Buying? Plan Your Exit Strategy…
With 4 days or so left to claim the Home Buyer’s Tax Credit, there is still time to cash in. Are you frustrated because you haven’t found your dream house and are feeling pressured to do so in this short time left? Here is a reality check for you: your first home is unlikely to be either your dream home or the last home you will own. According to the numbers provided by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), you will probably be on the move again in six or seven years. With this in mind, you should aim for a home that you like that will serve you and your family’s needs now and for a few years – not forever. Moreover, you should buy with an eye to move to your next home. Simply stated, you should have an exit strategy.
No one on Earth knows the future, neither yours nor that of the future housing market. With any home you like, you should ask the following questions in anticipation of reselling:
Is the price in line with the median price for the area? If not, your home may be ignored by the very group of people who would be good candidates for it.
How’s the location? People tend to look for good schools, closeness to transportation, and good local governments. If the home you are looking at doesn’t have these things, a large percentage of buyers might be turned off. Likewise, if it is across from a landfill, a single family home between two skyscrapers, or on an eroding hill, selling it may be challenging. You’re thinking of buying the place because you love it; but will lightning strike twice when you need to sell?
Does the home have unusual features that might make it hard to sell? Cut up space, a tiny kitchen, even lack of parking can limit the appeal. If the rooms are painted black, you can change that, but you can’t economically alter the layout of the home!
How have homes in the neighborhood traditionally sold? If you are in a neighborhood where homes have usually sold much slower than comparable properties in nearby neighborhoods, you might have a problem In the future unless something changes drastically. If you are buying a condo, check the turnover and the number of units available now.
If you ask yourself these questions, and come away feeling reasonably confident that the house could be easily resold, the home is a good buy. With your exit strategy in mind, you need to ask yourself if you like the home enough to live in it for a few years.
If your answer is “yes,” run, don’t walk to Express Realty Services. We specialize in getting the job done right and quickly. As the #1 Keller Williams franchise, we can help you have a signed contract by April 30 so act now. Just call us at 888-306-9450 or visit our website to chat with a representative about how to get started.
Tags: buy a home fast, buying a home to sell, exit strategy, good time to buy a house, Home Buyer Tax Credit, home easy to sell, house as equity, house easy to sell, questions to ask when buying a home

