TOP 10 REASONS TO BUY A HOME THIS YEAR!!!

If you are still wondering if this is the right time to purchase a home, the answer is YES!! Here are some of our favorite reasons why.... 1. HOME PRICES ARE DOWN: There are incredible deals available. Not only are there bank-owned properties out there, but sellers are competitively pricing their homes to compete with foreclosures! 2. BUYERS DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING: Sellers are willing to help with closing costs, and are willing to negotiate. 3. RATES ARE LOW: With the increased loan limit amounts currently in effect because of the Economic Stimulus Act, rates for loans are still low. 4. ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT COMING TO END: The increased loan limits are expected to expire by the end of 2008, unless signed in permanently during the next presidency. But why wait and see if the loam limits will be gone forever? Purchase now while they are still in effect! 5. MORE INVENTORY: With more homes available for sale, buyers have more variety to choose from. It is much easier to find your dream home with more inventory on the market. 6. BUYING VS. RENTING: Why throw your money away every month by paying somebody else's mortgage as a rentor? 7. GOING BIGGER AND BETTER: This is a time for trade up opportunities. You can sell your home and move into a home that better suits your family's needs. Even if you sold your home now for 10% less than what you would have liked, you would also be paying 10% less for the home you purchase! The market condition evens outs money in/money out of your pocket. If you sold your home for more money, you would also be PAYING more money for your trade-up home. 8. TAX DEDUCTIONS: Mortgage interest and property taxes on your home ARE DEDUCTIBLE! 9. PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP: You will have a stake in real estate! You will be the owner of your castle. 10. FAMILY WEALTH: Real estate ownership creates wealth in families because throughout time, in the long run, real estate value will only increase.

Increased Loan Limit programs Coming To An End

Last February, President Bush signed the Economic Stimulus Act increasing the FHA loan limit amount for borrowers. In Los Angeles and Orange Counties, the loan limits were increased to $729,750 and in the San Bernardino County area, it was increased to $500,000. Prior to this legislation, the conforming loan limit amount was $417,000. This was great news since it leveled the playing field for us Californians. It allowed us access to competitive interest rates. We should not have to pay more on our mortgage because we live in an area where the median home price is higher than most of the country. This was also wonderful news for first time home buyers who were more comfortable with obtaining a "safe" conforming loan, instead of being forced to go with a jumbo loan. As a current property owner, the legislation also allowed current homeowners to refinance at reasonable rates. However, these increased loan limit amounts are expected to expire AT THE END OF 2008 (unless the new president decides to keep them permanent...something we will have to wait and see). Please contact us today so that we may help you find you a home while these loan programs ARE STILL IN EFFECT.

Jump Off The Fence and Into Your New Home!!!

After 33 months of a slow down-turning Real Estate market where home prices have fallen so drastically with all the foreclosures and bank-owned homes, there was really nowhere to go in the Real Estate market but UP! Prices have fallen to a point where consumers not only feel that homes are affordable, but that the purchase would be considered a value. Investors and first-time home-buyers alike are all moving into the real estate market. Bank-owned homes are being sold just as quickly as they are being advertised for sale. Multiple offers on homes are being reviewed, and consumers are offering ABOVE listing price for certain homes to ensure that their offer gets accepted against all other offers. If you are still sitting on the fence waiting for prices to drop before making your move, you may miss your opportunity of either moving into the home of your dreams (or buying an investment property) at the price you can afford. Just think of your home purchase as your personal investment. You buy now and sell later when the real estate market is back to normal. You will definitely make a profit! At worst, even if home prices did fall another 10% by mid 2009 (which I don't think will happen, but even if it did), you would have already started your investment TODAY. By the time the real estate market does stabilize, the market value of your home at that point would compensate for the supposed 10% decline, and you will have the ability of moving yourself into a bigger home (or choose to stay exactly where you are and refinance to buy another investment property). Any way you slice it, if you BUY NOW during this time when home prices are at a low, YOU WILL BENEFIT. Let's face it, at this point, there is really nowhere for the Real Estate market to go but UP...don't miss your opportunity and call us today so we can help in your next Real Estate Investment/Purchase!!!!

We are back =)

Hello everyone! We know it's been awhile since we've updated our blog. We are now parents to 02 beautiful little boys!! Our latest addition to the family came at the end of last year, and we have been having such a blast being parents to both of our children. Our family is now settled into our daily routine, and we will be posting new blogs on a more regular basis. Please continue to stop by for Real Estate news and updates, as well as, miscellaneous stories that we find interesting enough to share with our readers because we feel they can benefit from it =)