It's a great Time to Buy

You know for all of this talk of the real estate market being terrible we have had the busiest few weeks and should have a fabulous January for closings.  I have to wonder what would happen if the media would do a total role reversal and print nothing but positive articles about real estate.  What if every day all anybody read was what a great time it is to buy real estate?  I bet you anything by the time two weeks went by everybody and their brother would believe it.  I remember in the 1980's when interest rates were 16-18% and the only way you could make a deal happen was to sell on a land sales contract or any other creative, and I mean creative way, way you could come up with that would make a deal happen.  These times are nothing like that - and we all survived that.  In fact, I heard such an interesting fact the other day.  One of my professional friends with a very large, very successful company that does business worldwide was telling me that they have seen things come full circle.  It now is beginning to make more sense for them to have products manufactured in the US, rather than in other countries because it is more cost effective.  Now, I ask, why isn't that posted on the front pages of the papers.  I realize that it is sad that we came to that point, but, on the other hand, that is really a good thing for this country. Today's business page does talk about there being an abundance of mfg. jobs in Oregon and I couldn't help but think how that related to what my friend was saying the other day.  This is such a great time to buy a second home, or a cabin in the woods (go to http://www.chrisbalmesproperties.com/),  for example.  This week alone we have written offers on two cabins and one vacation rental home in Washingon.  All 3 offers have really strong buyers, great financing was available and they are all 3 quick closings.  Those buyers see the "opportunity" and are taking advantage of it.  We have also written two other offers and listed and got offers on their two properties.  One woman is tired of living in the city and moving to a mfg. home on Mt. Hood.  An investor bought her home in town and is going to fix it up and resell it or rent it. Now that investor wasn't afraid.  They couldn't write the offer fast enough.  He and his brother have been buying property aggressively.  They see the opportunity. Key word - opportunity.  Another seller listed their mfg. home and is working on an offer for a home in Canby - they never thought they would move.  They have lived in their mfg. home for years and years - just happened to be on a motorcyle ride one day and happened to spot their perfect home and said "let's do it" - time for change.  They have seized the opportunity of years of built up equity to do something fun and also something that makes financial sense for them - these interest rates are unbelievably low - it's a great time to invest.  I was presenting an offer on the phone last night and my client said to me that he was getting ready to sell interests in this vacation property to 3 other parties before he listed it.  He would have kept a 1/4 of it, so there would be 4 of them as partners - he offered it to them for approx. $10,000 each, but then decided he just needed to sell it.  But, I thought, you know what - that's a great idea.  I have a client who has a beach vacation rental and they think they want to sell it.  I think I will present that beach house with ocean view to 3 of my previous clients/friends and for very little down I bet I could sell that idea and maybe even keep a 1/4 of it for myself.  What a great idea - what a great opportunity.  I am going to make some calls today - I will let you know how it turns out! Call me if you are interested in an opportunity for yourself!

Chris Balmes PC

Chris Balmes Properties

http://www.chrisbalmes.com/

503.427.0372