Buyer's Resource
Now is a great time to buy! In the last five years, we have transitioned from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market. With many homes listed at affordable prices and low interest rates, prospective home buyers can buy more of a house than ever before.
Two questions I am often asked:
- Should first time homebuyers wait for a house to reduce in price?
- Should home owners wait for a market change to trade up?
Both are taking a chance by waiting.
If the first time homebuyer waits until the selling price lowers, they risk the chance of interest rates going up. If interest rates goes up by 0.05%, they would spend more money in monthly payments over the course of the loan then they would if the home was reduced by $10,000. With higher monthly payments, the buyer may have to settle for a lesser home.
The buyer who is trading up could recover their perceived loss on the home they are selling by buying a new home at a greater savings. Interest rates will affect these buyers doubly: in the price they pay for their new home and the number of people qualifying to purchase their home. The only risk buyers are making in today's buyer's market is not purchasing a home now.
Links
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Find Homes
Local MLS Service
Local Home Builders Assoc.
Garfield Development - homes for lower income families
Lighthouse Communities - Homes for lower income families
National MLS Service
HUD Homes
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Down payment Assistance Programs & Lenders
AmeriDream
MSHDA Down Payment Assistance and Loans for lower Income Famlies
City of Grand Rapids Down Payment Asst. Fund
Free Credit Correction - Plainfield Area
Free Credit Correction - Grand Rapids area
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Other
Real Estate Attorney - Kuiper & Libeke
Free Credit Report
Bank Owned Homes
On Line Real Estate Magazine
Neighborhood Associations
Address Change On Line