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Widening The Horizon for Investors in 2012

Sponsored by Vestus. Windermere & First American Title

Tuesday January 10, 2012

18008 State Route 410 Bonney Lake, WA 98391

5:30 PM-7:00 PM

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We finally have them. THE BEST!

Trustee's,REO Reps, Farmers Insurance,.Guild Mortgage & First American are all her for YOU!

Providing all the updated information that affect us as Real Estate Investors in today's market.

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Now is the perfect time to invest in the real estate market. Why you ask? Because we are not in a sellers market. We are not in a buyers market. We are in an investors market. If you want to put your money to work, you do it when the market it down.

It is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to make a wise purchase in a sellers or buyers market. The best real estate investors make smart decisions in a difficult time.

Look at Donald Trump for instance. His family made some great money in real estate through the Great Depression. The Trumps also did not always make savvy choices in their investments. But they didn't let that get the best of them. They kept investing. And I think it's safe to say they've done well.

Each week I check to see what homes are going to auction in Pierce and Thurston County. Some are not great deals and it's better to see those homes listed in the MLS as REOs.

This week there are several deals. One home in Puyallup caught my eye in particular. It is 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4200 sq ft, 3 car garage on a city lot and the opening bid is $207,171.86.

If this caught your eye the way it caught mine, call or email me and I will let you know how to purchase this and many more at the auction. It is easier than you think!

Looking at the rain pouring down outside my office window, I thought it was more than appropriate to write why I think buying a home in the winter is ideal.

10 Reasons to Buy in the winter

1.Motivated sellers.  This doesn’t necesaarrily mean they’re desperate. It means they are just as ready to sell as you are ready to buy.  This can bring great results for both parties.

2. Low interest rates.  I don't think I need to explain this one.

3. Less buyer competition.  Cold temps can scare away some buyers. And the holidays keep people busy with vacations and family get togethers. This can be great news especially if you are looking at competitive areas or inexpensive foreclosures.

4. Specialized attention from your lender.  Your lender should always be there to answer questions and make you feel comfortable.  However, fewer buyers in the market can free up some of your lender’s time.  This can translate into even more specialized attention to your needs.

5. Relaxing in spring and summer.  While other buyers are searching and moving, you can be kicking up your feet in your new home.

6. Standing inventory. There is good inventory on the market in the winter.

7. Home for the holidays. You can be in a NEW home for the holidays.

8. Discount on mover. A lot of movers are in their slow season so you'll most likely get a great deal from a moving company.

9. Get your tax deduction! One more huge write off before the end of the year will be great when filing your taxes.

10. Houses are at their 'worst' in the winter. With all the rain, snow, and cold, houses typically are at their worst in the winter. It is smart to see your investment at it's worse before you buy it. Rain in the crawl space? Is the roof leaking? Is the house staying warm?

It really is a great time to invest in real estate. Especially in the Pacific Northwest. I can customize an investment package just for you to get your search going. Call, text, or email me today!

Jessica Chase, City Realty Inc, 360-870-0619, chasejessica@comcast.net, www.jessicachase.com

Click Here!

As we get colder nights and mornings, it is a good time to get your home ready for the winter.

One important thing to do is check your insulation in your attic and crawl space. It can save you hundreds on your electricity bill and even give your home an edge when selling it.

You can call your local power and energy company and ask them for a referral. Then you will get a discount on your next bill!

You should also check that your heater and hot water tank is insulated. Directions on how to do this information can be found on the web.

Remember to protect your most valuable investment and take good care of it this winter!

Most Important Reasons to Buy a Home

When we talk about homeownership today, it seems that the financial aspects always jump to the front of the discussion. However, the study shows that the four major reasons a person buys a home have nothing to do with money. The top four reasons, in order, are:

• It means having a good place to raise children and provide them with a good education
• You have a physical structure where you and your family feel safe
• It allows you to have more space for your family
• It gives you control of what you do with your living space (renovations and updates)

The Home as an Investment

Though most people purchase a home for non-financial reasons, everyone realizes there is a money component to homeownership. Here is what they said on this issue:

• 65% of the general population (and 67% of homeowners) believe that homeownership is a ‘safe’ investment.
• 56% believe that homeownership has more potential as an investment than any other traditional asset class.
• 69% think that now is a good time to buy a home (this number has increased in each of the last two quarters)

Rent vs. Buy

We are always interested in the difference people see in renting vs. owning.

• 63% of renters have aspirations to someday own their own home
• 72% of renters think that owning is superior to renting
• 95% of homeowners see homeownership as a positive experience (4% see it as a negative experience) while 82% of renters see renting as a positive experience (17% see it as a negative experience)
• 96% of homeowners live in a single family residence while 46% of renters live in a multi-unit building

Bottom Line

Even in difficult times, Americans still realize the value of homeownership.

Compliments of the KCM Blog.

We can’t resist commenting on the story which recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal regarding Colby Sambrotto, the founder and former CEO of forsalebyowner.com. It seems the founding father and lifelong evangelist of the concept of selling your home without a real estate agent was forced to hire a broker to sell his home after failing at what he preaches others should do.

After failing to sell his NYC apartment on his own as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO), Sambrotto hired a broker and paid a 6% commission in order to get the job done. His personal experience helps refute some of the myths Sambrotto has been espousing for over a decade. Let’s look at two of those myths:

Myth #1 – You Will Pocket More Money Selling on Your Own

Most FSBO sites say you can save the commission by selling on your own. What happened in Sambrotto’s sale?

From the WSJ article:

“The broker, Jesse Buckler, said he told Mr. Sambrotto the apartment in the Lion’s Head building on West 19th Street near Sixth Avenue was priced too low and wasn’t drawing the right buyers.

By May, it went into contract, he said, after attracting multiple offers. It closed in the last few days for $150,000 more than the original asking price.”

Myth #2 – The Internet Alone Can Sell Your Home

Many have said that, with the introduction of home search on the internet, hiring an agent is no longer a necessity. What happened to the FSBO guru when he attempted to only depend on the internet?

From the WSJ article:

“Looking to move his family to the suburbs, [Mr. Sambrotto] said he carefully staged his apartment for sale himself, and put it on the market. But after using a mix of websites to publicize his apartment, he said he had only ‘middling success’ and switched to a broker because many buyers were so reliant on brokers.”

Bottom Line

There is a reason the real estate industry has been around for centuries: it performs a valuable service.

Compliments of the KCM Blog.

Looking for something for your kids to do this summer? VBS at River Ridge Covenant Church is August 1-5, 9-12noon and it’s FREE. See https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/rrcc/gpgs/Home.aspx for more information!

Compliments,

River Ridge Covenant Church