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5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now Instead of the Spring

The KCM Blog - 5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now Instead of the Spring

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5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now Instead of the Spring

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 

Based on prices, mortgage rates and soaring rents, there may have never been a better time in real estate history to purchase a home than right now. Here are five major reasons purchasers should consider buying:

Supply Is Shrinking

With inventory declining in many regions, finding a home of your dreams may become more difficult going forward. There are buyers in more and more markets surprised that there is no longer a large assortment of houses to choose from. The best homes in the best locations sell first. Don’t miss the opportunity to get that ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ buy.

Price Increases Are on the Horizon

Prices were expected to bounce along the bottom this winter. However, many pricing indices (examples: CoreLogic, FHFA, LPS, Case Shiller) are reporting that prices are continuing to rise.

Rents Are Skyrocketing

Rents historically increase by 3.2% on an annual basis. A study issued earlier this year projects rent increases of 4% for the next two years. Trulia recently reported that rents this year have actually shot up by 5.4%.

Interest Rates Are Projected to Rise

The Mortgage Bankers Association has projected that the 30-year mortgage interest rate will be 4.4% by the end of 2013. That is an increase of approximately one full point over current rates.

Buy Low, Sell High

We would all agree that, when investing, we want to buy at the lowest price possible and hope to sell at the highest price. Housing can create family wealth as long as we follow this simple principle. Today, real estate is selling ‘low’. It’s time to buy.

Tis the season - Shopping list for holiday buying

Tis the season - Shopping list for the new homeowner 

 Basic tools every home and homeowner needs

The Holidays are the perfect time to purchase gifts new homeowners can use to maintain and personalize their new home.

Every home needs care, maintenance, and repair work done. Most new homeowners do not have the tools they will need and the same applies to some homeowners that have owned the home for a while. Homeowners are not equal in repair, and maintenance skills. 

First, know your limits if you attack a repair that is to far over your head, the repair to the repairs you have done will be more expensive. If you are over your head call a professional to make the repair. There is a tremendous library of information available to you on the internet, books, magazines, and television shows, to show you how to on most repairs... Although most repairs can be done by the homeowner, they have to be done right! Tools are the first step in doing a good job. Without them, the job will be frustrating, and it probably will not be completed or it will be a hurried disrepair job.

Here is a list of tools that most homeowners should have. Many other tools that are useful these can be purchased as the job at hand indicates. Get what you need and need what you get is a great rule. Of course there are some tools you, will have to have, GOLF CLUBS, AND FISHING RODS! These are essential to your personal maintenance!

Interior Tools:Set of socket wrenches, Set of screwdrivers Phillips and pan head various sizes, Set of open end wrenches, Set of Hex wrenches, Hand saw for wood, Hack saw for metal, Stud finder, Voltage tester, Flashlights, Pluming snake, Needle nose pliers, Gas pliers several sizes, Putty/drywall knifes, Circular saw, Framing square, Caulking gun, 2 Pry bars, a small 6” and a medium 12”, 2 foot and 4-foot level, Small claw hammer, Standard claw hammer, Rubber mallet, Cordless and/or power drill, Pipe wrench 2 sizes, Measuring tape 25’ , Set of drill bits, Staple gun, Paint brushes various sizes, Paint rollers and pan, Painting drop cloth, Belt sander, Saw horses, Work bench and vice.

Exterior tools:Lawn mower, Fertilizer/seed spreader, Rakes for leafs, Lawn trimmer, Thatch Rake for lawn, Hoses 5/8 Diameter, Pruning shears, Wheelbarrow, Flat shovel, Sprinklers, Spade shovel, Leaf blower, Pruning saw, Garden rake, Pruning scissors, Brooms, Dust pan with small broom, Snow shovels, Stepladder, Extension ladder, Plastic tarps

You need to decide how involved you want to become with your home maintenance tasks.  There is no shame in not doing repairs yourself and hiring a contractor.There is shame if you know a repair needs to be done and do not do it yourself or hire a contractor. Ignoring a repair will not make it go away it will make it more expensive when the repair is done. If there is a problem do not wait fix it right away!

OR better yet -- buy a new home!!!!

Please feel free to contact me for any of your real estate needs including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home if you are a buyer. My real estate focus in the  Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, Lake Country, Jefferson County, Dodge County and Washington County areas.  I have my IRES designation (International Real Estate Specialist) so I can assist you with all your real estate needs in Wisconsin, the USA or anywhere in the WORLD!

When you are seriously looking or just browsing at real estate in Wisconsin, I am a great resource to help you with all your needs and questions, whether a first time home buyer, relocating to or from the beautiful LAKE COUNTRY area, looking to invest or explore foreclosure opportunities or just thinking ahead to the future.

Residential home values in WAUKESHA COUNTY

Residential home values in WAUKESHA COUNTY  deflated by an average of 4.85% from 2011 to 2012. The median home value for the 2012 budget year was $255,642.

Coat, Hat & Mitten Drive for needy families in Oconomowoc Watertown Wi areas

Taxes remain flat in Waukesha County budget

By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel

Nov. 13, 2012

Waukesha - Waukesha County government will be able to balance its 2013 budget with a few dollars less from most homeowners.

The county will collect $512 in property taxes for 2013 - $2 less than this year's budget - on a home with a median value of $243,200. The taxes will help pay for a $273.77 million spending plan for 2013 adopted Tuesday by the County Board.

The total cost of county government drops 3.8% in 2013, fully $10.9 million less than this year, County Budget Manager Keith Swartz said.

Waukesha County spends less per resident than any other county in the state, Swartz said.

Much of the decline in next year's budget was due to spending less on major capital construction projects than this year.

Though the 2013 countywide tax rate required to generate the levy is $2.11 per $1,000 of equalized value, up 10 cents from this year, the tax bite will be about the same or slightly less for most homeowners because of declining property values.

Residential home values in the county deflated by an average of 4.85% from 2011 to 2012. The median home value for the 2012 budget year was $255,642.

A countywide levy of nearly $98.8 million, up about $800,000 from this year, is needed to balance the 2013 budget. Among other sources of revenue are federal and state contracts and grants, department charges for services, state transportation aid and state shared revenue.

Waukesha County's tax rate for 2013 will be the lowest among all Wisconsin counties without a county sales tax as a revenue source, County Executive Dan Vrakas said.

50th annual Waukesha Christmas Parade

The 50th annual Waukesha Christmas Parade will make its way through historic downtown Waukesha with marching bands, floats and a special appearance from Santa at 4 p.m. Nov. 18.

Kids, bring your letters to Santa and give them to the mail carriers at the start of the Parade or to Santa's Elves at the end. Be sure to include your name and address to receive a return note from Santa.