When is the best time to buy real estate. Ideas on how to know when to enter the market in your home town.
The local newspapers are the best way to locate homes. Today, more and more sellers are looking to sell their homes on their own, also known as For Sale by Owners. They do this to avoid paying high real estate commissions to a broker. Also, many times these sellers will be the most flexible in negotiating price with a buyer, which is why they want to go at it alone. This can result in a favorable situation for you as the buyer. If you are already pre-approved by a licensed mortgage company, this will make you even more appealing to a home seller. The main way they advertise the sale of their property is through the local newspapers.
If you look at the Legal notices of your newspaper, you will also find homes that are in a pre-foreclosure state. This means that a homeowner is behind on their mortgage payments, usually 2-3 months or so, and the banks are beginning the foreclosure process. Many times these homes can be purchased at below market prices since the sellers are in a financial situation and need to exit the property without having a foreclosure adversely affect their credit rating. The papers will have the property address listed in the legal notice. With this information, you can drive by the property, preview the neighborhood, etc. If you like what you see, you can send the seller a letter (you already have the address!) and let them know that you are interested in possibly buying their home, and saving them from further financial and legal problems.
Ironically, if you notice an increase in interest rates, this is also a good sign that it's time to buy. The reason is that when interest rates increase, home prices tend to decrease. This is due to the fact that it costs buyers more money to purchase a home when interest rates are high, thus creating a shortage of buyers. If you believe the old law of supply and demand, you know when there are fewer buyers, the prices drop in an effort to attract more buyers. Although it may cost you a bit more in monthly mortgage payments, this will only be a temporary burden. Once interest rates drop, you can always refinance the mortgage for a low interest rate, which results in a lower monthly payment to the bank. The reverse of this is also true. When interest rates drop, this can create a buying frenzy in your neighborhood. Also, you can buy a bigger home, since it would cost you less in monthly mortgage payments.
Finally, if you see more and more signs for Open Houses, this is also a good buying time. If there are several homes for sale in your neighborhood, this creates competition amongst the home sellers, which can also, result in a lower sales price. This is especially true if you live in a community where many of the homes are similar in style, size, etc.
In summary, keep looking at the classified sections of your local papers. It can be chock full of information, and buying opportunities. Stay abreast of the financial markets and monitor those ever-fluctuating interest rates. Finally, attend as many Open Houses as possible. These are all signs of prime buying opportunities in your neighborhood.
