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Real Estate: Still the best investment!

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Hickory Metro Real Estate

This is my first blog entry, so I just want to get this "off my chest"...

We all know the reasons for a perceived decline in real estate prices throughout the U.S.  It's not as if we couldn't see it coming....with all of the sub-prime loans being offered up to anyone regardless of their credit-worthiness.  Builders were working overtime to meet the demand of the new home buyers entering into the market and re-sellers were taking advantage of the increasing high demand for housing.  And then the bubble burst or at least began deflating! 

Now banks and underwriters are tightening the requirements for mortgage loans and fewer people now qualify for loans with low down-payments.  The net result.......a slowing down of the housing market in most regions of our country and the housing cycle is now in the process of correcting itself.  I believe that 2008 will represent the low point in this decade and with the advent of 2009, we will see improved real estate market conditions!

But even with that said, real estate investment is still the best long-term investment and home-ownership remains the American dream.  How fortunate we are to live in a country where tax incentives for being a homeowner still exist.  GOD BLESS THE USA!

                                                                       

Greg Steffens
Mountain Country Realty - Lake Arrowhead, CA

Hi Ken - Welcome to Active Rain and congrats on your first post.  Be sure to spend some time looking around at how and what others are blogging here - it is a great education and lots of fun.  Looks like you're off to a great start...keep it up!

Aug 06, 2008 09:13 AM
William E. Lewis, Jr.
William E. Lewis, Jr. & Associates - Vero Beach, FL
Bill Lewis - Vero Beach, Florida

Welcome to the Active Rain network and congratulations on your first post!  Please do not hesitate to reach out and request assistance from the 102,000 plus members on YOUR network should the need arise.

Aug 06, 2008 10:29 AM
Kimberly Grant
Exit Leon Crawford Realty - Huntsville, AL
Real Estate Agent - Huntsville Alabama

Hey Ken!  Welcome to AR.  This is a great place to be.  You have gotten your first blog out the way and now it gets easier from here.  There is a great Newbie group and it has some great tips and info on getting started!!  Keep up the good work.

Aug 06, 2008 11:30 AM
Keith Elliott Jr
KEIRE Realty Group - Manassas, VA
Principal Broker/Owner

Hello Ken,

Welcome to Active Rain and congrats on your first post! The opportunities to learn and network are incredible here. Best of luck to ya!

-Keith

Aug 06, 2008 12:20 PM
Susan McQuaide
Keller Williams - Simpsonville, SC

Welcome to Active Rain! Hope you find this site as informative and entertaining as I have.

Aug 06, 2008 12:46 PM
Kirk Westervelt
Van West Realty - Greenville, SC Realtor -Short Sale Expert! - Greenville, SC
Kirk Westervelt, Broker In Charge, Van West Realty - CDPE - Short Sale Agent - Home for Sale - Greenville, Simpsonvil...

Hi, welcome to Active Rain! I hope to see more of your blogs in the future. Learn from others, share your knowledge and experiences and enjoy yourself! Take care! ---Kirk.

Aug 06, 2008 05:53 PM
Howard Wilson
Wilson Than Real Estate - Santa Monica, CA

Ken, let me join the others in welcoming you to Active Rain!  You're right about the assistance our government offers everyone in their pursuit of home ownership.  We call it the "American Dream," but we really need to make sure our clients understand that the dream can become a reality more easily than they think!

Aug 06, 2008 06:22 PM
Marcy Fedalei
Keller Williams Realty - Spartanburg, SC

Welcome to ActiveRain. I look forward to reading your blog and it is good to know a contact in your area for referrals. Have a great day.

Aug 07, 2008 12:05 AM
Ron Martin
Keller Williams Realty - Spartanburg, SC
Ron Martin Team

Good Morning,  This is my second day blogging and i'm enjoying it.

Ron

Aug 07, 2008 12:38 AM
Nance Burdette
Keller Williams Realty Partners - Spartanburg, SC

Welcome to the ActiveRain network. I sincerely hope that together as professionals we can make this new adventure informative, possible entertaining and prosperous. I hear that with time and experience it gets easier and better. I am working diligently at this but certainly am not a techy individual. I list and sell Real Estate, computers are not my forte'.  Good Luck.....Nance

Aug 07, 2008 09:26 AM