Register Real Estate Advisors

Did you know that over the past year, according to the Houston MLS, we have more people renting than in years past. If you want to invest in real estate, it’s better to put a renter in the house than flip it. Many of the short sale and foreclosures on the market currently require that you own the property for a certain amount of time before you can flip it, so it’s better to go ahead and rent it out. The rental payments can pay down your loan and the property can be used as leverage to purchase more investment properties. Call us today at RREA if you want to learn more about investing in real estate to supplement your future income. Our agents would love to help you become an investor and take advantage of the rising rental market we live in today.

The Houston Association of Realtors published an article about views on renting vs. buying a home in August of 2011.  Information from that publication was used to write this article because now is a great time to stop renting and buy a house.  Homeownership is the American Dream and Texans know that better than anyone.  Most renters want to own a home in the future.  Most Americans believe that homeownership is still a good financial decision.

According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey released today by the National Association of REALTORS®, 72 percent of renters
surveyed said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010.

Ask any Realtor about the proposed hike in the 20% down for conventional loans and they will tell you it’s a bad idea.  New regulations have made it so hard for consumer to get loans, but if you can qualify, there are some great deals in the market.  Over half of “working class” homeowners who currently own their homes reported that an increase in the 20% down payment would prevent them from becoming home owners.  Coming up with down payment money and the closing costs are usually the biggest costs for home buyers.  Currently, job security is also an issue for Americans.

Home owners continue to take advantage of the mortgage tax deduction.  They build equity while paying off their mortgage to own the property.  With the foreclosure and short sale crisis that took place over the past year in Texas, many homeowners are scared of losing value in their property.  However, Houston’s housing market remains stable.  The Woodlands has hardly been impacted by the crisis.

By:  Shannon Register

If you have been on the fence about buying your first home, now is the time to buy and I want to tell you why this is the best financial opportunity for you right now.

Right now your Uncle Sam is offering you an amazing deal.  If you buy your first home between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009 you qualify for a first time home buyer tax credit.  The tax credit is equal to 10% of the home’s purchase price up to $8,000.  It DOES NOT have to be repaid.  Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with inomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.  This tax credit is also available to buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years.  Unlike previous home buyer tax credits, this one is refundable which means that the credit can be claimed even if you have little or no federal income tax liability.  So if you had a tax liability of $2,000 and received a tax credit of $8,000, Uncle Sam would send you a check for $6,000.  It really does pay to buy now!

Interest Rates are at an all time low rigth now.  It’s been atleast 40 years since rates have been this low.  There’s no better time to lock in a low interest rate on a 30 year fixed rate loan.  We know for sure rates will go up, but we don’t know when.  Take advantage while they’re really low!

Right now there is a lot of inventory on the market to choose from.  There are builders that have houses ready to be purchased that have never been lived in.  There are also resale homes.  As a first time home buyer, you can get more than a starter home right now.  You can get a lot of house for your money.  Softened prices have increased home affordability!

I have never met a financial or tax advisor that thought owning a home was a bad investment.  There are tax incentives to home ownership.  There is the peace of mind that you own it and are not worried about your landlord’s financial standing.  Now is the time to create long-term financial stability thru home ownership.  Stop renting and paying someone else’s mortgage.  Start building equity! 

Make a move before it’s too late!  If you have a good job and have been pre-approved, what are you waiting for?  Rates will go up, inventory will decrease, and if you wait too long you’ll lose the opportunity of a livetime from Uncle Sam.  Act now, before the market starts to improve.  We were in a sellers market for years.  This buyers market won’t last long and we’ll be back in a seller’s market and you will have missed this amazing opportunity.  Yes, it can be scary when you have never purchased a home before.  I can help you.  I can represent your best interest in the buying process and it doesn’t even cost you any money.  The seller will pay my fees and I represent your best interest.  The market is in your favor right now, but you have to take the first step.  Call me today and I will lead you down the road to home ownership.  I have done it many times myself and have helped many people buy their own homes.  I love selling houses, but there’s nothing like the feeling I get when I see a homeowner taking pride in their first home.  You have to have a great agent that won’t lead you astray and is patient enough to explain things along the way.  I have had clients call me multiple times with the same questions because days later they’d gotten confused about something.  I take the time to explain it again and again because it’s important.  Buying a home is complicated and my clients know they can call or email me anytime and I will walk them through the process and answer any questions they have.  I want to help you buy your first home TODAY!