the time. The past two years the hits on our website have tripled from mid December to the end of January.
4) Some home sellers will be better off selling now
According to the CPA’s and financial planners we work with, many home sellers would be much better off selling now to get a better tax deduction. Catch a seller who would benefit from a huge tax deduction and they may be more negotiable to sell fast.
5) Buy now and move after the holidays
Experience tells us that sophisticated home buyers understand that they can make a purchase now at a great price and move after the holidays. Get a great deal now and move when things slow down. Home buyers who buy new homes now can catch the end of the year specials and move when the home is completed this next spring. The buyer has the control in today’s buyers market. If agreeable terms are not agreed upon, the buyer can always go to the next home.
6) Capture a lower interest rate
Currently we are experiencing low interest rates. Experience tells us that interest rates start edging up the end of January. A sophisticated home buyer would like to capture the lower interest rates by locking in on the low rates while they are still low. Some lenders have lock and shop programs. Lock in on a low interest rate now and shop for the next few months’ pressure free for their dream home.
7) Get guidance and help
During the holiday season it is more likely that friends and family can visit during your home shopping visits. The more advice you can get, especially if you are a first time home buyer, from people who know you the more likely you will make less mistakes. First time home buyers sometimes find it difficult to ask the right questions. By having a family member or friend around who knows what to ask or who knows your wants, the process can be easier.
8) Home builders are experiencing pressures
During the winter time, the amount of new homes sold goes down. One new home agent reported that his sales are a quarter of what they were this summer. With builders building costs and the cost to borrow money increasing, builder are more likely to negotiate on the sale of their new homes now. Typically, builders haven’t negotiated on price the past 4 years. Today I received 3 flyers from new home agents with price reductions on their inventory.
9) Lower payments
We are getting contacted on a weekly basis of new and better loan programs that will help lower the monthly payment the home buyer will pay to the mortgage company. Lenders have the time to find better loan programs for home buyers now. If a home buyer waited until this spring to talk to a lender and they will most likely talk to a new loan officer who has limited time to work with you and limited experience to find the best loan program. One home buyer we worked with saved $234 monthly by finding a better loan program. What would you do with an extra $234 a month?
Savvy home buyers like to buy when home prices are lower and the amount of buyers is lower. Currently, in most markets, the number of homes for sale is down 10% and the number of buyers looking for homes is down 60%, compared to this past summer. A savvy real estate buyer would like to get a great deal. With the real estate market being a strong buyer’s market, why would a buyer want to wait until the market shifts to a sellers market?
If you are a first time home buyer or a move-up home buyer and you would like to get a good deal, we would be happy to work with you. With foreclosure listings at an all time high, we are sure that the next best deal is right around the corner.
The Dowell Taggart Team is a team of experienced real estate agents who practice residential and investment real estate in Kansas City. As Kansas City’s #1 web savvy residential real estate and investment specialist, we are currently scheduling consultations for savvy real estate home buyers. You can visit us on the web at www.DowellTaggart.com
This report shall not be copied in all or in part without the permission of the Dowell Taggart Team. The Dowell Taggart Team uses tracking software to track unlawful usage. This report is copyrighted.
Chris Dowell, author, is a member of the Dowell Taggart Team. Chris has been practicing real estate for 18 years. The Dowell Taggart Team is a team of experienced real estate agents who practice residential and investment real estate in Kansas City. As Kansas City’s #1 web savvy residential real estate and investment specialist, we are currently scheduling consultations for savvy real estate home buyers. You can visit us on the web at http://www.DowellTaggart.com
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