Seven Reasons To Love A Tough Market

Today’s housing market is challenging. That’s a given.
That’s given. It’s tough on buyers and sellers alike, who are anxious, not knowing where the real state market is going next.
They both want –and often need – a great deal whether they are buying and selling. Our current real estate market requires a special perspective no matter which side settlement table you are on.


Savvy buyers can readily find a lot to love in today’s market. Buyers feel the love from low interest rates and competitive prices to a huge selection of homes and incredible investment opportunities.
Look past the national headlines –which are gloomy at best and don’t apply at worst – to our local real estate market. Here is where buyers benefit the most when the going is tough. Unless, of course, you wait and miss out.

Smart Sellers, on the other hand, can benefit from a buyer’s market as well. Successful home sellers in today’s market know they must price their home correctly and be flexible. Providing a buyer with a great deal on their home opens the door for sellers to move on to their own next step- whether it’s moving up, downsizing or relocating. Smart sellers also know they may give up on price, they can make up- and then some-on their next home purchase. That’s another bright side of today’s real estate market.

Take a moment to learn the seven reasons why it’s a great time to buy a home. And, be sure to contact us when you are ready to make a move.

1. Loving Low Interest Rates
Historically low interest rates continue to allow home buyers to afford more home for their money. Lower interest rates reduce your monthly payment and increase your buying power. Locking in at a low, fixed-interest rate means your monthly loan payment will never change over the course of your loan.
2. Embracing Investment Property
Even if you are not in the market to buy a primary residence, you should take a look at the properties available for sale as investments. With ever-increasing numbers of families looking for rent, it’s and opportune time to invest in a rental property. Being a landlord can be a rewarding experience when you find the perfect property.
3. Attractive Home Prices
Home prices have never looked better! Many sellers are motivated to get their homes sold and are pricing accordingly. Don’t be afraid to make an offer on a home or to work with us to negotiate a great price on a great home.
4. Wondrous Selection of Homes
If your “needs and wants list” of home futures can’t be contained, now is the time to be looking at homes. The selection available in our area is outstanding. No matter what your budget, family size or life stage, we can help you find the home that fits.
5. Digging Distressed Properties
Others’ foreclosures, bank-owned and short-sale properties can be the key to your next home. Don’t overlook distressed properties, as you may uncover a hidden gem priced right so you can make upgrades and improvements without breaking your budget. Distressed doesn’t mean a steal, but it can often lead to a great deal.
6. Engaging You Financial Options
If your are tired of seeing your savings yo-yo in the volatile stock market, real estate is a great asset balancer. Consult your financial professional to make sure you have the savings to spare. When you are ready, we can help you find great investment property or a home to buy for all-cash if you desire.
7. Winning Over Motivated Sellers
Successful sellers keep the market going. Homeowners are eager to sell their homes to buyers who make realistic offers. It is crowded market for sellers, but the ones who are motivated will offer a great price and may throw in incentives ( e.g., helping with closing costs, etc.) or much-valued sweeteners –home warranty- that are as good as cash.
8. Professional Partner
When you are buying or selling a home, it is difficult to go it alone. We can help you every step of the way when it comes to getting a great deal on a new home. Feel free to contact us anytime you are ready to jump into real estate market to buy or sell. We would love to work with you!


Call Tatyana Baytler with any real estate question: 443-527-4375

www.LagretRealEstate.com

Five mistakes even good homeowners make

Have you ever accidently left a
candle burning unattended? Or left home without turning on the security system? You probably made a mental note to yourself not to do it again but otherwise didn’t think much about it.

But next time, you might not get so lucky. A simple “uh oh” could lead to thousands of dollars in damage to your home.

“It’s a mindset of thinking about the consequences of things, of what could go wrong,” says Tim Reinhold, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and chief engineer for the Institute for Business and Home Safety.

Here are five common safety mistakes that even good homeowners make:

Mistake 1: Not cleaning out the filter on your clothes dryer
Why it’s risky: Fire. Those wads of lint that get caught in your dryer’s filter can pose a major fire hazard. “It’s hot enough, particularly if you’re running the clothes on the dry setting instead of just permanent press,” says Reinhold. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, dryers cause more than 15,000 fires annually.

Your strategy: Be sure to completely empty the lint trap every time you use your dryer. Also, make sure that your dryer ducts are metal, since they’re less likely to sag and allow lint to build up.

Mistake 2: Putting cardboard boxes from recent big-ticket purchases out on the curb with the garbage
Why it’s risky: Theft. By placing boxes in a visible location, you’re sending a signal to burglars that you have valuable items in your home.

Your strategy: “Cut those boxes up and put them into the garbage or recycling bin,” recommends ERIE Agent Beverly Goff of Northern Insurance in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Mistake 3: Neglecting tree branches that hang close to your home
Why it’s risky: Roof or other property damage. A snowstorm or even high winds could sweep through your neighborhood and knock those branches right off onto your roof, causing serious damage. Ice can also weigh down branches, causing them to snap off.

Your strategy: Consult an arborist or tree surgeon about any trees in your yard that might present a potential hazard. “You’ve got to think about pruning them back, or if it’s an older tree, having it removed altogether,” says Terry McConnell, ERIE’s vice president and manager, Personal Lines Underwriting.

Mistake 4: Leaving your outside hoses connected to the house during the winter
Why it’s risky: Potential water damage. It’s easy to forget that you never stored your hoses after the weather cooled off. But Goff warns, “Get those hoses disconnected. If you don’t disconnect them, you run the risk of water seeping into the internal walls. Often this type of loss is not detected in a timely manner, causing serious widespread damage, plus the health risk of black mold.”

Your strategy: Disconnect the hoses from the outdoor faucets, roll them up and store them inside your garage or basement before cold weather sets in.

Mistake 5: Not checking the status of the water hoses for your appliances
Why it’s risky: Water damage. Hoses for washers and refrigerators do wear out and need to be replaced before they spring a leak. According to Reinhold, the water supply line to the icemaker can also be a water leak waiting to happen. “The plastic piping on the back of the fridge a lot of times will get brittle with age,” he warned.

Your strategy: Replace washing machine hoses every five years. If you see the plastic line along the back of the refrigerator becoming discolored (yellow or brown), have an appliance repair expert check it out.