Bob Ashauer

About Buying In Today's Market

It is a great time to buy a home or make a Real Estate investment, but it is also an uncertain time.  The current economic conditions have altered the Real Estate market for you, as buyers.  In the past, consumers could find a home and simply make an offer.  Information was easily available and consumers were wise to the market.  The assistance of a Realtor, paid out of the seller's expenses, was always an important part of the process, and there were plenty of lenders with standard products available.  Today's market is different, and it is constantly changing.

This is a time, more than ever before, when you need a team of qualified professionals dedicated solely to your best interests.

Prices are all over the map as sellers and their agents struggle with pricing their property.  It certainly is a buyer's market, and prices are generally the lowest in years.  The national news is full of price stories, yet our local market varies by area, city, and even by neighborhood.  An experienced and truthful Realtor is an essential partner in determining a buying price strategy, and should be a part of your home searching process from the very beginning.

Mortgage conditions and interest rates change daily in today's environment.  As a buyer, you need a trusted loan officer, who will be there from the beginning to the closing table, working for you with a pre-approved loan to take the uncertainty out of the bargaining and buying process.

Not all homes listed for sale today are equally easy to purchase.  As market prices have come down, many sellers find they owe more on their home than what a buyer will pay.  This becomes a "short sale" which requires the lenders, as well as the owners, to approve the sale.  Negotiations on a short sale are much more complicated and require more skill - and more dispassionate patience!  In today's market, an experienced Realtor must evaluate the "buy-ability" of a property and estimate a purchase timetable that meets your needs.

Foreclosed, bank-owned and other "distressed" properties offer deep discounts on price.  The total cost of ownership, however, must include repairs and fix-ups, as these properties are often neglected.  As a buyer, supported by your Realtor and lender, you need inspections and estimates from professionals to determine the true value of distressed properties.  The buying process for distressed properties usually involves competitive bidding, and the institutions that own these properties are notoriously difficult in working with buyers.  Price is not their only consideration.  An experienced Realtor will work with you to structure an offer that is the most attractive to the bank or company.

In short, this buyer's market is more complex than we have experienced in the past, but it offers great opportunities for wise buyers.  The East Of The Arch Team stands ready to represent you with sound professional service in this changing market.  It is what we do.  Please consider the team and I as your personal Realtors.  Fill out the form below and we will contact you to set up an appointment to discuss meeting your needs in today's market. 

Bob Ashauer
618 581 1695

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