agents are on rooftops shouting, that it’s a great time to buy. Prices are great, interest rates are low, but for some, it’s not a good time to buy. Here are 4 reasons you shouldn’t buy your Fleming Island home:Do any of those apply to you? If you answered yes to even one, it’s NOT a good time for you to buy! I know that sounds harsh, but let’s look at the past few years and what’s going on currently. Short sales are everywhere in the Jacksonville and the Fleming Island Florida market. At the end of the day, let’s be honest, the responsibility still lies with the homeowner and Not the banks, Not the government, and Not Wall Street. Many home owners have, not only a first mortgage, but a second or sometimes a third. I’ve seen a common trend amongst most short sale sellers. Little or no down payment when they bought, no savings, huge debt, multiple mortgages on their home and yes, there are some that have had unforeseen circumstances out of their control happened. Imagine though if they had no debt, and a savings, how much better off they would be, even with events happening outside their control!
Imagine yourself buying a home with 10-20% down. The seller agrees to pay your closing cost, so instead of paying them yourself (which you have the money in savings), you use that money to pay cash for new furniture. A 15 year mortgage, instead of a 30 year mortgage. No debt, so you can pay extra on your mortgage, so instead of paying it off in 15 years, you pay it off in 10? 3 to 6 months of expenses saved, so if an unforeseen event occurs, it’s not your family’s total downfall.
I write this, because I took the Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. I didn’t take this class because I have all my ducks in a row, that’s for sure, but because I’ve been there, and I want a better way for my family. If I had followed those 4 reasons above, when I bought my house, things would have turned out a heck of alot different.
I also hate seeing families have to leave their homes to rent because of financial difficulties and hope that today’s buyers learn from the mistakes of current sellers, because really, we do have control over our own personal economy, even when our nation’s economy is weak.
So, if you made it this far without wanting to throw a shoe at me and you’re ready to buy, but not yet working with an agent, shoot me an email at pam@pamgraham.com or give me a call at 904-910-3516.
