Ask any REALTOR® and the answer is the same….it’s a great time to buy a home in Georgia! With a wide variety of inventory and interest rates still at historical lows, now is the perfect time to purchase your dream home. Homeownership is also the key to building personal wealth. It’s a perfect time to contact a REALTOR® to discuss your needs and explore the possibilities available to you.
Reasons to Buy Now
• It’s a buyer’s market – motivated sellers are offering a host of value-added incentives
• Homeownership is the first step toward building wealth
• Interest rates are still historically low, currently hovering around 6.25% as compared to an average of 7.75 percent in 1997 and 10.25 percent in 1987
• Homeownership may qualify you for tax deductions
• Return on investment – Georgia is a hot commodity! Our state has topped several “great places to live” lists in recent months. Among them are Forbes magazine’s Top Ten Most Affordable Places to Live Well, and five Georgia counties secured half of the slots for Progressive Farmer’s Top 10 Places with the Best Air Quality.
• Location, location, location – homes are available in a variety of price ranges throughout Georgia
• Homebuyers have more housing choices than ever before
Tips for Buyers
Use a REALTOR®
Real estate licensees who are member of the National Association of REALTORS® are called REALTORS®. A REALTOR® will provide you with the following services:
• Offer industry expertise specific to your local market
• Analyze potential homes that match your wants and needs
• Keep you informed during the process
• Negotiate on your behalf
• Answer questions with competence and speed
Get Pre-Approved
Pre-approval gives you the opportunity to increase bargaining and negotiating power by:
• Estimating your mortgage payment
• Setting a realistic price range you can afford
• Addressing possible qualification issues ahead of time
• Facilitate a faster transaction closing
Buying Your Home
Your decision to buy a home should be based on answers to the following questions:
• What kind of home do I want?
• What are the comparable homes selling for?
• What about the neighborhoods, schools, crime rates, traffic, zoning, and work commutes?
• Does the home meet my price, location and amenity needs?
Negotiate
Buyers have their share of homes from which to choose in today’s market. Negotiations among sellers and buyers (and their respective REALTORS®) have reached a new level of importance. Negotiation in a buyer’s market is not limited to price reductions. Incentives can include:
• Upgrades in the purchase of a new construction home
• Financing packages such as seller-paid closing costs
• Higher levels of service
Despite the negative press in recent months, realize that all real estate is local and what is happening in other areas in the United States does not necessarily reflect your local housing market. As a matter of fact, prices can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. This buyer’s market will not last forever. If you’d like for information as to Why Buy Now… Ask a REALTOR®!
Click here to find a REALTOR® in your area.