At one point or another, we all have probably thought, “If I knew then, what I know now, I would have done things differently.” Since hindsight, as they say, is 20/20, we’d have known to buy Apple stock in 2002 for $8.50 or gold in 2000 for $300. Well, the 2012 Northern Virginia real estate market conditions could be one of those times that we look back on in the future and say, “If I’d only bought…”
In the future, it may be clear that this was the best buyer’s market ever. The prices are down nationwide 35-40% from four years ago, mortgage rates have never been this low and rents are rising. Few homes have been built in recent years to keep up with a growing population. Now may be the best time to buy real estate.
The housing affordability index, which is considered at 100 to be positive, has increased to over 200 for several months. The index has fallen for the first time in years due to shrinking inventories and rising prices.
This ‘buying” opportunity applies equally to purchasing a primary home or to a property to rent out as an investment. Approximately one-third of the homes purchased last year were done by investors. It makes sense, because the positive cash flows far exceed most other investment alternatives available.
The question we’re all faced with this year is whether we’ll be saying we seized or missed an opportunity of a lifetime. Browse some current Northern Virginia homes for sale and consider seizing the day.
If you are thinking of selling, learn how the nation’s Top Realtors sell their personal family homes for more money than their neighbors. Get my Free CD, or Free Report of the 10 Best ‘Insider’ Home Selling Strategies that I extracted from over 8 years on my Real Estate Radio Show interviewing the Industry’s Top Experts.
If you are thinking of buying, find out how the Industry ‘Insiders’ Save $25,000 – $50,000 on their personal home purchases, and how you can too. Get my Free CD or Free Report Top 10 Insider Home Buying Secrets of the Wealthy. I use these same proven strategies every day.