If you are “thinking” about buying a new home, moving up in home size or changing neighborhoods this is the perfect time.   While inventories are higher now than last year there is not a glut of homes on the market in Austin Texas.  Prices have declined in some areas of the city but not all, we are still seeing neighborhoods with strong sales and multiple offers.

Interest rates have been volutile lately and changing daily but still at good prices, here is what has happened recently.   Interest rates have increased by 0.6 percentage points in 5 weeks.   

    January 24, 2008  :  5.48%                              February  21,2008 :    6.04%             

so with home prices declining and interest rate hikes here are a few scenerios that point to now is the time to buy.

Prices decreased by 5% and interest rates increase by 0.5%

   TODAY                           SCENARIO I                           SCENARIO II

Home Price                       Home Price -5%                         Home Price -10%

$218,900                       $207,955                                       $197,010

Interest Rates          Interest Rates:  +0.5                 Interest Rates:  +1.0%

  6.04%                           6.54%                                              7.04%

Your Payment          Your Payment                       Your Payment

 $1,054                        $1,056                                          1,053

So the bottomline to your pocket is almost the same, showing that NOW is the time to purchase a new home and enjoy it .. why wait?  

Looking in Austin Texas to purchase or sell your home?  Call me I can help you… Gail Tassey 512-217-9482 (licensed Realtor in the State of Texas)   Keller Williams Realty, South Austin Texas.  email:   gailnttexas@gmail.com   http://austincomeshome.com

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 living and 2 dining .. over 2027 sq ft, built 1977.  over 6/10th of an acre,  Corner Lot. Many windows to enjoy the Oak Trees, minutes to shopping, nearby park,  plus a screened in porch.  Large fireplace, vaulted ceilings, new paint and carpet. 

 comeby and check it out…  or call me..  Gail Tassey  512-217-9482   gailnttexas@gmail.com 

listing provided by David Raez Team, Keller Williams Realty , Austin Texas

5613 Westview   Austin Tx      $295,000       3bedrooms  & 2 fullbaths,  open floorplan, wood floors, One of a kind beauty. Awesome schoools,   Clint Small elementary, Patton Middle and Austin High.   Features a country kitchen, vaulted ceilings, built in 1965, wonderful large oaks trees a great  open floor plan custom built home.

Call me for details,  Gail Tassey, 512-217-9482 … Keller Williams Realty, 1801 S Mopac, Austin Texas    email  gailnttexas@gmail.com         

listing provided by David Raez Team.

 YES you do still exist.  People are still buying and selling homes every day .. especially in Austin Texas where I live and work.    Today I will try to share with you some interesting facts.

Buyers should always look at real estate as an INVESTMENT.   yes its your home..  but eventually you will sell that home, and if you chose well and the creek didn’t rise, you will make a decent return on your initial money.

Buyers need to shop for mortgage companies.  If you qualify for a good loan, good interest rates, then look for other terms.   Some mortgage companies pay all or a part of your closing costs.  That can be a substianial savings.

Check out the school districts.   Ok, your children are grown, or not yet born,  look at the school district as an asset for future sales. 

Check out the area amenities.   Are there parks close by? Shopping? Fire department?

Get an inspection of that home.  Realtors are not inspectors, in most cases, a professional inspection will show defects that you want to know about before buying the home, not 3 months after you move in.

Get a realtor.   A buyers agent is great, they work with buyers.  A good buyers agent will have a  brief interview with you and then  can anticipate your needs and weed thru the not-suited-for-you homes.  Saving you valuable time and energy in your search.  The professional realtor has negotiation skills and will use them on your behalf.

Now is a great time to shop for that new home, the selection of homes on the market is good, the interest rates are down and you have time to move in before the Holidays and start enjoying your new life in your new home.

Now here is my pitch.  Iam a Realtor with Keller Williams in Austin Texas, yes, Im always looking for new clients who become new friends.  I can be found at  www.gailtassey.com    or www.austincomeshome.com.   So, stop by for a visit. 

Looking forward to meeting new folks and learning about blogging more.  yes im a newbie at it  .