TIMING ISN'T EVERYTHING!

In light of declining sales and tougher loan requirements, many potential buyers are asking if they should buy now, or wait several months before moving forward with a decision.  The thing is, you can't time the real estate market any more than you can time the stock market.  Simply put, the best time to buy is simply when you need to do so.

Start searching now, targeting your preferred location in your community and getting a sense of the trends.  Call me to gauge listing times, list-to-sale ratios, and contract terms.  There's no such thing as a "national" market, and every area is going through its own adjustments, up or down.

Now isn't a bad time to begin your loan search as well, to determine how much home you can afford, and to start assembling the required paperwork.  If you're not pressured to move right now, securing loan pre-approval will give you the chance to immediately take advantage if an excellent purchase opportunity appears.

Owners who are pressured to sell for reasons like foreclosure or job relocation may be more willing to negotiate, but if you really love a particular home, don't lose it by haggling over a few thousand dollars.  A home is not a stock certificate.  In a buyers market, take your time, do your homework, and make the most of it.

Costa Mesa has several homes on the market right now that are available from the low $420,000 range on up to the $700,000.  Several programs still exist where you can purchase a home with a down payment as low as 3% of purchase price and in some cases even 1% down can be had!

We are starting to see over the last 3 months some firming in the prices in the low end of the market.  Many properties are experiencing multiple offers and even selling over list price.  The next few months will tell if we have hit bottom or if we are experiencing a false bottom. 

I welcome your calls or emails. (714) 241-4532 or Larry@TeamWeichman.com