Owning your own home is part of the American Dream. It is a status symbol as well as a security. It is an investment into your future as well as a comfort. There are several reasons that you should consider for making your home purchase now.
1. Interest rates. Interest rates are very low right now. In fact, we have not seen these rates for decades. Purchasing a home now will allow you to obtain a mortgage with low monthly payments saving you thousands of dollars in interest over the course of the loan. Interest rates are bound to rise again as the economy stabilizes. The time is now to take advantage of historically low interest rates.
2. Home Prices. While it is awful that so many people have lost their homes, it has created an abundance of home inventories. Homes are being sold for a third of their past values. All around the country you can find terrific deals on homes you may have not been able to afford in the past. With prices so low, you will be able to purchase more home for your money. This includes new homes or recently built homes. Many developers have found that their plans were stopped when the economy halted. Large homes in new subdivisions have incredibly low price tags attached to them. It is a buyers market.
3. It is just nice to live in a place that you own. You have more control when you own where you live. Suppose your landlord decides to sell. Then you have to go through the headache of moving and finding a new place to live. Being a renter can be a hassle.
4. Build Equity. When you purchase a home or property you are creating wealth. As home values rise and mortgage payments are made, the value of your home increases. The difference between what the home is worth and what is owed on the mortgage is the available equity. As your equity builds so does your wealth. Assume you purchased a 100k home with a 15 year mortgage. Home values during that period went up anywhere from 1-5% a year during that fifteen years. When your mortgage is paid off you will now own a property that is worth anywhere from 120-175k, clear and free. You have just increased your net worth by that amount. Not only have your enjoyed your home during this period, you have created wealth by simply taking advantage of purchasing a home at the right time.
5. Leverage. Right now it is a buyers market. As the inventory of homes decreases this leverage will eventually go away. Most real estate markets are moving towards equilibrium. Home buyers did not have the same leverage that they had a year ago. I imagine a year from now home buyers will have even less control. It is best to buy when the seller needs you more than you need the seller.
There may never be another time like this where prices and interest rates are low. This window of opportunity may disappear. I don't see rampant speculation anytime soon that will make homes unaffordable again however interest could and probably will rise. Consider making a home purchase today.
Marc Rasmussen sells Sarasota FL Homes For Sale
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