Are people buying homes in this market?

The National Association of Realtors statistics for 2010 show that 4,900,000 people bought a home in 2010. The characteristics of these buyers are listed below:

	• 46% of all homebuyers were first time homebuyers
	• 40% of all homebuyers were 34 years of age or younger
	• 2 out of every 3 buyers were 44 years or younger
	• Single females represented 24% of all first time homebuyers
	• 62% of first time homebuyers cited “Desire to Own a Home” as their reason for buying

Don’t know if now is the time to buy?...When is the right time?
Reasons why now is the right time to buy:

	• Everything is lined up in favor of the buyers right now
	• Best buyer’s market in over 40 years
	• Affordable homes
	• Available financing
	• Historically low interest rates
	• Market or below pricing
	• Homes are dressed up to sell
	• Buying power multiplies with your ability to move quickly

	• Buyers compete with buyers to find the right home and less competition makes your offer more valuable to a seller in today’s market.
	• Don’t get caught in the “Double Whammy Cooker” when home sales increase, driving the prices of homes up and the cost of financing up at the same time.

I’m tired of paying rent...Is homeownership the answer?

• For most people, home ownership makes good sense. Home ownership offers protection from rent inflation, and the equity you build becomes an important part of your net worth. But buying a home is more than a financial decision. It’s about, well, home. It’s about finding the right home in the right neighborhood...at the right price. It’s about finding the perfect fit for you to begin making lifetime memories in your own home.

Myths that keep you from homeownership at the time you should buy:

	• No one is buying right now...The reality is that nearly 5 million homes sold in this fine country in 2010 alone.
	• Wait for the bottom of the market...The reality is that the only way you can find the bottom, is when the market is already going back up.
	• You need to have a big down payment...The reality is that a 3.5% down payment can make you eligible for a government insured loan.

Let us walk you through buying your first home:

Choices for you to make before you find your home:

	• The right real estate company
	• The right real estate agent

Important qualities to find in the company you choose:

	• A tradition of excellence
	• Name brand recognition
	• Globally as well as locally connected
	• A great web site
	• A large inventory of homes for sale
Important qualities to find in the agent you choose:
	• Someone who listens to YOU
	• A good home finding plan
	• A top notch negotiator
	• Expert knowledge of local communities, schools and neighborhoods
	• A history of success with buyers

Important questions to ask when you interview a buyer’s agent:

	• Why did you become a real estate agent?
	• Why should I work with you exclusively?
	• What do you do better than other real estate agents?
	• Does your company have “Tools” for Buyers to make the home search process more efficient?
	• What are the most common things that go wrong in a transaction and how would you handle them?
	• What are some mistakes that you think people make when buying a home?
	• What other professionals do you suggest we work with and what are their credentials?
	• Can you direct me to a web site that provides a state of the art buying experience with HD photos and videos?
	• Do you have one stop shopping to address mortgage and closing needs?
	• Can you provide me with references or testimonials from past clients?