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Rates are low & so are home sales!

By
Real Estate Agent with Raleigh Cary Realty

If you are thinking about buying a home then depending on where you live you may want to start keeping a look out for the right home!

Home rates are crazy low right now.  The mortgage brokers I usually work with are busy refinancing home owner's as I write this because rates are just that good.

Meanwhile, our local newspaper had an article today stating home sales are down 42% compared to November 07 for an eight year low in the Triangle!  Why couldn't this have been in the paper two days ago when my listing client called to tell me her home has not sold quick enough so she wanted to withdraw it?;)  Unfortunately many homeowners are not selling their homes quick enough between the economy and our seasonal lows but they will sell and the question is how serious is the seller?  It will either take updates, money, or time, their choice no matter how many times they switch their real estate agent or try selling it on their own.  The buyers know what they want and how much they can get for their money and we all know there is a lot more competition.

Look I am a realist we are averaging 8 months on the market but we are still selling homes and there are things you can do to your home to sell it quicker but they include either updating or price cutting or waiting for the right buyer to come along.  People have to have a place to live, the question is how much do they want to pay for it and is yours the best value out there in their eyes or the right home for them?

So remember a buyer will come sooner or later if you are doing the right things and if you are buying this may be a good time to start the process.  I should preface that by saying in the Triangle, NC market that is.  I know there are some markets where people are not moving in the area and not many people can get out of their mortgages. 

So make sure you do your home work or hire someone who will do it for you!

Brian Griffis
Realty Choice - Springfield, MO

I think you are right, homes are still selling, we just have to be realistic.  Not every home will sell, and not everyone wants to move. The biggest problem right now is fear.  People fear their jobs will not be there tommorrow to afford that new house.  Until the job market improves, it doesn't matter how low interest rates go. With $0 dollars coming in, one is simply not going to be able to get a mortgage of any kind. 

Dec 16, 2008 01:54 PM
Robert O'Haugherty
Fort Worth, TX

Hey George,

You're absolutely right.  From the OBX in your state, the Wright Bros Memorial, paraphrased:  agents who will make it must have "dauntless resolution and unconquerable faith" to weather the storms and trials.

Robert,

Dec 16, 2008 02:02 PM
George Wilson
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Cary Realty 919 439 0965

Brian that is a good point on the job security issue.  I do have a few that are nervous about that or their pension (he works at GM).  In fact my wife just made it through the latest round of layoffs and we were so relieved.  I do have short memory sometimes;)

Dec 16, 2008 02:03 PM
Patty Luther
RE/MAX Rock-n-Roll Realty - Lewiston, ID
Lewiston ID Real Estate, Idaho-Washington

Now is the time...to BUY... and we are continuing to sell!  enjoy the Season! 

 

Dec 16, 2008 02:28 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Hey, George. Sales were up here in November for the fifth month in a row. Another couple of months and the West Coast sales wave should reach you over there on the East Coast.

Dec 19, 2008 05:26 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

George, there was good news on the local all news station here today in the Raleigh area......

Good News for North Carolina

Let's hope the public sees the good buys out there and take advantage of it.

Once it starts turning around, the buyers will have missed the boat on the deals.

 

Dec 23, 2008 10:31 AM
Linda Jandura
Raleigh Cary Realty - Apex, NC
Realtor, North Carolina Buyer & Seller Specialist

George- we can't convince the sellers that their home will sell until we see a LOT more buyers. Right now there's no confidence in the real estate market to give the consumers a reason to buy now.

Let's hold on for a Happy New Year!

Dec 27, 2008 11:02 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Our December stats seem to be late in arriving, but November sales were up, and prices down, for the fifth consecutive month. I suspect December will make it six months in a row.

Jan 12, 2009 01:41 AM
George Wilson
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Cary Realty 919 439 0965

Hey Russell & Linda,

It has been picking up a little more lately!  I will keep my fingers crossed it continues!

Jan 13, 2009 06:01 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

The experts (do we trust the experts anymore?) say that many things start on the West Coast and work their way across the country. If that's true, there should be some good news for you there in North Carolina if the weather doesn't slow it down.

Sales have been up here for six consecutive months, and I suspect January 2009 will be the same.

Jan 29, 2009 05:25 AM