5 Myths about Today's Real Estate Market

Today's Real Estate Market not only inspires questions from both home buyers and sellers, but seemingly everyone who is concerned with today's economy. Yesterday for instance when i headed to lunch, the conversation always seems to drift towards peppering me with questions about the Real Estate market in and around Manchester NH. People want to know if short sales, foreclosures and bank owned homes are taking over the market.

I get quoted with so many news stories from print and television that are exaggerated or just plain wrong that it inspired this blog. 

 
 
THE TOP 5 MYTHS ABOUT TODAY'S REAL ESTATE MARKET

1. THE BANKS ARE NOT LOANING MONEY. It is not entirely true, banks are indeed loaning money. The majority of the mortgages are FHA loans which do have higher standards than a conventional loan but offer many advantages such as only 3.5% down and the seller can pay the closing costs.

2. I AM GOING TO WAIT TO BUY BECAUSE PRICES ARE STILL IN FREE FALL. This is not entirely true as well, a lot of area's have stabilized and some have even started to increase in value ever so slightly. This is a state by state question though. Some areas are still experiencing a decline, however there are just as many that have come up from their lowest points such as here in NH.

3. SHORT SALES ARE TOO DIFFICULT TO USE TO BUY OR SELL A HOME WITH. This is one of the largest myths. Everyone hears the horror stories about short sales taking 6 months to a year but no one hears about the short sale that only took 3 weeks for me to get approval and 4 1/2 weeks to close. The truth is a short sale only goes as well as the listing agent is expereinced in the listing, negotiating and selling of short sales. Banks are easier to work with these days, they are receptive to short sales. The banks however have no tolerance for incomplete short sale packages or agents who price homes way below market value to attract more buyers. Choosing a local agent who is well experienced can assist a home owner to sell if they owe more than the house is worth or if they are behind in their mortgages. They can also help buyers who have some time and patience to get a great deal.

4. BUYING A BANK OWNED HOME IS TOO RISKY. Purchasing a bank owned home opens up huge potential to get a larger home at an incredible price. A buyer can limit their risk by using a buyer broker who is experienced with bank owned homes to guide them. Not all bank owned homes may be right for every buyer. Some may need to much work and are only great buys for cash buyer. Some banks will repair the major items and you can get a bank owned home that is ready to move in and still be able tio get it at a great price.

5. YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY A HOME AGAIN - THE AMERICAN DREAM IS DEAD. I hear so many stories of how home prices will never increase again, that the dream of being a home owner is dead. I hate to be the bearer of bad news for the doom and gloomers but this is not our first recession. Prices often go up during boom years to fall during the slow down and rise again. The most common buyer of a home right now is a young couple who are buying their first home. The second most common buyer is an older home owner who owes little to nothing, they can sell their home and move to what they consider their retirement home.

The common thread is that a house is not an ATM to be used to withdraw the equity that is supposed to protect your family for the future. The older segment of the population grew up with the dream of buying a home, paying your mortgage and saving whats left for their family to live a better life. If you have the American dream of buying a home, that opportunity is alive an well. Interest rates are at all time lows for the last decade. Prices are affordable. Inventory is down (NH markets are seeing 30% less homes for sale right now in some areas). Everyone should ask their parents how many wished they bought a house at the prices when they were your age. In 1-2 years in most area's, everyone will be saying why didnt i buy when prices were so low?    


A buyer needs every advantage they can so they can make an informed decision whether now is indeed the right time to buy for them.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in New Hamhpshire, please call us first. We strive to provide the best in personal and professional service through each step of the buying and selling process.  

We offer * FREE *  BUYER REPRESENTANTION - ask us how we can help you buy a home here in New Hampshire. (*please contact us for details and conditions*)

PLEASE SEE SOME OF MY MOST POPULAR BLOGS

1. TOP 5 TIPS For Buying a Bank Owned Home
2. TIPS AND ADVICE For buying a Short Sale
3. Should a Buyer Use more than 1 Agent to help then buy a home?
4. Can I Purchase a home that is in FORECLOSURE?
5. Are Buyers waging WAR on SELLERS?
6. Do you owe more than your house is worth?
7. Can a Listing Agent submit an offer to a Seller that is "TOO LOW?'
8. THE TOP 5 MYTHS about Todays; REAL ESTATE MARKET
9. THE TOP 5 WAYS to know if "NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME."
10. THE "SECRETS" to getting a SHORT SALE approved