Tim McLaughlin, VP Weichert Financial Services
Rates are near historical lows. Housing prices haven’t been this affordable in years, So what are the top reasons supporting the fact that it is a great time to buy that home you have had your eye on (according to the WSJ)?
1. You can get a great deal = buyer’s market. Many of the summer 2011 buyers have purchased or are waiting for spring 2012. An excellent time to beat them to the punch and grab that house of your dreams..
2. Mortgages are cheap. You can get a 30 year loan in the high 3%/low 4% range. What’s not to like? These are the lowest rates on record. As recently as three years ago they were about 6.25%. That drop slashes your monthly repayment by a fifth. When the economy and employment do recover, it is a fair bet that you won’t see these mortgage rates again in your lifetime.
3. You’ll save on taxes. You can deduct the mortgage interest from your income taxes. You can deduct your real estate taxes. And you’ll get a tax break on capital gains down the line when you sell.
4. It’ll be yours. You can have the kitchen and bathrooms you want. You can move the walls, build an extension, or paint everything bright orange if you so desire.
5. You’ll get a better place to live. In many parts of the country right now, it can be really hard to find a good rental given the glut of renter in the marketplace.
6. It offers some inflation protection. No, it’s not perfect. But studies by Professor Karl “Chip” Case (of Case-Shiller), and others, suggest that over the long term housing has tended to beat inflation by a couple of percentage points a year. That’s valuable inflation insurance, especially if you’re young and raising a family and thinking about the next 30 or 40 years.
7. It is forced savings. If you can rent an apartment for say $2,000 month instead of buying one for say $2,400 a month, renting may make sense. But will you save that $400 for your future? A lot of people won’t. Most, I dare say. Thus where is the true value and the savings?
8. Weichert will help make the transaction seamless…ask us how! Call us at the office today to make an appointment to learn the buying process! 609-921-1900
