MikeDavisHomes.com

I Really DID Mean It...!

In my almost 15 years as an agent, I have never -- ever -- seen a better time to be a first-time homebuyer.  And I really mean it when I say that I believe there will never -- ever -- be a better time to be one.

I'm not a salesperson.  I'm here to help buyers, not talk anyone into anything.  But I'm not doing my job if I don't let my readers know the score: Rates are on their way up.  April 30th is 1 month away (your deadline to write an offer and get the $8,000).  There will literally never be a better time.

So... does this mean that you have to rush into a home you're not sure about, just to take advantage of all this?  Not at all.  I'm a very organized Buyer Agent (here's why you need one), and very efficient with the ways that I show my buyers every home out there that they might be interested in.  And a month is a long time to look.

But you do have to get going on this.  Email me at mike@mikedavishomes.com , or call/text me at 515.966.4510.  Or I'm on Twitter: @mikedavis50322

(Also, if you haven't seen it, I was profiled in Des Moines Juice this week, as the local "Realtor for First-Time Buyers".  Check it out!)

Why You Need Your Own (GREAT) Agent When Building Your Next Home (and NOT the Builder's Agent)

Rates are at about 4.80% today, so you still have time to buy that first home before April 30, and get a low interest rate.  And if you're thinking of a brand new home, builders are going to be slightly easier to negotiate with (if you've got the right agent!)

Actually, I am somewhat serious about the latter.  But that brings up a good point.  Having an agent who has a great reputation with other agents is so important.  For example, here in the Des Moines area, builders are notorious for not negotiating on price.  (They don't want to negatively impact their future prices and comparables.)  However, if the builder's agent trusts YOUR agent (the BUYER agent), then you may get things that other buyers would not.

For example.

Without naming names or builders, I'm currently in the middle of a transaction where I represent the buyers, and the other agent represents the builder (seller).  The Builder would not negotiate on price --  no surprise there.  However, since I've worked with that agent before and he trusts me, I was able to successfully negotiate for my Buyer Clients to receive a refrigerator (not usually included), but most importantly, the Builder's Agent told me he would "pend" the new property/lot.

What does that mean?  It means that my clients have a house to sell (which I have listed) and it's been a long winter.  They cannot buy the new home without selling the home they live in now.  So usually what would happen is that the "new construction home" would stay on the market until my clients' home sells, and if someone else came along that did not have to sell their current home, MY Buyer Clients would be "bumped".

That would mean, no new home for them.

The point is this: Because of my reputation, my Buyer Clients got something very important that they would probably have not gotten elsewhere, or by simply buying through the Builder Agent: Until the drywall goes up, the home has been taken off the market and no one else can bump them.

Stuff like this is the real job of your real estate agent.  Anyone can show homes.  Not everyone can negotiate.

(If you want to buy or build a home, email me at mike@mikedavishomes.com if you are in the Des Moines Iowa area.  If you are not, email me anyway, and I will find you someone like me in your area.)

(And yes: The word "stuff" is highly technical real estate terminology.  And please do not misunderstand me: Builder Agents are not evil.  But they represent the BUILDER, not you.  You need an agent who represents only you.)

My Son is in Today's 'Des Moines Register'

Yep... I know this isn't real estate related, but I'm just SO proud of him that I want to shout it from the rooftops.

From The Des Moines Register:

A boy's random acts of kindness have left residents in an Urbandale cul-de-sac smiling.  Danielle Davis said her 7-year-old son, Logan, wanted to do something to counteract the cold, gray weather on Feb. 27 by bringing a little joy to his neighbors on Valdez Circle.  [...]  Logan's parents, Danielle and Michael, said the notes left an impression and throughout the week several neighbors expressed their thanks.  [...]  Logan said passing out the notes and cookies made him happy and he'll likely continue to do similar things.  "My parents have always taught me it's good to be nice to others," Logan said.

You can read the entire article at this link.

Buyers Who Wait May Lose a Lot

From Realtor.org:

Potential home buyers who delay have a lot to lose.

First-time home buyer and move-up tax credits worth $8,000 and $6,500, respectively, expire April 30. Buyers who qualify get a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes or a cash payment if they don’t pay enough taxes to cover the credit.

Other factors that should spur buyers:

Low mortgage rates. If the Federal Reserve stops buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March, 30-year rates will almost certainly rise to more than 6 percent.

Rising prices. About 30 percent of markets are already experiencing price increases. Prices are falling in 12 percent of markets, says Fiserv (but that only helps if you want to live there).

Source: Money Magazine, Beth Braverman (03/02/2010)

If you're ready to get started, email me at mike@mikedavishomes.com !

Rate for 30-year Fixed Mortgage now at 4.80%

OK... this is just getting ridiculous -- in a good way:

Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages declined this week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace at 4.80%, down from 4.84% at this time last week.

Seriously, with rates so low, and with the $8,000 tax credit final date on April 30th, I find it hard to believe that there will ever be a better time to be a first-time homebuyer.  If you're ready to get started, email me at mike@mikedavishomes.com !