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Good Morning!

Winging it on your own with a home purchase today is much harder than it has been in the past.  It has never been more important to seek out a Real Estate professional who is an expert in the mortgage world, home values by neighborhood and area, home inventories, market trends and is a great negotiator.  It's just as important to find a trusted Real Estate expert as it is to find the best lawyer or doctor.  It can make a huge difference during the purchase process and it can pay you huge dividends down the road.  Here is an article that was published in "Realty Times", that speaks to the importance of hiring a professional Real Estate expert for your home purchase.

Getting a purchase closed in today's market is complex. The real estate market has changed greatly from only a few years ago. Buyers face many more hurdles including stricter financing, low housing supplies, higher mortgage rates, and rising prices.

To negotiate today's challenges, you need a real estate sales professional to help you close the deal. A good real estate professional understands current market conditions. He or she has house-by-house neighborhood experience and can help you obtain the right home at the best price and terms.

Your agent can help you find a home quickly. Not only do real estate agents have access to the local multiple listing service, they also share knowledge of homes coming onto the market with their colleagues. Your real estate professional will tell others about your requirements for a home so they can also be on the lookout for you.

In fact, networking is one of the biggest industry advantages. Many homes are bought and sold without a sign ever going into the yard. But, for buyers to be shown the latest homes on the market, or to hear about homes about to come onto the market, there has to be a strong relationship between the buyer and the real estate professional.

If you want to be the buyer positioned to make first and best offers on the most desirable homes, make certain your agent knows you are committed. How do you show you're serious? There are several ways.

Get prequalified with a lender. Share your financial records so you know exactly how much home you can buy. Your agent won't go over your limit because it would be a waste of time to show you homes you can't afford to buy.

Work with only one agent. You can do this by signing a buyer's representation agreement, if it's customary in your area. If not, show your loyalty by telling other agents you may meet at open houses or socially that you are represented and give them your agent's name.

Don't shop for homes without your agent. If you want to look at open houses or builder homes, invite your agent to go along. If your agent can't go, make sure you register your agent's name with builder sales reps and open house sellers' agents.

Be loyal. Real estate professionals work primarily on commission. If the deal of the century is about to come on the market, who do you think your agent will tell first - the buyer with five other agents or the buyer who is loyal? If you're playing agents against each other thinking you'll get people to work for free and that you'll have your pick of homes to choose, you're wrong. Agents talk, and they'll find out they're working for the same buyer. If you want great service, show appreciation, confidence, and commitment.

Once you find the house you want, the work really begins. You'll have to navigate negotiations, loan approval, seller's disclosures, inspections with environmental and structural reports, and so on. From helping you make a reasonable offer, to providing for the discovery and disclosure of material facts, your agent can help protect your interests.

Buyers and sellers are natural adversaries. Agents must be skilled negotiators and problem solvers, as well as anticipate problems before they happen. Pride, ignorance, or stubbornness can get in the way of a fair deal for both sides.

Your agent will share your risk, and will make sure you go into any home purchase with your eyes wide open. Take advantage of the greatest homebuying resource available -- your own real estate agent.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!



2685 Valley Forge Dr

Price: $524,900    Beds: 3    Baths: 2    ½ Baths: 1    Sq Ft: 2302

Anslow & DeGeneault 2015 Tour of Homes model home. Gas forced air 92% efficiency, exquisite single level, located in beautiful Hawthorne Estates. Easily entertain in Great Rm overlooking backyard. Escape to luxurious owner’s ste w/ tray ceilin...
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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

A Few Realities that May Be Surprising When Buying a New Home

by Galand Haas

Good Morning!

With the housing market improving in the Eugene and Springfield area, new home construction is taking off again after a long slow period. Right now there is a variety of new homes and new areas to choose from in a wide range of pricing.  If you are thinking about buying new instead of an existing house, here are some tips from "Realty Times" on purchasing a new home.  Please remember that the Galand Haas Team has over 20 years of new home purchase experience.  Our experience ranges from finding you the perfect new home to helping you find the right builder, right area and leading you through the construction process.  Please contact us if you want to look into the purchase or construction of a new home.

