Thursday, December 9, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-10 Reasons to Buy a Home
REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-10 Reasons to Buy a Home
10 Reasons to Buy a Home
Time magazine is being overly pessimistic in its recent cover piece that called into question the benefits of homeownership. In fact, now is a great time to buy. And, what's more, tomorrow will be a great time to own, because the fundamental strength of homeownership hasn't changed.
Why is now a great time to buy? Here are 10 reasons:
1. You can get a good deal. Prices are down 30 percent on average. They're at a level that makes sense for people's income.
2. Mortgages are cheap. At 4.3 percent on average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, your costs to own are down by a fifth from two years ago.
3. You can save on taxes. When you add up the deductions for mortgage interest and others, the cost of owning can drop below renting for a comparable place.
4. It'll be yours. The one benefit to owning that never changes is that you can paint your walls orange if you want (generally speaking; there might be some community restrictions). How many landlords will let you do that?
5. You can get a better home. In some markets, it's simply the case that the nicest places are for-sale homes and condos.
6. It offers some inflation protection. Historically, appreciation over time outpaces inflation.
7. It's risk capital. If the economy picks up, you stand to benefit from that, even if you're goal is just to have a nice place to live.
8. It's forced savings. A part of your payment each month goes to equity.
9. There is a lot to choose from. There are some 4 million homes available today, about a year's supply. Now's the time to find something you like and get it.
10. Sooner or later the market will clear. The U.S. is expected to grow by another 100 million people in 40 years. They have to live somewhere. Demand will eventually outpace supply.
Source: Wall Street Journal, Brett Arends (9/16/10)
[Editor's note: To learn about the homeownership issues being raised in the media and what the facts are, REALTOR® Magazine is hosting a webinar Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time, with NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and housing policy analyst Howard Glaser of the Glaser Group. Registration link.]
10 Reasons to Buy a Home
Time magazine is being overly pessimistic in its recent cover piece that called into question the benefits of homeownership. In fact, now is a great time to buy. And, what's more, tomorrow will be a great time to own, because the fundamental strength of homeownership hasn't changed.
Why is now a great time to buy? Here are 10 reasons:
1. You can get a good deal. Prices are down 30 percent on average. They're at a level that makes sense for people's income.
2. Mortgages are cheap. At 4.3 percent on average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, your costs to own are down by a fifth from two years ago.
3. You can save on taxes. When you add up the deductions for mortgage interest and others, the cost of owning can drop below renting for a comparable place.
4. It'll be yours. The one benefit to owning that never changes is that you can paint your walls orange if you want (generally speaking; there might be some community restrictions). How many landlords will let you do that?
5. You can get a better home. In some markets, it's simply the case that the nicest places are for-sale homes and condos.
6. It offers some inflation protection. Historically, appreciation over time outpaces inflation.
7. It's risk capital. If the economy picks up, you stand to benefit from that, even if you're goal is just to have a nice place to live.
8. It's forced savings. A part of your payment each month goes to equity.
9. There is a lot to choose from. There are some 4 million homes available today, about a year's supply. Now's the time to find something you like and get it.
10. Sooner or later the market will clear. The U.S. is expected to grow by another 100 million people in 40 years. They have to live somewhere. Demand will eventually outpace supply.
Source: Wall Street Journal, Brett Arends (9/16/10)
[Editor's note: To learn about the homeownership issues being raised in the media and what the facts are, REALTOR® Magazine is hosting a webinar Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time, with NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and housing policy analyst Howard Glaser of the Glaser Group. Registration link.]
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
5 Reasons Homeownership Trumps Renting
· Be your own landlord. The bank can only kick you out if you don’t pay; a landlord can be much less dependable – deciding to sell the property or choosing to live there themselves.
· Paying the principal is forced savings. Yes, it’s possible that home prices will fall further. It is also possible that your 401(k) will lose value. But over the long haul, both are likely to enjoy modest gains in value.
· Fixed-rate mortgages never rise – and eventually you pay them off. With mortgage rates at record lows, people who buy now are locking in real bargains.
· Good schools. Family-sized rentals are harder to come by in areas with excellent public schools.
· Spacious properties in pleasant neighborhoods. Sizable homes in attractive communities are almost always owned – not rented.
· Paying the principal is forced savings. Yes, it’s possible that home prices will fall further. It is also possible that your 401(k) will lose value. But over the long haul, both are likely to enjoy modest gains in value.
· Fixed-rate mortgages never rise – and eventually you pay them off. With mortgage rates at record lows, people who buy now are locking in real bargains.
· Good schools. Family-sized rentals are harder to come by in areas with excellent public schools.
· Spacious properties in pleasant neighborhoods. Sizable homes in attractive communities are almost always owned – not rented.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
ONLY 31 DAYS LEFT!
The Tax Credit Countdown Begins Today!! - Only 31 days remain to take advantage of the $8,000 refundable tax credit! It is all over at the end of this month. This is probably the best time you will have this year to get in to that first home. $8,000 back from uncle sam, another 1% cash back from MDT Realty, Historically Low Interest Rates all make this a great time to get off the fence! Contact me!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
The BBQ Song
This has absolutely nothing to do with Real Estate, but it was so funny I had to post it somewhere. Note in the middle the tribute to NC Vinegar Based BBQ.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
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