I thought that I'd share my latest experience with a relocating buyer.

We've been working together since April. They knew that they wanted Naperville but just weren't too sure on which sub-division. The decision was made by their son's after-school sports events. They decided that they wanted to be close to his school and activities, even though it meant a longer commute for Dad.

So, we looked at more homes. The wife and I would go out during the week and then report back our findings.

On one of these trips we looked at a vacant, relocation home. And, many of the homes on the market are vacant! The wife liked the location...on a cul-de-sac so her son could play; the husband liked the big yard as he gardens.

The original listing price was right around $550,000. I worked out comps and gave them to the buyers. They studied listings in the area as well as in the sub-division. And, then they called me and said that they wanted to make an offer.

OK...I'm ready! I meet with them and the husband says: "Here's where we're starting our offer: $450,000." Wow. A serious buyer starting $100,000 below the listing price.

And, yes, he did come up and the seller did come down. But, neither the agent, the seller or relo laughed at our offer. That tells me that times have changed. The fact that they wanted to work with this offer...to put it together contrasts with the market we had in 2006, where an offer like this would have been refused.

So, is this a good time to buy? YES! If your credit is good...above 740 is best...and you have down payment funds. Rates are reasonable. Inventory is aging.

And, you can get a really good buy. NOW! I suspect by next Spring many of these "deals" will be history.