West Chester Ohio News: Mortgages Are On Sale!

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An eye catching headline to be sure, but also very much the truth.

Interest rates for home mortgages are at historic levels right now which is providing a terrific home buying opportunity!  How about this: In 1981 you would have paid 16.90% for a 30 year fixed rate loan.  Today, it’s 5.15%, now that is a sale! 😀

Check out the graph below depicting mortgage rates since 1981:

To give this a little meaning, let’s look at a $200,000 mortgage loan:

In 1981, at 16.90% the principle and and interest payment would have been $2835.12.  (Wow)

In 2009, at 5.10% the principle and interest payment would be $1085.90 (Now that is a sale)

So you say, “Well that’s great, but that was 1981”.  So let’s compare to just 6 months ago then:

August 2008 rates were 6.49% which is a principle and interest payment of $1262.82.

That is a savings of $176.92 per month or $2123.04 annual savings with today’s low rates.

It really is a great time to buy when you consider the low rates and the great inventory of homes.

Check Out My Feature Homes For Sale In West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio

West Chester, Oh Real Estate: Now Is The Time To Buy!

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Now Is The Time To Buy…

 

 

This home is a perfect home for the first time homebuyer with it’s many updates and terrific location in West Chester, Ohio.  With the historically low interest rates available today combined with the $7500. tax credit available to first time homebuyers right now IS THE TIME TO BUY!  Read my previous post on the first time homebuyer tax credit here.

8708 Willet Lane, West Chester, Ohio 45069

West Chester, Ohio 45069

Lakota Schools

$174,900  – Three Bedrooms – Two Full Baths, One Half Bath

This is a terrific, move in ready home in West Chester:

  • Full Of Upgrades
  • Warm, Inviting Family Room w/ Fireplace
  • Kitchen Features Corian Counters & Newer Appliances
  • Formal Living & Dining Rooms
  • Master Bedroom Features An Adjoining Full Bath
  • Finished Lower Level Rec Room
  • Patio Overlooks Large Rear Yard
  • New Furnace / AC In 2007
  • New Hot Water Heater In 2005
  • Newer Gilkey Windows
  • Close To Schools, Shopping, Dining & Expressways!

 

Check Out My Feature Homes For Sale In West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio

West Chester Oh Real Estate: October 2008 Home Sales

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October 2008 Home Sales For West Chester & Liberty Township, Ohio

 
 

October 2007

October 2008

+ / –

Closed Units

102

97

-4.90%

Average Sale Price

$229,333

$225,545

-1.65%

Average Days On Market

92

72

-21.74%

Average List / Sale Price %

96.09%

94.98%

-1.11%

 Sales were once again down in October 2008 when compared to October of last year.  Unit sales (closings)  were down 4.90% in West Chester and Liberty Township.  The percentage decrease is smaller than it has been previously, continuing a pattern of inconsistency in sales.  We have a little burst of activity and then it slows again.  Average sale prices were down 1.65% over October of 2007.  This is a smaller decrease than we have been seeing in recent months.  To determine if this is a change in the overall trend of the average sale price for West Chester and Liberty Township homes we will need to be closely examining the sales figures for the coming few months. 

Thinking of selling?  Click here to learn the current market value of your home.

Interest rates continued their dramatic drop this week.  This week we saw a drop to at weeks end 5.30% for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage.  An FHA 30 year fixed rate mortgage is currently 5.50%.  These are great rates that are changing daily.  If you need a referral to a good lender with competitive rates and closing costs please let me know.

1st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit For West Chester & Liberty Township, Ohio

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The recently enacted housing bill that was passed by congress has created a lot of questions.  In particular regarding the 1st time home buyer credit.

Here are some resources to get the answers you may need:

Here is a 1-page summary of the First-time Home buyer Tax Credit

Also, this can be very important to read and understand:

29 Questions/Answers on the tax credit.

And finally here is a great article from the Washington Post which is very informative.  There is a lot to understand about this tax credit.  Be sure that you have all the facts!

Before You Take That New Housing Credit . . .

Are you a 1st time homebuyer with questions about getting pre-approved or just where to start?  Let me know how I can help.  Calls and emails are always welcome.

1st Time Home Buyers Do’s and Don’ts For West Chester & Liberty Township, Ohio

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First Time Buyers’ Dos And Don’ts

If you are a first time home buyer, you have a lot to learn.

Working from a blank slate you must build an understanding of the housing market, determine what you can afford, land a loan and hone in on a home that’s a good fit for your lifestyle.

The transaction will likely become your largest asset ever so there’s little room for error.

It is a daunting task, but you can ease your concerns if you take the process step-by-step, watching your footing as you move along the path toward the American Dream.

Below is a list of “Dos and Don’ts” to help 1st time home buyers turn that stress into the self-confidence you’ll need to move closer to your first home.

The list focuses on areas 1st time home buyers typically stumble over in their initial home buying attempt. Knowing what you could face will help you avoid some of those trip ups.

The Dos:

DO examine your credit standing. You need to know your credit standing…

 Also, FHA financing has really started to become the financing choice for a very large part of the homebuying market.  While it’s not just for 1st time homebuyers, it is perfect for them.  Read more about FHA financing here

As always your comments and questions are welcome!

An Interest Rate Drop, A Can Of Paint And A Must See Video

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First the interest rate drop.  Interest rates have dropped considerably in the last week and a half with the 30 year fixed rate mortgage falling from 6.20% to just 5.60%.  A more than welcome decrease.  Interest rates do continue to be very volitale.  This article on the CNBC website provides more details on the volitility.  FHA financing is the new trend in home mortages.  I will provide an update and more information on this in the next few days.

And what a little bit of paint can do for the appearance of a home listed for sale.  Especially in today’s real estate market, anything that can be done to make your home show better and be more appealing should be done. The freshness of a new coat of paint both visually and in the fresh smell when you walk in the door are hard to deny.  This is a great home in West Chester, Ohio, listed for $165,000 and is now freshly painted throughout most of the interior.  

Your comments and questions are always welcome!