Archive for December 11th, 2009

The Housing Market

Friday, December 11th, 2009
Mathtaus asked:


The Housing Market

Everyone is interested in the housing market for one reason or another. Some are looking to sell homes, others are looking to buy, and many people are looking for information on apartments and condos as well. Deciding on where you want to move is one of the major factors in choosing a home and making the best of what the housing market has to offer. If you’re moving to a major U.S. city like Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, or the state of Florida, you’ll want to find out as much about the real estate market and home buying suggestions for each area. Here is some information that will definitely help.

First of all, figuring out what you’ll be able to afford when it comes to a home will help you to customize your real estate search. Take a detailed look at your finances, and compare your financial state with the areas you plan on moving to. Each city will have different economic requirements, and there are different features in homes depending on the part of the country they are located in. For instance, you’ll probably find smaller but conveniently located apartments in New York, but these apartments will be slightly more expensive than an apartment in Florida; there are a number of loft-style apartments in Chicago, but the same style of apartment in Los Angeles may cost a little more. So, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the real estate market while you’re planning your move so that you’ll know exactly what to expect once you arrive in your new area.

Next, you should look at the specific types of homes that each geographical location has to offer. Search the Internet for real estate listings in each area, and take notes on the things that interest you in each home, apartment, or condo. You can also find out which real estate agents in the area will be able to give you the assistance that you need. If you don’t yet live in the city you plan on moving to, contacting a real estate agent online, as well as browsing real estate listings on the web will be very beneficial in helping you to decide on the perfect home.

Look for all the details you’ll need in a home, no matter how small. For instance, if you want wall-to-wall carpeting, or prefer a home with a balcony or spacious yard, be sure to make this plain when you talk to your real estate agent. The ads should be descriptive enough to let you know whether or not you want to look into seriously purchasing the home, but if you have questions, be sure to let the agent or seller know. For instance, there are several apartment ads in Chicago detailing apartments and town homes with garages, but if you need a two-car garage, you should contact the real estate agent to see if this is a possibility; there are a number of real estate ads for penthouses in New York, but you may not be able to see a picture, so you should contact the agent for more details. Many real estate listings will allow you to take a tour of the property to determine if the square footage is to your liking; if not, you may be able to request more details.

You should also take a look at the number of homes, condos, and apartments that are available in each area. If you’re moving because of a job or school transfer, you’ll want to make sure that there is enough opportunity for you to get the home you’ll want in the time frame you need it in. Sites like www.house.info will let you know how many homes of every type you can expect to find in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the state of Florida. Places like New York and Chicago usually have the most apartments for rent and for sale, and if you’re looking to purchase a home, town home, or condo, Las Vegas is a good place to begin your search.

If you’re selling a home in either of these areas, you’ll want to make a checklist of all the things that should be done to make sure that your home looks its best and is as marketable as possible. It’s a good idea to do minor repairs to the home, such as painting the fence, fixing small electrical problems and even doing a few painting jobs in certain rooms in your home will make your home more attractive and appealing to potential buyers. It’s also a great idea to look at other homes in your area that are for sale–this will give you an idea of how to price your home, and will let you know which home features are popular in your neighborhood; this way you’ll appeal to buyers that are natives to the city, and those moving to the are for the first time. You’ll also need to do a home evaluation with your real estate agent to see if the home’s value has increased or not. You’ll also want to make your home more enticing to buyers by using the area you live in to make the home more sensible for buying. For example, if you’re selling a home in Florida and live relatively close to a beach or two, make sure that you mention this when potential buyers arrive for open house. You may also want to fix up the landscape around your home, such as trimming palm trees, making sure that lawn is manicured, and even adding a fountain or bird bath. If you live in a big metropolitan area like New York City or Chicago, you’ll want to point out how convenient the area is, and become aware of neighborhood attractions–even the ones you don’t go to that often.

For more information on the home market, real estate agents, and housing information on the above-mention cities, check out sites like www.house.info, and click on the city of your choice.



HUGO

Housing Market Forecast Unchanged

Friday, December 11th, 2009
Mike Colpitts asked:


Housing markets will depreciate an average of 4.2% nationwide in 2007, according to the annual Housing Predictor forecast. The forecast for the decline was first issued in January and after a reassessment at mid-year remains unchanged.

An average depreciation rate of 4.2% would be the largest depreciation the U.S. housing markets have seen since 1991. Housing markets in the majority of the nation have an over supply of inventory of homes, condos and other properties on the market. Many areas have their highest inventory in years with declining prices. But 18 states markets are experiencing appreciation, despite the nationwide slump in housing sales. Another ten states are stabilizing.

The Housing Predictor forecast model took the expected foreclosure crisis into account in its forecasts and the web site has been credited for its correct forecast of more than 2-million homes that will be foreclosed through 2009, mainly due to fall out from the sub-prime loan crisis.

However, many markets have been insulated from the sub-prime crisis. Second home and vacation markets and many markets above the $300,000 price mark are not experiencing many foreclosures due to the sub-prime crisis since buyers in those price ranges usually do not obtain sub-prime loans, which are made to shaky borrowers with damaged credit histories.

Housing Predictor forecasts more than 250 local housing markets in all 50 U.S. states and also provides new real estate listings and foreclosure listings with its new partner, Realty Store.com.

The web site, which provides unbiased forecasts, is regularly consulted by major financial institutions and Wall Street brokerage firms, banks, mortgage companies, real estate companies and consumers for its up to date forecasts.

The nation’s housing markets are under going otherwise normal transitions to more steady sales in many parts of the nation unaffected by the sub-prime crisis after five years of record appreciation in many markets.

Housing Predictor expects 2008 home sales to also be soft in many areas of the country, but to show gradual improvement in growth towards the end of the year in heavily populated western states and the northeast.



JACK