BUYING A HOME IN A WEAK MARKET, MAKING SENSE for MARYLAND HOME BUYERS

BUYING UP IN A WEAK MARKET vs. BUYING UP IN A STRONG MARKET, Making Sense for Maryland Home Buyers
Calculation of Buying Up in a Weak Market in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford and Cecil County
Compared to Buying Up in a Strong Market in Maryland, Baltimore, Harford and Cecil County
First - Moving Up in a Weak Market
Sale Price of Current Home Sale Price of Future Home
$400,000. $600,000.
The difference between the two properties is $200,000.
Moving Up in a Strong Market
This example assumes a price increase of 10%. Prices have increased at rates as high as 24% annually in our market. The market area average annual increase over the last 30 years is 6.9%.
Sale Price of Current Home Sale Price of Future Home
$440,000. $660,000.
The difference in price between the two properties is $220,000.
In this example it costs an individual $20,000 more to move up in a strong market than it does in a weak market.
Real Estate markets fluctuate daily in Maryland just as all economic markets do. The time for a buyer to get the best terms is when the seller is not experiencing much interest. The time to buy is when no one else is. Experienced investors know that.
Rates are very low now. Changing Rates can change the picture a lot.
Interest rates play a part in the cost of home buying as well.
On a purchase of $600,000. with a 10% down payment and a mortgage of $540,000. on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage the principal and interest payment would be:
At 7% $3,593.
At 6.5% $3,413.
At 6% $3,238.
At 5.5% $3,066.
At 5% $2,899.
For example, the difference between a payment at 6% and a payment at 6.5% costs $175. a month or $2100 a year!
The monthly payment at 6.5% (for example) on the extra $20,000 one might have spent in a strong market would be $126. more a month than what might have been paid in a weak market. This is $1512. a year!
The conclusion is that it is better to buy in a weak market and it is even more advantageous to buy when rates are low. Both of those conditions exist right now.

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2007 Real Estate Auctions...what OUR clients are saying about us!

"Robert McArtor has one of the most informative Real Estate Auction websites around, my husband and I were certainly encouraged by what he said to us. This is a difficult market and he seemed to have a marketing plan that met our needs." Josephine W. - Bel Air, Maryland

"After discussing at length (our property) with Mr. McArtor, we decided the Auction Method was not the best method for our home in Baltimore. No one else explained it quite like he did...... Our property was best served with a traditional.....aggressive marketing approach with Long and Foster Real Estate of which he handled for us."Michael S. - Cockeysville, MD.

"Robert, as a REALTOR here in Baltimore, I have never heard the Auction Method explained the way you and your Team with Long and Foster Real Estate shared........we were certainly impressed........We learned how we could profit ourselves and our clients by using the Auction Method......I am looking forward to using you and your services this Spring." - Allan W. - Keller Williams Real Estate

" I wanted to thank you personally for helping us with the sale of our home in Harford County. After the Auction, we were not surprised of the out-come. Just as you recommended, you marketed our home on your website.......along with the Visual Tour.....I still can't believe you were able to negotiate $35,000 more for our property......your expertise is just what we needed to sell our home. We auctioned my Mother's Estate using your services and just new you would be the best one for the job" Robert J. - Havre de Grace, Maryland

" Robert, I do not know what to say except "Thank You", I found your auction website on the internet and took the opportunity by referring you to my friends in Harford County. They were facing foreclosure. Your timely marketing strategy allowed them to delay the foreclosure AND get money at the settlement table. That was the best phone call I made.......Thank you again." - Stephanie M. - Ican Realty Group

Advice to the Buyer of Property at Auction

Advice to the Buyer of Property at Auction

In a sale by offer and acceptance, you can write special conditions into your offer to protect
yourself. These special conditions may include repairs to the property, building inspections or
termite inspections. However, in an auction you do not have this option. As a result, purchasing
at an auction can be riskier than purchasing through sale by offer and acceptance. Preparation is essential If you have decided you wish to bid at an auction, it is recommended that you have finalized finance arrangements and have developed a good understanding of what the property is worth. As auctions are generally cash sales, you will need to arrange all finance beforehand.You will also need the amount of the deposit price as this is paid at the close of the auction. The primary duty of the real estate agent and the auctioneer is to look after the seller’s interests. It is therefore wise to ask the real estate agent as many questions as possible about the property, inspect the property carefully, and do your own checks on the property through the local council and other relevant authorities. The Real Estate and Settlement Advisory Board’s (REBA) publication Buying a home through an agent can provide further guidance on the types of checks you can do on a property before buying. Before bidding at an auction, it is wise to have formed your own view about the value of the property. You will not be able to rely on the actions of other bidders to give you an idea of the property’s value because some people may be bidding for the seller. The seller may make their own bids up to the reserve price. The seller’s real estate agent, the auctioneer or other people may also make bids on behalf of the seller up to the reserve price. This is common in all types of auctions. It is recommended that you check if the seller intends to bid by reading the Auction Particulars and Conditions of Sale of Freehold Property contract prior to the auction. If you become the successful bidder, you will need to immediately nominate a settlement agent or lawyer to transfer the land title and conduct settlement for you. It is therefore best to decide on your settlement agent before the auction. Bear in mind that a settlement agent who is unconnected to the seller or the seller’s real estate agent is preferable because they are less likely to experience a conflict of interest when representing you.