IS REAL ESTATE STILL GOOD INVESTMENT?

Over the last few months I have personally had the opportunity to ask several people (at random) about the residential real estate market. I did not mention that I was associated with the real estate industry. During our conversation, the majority had expressed a concern for future values. Most believed values would continue to drop. Combined with the media and some pessimistic people, it is our job to be the educator in our business.

Here are some facts of today’s market and these examples will apply to any value with the same percentages:

Let’s use a $200,000.00 value and to make things easier, let’s assume 100% financing. At 4.500% the P & I payment would be $1,013.37

Assume values dropped an additional 10% - NOW using a loan amount of $180,000. Assume 6.500%, the P & I payment would be $1,137.72. $124.35 higher!

Okay, for those who view as “half empty” – With a 20% drop using $160,000 assuming 6.500%, the P & I payment would be $1,011.31, only $2.06 difference!!!

History has proven that buying real estate is a good investment. Generally over time, most can depend on appreciation. The majority of business that we do generate is primarily consumers who are purchasing a home to occupy as their principal residence. The consumer’s concern should be narrowed to personal preference. As history has proven, the investment overtime shOver the last few months I have personally had the opportunity to ask several people (at random) about the residential real estate market. I did not mention that I was associated with the real estate industry. During our conversation, the majority had expressed a concern for future values. Most believed values would continue to drop. Combined with the media and some pessimistic people, it is our job to be the educator in our business.

Here are some facts of today’s market and these examples will apply to any value with the same percentages:

Let’s use a $200,000.00 value and to make things easier, let’s assume 100% financing. At 4.500% the P & I payment would be $1,013.37

Assume values dropped an additional 10% - NOW using a loan amount of $180,000. Assume 6.500%, the P & I payment would be $1,137.72. $124.35 higher!

Okay, for those who view as “half empty” – With a 20% drop using $160,000 assuming 6.500%, the P & I payment would be $1,011.31, only $2.06 difference!!!

History has proven that buying real estate is a good investment. Generally over time, most can depend on appreciation. The majority of business that we do generate is primarily consumers who are purchasing a home to occupy as their principal residence. The consumer’s concern should be narrowed to personal preference. As history has proven, the investment overtime should be sound. However, past results do not guarantee future performance.

If the consumer’s primary motive for purchasing is strictly investment, the approach is completely different. As we are all aware, timing is everything! Buying real estate does not provide a prospectus as does investing with stocks or bonds. That said, personally, I have done very well over the last twenty years by buying real estate. Today my real estate investments lie in a shallow valley, as do my other investments. I recognize that this is the time to buy. A buyer’s market combined with historic interest rates should help buyer’s fear.

If your purchaser’s are buying below $300,000, a great option is a thirty-year FHA fixed rate mortgage. FHA loans are assumable with qualifying. This will release the seller from any future liability along with creating a low interest rate for future buyers! Assuming values do decrease, the assumable mortgage will add a valuable feature for future buyers! ould be sound. However, past results do not guarantee future performance.

If the consumer’s primary motive for purchasing is strictly investment, the approach is completely different. As we are all aware, timing is everything! Buying real estate does not provide a prospectus as does investing with stocks or bonds. That said, personally, I have done very well over the last twenty years by buying real estate. Today my real estate investments lie in a shallow valley, as do my other investments. I recognize that this is the time to buy. A buyer’s market combined with historic interest rates should help buyer’s fear.

If your purchaser’s are buying below $300,000, a great option is a thirty-year FHA fixed rate mortgage. FHA loans are assumable with qualifying. This will release the seller from any future liability along with creating a low interest rate for future buyers! Assuming values do decrease, the assumable mortgage will add a valuable feature for future buyers!