Hello Friends!
Judy Allen
May 2012
Judy Allen-Your Neighborhood Realtor!
Copyright © 2012 Realty Times
All Rights Reserved.
Amanda Allen
It’s Buying Time Again,
Big Time
If you’ve got the income. If you’ve got plenty of tenure on the job. If your credit is solid. If you can otherwise pass muster at the mortgage loan desk. If it’s cheaper for you to buy than it is to rent.
Yes, there are lots of “ifs,” but it’s one of the best times in America to buy a home. And it won’t last forever.
To wit
Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales sold at deep discounts – accounted for 34 percent of February sales, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The bargain basement is open for business.
Mortgage Rates
U.S. Averages as of April 29, 2012:
30 yr. Fixed: 3.88%
15 yr. Fixed: 3.12%
1 yr. Adj: 2.74%
View current rates
Investors know a party when they see one. They snatched up 64.5 percent more homes in 2011 than in 2010 and now account for nearly one in every four homes sold, NAR reported.
The second home market is back with
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Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?
Let me show you.
Saving For a Home
With home affordability at the highest rate seen in decades, now is prime time to make a purchase.
Many renters are wanting to turn over a new leaf by investing in a starter home. Current homeowners are wanting to take advantage of low prices and buy the home of their dreams.
The key to buying in today’s market is having the funds and financial stability needed. How can you go about saving to buy a home?
Financial wiz Suze Orman tells her readers and viewers all the time about the benefits of homeownership, but also the importance of being financially ready for this move. She writes, “Never buy a home or piece of real estate if you do not have at least 10% to 20% to put down. While buying a home is a great investment, if you do not have at least 10% to 20% of the purchase price to put down, then you can’t afford the home and are buying before you have demonstrated the ability to save, which is a bad idea in the current market.”
How do you get to that point? The first and most important step is to
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Economy Sparks Remodeling: How To Ensure A
Successful Project
Springtime generates a lot of home improvement activity. Many buyers are out shopping for their new home. With the purchase of their home, the desire to remodel often comes next. For others, the drastically fluctuating housing prices are causing homeowners to stay put and that’s causing them to want to remodel their existing footprint.
Whether it’s a room addition or the renovation of a kitchen to upgrade amenities and make the space feel more comfortable to suit your needs, precautionary steps to get the most out of your remodeling project will create the best outcome.
Some of the most popular remodeling projects have to do with creating homes that are livable for all ages. The National Association of Home Builders says, in 2010, that 62 percent of surveyed builders were working on “aging in place” modifications.
That means granny flats or in-law apartments (extra rooms with kitchenettes) are becoming staples in homes. As baby boomers ease into their golden years this type of remodeling project will continue to grow. Entry-level bedrooms are also popular additions due to the ease of access for the elderly.
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www.JudyAllen.com 4925 Sq Ft, 4 Car Garage, Views, Views, Views, MLS#1063390
269,900 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath View of the Capital
www.JudyAllen.com MLS#1089598
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Real Estate Outlook:
Improving Markets
The latest National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) numbers show that a total of thirty-five states are now represented.
In order to be considered an improving market these metro areas must have shown improvement in housing permits, employment, and home prices for the last six months straight. This data is comprised from employment growth reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau.
“While housing markets across the country continue to struggle under the
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$209,000 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, www.JudyAllen.com MLS#1073945
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Choose a Mother-in-Law Suite
Judy Allen, CRS,e-PRO,GRI
E-mail: Homes@JudyAllen.com
Web: http://www.JudyAllen.com
801 597-5656
Prudential Utah Real Estate
801 597-5656
1010 N 500 East, STE 310
North Salt Lake, UT 84054
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