This may be the best buyer's market that we'll see in our lifetimes. There are lots of legitimate reasons why a person should be taking advantage of this market if they are able.

Affordable home prices and low interest rates have created an ideal time for many buyers to purchase homes, and now a new week-long look at homeownership confirms it.  The national study, conducted for The Associated Press, shows that the difference between monthly rents and mortgage payments is at its lowest level in nearly 20 years.

 MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

• The analysis of 45 metro areas found the difference between the monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home and the median rent has declined to $256.  In some areas, the difference is as low as $100, according to the study.  The last time the price gap was that close was in 1993, when it decreased to $264.

#1 Choose the Right Realtor

A short sale can be incredibly difficult. It is a long process at best that can have numerous obstacles and impossible moments. It is far more stressful than a normal sale and has a well of difficulties all its own. It is imperative that you have the very best help on your side. You need a realtor that you can access in the midst of these struggles and one who can communicate clearly and thoroughly with you as you go through the process. It is a long road on a short sale. It is not easy, and more often than not things fall apart for one reason or another. Having the right person along with you to help in this process is essential. Especially when there are long waits for approval or various stages of the process, you need the right realtor to guide you. Find one who has experience in short sales, and can help you weather the long wait and often stormy struggle that is a short sale. Because on the other end, that will make all the difference.

Your Neighborhood Realtor, 

Margo Murray 

Spring Fling

Saturday, April 3, 2010

1 pm - 4 pm

Solana Park 
21601 Via Regressos 

Bring the family out for a fun-filled afternoon of games, crafts, food, fun, and of course, the EGG HUNT!  Remember to bring your baskets!

 Activities:

Photo Ops by Treasured Moments Photography

Photos with live bunnies - $5 per photo

 Bounce Houses

Petting Zoo & Pony Rides 

Carnival Games

Photo Opportunities with Eggbert & Erika the Bunny (bring your camera)

Face Painters 

Make-it  Take-it Crafts
Rock Climbing Wall
Inflatable Games
Tractor Races 

Egg Hunt Schedule:
1 pm – 3 pm (Ages 2 and under)

3:20 pm (Ages 3-4)

3:30 pm (Ages 5-7)

3:40 pm (Ages 8-9)

3:50 pm (Ages 10-12) 

Bring cash to support your local food vendors: 

     Baja Fresh

Kettle Korn Express
Screamin' Ice Cream
Dandy Cotton Candy 

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don't know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you've missed it!

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.