As the weather starts to warm up and the lawn goes from being yellow and dormant to green and vibrant, if your summer plans include either buying or selling a home, then now is the time to begin your research. The last couple of months have seen a rise in interest rates as well as a rise in lending restrictions which can make financing a home more difficult. Throw in the current military operations in Libya and the tsunami and nuclear tragedy in Japan and the economic future seems a bit clouded. Typically homebuyers and sellers wait until the summer months to make a move, but this year, being a bit more proactive and planning for a late spring move might prove to be the more prudent decision for a couple of reasons. First, if you are a seller, there are going to be fewer homes to compete with. If you’re a buyer, you can still take advantage of the low interest rates that are currently available. Second, if you’re a seller, going on the market early gives you the opportunity to make any adjustments to the price or condition of your home to get it ready for the market. The idea here is not to chase the market, but to put your best foot forward once you decide to list your home for sale. I know that some salespeople may use fear or concerns as a sales tactic to push someone into making a decision, but the reality is that we are living in an ever-changing world economy and the only thing you can control are the decisions you make today.
Visit my Austin Real Estate site at www.romeom.com to learn more about the Austin Real Estate market.