As we start not only a new year but also a new decade, this certainly seems like the ultimate time for New Years Resolutions! With an economically challenging year just past and an unprecedented arctic blast this first week of the new year... it certainly gives us a lot to think about. Somehow losing weight or getting is shape pales in comparison to 'getting a job' or 'finding a home'.
Thankfully, unemployment finally appears to have stabilized and companies are hiring again. The forecast is for mortgage rates to begin to inch higher this year. With home prices a definite bargain and mortgage rates still low, the time for procrastinating on buying that may be over. As we mentioned in an earlier blog about the Move.com survey, nearly 18% of Americans say they are resolved to become a first time home buyer in 2010. The aging population is finding these harsh winters more and more difficult to handle and are searching for an alternative lifestyle. With prices rolled back to 2003, many are getting serious about resolving to find their second "winter" home in 2010.
Another 16% are seriously considering real estate as an investment purchase as their top resolution considering the current investment conditions! So how to get started? These days almost everyone uses the Internet during the home search process. 90% used the Internet at some point and 76% said they did so frequently. Hard to believe that just seven years ago only 41% of buyers indicated any Internet use at all! In a study of what the most effective way for a Buyer to match up with the right Home, it was the combination of the Internet and the right real estate agent. The various search engines for homes can often fall short on their own with outdated information or inability to search for more pertinent factors such as deed restrictions, pet weight, tax information. Using an agent with knowledge of the area and access to the realtor-only MLS search engine makes a great deal of sense in making the best of both worlds.
That is why as The Purtee Team we specialize in the area along the beaches of Tampa Bay. In addition, we have a powerful search engine available right from our website to Search All MLS. You can do a search, find MLS #'s you like and email it directly to us. We then do the further homework for you to find out more specifics. The other extremely useful tool is the Home Buyer Program where you can get automatically emailed when a home that meets your criteria comes on the market or has a reduction in price. In that way, you are the first to be informed! Be sure to check out our website and all its features at www.floridagulfproperty.com
No comments:
Post a Comment