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First Time Home Buyers are Avoiding Fixer Uppers!!!!!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 NMLS ID# 158606

The New standard for first-time buyers is Move-in ready! First- time buyers are no longer looking for fixer-uppers.

While the idea of a starter home has traditionally meant that a property may need a bit of work, a recent survey from Coldwell Banker finds that most first-time buyers aren't looking for those kinds of properties any more. According to the poll, 87 percent of recent first-time buyers said finding a move-in ready home was important to them. In addition, roughly 75 percent said that being close to both their work and other services was a priority, while nearly two-thirds cited schools as a concern.

"There's a real 'a-ha' moment for sellers revealed by this survey that the condition and quality of their home matters a great deal to first-time homebuyers," said Diann Patton, consumer real estate specialist for Coldwell Banker.  First-time buyers were also able to take advantage of current conditions, with low home prices and favorable mortgage rates. Sixty-one percent said they were able to get a better price than they expected, and half said they ended up in a better neighborhood than they expected.  Catering to first-time buyers remains important, as they make up a significant share of the market. According to the National Association of Realtors, first-time buyers accounted for 33 percent of existing-home sales in December of 2010.

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Comments(14)

Nancy Pav
Century 21 Redwood Realty - Ashburn, VA
Nancy Pav, Your "GottaHave" Realtor

That's good info.  Most 1st time buyers shouldn't buy a fixer-upper anyway.  They often don't realize exactly what they're getting into in terms of cost and time.

Aug 27, 2011 09:56 AM
Amy Robinson
London Pierce Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Realtor, Scottsdale Arizona Homes For Sale

Hi Larry,  I find a lot of homeowners just dont have the extra cash.  The FHA 203ks renevation loan is sure nice for those homeowners not wanting to come out of pocket. Thanks!

Aug 27, 2011 09:59 AM
Gina Tufano
Ask Gina & Company with Pearson Smith Realty - Sterling, VA
Ask Gina & Company, Northern Virginia Real Estate

We are finding similar here in Loudoun County!

Aug 27, 2011 10:00 AM
Kathleen Vetrano
RE/MAX Gateway - Falls Church, VA
Helping YOU Achieve YOUR Dreams

Larry,   I am also hearing this.  I believe they realize that fixer-upper means out of pocket money from pay checks. 

Aug 27, 2011 10:05 AM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

There are so many good houses on the market at low prices, buyers can get quality AND price.

Aug 27, 2011 10:10 AM
Rosalie Evans
Meritus Group Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD
The Evans Group, Sioux Falls, SD Homes For Sale

Fixer uppers generally cost more then you expect to fix and take longer then you think to fix as well! With all of this trouble you would think that they would be cheaper but that is not always the case. With a move in ready house there is no variables and you know what you are getting into and that it is not going to be a money pit! So I think this is not the worst bit of news!

Aug 27, 2011 10:33 AM
Lori Bowers
La Quinta, CA
The Lori Bowers Group

I was just with some first time buyers today and spent alot of time educating them on buying a new home vs. distressed property. The new homes usually do cost less in the long run.

Aug 27, 2011 10:41 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Nancy....good words.

Amy...I love the 203Ks.  They're awesome...but real fixer uppers...they're coming lean to the table as it is!

Gina...case and point!

Kathleen...it really does!

Dave...I agree.

Rosalie....That's my biggest beef...they do cost a lot more than people think.  A lot more.  When they come in to the closing table very lean....how can they afford to do it any better?

Aug 27, 2011 10:42 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

In Maryland, many first time buyers are buying fix-up properties. They use FHA 203(k) financing to be able to include the cost of repairs and renovation in the mortgage. 

When buyers have agents that do not explain the advantages of the FHA 203(k) program, the buyers do not know about it any walk away from some of the best purchase opportunities. The problem is with the agents, not the buyers.

 Life is good!

Aug 27, 2011 11:05 AM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

With plenty of inventory, buyers CAN find move-in ready for a reasonable price!  Great for buyers.  Sellers have to play their A game!

Aug 27, 2011 11:05 AM
Linda Urbick
RealtyOne Group - San Ramon, CA
Selling San Ramon Valley - 925-786-5132

As mentioned most first time buyers don't have the money or the time to put into renovating a home. Unless the property is a really good deal price wise it doesn't make sense when they can buy one already fixed.

Aug 27, 2011 02:24 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

Larry, I showed one of my short sale listings to a first time home buyer this week.  He said, “I am a first time home buyer and I do not have the skills to make repairs or the money to hire someone.”  It was a reality check for him given his price point.  He won’t find a perfect turnkey home in his price range. Most just don't want to get involved with any type of fixing!

 

Aug 28, 2011 05:40 AM
Jon Quist
REALTY EXECUTIVES ARIZONA TERRITORY - Tucson, AZ
Tucson's BUYERS ONLY Realtor since 1996

Can't blame them, really. They are about to make a major move, physically and mentally. They don't want to do much else than get into their new home.

Aug 28, 2011 04:41 PM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Larry: Thanks for sharing. I heard that too although there are some extraordinary buys of distressed property out here that need to be fixed. Thanks for the post!

Aug 31, 2011 10:57 AM