Buying a new home can be a truly exciting experience. Choosing your lot and floorplan, picking out all your fixtures, watching the progress from foundation to framing to finishes. Makes me want to run out and tour a model home right now!

Through all the excitement, though, there are a few realities that may be surprising for those buying new for the first time.

1. You probably won't be able to negotiate the price. New homes are not like resale, where there is the expectation of price negotiations back and forth. The price set by the builder is most likely the price you're going to pay. The exceptions are when there are just a few homes left and when there is standing inventory that needs to be sold.

"Look for builder inventory homes that have been on the market for 45 days or more," said Inman. "These are the homes in which a buyer might be able to get a good deal."

 

2.  But you may be able get some upgrades at no cost.

   More typical in a new-home community is getting some upgrades thrown in—things like window coverings or nicer flooring. Negotiating a few must-haves into your deal can help offset your costs. Some builders may also help with closing costs as an incentive to buy.

3. There might also be incentives to using the builder's in-house lender.

 Many builders have an in-house or preferred lender they work with to provide financing for buyers. There may be advantages to using this lender—better terms or a rate that's bought down. By law, the builder can't make you use their lender, so if you feel pressured, be sure to discuss with your real estate agent.

4. Use a REALTOR®.

 Speaking of Realtors…you can use your agent to buy a new home, and, in fact, you should.

"In general, builders' model homes are staffed by agents who work directly for and represent the builder. A buyer also needs to have a real estate agent who represents them and looks after their best interests," said Inman. "Keep in mind that most builders will require that the real estate agent accompany and register the buyer on their first visit to the builder's model home or community."

 

5. Your home will not look like the model.

 When you tour a model home, it's decked out with pretty walls and floors and lighting and countertops. The furniture is to scale and the fabrics are custom and the pictures are hung perfectly. It's pretty seductive. But the empty shell you buy won't look like this if you go with all the standard configurations and finishes. Be realistic about what you want, what you need, what you can afford, and how that translates to what you are seeing. The salesperson can point out which of the items you love in the model come standard and which are pricey upgrades.

6. The price of the home as advertised is not what you'll pay.

 Typically, it will take many tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades and options to get the home you buy to look like the model. This can be a rude awakening for buyers who are trying to stick to a strict budget. The good news is rolling some of those upgrades into the mortgage can make good financial sense, according to Money Crashers.

"Upgrading during the initial construction phase is generally cheaper than updating your home later on. For example, if you choose to upgrade from laminate flooring to hardwood, you'll pay the difference in material costs—but you won't necessarily have to pay extra for the installation itself, since your builder needs to install floors in the first place. The same goes for things like windows and bathroom features."

7. You'll be dealing with construction noise and traffic. For a while.

 The peaceful life you envision can be a reality, but probably not from the get-go. Depending on the community, it may take time to complete construction. Which means dealing with congestion and hassle for the time being. Amenities like pools, sport courts, and trails may also not be built out by the time you move in. Asking ahead of time about the construction schedule can help you manage expectations.

8. Not everything will work perfectly.

 In any house, there are bound to be issues. New homes are no different. Builder warranties will help.

"Warranties for newly built homes generally offer limited coverage on workmanship and materials relating to various components of the home, such as windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and electrical systems for specific periods. Warranties also typically define how repairs will be made," said the FCC. "The duration of coverage varies depending on the component of the house. Most warranties on new construction cover siding and stucco, doors and trim, and drywall and paint during the first year. Coverage for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems is generally two years. Some builders provide coverage for up to 10 years for "major structural defects."

