Southside Housing Alliance

“… Vast majority of Americans believe it is more beneficial to own a home as opposed to renting, according to new survey from Jan 2011. Both renters and home-owners said owning a home is a smart decision. 93% of home-owners would buy again…”

“…Nationwide housing affordability during the fourth quarter of 2010 rose to its highest level in the 20 years since it has been measured. Indianapolis was the most affordable major housing market in the country, a spot is has held for nearly five years…”

“…The Indianapolis Real Estate Market is really heating up. Although the January Report released by MIBOR late last week shows that sales price were up and activity was down at the end of January – there is no doubt that February activity is REALLY heating up. Both seller and buyer activity has risen greatly in the past few weeks with new listings and showing appointments on the rise…”

“…2010 Indy-area new-home permits up from ‘09. Builders applied for 3,720 new-home permits last year, a 2.6 percent increase over 2009. Counties showing gains in homebuilding permits last year include Johnson County, which was up 59% from 2009…”

“…Indianapolis’ recovering commercial real estate markets are poised to continue their comeback in 2011.
An annual “state of real estate” report was released today that brushes a sheen of optimism on the office, industrial and retail markets. After commercial real estate markets tanked in 2009, they partially bounced back last year and stand to strengthen even more this year if hiring and consumer spending grow…”

“… As real estate professionals, we pride ourselves on our ability to help clients make sound property decisions. We alert clients to opportunities, present the facts and then help clients assess options based on their needs and objectives. Our challenge now is in presenting the home-buying opportunity of a lifetime to consumers besieged by bad news and sensational headlines and sound bites of a consistently negative press. It comes down to educating buyers and sellers – helping them weigh homeownership possibilities and benefits…”

“…If you’ve been through a foreclosure, you may wonder if there is hope for you to become a homeowner again. The answer is yes, but it will take a while. Know that time is your friend, as the farther you move away from the financial distress, the less negative impact it has. Follow with responsible behavior with your new credit, and you’ll soon have a solid credit file. Here are some strategies to help get you there…”

“…Buying a home is a big step. Fortunately, trained professionals are willing and able to help you through the process. In addition to the many benefits of homeownership, low interest rates and more affordable prices make now an especially opportune time to purchase. Still, the commitment is a substantial one, and we encourage you to ask questions and be informed about the decision you are making so that the home you buy is a home you can enjoy for years to come…”

“… It’s a good idea to use an agent in your home purchase for numerous reasons. The overriding advantage is that when you work with an agent, you have a knowledgeable professional on your side who will work to get you the best deal on the right home in the right location. This is a critical factor in what may be the biggest financial transaction in most people’s lives. Other major advantages of working with a real estate agent include…”

“… Real estate agents offer advice as to why now is a good time to become a homeowner, and provide tips for getting started. -If interest rates go up significantly, you won’t be able to afford as much house as you can now. -In the end would you rather be a “Glad I Did” person or a “Wish I Would Have” person? …”

“…Now is the best time to purchase a home. Interest rates are at a historic low, and housing prices in many markets have adjusted to levels that have not been seen in years. But before you start your property search or drive around neighborhoods looking at every house with a “For Sale” sign in the yard, you’ll need some information. In particular, you’ll need to know how much house you can afford and get preapproved for a home mortgage. Here are six things you can do right now to help you enter the preapproval process…”

“…Steps you should take in preparation to buying a home include finding a local lender you can talk to in person, deciding on the area you want to live in, finding a real estate agent to work with, understanding that cosmetic fixes are easily handled, and being prepared to act when you find the right house. Read the article for further explanation…”

“…Housing affordability remained near its highest level nationwide for the seventh consecutive quarter. Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind., was the most affordable major housing market in the country, regaining the top ranking it held for nearly five years after being edged out by Syracuse, N.Y., last quarter. In Indianapolis, 93.3 percent of all homes sold were affordable…”

“… One of the most important decisions you’ll make as you proceed in the homebuying process is the type of home you want to live in. A single-family home? A townhome or condo? A duplex or triplex? And what type of floor plan do you prefer? A single-family ranch? A multistory home or a tri-level? There are many factors you should consider in making these decisions, including your lifestyle, family situation and financial circumstances…”

“…You may have heard or read advice that suggests you should wait until next year to buy a home because prices are likely to go even lower than they are now.

That may or may not be true. But even supposing prices do decline further, will it really benefit you to delay your purchase? There are exceptional values available right now in many markets on homes and investment properties. Combine these great values with the low monthly payments provided by extremely low interest rates, and it becomes clear that there’s no real advantage to waiting…”