1 of 4 photos Bloomingdale Boro For Sale $319,9003 Beds / 2 Baths
Rare opportunity to purchase a short sale with tons of great updates in pristine condition. This home is just minutes away from the schools and has a back yard that's great for entertaining...
1 of 4 photos Morristown New Jersey For Sale $2,6952 Beds / 2.5 Baths
Beautiful Fully FURNISHED town house for rent or purchase ! Large open floor plan with Living, Dinning ,and laundry room. Walk to town, restuarants, shops, nitelife and NYC train...
1 of 15 photos Elmwood park For Sale $269,9003 Beds / 2 Baths
WELCOME HOME!!!This updated cape cod is well maintained and has alot of extras.It will keep you cool in the summer with its central air, and warm in the winter with 3 zone baseboard heat...
Single Home Buyer
It appears fewer singles are buying homes. And competing against dual-income bids in a period of low interest rates and a dearth of available homes could spell more tough months ahead for single homebuyers.
In 2001, single women bought 15 percent of homes, while single men purchased 7 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors' survey, " 2002 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers," which evaluates marketing, demographic, and other characteristics of home buyers and sellers.
In 1999, singles made up 27 percent of the market share.
"Single buyers were a smaller component of last year's housing market due to the mild recession," said David Lereah, NAR's chief economist.
According to the NAR, 42 percent of all homebuyers are first-timers; 53 percent of single men and 52 percent of single women are new to home buying.
The biggest factor for singles and families continues to center around location the neighborhood, price, and proximity to work, school, family, and friends.
As economic uncertainty lingers, many single homebuyers' biggest concern is whether they can afford a home, especially when some areas of the country are experiencing soaring home prices, making it a challenge for single and married buyers alike.
"There are many first time buyers ready to buy, but with inventory so low many are finding it difficult finding a home," said Rosa Jiminez, a Houston Realtor. "The best advice I can give a buyer in today's market is not to take too much time deciding on making an offer on a home they like. If it looks good and you like it ... go for it. It won't be there tomorrow."
And in Sacramento, one of the more affordable areas in California, the outlook continues to look grim for single buyers looking for an "affordable" home.
"You can almost forget about getting into a nice home in the great neighborhoods for under $200,000," said Sacramento Realtor Steve Rath. "It's still possible, but a tough task."
It's also a sellers' market in parts of the Midwest.
"The real estate market continues to be tremendously active," said Marie B. Farnsworth, a St. Louis Realtor. "Homes that are priced at or near market value are selling the first week for full price or more. Many sellers are receiving multiple offers. Home buyers need to keep up with the new listings if they are serious about purchasing a home this summer."
As a single homebuyer, what should you do to position yourself? For starters, you'll want to:
Do your homework. Determine what you wanthow many bedrooms, approximate square footage, and which neighborhoods you prefer.
Think about condominiums and townhouses. These are typically more affordable and may suit your lifestyle: typically there's little upkeep, you have neighbors likely other singles close by, and you may have access to community facilities, like a pool or workout room. But you'll also need to consider you probably won't have much privacy outdoors or any type of back yard. You'll also need to factor in how much you'll pay for your homeowners association fees.
Spend time comparing mortgages to get the most advantageous plan for your requirements and financial situation.
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage before you begin looking at homes. Not only will this give you an exact price range for your purchase, but pre-qualification will add a great deal of strength to your offer.
Stay in close contact with your agent and clearly express your needs. This is especially important if you're in a market where inventory is low. You'll want to be notified as soon as a home that fits your criteria goes on the market.
Keep in mind that there's no such thing as the "perfect" home. Instead, set priorities. Determine what you're willing to sacrifice, especially if you're in a tight market.
Bid competitively. Keep in mind you'll likely be competing against other offers. If you're in a tight market, it's not the time to see how low the seller will go.
Protect yourself by investing the $200 to $500 for a professional inspection before you buy the home and sign the final mortgage loan papers, otherwise you run the risk of not exposing potentially expensive or even hazardous defects in the property.
Most importantly, if you're determined that now is the time to buy, don't be timid. You'll need to be ready to pounce and make an offer as soon as you see that close-to-perfect home that hits the market.
I live out of state and am relocating to GOLD CO - A great question!! The criteria you should use are the things that are most important to you and your family's unique situation. Do you want a lot of ..
Property Inspection - Regardless of what the inspector may uncover, you shouldn't be
overly concerned about the actual home inspection
Pick An Offer - Picking among several offers isn't always as easy as choosing the highest price, especially in hot markets.
Open House Expectations - Was vacating your home for four or five prime-time hours worth the
inconvenience?
Open House Expectations - Was vacating your home for four or five prime-time hours worth the
inconvenience?
Your Open House - Public open houses may be more beneficial for the
agents themselves than for the home sellers.
Marketing Info - Your broker's marketing efforts and considerations will
include advertising, showing the property, how long the house has been on the
market and whether you're buying another home.
Selling My Property - The age-old observation that "you never get a
second chance to make a first impression" certainly applies when it comes to
attracting buyers to a for-sale home.
Getting Gold Coast Real Estate Ready - A
house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor,
even though both are structurally well-maintained.
In 2001, single women bought 15 percent of homes, while single men purchased 7 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors' survey, " 2002 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers," which evaluates marketing, demographic, and other characteristics of home buyers and sellers.
