When is the best time to buy a home?

Contrary to headlines announcing falling home values, foreclosures and other consumer blues, there's now news that many homeowners are happy with their current homes and think this is a great time for buyers to enter the market. 

According to a recent Pew Research Center Social & Demographic Trendssurvey, 90% of participating homeowners view their home as a comfort in life instead of a burden, even as market values drift downward. 

These happy homeowners also tend to give high marks to their community for cost of living and available cultural activities, and though 79% say it's a bad time to sell a home in their area, 65% feel it's a good time to buy there. 

This trend squares with this week's news that February home sales were up 5.1%, the biggest surge since 2003. As for the folks who regard themselves as burdened homeowners, nearly half (45%) say they're likely to move in the next five years but expect to have a rough time doing so. 

Nine in ten of these burdened owners say it's a bad time to sell a home in their area, and are staying put for the present in communities they gave fair-to-poor marks for cost of living and cultural aspects. So, it's still mostly home sweet home for many owners around the country, and those looking to join their ranks can find great opportunities in the search well-priced properties 

Tom Kraeutler is the Home Improvement Editor for AOL and co-author of My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure. He delivers home improvement tips each week as host of The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated home improvement radio program.

Source: at Walletpop.com

Home Sales up 1%

Closings are being delayed somewhat because of the new appraisal guidelines.  But with some clarification it should be smooth in the future.

Current Market Analysis-BUY IF YOU CAN

 looks like the improvement may be a trend.  Remember that when rates go up, it’s like a rocket. When rates come down, it’s like a parachute.  The mortgage wholesalers took a beating on the loans that were in the pipeline when rates went up. When it was time to sell those loans to the secondary market,  they had to sell them at a huge discount to make up for the new higher rates compared to when the loans had been originally locked.

The wholesalers are reluctant to pass on improved rates after an episode of spiking rates. They will want to make up some lost profits, and they will want to re-gain confidence that a wild spike in rates will not happen again right away.

Here are some indicators that maybe these rates will continue to improve a little.

1. Yesterday the inflation numbers came in quite tame.  (The mischief out there will be oil prices).
2. The Fed’s Kevin Marsh today was warning investors from too much optimism in the economy rebounding very quickly.  There seems to be a consensus the recovery will be quite gradual.  This is also good for controlling inflation.
3. The Mortgage Backed Bonds today has broken above the 200 day moving average which is considered to be a very firm ceiling of resistance to improvement.  This has held all day long and is a hopeful sign.

WHAT  WE’RE TELLING OUR CLIENTS

1.      Rates have come back down from the high 5’s  to the mid,  and a littler lower 5’s.    There should be time for a buyer to get out there, find the right deal, and lock in these rates before they change.

2.       Remember that time is running out for the $8000  first time home buyer’s tax credit.  There is less than 4 months left to close on a house and claim this free money.

Source of article found here at Utah's Real Estate Network.

Modern Home on Golf Course

Cick here for more details.  This is a beautiful contemporary Style home located on the Golf Course at Sleepy Ridge in Orem.  A huge state of the art Club house is dynamic.  This home has clean angles, and architectural style, all for a low cost of 249,900 for over 3,000 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths.  Finished to simplicity and clean, contemporary style.

This is a newer concept for this area.  We'd love to know your thoughts, questions, or comments.  Thanks!

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Side

Main Floor

Front

Upstairs

Colonial Style Home For You

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This is a brand new listing that will knock your sox off.  It was a parade of homes house in 2007.  It sits on a third acre, fully fenced with a private keybad gate.  It has a luxurious swimming pool and hot tub with a water fall.  Landscaped to the hilt.  Detached 2 car garage with a pool house, shower and bathroom, and a loft upstairs (and soon to have a second kitchen).  The back yard wouldn't be complete without the outdoor theater screen and speakers in the rocks.

This home was completely gutted and remodeled and a floor was added.  The kitchen has caesar stone countertops, sub-zero fridge and all top of the line professional series kitchen aid appliances.  The bathrooms and laundry room have stone flooring and soap stone countertops.  Most of the flooring is solid rustic walnut.  Built in cabinetry, lighting control system, and audio fully wired and installed with speakers and wall controls.  Ipod insets.  4.5 baths, not including the one in the pool house, and  5 bedrooms, fireplace, formal dining, theater room and so much more.  Over 5,000 square feet, listed below appraisal at $850,000.

High End Listing

Currently this home is under contract, however, we are accepting back up offers.

Click here for more details

This home is located in the heart of Provo, in a beautiful gated community, Stonegate, setting in the Provo River.  This home is .72 of an acre, over 13,500 square feet, 7 bedrooms (each a master suite with walk in closet & bathroom), 3 laundry rooms, sauna/steam room, theater room, 2nd kitchen, top of the line finishes, granite, w-tone paint & so much more.  Priced at only $1,699,000.  

New Spanish Fork Home on the Corner

This Home SOLD after a few short months, 

if you like homes like this, leave a comment and we can find you another one.  And if you have a home you'd like marketed well and SOLD in a timely manner, let us know.

This home is PRICED TO SELL, listed at just $167,000, and located across from the new city buildings in Spanish Fork.  A quiet neighborhood surrounding a park.  It has an open, flowing floor plan, and many newer, updated features, such as; lights, flooring, and paint.  Seller is very motivated, leave a comment and we'll contact you, or call us with our numbers located on the side.