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

 



4215 Heins Ct

Price: $239,900     Beds: 3     Baths: 2     Sq Ft: 1489

Beautiful Brand New Home! Another great home from builder Gary Konold. Located in cul-de-sac w/ shopping only a 2 minute drive away! One level home offers laminate wood flrs, granite counters, vaulted & high ceilings & Great Room layout. Dining area...
View this property >>


AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Market Activity for August 2015

by Galand Haas

Good Monday Morning!

Nationally, home sales for August 2015 were up again and well above the same time period for 2014.  Home prices also continued to climb across the nation.  This trend continues to show a strong overall housing market this Summer. But, as I mentioned last week, beware!  The market you see today may not be here much longer.  If you are considering selling your home, don't miss out on this market.  This current opportunity to sell at top value may not be seen again for a few years.  

If you are thinking about selling, but just not sure how it all would work for you, contact me.  With a short 20 minute visit to your home, I can provide you with an analysis of your homes value and also talk to you about the process. There is not pressure to list.

If you would like to get a reliable idea of the price range your home should be in, then visit the best home value website in our market area, www.forhomesellers-nonSmartZip.com

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!


4215 Heins Ct

Price: $239,900     Beds: 3     Baths: 2     Sq Ft: 1489

Beautiful Brand New Home! Another great home from builder Gary Konold. Located in cul-de-sac w/ shopping only a 2 minute drive away! One level home offers laminate wood flrs, granite counters, vaulted & high ceilings & Great Room layout. Dining area...
View this property >>


 

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Morning!

Is there danger of another downturn in the national housing market?  It's hard to think that as strong as the national Real  Estate market has been lately that a downturn is on the horizon, but many signs indicate that this is just what may be ahead in the near future.  Much of the strength in the recent strong housing market has been created by historic low mortgage interest rates and not necessarily a large upturn in the economy.  With a strong housing market being rate dependant, any change in mortgage rates could have a serious effect on home sales.  Higher rates are on the horizon and the strength of the market will be reflected by how quickly and by how much rates jump.  

Home prices have increased significantly in most markets and this means affordability is now becoming an issue once again. It was announced last week that homeownership is at a 48 year low.  This means that fewer American's are able to achieve the American dream of homeownership.  The scary part of this is that this low level of ownership is happening at a time when mortgage rates have made home ownership more affordable.  This is truly a warning sign.  Another warning sign is the fact that the number of people renting homes is up sharply and at a rate higher that we have seen in this country in decades.  The cost of building a new home is also up and this is having an effect on the number of new homes that are currently hitting the market. The affordability of the new homes at are reaching the market is far less than it was a few years ago.

It is hard to say just exactly what all of this means, but my guess is that the market you see today is short lived.  Once mortgage interest rates begin to climb there will be fewer buyer due to the fact that home affordability will decline with higher home price and higher rates.  This means higher payments and buyers lose their ability to qualify for financing.  This means fewer sales and pressure back on home prices.  

As I have been saying for months, if you are a current homewner and you are thinking about selling your home, don't wait!  Right now just may be the best opportunity you have for a sale as we approach a time when values will most likely decline again.  It may be many years before home values approach current levels again.  If you are a buyer, the inventoiry of homes to choose from may be low and you may be purchasing at a high price, but mortgage rates are still low and this situation is clearly going to change.  Don't wait, get out there and start looking and find your home.  You don't want to be one of the buyers that looks back and can't believe they did not purchase when the had the chance to take advantage of our current low rates.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!



4215 Heins Ct

Price: $239,900    Beds: 3    Baths: 2    Sq Ft: 1489

Beautiful Brand New Home! Another great home from builder Gary Konold. Located in cul-de-sac w/ shopping only a 2 minute drive away! One level home offers laminate wood flrs, granite counters, vaulted & high ceilings & Great Room layout. Dining area...
View this property >>

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

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Haas Real Estate Team
Keller Williams Realty Eugene and Springfield
2645 Suzanne Way Suite 2A
Eugene OR 97408
Direct: (541) 349-2620
Fax: 541-687-6411

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