Real estate is cyclical, I think that any of us who have been around the block a few times realize that. I'm fortunate enough to work in the very boring and oh-so-unsexy market in and around Charlotte NC. We never bubbled, heck, we didn't even hiccup! Which is great-it means that we're not experiencing the turmoil of so many other markets.
I have a pretty well-balanced business. I work with folks who want to invest in properties in Charlotte NC, both single family and multi-family. I work with first time buyers. I work with move-up buyers. I work with downsizing buyers. I work with half-backs. I work with estate sales. Hmmm....I really am available cradle to grave... And of course, I work with the sellers on the other sides of each kind of transaction (as evidenced by the fact that I've represented everything from a $15,000 piece of dirt to homes well over the $1mm mark-no price range snobbery here!).
But I digress.
Our database is full of buyers, many of whom are understandably nervous about making a purchase decision currently. 
They're watching the silly liberal news media hawking fear, they're hearing about declining prices, they're hearing about rate cuts (and totally misunderstanding what it means to them), they're hearing about builders offering crazy incentives. And it paralyzes the folks who are very emotional about the place they call home.
Investors are a different breed. They're not prone to this kind of paralysis (analysis paralysis maybe, but that's a topic for another time!). Rather, investors are seeking strong fundamentals. Like positive in-migration, low unemployment, new job growth, increasing prices, low rental vacancy rates, low cost of living, etc.
Charlotte NC and our surrounding towns have all of the above. Take into account that the interest rate environment is also very favorable to investors as well as folks who want a primary residence, and it's a great time to buy. I mean, everyone with the inclination should be looking into investing right now, when you can do a no-doc loan with 10% down at 6.5% (I'm not a lender, now, I got this information from one of my trusted folks). Sheesh! That's a very nice arbitrage situation.
Now let's take the overall picture into account. If investors are moving their money here, seeing a very positive opportunity, then why are primary residence folks waiting? If you wait, prices will continue to move upward. Interest rates have held steady for months now-and that may not last forever.
And remember a very true fact about purchasing real estate-for whatever purpose-in 10 years or 20 years, you will be glad that you made the leap at this time. Buy low, sell high, yes?
As always, if you have questions about real estate in or around Charlotte NC, how to invest in real estate, how to purchase a home, how to sell that house, just call or email Leigh Brown. I'm always glad to help!
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