Some homeowners have been waiting for years for a better housing market and a good time to sell. Is it better to wait a few more years and see if you can realize a higher sale price, or sell now and move on with your life?
6 Tips for Selling in Today's Market
February 20, 2012
The 2012 Housing Market
January 17, 2012
The worst for the housing market may finally be over, according to housing experts in a recent article in Kiplinger. After median home price have dropped nearly 40 percent nationwide, a rebound is taking shape -- although, housing experts say, the market may stay flat for awhile before gradually ticking up. According to housing experts in a recent Kiplinger article, here are some predictions for the real estate market in the coming year:
It Is All About Employment
January 12, 2012
Last week we talked about the many varied predictions regarding the economy
for 2012. It makes sense that the next question will then be--what factor
will be most important with regard to which prediction turns out to be
correct? We can answer that question in one word--employment. There are many
factors helping the economy right now. Companies are sitting on cash, debt
levels of consumers have lessened in the past several years and consumer
confidence is rising. There are factors holding the economy back right now
as well. These include the debt crisis in Europe and the shadow inventory
hanging over the housing market. However, the one overriding factor that
could override these other factors is employment. Employment is improving,
but the unemployment rate remained a stubbornly high as we closed out 2011.
NAR released its latest pending home sales index figure last week and for the second month in a row the index is up. But more than that, the index has broken 100. This is significant because the only time since the housing boom collapsed that the index has broken 100 is when the home owner tax credit was in effect. The fact that the index has returned to that level a year since the credit has been in effectmeans the housing market is strengthening completely on its own, without any stimulus.
Home prices and rates have fallen so far that the monthly cost of owning a home is more affordable than at any point in the past 15 years and is less expensive than renting in a growing number of cities. The Wall Street Journal's third-quarter survey of housing-market conditions in 28 of the nation's largest metropolitan areas found that home values declined in all but five markets compared with the second quarter, according to data from Zillow Inc.
The U.S. will not become a nation of renters
January 9, 2012
The U.S. will not become a nation of renters; there are just too many benefits, both financial and otherwise, to own versus rent. An analysis over a 31-year period across 23 metropolitan areas compared the ownership benefits in terms of appreciation and interest deductibility and the costs homeowners incur with down payment, taxes, insurance and maintenance.
Experts spout off the latest statistics
January 9, 2012
Today's experts spout off the latest statistics about long-term wealth, home values, and interest rates, yet there's a much more sentimental side to homeownership. In fact, many home buyers are drawn to homeownership for these warm and fuzzy reasons. Owning a home allows you to put down roots, both figuratively and literally. On one hand you become part of a neighborhood and community. When you rent, neighbors come and go as quickly as leases renew. Homeowners, however, tend to stay put longer. What does this mean for you?