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Even the Experts are Buying Homes

Reblogger Gregory Bain
Real Estate Agent with Mezzina Real Estate & Insurance

Sometimes it is better to let someone else state the obvious. Gabe Sanders of Florida wrote this article that is relevant to real estate every where. If you are in the market for a home in New Jersey - call me. 609-290-7962

I'll do my best to help you get into a house to make your home.

Original content by Gabe Sanders 3090099

Home prices have hit bottom in most areas of the country, but they're not like a rubber ball. Sellers can't expect much of a bounce. Homes for Sale

At the Center for Economic Policy Research, in Washington D.C., analysts are predicting that the pricing arrow is pointing up, but not very far. There are still too many foreclosed homes on the market.

So, what did the center's co-director do? He bought a house. He doesn't expect its value to rise much in the foreseeable future. But the home had features he loved. The price was affordable, and the loan's interest rate was below 5 percent.

This set of circumstances encouraged him to take the plunge and acquire a place his family could call home for many years to come.

Today's reasonable prices can make a good case for buying rather than renting, say advisors quoted in USA Today. While many first-timers are leery of making a long-term contract, here is a way you could determine if the move is a wise one.

Homes Sold* Divide the price of a home you are considering by the annual rent for a comparable place. If the number falls below 15, buying starts to look like a good idea.

* Consider whether you will stay in the home long enough to make the purchase worthwhile. Closing costs are high. If you intend to sell the house and buy another in two or three years, you could take a loss.

* Analysts say it's reasonable to buy a home only if you plan to stay in it for five to seven years.

 

 

Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell

Stuart Florida Real Estate 

Residential Homes, Condos and Land
Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties

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Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

I must again state it is the best time for buyer's.  It is the best I have seen in my career.

Jan 15, 2010 01:03 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thanks for the re-blog Gregory.

Jan 15, 2010 06:52 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Thanks for the re blog, I missed Gabe's!

Jan 15, 2010 10:04 PM
Marianne Grant, Realtor
Jack White Real Estate - Anchorage, AK
CRS 907-529-6602

Indeed, all good points, even in a market like ours in Anchorage, Alaska, where home prices have remained pretty stable last year compared to other markets. I have seen people re-finance, though, when they shouldn't have, because they did not remain in their homes long enough to recoup the cost associated with the re-fi. I wish lenders were more honest with people and showed them how long it would take for the consumer to break even and then start benefitting from the re-fi. But that is another post altogether.

Thank you for commenting on my post Why Top Producers get the Listing. A very lively and enlightening flurry of comments ensued, and I am grateful to all who commented. Take care, Marianne

Jan 26, 2010 06:53 PM
Gregory Bain
Mezzina Real Estate & Insurance - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
For Homes on the Jersey Shore

Thanks for stopping by Marianne. I am not much of a blog writer myself but I do like to comment on those that I find interesting. I do plan on working on my own writing and have a few topics in my head I wish to present. But, it takes a lot of time for me to get it out of my head and on to the paper.

Jan 26, 2010 10:14 PM