Let me ask you this.....How much are you paying for rent? How much of a tax break are you getting? How much in taxes do you owe each year?

What would be the advantage of you owning a home at this time?

Are you happy renting?

Do you like yard work?

Do you  have money to spend on unexpected repairs?

Does your job appear stable?

Do you plan on living in your home for at least 5 yrs?

Are you looking to buy , fix and flip?

Without reading the media, listening to family and friends, do you dream of owning a home? Is it  a passion to have your own place with yard to do with as you wish?

Do you see owning a home as an investment?

Do you see owning a home as status quo?

These may all appear to be interesting questions.......your answers will actually determine whether owning a home and proceeding to purchase a home in today's market is right for you.

In the past years most buyers approached home purchase on emotions.......they listened to the media and hype and was told if you do not take the plunge and buy now you may never own a home in California...

It became a status quo.......for some it  became a devil in disquise as they approached the home buying as a gamble.......I can remember report after report of overbids for homes not because the buyer particularly liked that home, but because it became a situation where they did not want to lose , kinda of like a gambling addiction.

I remember speaking with clients who could afford a better home with less expense  about their insisting on  placing an offer on a major fixer when there was several bids but they just had to have that home...

The bottom line is this, no matter what  the market is doing, someone will always be selling and someone will always be buying. That brings us back to Should I or Should I not buy into todays market?

• Have you been pre approved (not pre qualified) and believe me there is a difference ,for a home loan?
• Are you looking for a long term investment
• Are you able to pay for unknown and unexpected repairs as needed
• Do you enjoy yardwork and/or do you have the money to hire a gardening service?
• Are you looking for a tax break?
• Are you tired of sharing walls?
• Are there  homes available in the neighborhood and school districts you desire?
• Does your job appear stable?

What I am trying to do is to get you to look at your own dreams and desires and not those around you NOR to buy and/or stay out of the market due to panic.

If it is your hearts desire to purchase and you have the ability to do so then by all means today is a good day to purchase a home.

By playing it smart, having great representation in both a Realtor and a mortgage Broker or Lender, writing down ahead of time your specific wants and needs in a home and staying true to that list you can find some great deals and homes that will bring lasting investment , security and joy to you and your family.

If you were to truly do a survey for those who are in a mortgage crisis today you will find that a great majority bought out of fear and in panic of never being able to purchase a home due to the media hype at that time as home prices kept escalating.

Many of the others were duped into sub prime loans that were designed to fail.....

Their decision was not based on long term investment or business sense.

 I cannot stress enough to find a reputable Mortgage Broker and Lender........There are still sharks circling in this market promising the world encouraging their clients to commit mortgage fraud in various ways. If is sounds too good to be true it is! If you are told to bring in a family member or friend and to open a bank account with that family or friends money with your name on it until escrow closes in order to qualify for a loan, then close that account out after 3 months so your friend or family member's money is not tied you-you have participated in mortgage fraud.....If your loan is based on your salary by a reputable bank is $500000 and your agent and/or broker is trying to get you into a higher priced home by lying about your assets you are setting yourself up for a fall and possible disaster........If anything your agent should be working to find you the best home with the best terms BELOW your top limit.......If you know you will be getting a raise and will be comfortable affording the top limit of your loan approval that is a different story. Just don't LIE about your assets.

As soon as someone tells you need at least $40,000 or more temporarily put into an account with your name you should run, not walk out that front door...........

Please do not be taken in by these no cost , no fees loan and/or rebates back to you..........trust me you will get nabbed on the back end of those loans........You need to look very carefully at what the Yield Spread Premium is and the overall terms of your loan. NO ONE works for free........

***There are some very reputable loans by various vendors that will allow for funds from relatives to be used as down payment and will allow funds from other various programs from city, state and non profit groups.......in order to allow for 100% financing.

The final decision rests with you the Buyer....Is it a good time to Purchase or Not in todays market....

If you live in Contra Costa County in the Greater Walnut Creek Area of California and you have decided that today may very well be a good time to purchase a home give me a call or email me. I would be happy to sit down with you, discuss your overall goals, set you up with a qualified lender if you do not have one and assist you in finding that purrfect home.

I service but not limited to Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Benicia in Solano County, Berkeley, Oakland and Albany in Alameda County.

http://www.apr.com/tosburn       http://www.TerryOsburn.com   

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I am partnered with Catherine Myers, Alain Pinel Realtors to assist sellers in mortgage distress with the short sale of their homes. Please visit out our website at http://www.ccshortsales.com