Q: I’ve been looking for ahome for a long time. In my price range, it seems like there is becoming less good homes for sale. When I first started looking, there were lots of houses, although they were always a big challenge because so many other buyers were trying to buy them at the same time as me. Now, it seems like those same ol’ “crappy” houses that no one wants before are pretty much all that is left, and when a good house comes up, it sells quickly. I’m getting frustrated and angry, and I am beginning to think I should give up my American Dream of owning a home. Is this all in my head or what?
A: Nope. Today’s house selections is slim pick’ins. I’m no Enstein, so I can’t say I know imperically why inventories seem to be stagnant and undesirable, but they are! This is one of those delicate values we see that you can’t see by looking only at the data — the number of homes on the market are up, but the reality is that much of what is out there seems to be the same homes that have been on the market for a long period of time. And the ones that are considered new inventory are homes that have gone through some sort of financial troubles or bank ownership. Usually that means the homes lost most of its loving care it was accustomed to when times were better and it shows.
Other indicators like days on market (DOM) and number of homes on the market don’t really give you a true picture of the real estate market either. The homes that don’t “pop” when you walk into them stay on the market a long time, but the ones everyone loves sale right away, when they come on the market. Because of these extremities you get a results that is tainted from the normal market analyzation.
Change Your Thinking
It’s time for you to recall why you decided to buy a home in the first place. What was the dream of home ownership you had for your life when you start the whole process of buying a home? Was it for extra bedroom for your children? The chance to entertain the way you want to entertain? Were you motivated to buy a home in a buyers market so you could take advantage of it and not be a person placed at the sellers whims like a couple of years ago? When you do get angry or think you should give up, go back to your original motivations. Remember why you started this home buying process in the first place!
If your original reasons inspired you, they’ll once again guide you through your times of thinking about giving up. If your reasons aren’t inspirational, then you might be better off deciding to wait and maybe revisit buying a home at a later date: If you aren’t motivated or have a strong sense of urgency more than likely you probably won’t ever find the home of your dreams. Today’s market require that committment from a serious home buyer. Buying a home is hard work now-a-days.
If you do decide to get out of the homebuying process and wait, be aware of the consequences by giving up. There’s all sorts of “Gurus” discussing where prices and foreclosure trends are going in the near future, however, there’s agreement with almost all of them that interest rates are going up, along with lending guidelines getting even tougher. So buyers have to “qualify” for a loan before a bank will fund a mortgage…imagine that!
Likewise, the homebuyer tax credit ends April 30, 2010. A decision to stop looking for your new home could very well be a decision to forfeit all of those current pro-buyer market conditions.
If you decide to move forward, it’s important to get clarity on what your wants and needs really are, and be more committed to compromising on things that aren’t your strong must-haves or deal-breakers. Focus on what is truly important to you and be open to possible different scenarios that may work for you in the long run even though it may not be the decision you want right now. For example you may only want a “move-in” condition home but you haven’t found it yet. Maybe buying a fixer-upper at a discount might work for you if you plan to use your tax-credit funds to do the fixing like new painting, new carpeting and other cosmetic finishes that can show off your future diamond in the rough that is now your new home.
A good number of my clients feel the same as you may be feeling and they too seem to just be treading water. They grow more worried and impatient when they can’t find any home that they want, when a house does come on the market for sale they still hesitate before making an offer even if it would fit their criteria for their home. If that’s you, here’s some advice: Quit hesitating!
When you see a place that would work for you, make an offer — just do it! Do it decisively and quickly. Don’t worry about the small stuff like pinching pennies or agonize over spending money for something you want — be forthright and aggressive in your timing and your pricing, and you’ll have a much better chance of success. Nickle and dime a seller and they will nickle and dime you back. Make an acceptable and fair offer that will make the sellers and you have a warm fuzzy feeling in your tummies and everyone wins. If you do that you can be firm with your offer because you have given a honest and fair offer. By being fair and forthright you will get your new home. Now all your worries, anger and frustrations will gone.
What You Must Know
If you’re wanting to be fair without overpaying for a home, make sure that you and your agent study the MLS statistics in an intelligent way. When you look at the comparables, look at homes that are very similar to the home you want to place an offer on — not just in location or bedrooms and baths count, but look at the exterior curb appeal, the various upgrades and your level of appeal. When you analyse these homes, check the list-price-to-sale-price ratio: How much did they sell for compared to what they were listed for?
This can help you understand with clarity that particular neighborhood — this in turn helps create a comfort level about what to offer whether ii is more than asking or indicates limits so you don’t offer too much — when it comes to getting aggressive and being fair when making your offer on your new home, when one comes on the market.
Action Plan
1. Revisit your motivations and reasons for buying a new home in the first place. Commit to the home buying process or decide to stop looking for a home, with a full understanding of what you are giving up.
2. Be fair and decisive and move quickly to make a strong offer, when you find a home which would meet your needs and criteria for your new home.
3. Be ready to compromise or use a stategy that will still accomplish your original goal of owning a home, and plan to put your tax-credit money to use by fixing your new home so it is the American Dream you have always had since a child.
