Helped another family!
Congratulations to Clint & Karen on their new home!
Friday, March 30, 2012
5 reasons it's smarter to buy than rent #1 - "Real estate: the only hedge against inflation that you can live in."
5 reasons it's smarter to buy than rent
One of the biggest myths in the real estate industry is that it is cheaper to rent than to buy. In 71 percent of the cities in the U.S., owning is now currently cheaper than renting. Many experts are predicting that rent increases will run as high as 5 to 10 percent per year over the next five years.
"What's the best hedge against inflation? Real estate: the only hedge against inflation that you can live in."
1. Real estate keeps pace with or exceeds the rate of inflation
Everyone today is concerned about the level of federal spending. A key concern is inflation. Hard assets -- real estate, gold and silver, among them -- have historically served as hedges against inflation. In fact, even in the areas hit hard by foreclosures, virtually all of them have shown substantial increases in real estate values when viewed in the long term.
To illustrate this point, when my father died in 1998, his house in California was valued at $168,000. At its peak in 2006, his house was worth almost $600,000. Today it's still worth about $350,000. That's still a 108 percent gain in value in 13 years. While not every area has seen such increases, more than 90 percent of all homes are still worth substantially more than they were 10 years ago. "What's the best hedge against inflation? Real estate: the only hedge against inflation that you can live in."
Thanks to Bernice Ross with Inman News®
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Exisitng Homes Sales Are Up
Exisitng Homes Sales Are Up
The spikes in sales in late-2009 and mid-2010 were due to the home buyer tax credit deadlines. Outside of these spike periods, the past two months of sales are at the highest levels in 5 years.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Don't tell anyone, but now is a great time to buy
Breaking news! National home prices lowest in 10 years, and are 33% lower than the peak we realized in 2006.Interest rates below 4%. First time homebuyers $2000 annual tax credit. What are you waiting for. It's a green light!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Have job opening! Who wants to work?
A friend of mine has an IMMEDIATE opening at Animal P.I. This can be a long term career opportunity. Truck is needed. Call David Whitehurst at 501-628-4682. Tell him Scott sent you.
12 Ways To Sell Your House In This Crappy Market #11
12 Ways To Sell Your House In This Crappy Market
Expand your buyer's due diligence
Aside from the financial details, contracts, disclosures and protections you typically tend to as you prep to buy a home, add these to the list:
· Hire a title company to check the house for liens and tax arrearages.
· Hire you own inspector. Don't use the seller's!
· Have the inspector check for unpermitted work such as illegal room additions and garage conversions.
· Consider the overall energy efficiency of the home with an energy audit.
· Be sure property lines are accurate, by obtaining a new survey. The surveyor will research the original deed and stake out the property's lines and your neighbors' property lines to avoid future disputes.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Open House this Sunday 2-4 pm, 117 Napa Valley Loop, Maumelle
via myhzm.com
Come visit this wonderful, "Shiny Penny" this Sunday, March 25th from 2-4 pm. This one has it all, plus some!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Buying is Cheaper Than Renting in Nearly All Major Cities
Buying is Cheaper Than Renting in Nearly All Major Cities
Home buying is the smarter choice than renting, according to Trulia’s Winter 2012 Rent vs. Buy Index. Buying a home is more affordable than renting in 98 of the nation’s 100 largest metro areas, according to the index, which tracks asking prices for rental units compared to for-sale homes in major metro areas. Falling home values and low mortgage rates have made home ownership more affordable. Meanwhile, rents have been on the rise.
Leads to the question: “Why rent”? Of course there are reasons to rent vs buying a home……temporary employment may have you here for only a short time, or bad credit making a loan impossible right now (don’t just think you have bad credit and can’t buy – there are many programs that you might be able to use, so call me before you throw the idea away about buying). Other than those two, buying is cheaper and better investment than renting.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
February market looks good
February market looks good
February existing-home sales declined 0.9% compared to January 2012, but are 8.8% higher than February 2011.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said underlying factors are much better compared to one year ago. “The market is trending up unevenly, with record high consumer buying power and sustained job gains giving buyers the confidence they need to get into the market,” he said. “Although relatively unusual, there will be rising demand for both rental space and homeownership this year. The great suppression in household formation during the past four years was unsustainable, and a pent-up demand could burst forth from the improving economy.”
The national average interest rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage was a record low 3.89% in February, down from 3.92 percent in January; the rate was 4.95 percent in February 2011.
Scott Deaton summary: “It’s a great time to sell! It’s a great time to buy!”
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Another RIGHT house for the RIGHT buyer!
Your Friend thought you should see this from HouseLogic.com
| Brought to you by the National Association of Realtors® | ||||||||
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Tuesday, March 13, 2012
12 Ways To Sell Your House In This Crappy Market #9
12 Ways To Sell Your House In This Crappy Market
Expand your buying universe
There's still an overabundance of well-priced inventory out there. That's especially the case with short sale homes, which can be a nightmare to close in a timely manner. There are some for-sale gems that need only a little polishing. Shop around. Don't dismiss foreclosures and other bank properties, pre-foreclosures, auction homes, for-sale-by-owner or lease-to-own homes. Pick at least three favorites and work from there.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
12 Ways To Sell Your House In This Crappy Market #8
12 Ways To Sell Your House In This Crappy Market
Flight to quality
Worried about durability? Buyers who place a heavier focus on brick or concrete-and-steel housing may find they're more enduring, safer and quieter. Are you worried about sustaining value? Buy near a good school district, a prestigious hospital, university, large government employer or newly vibrant central business district. These entities typically aren't going away, and the demand for good housing around them won't either.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Sellers Willing to Do More to Get Home Sold
Sellers Willing to Do More to Get Home Sold
sellers are more willing this year to price their homes competitively as well as change the appearance of their home in order to lure buyers, according to a recent survey of real estate professionals. Agents reported that, compared to last year, sellers are more willing to remove clutter; make cosmetic updates, such as minor repairs; "depersonalize" the home; and stage the home to better their chances of getting it sold, the survey finds.
Meanwhile, the survey also found that agents say buyers are most putting a value on new or updated kitchens, bathrooms, and open floor plans when touring homes.
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