Buy Low, Sell High

Isn't that what we always hear? This is the most basic principle when investing. Allow me to do a simple comparison between real estate and the stock market. The stock market is now trading with the DOW Jones Industrial Average at over 10,000. Approximately 9 months ago Ford Motor Company stock was trading at about $1.26 per share. Many people would say, it's worthless, DO NOT BUY. Today the stock closed at $8.73 per share. Imagine if you would have purchased 10,000 shares of Ford stock in Feb. of this year for a total of $12,600. As of today, your stock would be worth, $87,300. WOW, a gross profit of $74,700 in only 9 months! Ford Motor Company is a proven business. We can look at it's stock for as far back as you would like. They are a great company.

Real Estate is pretty similar. Real estate is a great investment and has proven to be so for many, many years. Obviously, nothing is certain, the market does go up and down, but there are some things that are worth the risk. Right now in Franklin, TN the housing market is down 10.9% over the same time a year ago.

Franklin Homes For Sale

If you are in a good position financially and you can afford to get in to real estate as an investment or simply to move from a rental to home ownership, now is the time. Certainly, if you are a first time buyer or an existing home owner who has lived in the home for 5 of the last 8 years, NOW IS THE TIME! With the governments newly extended and expanded tax credits of $8,000 and $6,500, you really can't delay. If you want to buy low, this is your chance. These new tax credits require a contract to purchase by April 30th. Other stipulations apply. Call me for details.

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: Steve@SteveBlair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlairTweets

Do You Qualify for the Home Buyer Tax Credit?

Congress approved and the President signed it into law. The Home Buyer tax credit has now been extended for first time home buyers and expanded to include existing home owners who have lived 5 consecutive years of the last 8 in the home that they are selling. Once you sell it, you will then be eligible to receive up to $6,500 on the purchase of your new home. The credit is set to expire on April 30th, 2010. This means that you must have a home under contract for purchase by April 30th. You will then have until June 30th, 2010 to close on the home. This is a very exciting opportunity for those of you who have lost equity in your home and have not been able to sell without taking money to the closing table. Now you can get a $6,500 break! If you have any questions about this and need more information on the financial requirements and other stipulations to receive this tax credit, please send me a message or call me. I'd love to help you discover some options for your situation!

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / Realtor

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

A Latte' A Day Could Keep The Dream Home Away!

So many times I work with clients who say, "I'm willing to spend $200,000 but not a penny more." Then undoubtedly, we come across a $240,000 house. My client will nearly pass out at the thought of spending almost a "quarter of a million dollars!" on a house. In a normal situation, if I were walking in to a store with a budget to buy a $20 shirt, but the one I really liked was $35, I'd likely walk away. In the situation of a home, however, you are in a much different situation. Let's pretend the above numbers are correct. You are wanting to spend $200k and no more. You find the perfect home for $240k. Here's a pretty normal situation. You offer $200k, they counter with $230k. Now you are heart broken because you simply will not spend the extra $30,000. Then I ask you, "Would you be willing to pay an extra $115-$120 a month to have this home?" The most common answer is "YES!!" Did you know that by countering for $220k, you can get the home of your dreams for only $115 more a month? We are talking about a small increase monthly to walk away with the home you really want. To avoid, "sticker shock" you need to look at the overall monthly cost of a home. Here's a quick rule of thumb. Turn your interest rate into dollars per $1,000. So, if your rate is 5.75%, then you will pay $5.75 in interest per $1,000 on the loan. So, the difference of a $200,000 home and a $220,000 home is only $115 per month. That's a small Latte' a day! What are you willing to let stand in the way of you and your dream home?