an emotional purchase

5-Many buyers have more time off and are able to look at homes

6-Many buyers want to buy before the end of the year for tax purposes

7-January is the No. 1 month for relocation

8-Sellers can have the home on the market, but don't have to show it during family gatherings

9-Often times a seller can sell now and extend closing

Kale Hassan, CRS

651-486-4860

www.kalehassan.com

There are quite a few properties being marketed as short sale properties. For those that are not familiar, short sales are when a seller of a property owes more than the house can sell for. Once an offer is received it is then submitted to the bank along with other documents to see if the bank will accept it. It typically works out better for a seller regarding their credit. For buyers of short sale properties:A buyer will have to be quite patient with the response time as there are certain procedures that have to take place.

Kale Hassan, CRS

Coldwell Banker Burnet

www.kalehassan.com

651-486-4860

The question occasionally comes up lately:

A home is typically bought for usage and enjoyment of a person or family...but is it a good investment? Most investment experts believe yes...even in an environment where there may be some depreciation. The majority of homes are held long term. Over the long term, the values have gone up tremendously. Not only does one get to enjoy a home and all it's memories, but mortgage interest can be tax deductible and the value over the long term is usually excellent and offers a great deal of equity build up.

Kale Hassan

Coldwell Banker Burnet

Shoreview/North Oaks Ofiice

651-486-4860

www.kalehassan.com

A question that frequently comes up this time of year is: Should I keep my home on the market during the holiday season. There are many good reasons to keep it on the market, and here are a few:

-The buyers that are looking are usually quite serious

-There is less competition

-Relocation occurs most often at the end of the year and very beginning of the year

-The buyers tend to purchase on a higher emotional level during the Holidays

-Many sellers will wait until Spring and you run the risk of being lost in the Spring surge

Kale Hassan

Coldwell Banker Burnet

Shoreview/North Oaks Office

651-486-4860    www.kalehassan.com

Some of the largest banks are taking steps to get the credit situation back on track

Note: J.P. Morgan Chase (acquired Washington Mutual) Bank of America (acquired Countrywide) FDIC (acquired IndyMac Corp) & Wells Fargo (acquired Wachovia) have already agreed to participate in the massive effort to save mortgages.  These four players have acquired a large number of Option ARM mortgages with the negative am. feature. This should eleviate banks from many foreclosures and help stabilize the mortgage/credit situation.

Kale Hassan

Coldwell Banker Burnet

Shoreview/North Oaks Office

651-486-4860

www.kalehassan.com

It is known that the majority of people sell assets when they are dropping/dropped price out of fear of further drops. It is also known that most of the wealthy people buy assets such as homes when the prices have dropped. It takes more courage, but much wealth is built in times like these.

Kale Hassan, Realtor

Coldwell Banker Burnet

651-486-4860

www.kalehassan.com

With all that's going on in the economy, the interest rates on mortgages remain excellent (around 6% on a 30 year fixed loan). The combination of great rates and plenty of great deals on homes has increased pending sales tremendously. Many who want/need a home or want to invest are using this opportunity to do so.

Kale Hassan

Coldwell banker Burnet

www.kalehassan.com

651-486-4860

As everyone knows, the US Economy is influenced greatly by the housing market. Many areas of the country, including Minnesota are seeing signs of strengthening. With prices as low as they are along with the large inventory of homes is making many ask themselves "will I ever see an opportunity to buy a house like we're seeing now?" Times like these are when the savvy buyers buy.

Kale Hassan

Coldwell Banker Burnet

651-486-4860

www.kalehassan.com