Lafayette Indiana Real Estate - It's a Great Time To Buy

7 Reasons Why Now Is A Great Time To Buy

Now truly is a great time to buy a home. If you--or someone you know--is ready to move up or become a first-time owner, if you plan to stay a few years and you've been waiting for the perfect time to buy--now is that time.

Here's why. Housing cycles cure themselves. Prices soften, inventories rise, savvy buyers snap up bargains, demand increases, and the market returns to normal. As buyers return that demand pushes home prices up and mortgage rates higher, according to housing economists and past history. Higher prices and higher rates mean waiting today costs you more tomorrow.

The secret is to buy while the headlines are gloomy, secure an affordable fixed-rate loan and enjoy the home you want to live in before the advantage of today's market passes you by. By taking a long-term view--as a home investment should be seen--you can weather temporarily lower prices in the area while the market corrects if you buy now with a fixed payment.

Consider these reasons why my experience shows this is a great time to buy:

1. Take your pick of homes - there are many to choose from. Gone are the days when there were more buyers in the market than homes for sale. Then, options were few and many buyers felt they had to take what they could get whether or not it was the ideal home for them. Now, the reverse is true: There are lots of homes to choose from, and buyers can afford to be picky.

2. Do your homework. With more properties on the market. Instead of making a decision on the spot, buyers can actually spend quality time researching home son the internet and learning all about them. It is always good to visit a home 2 times before making an offer so that you can see more features about the home.

3. Make an offer. In the sizzling seller's market, buyers were outbidding one another--sometimes offering amounts thousands of dollars above the list price of the home they wanted. Today, buyers don't have to engage in bidding wars and--bonus--they're finding sellers more willing to entertain their offer.

4. Negotiation encouraged. In the past, many buyers, striving to gain the upper hand in bidding battles, waived contingencies for home inspection, pest, roof or sewer inspections. Sellers were able to sell their homes "as is" to buyers willing to shoulder the cost of repairs. These days, however, more buyers are shopping for warranties and asking for inspections, and, if problems are uncovered, they can reasonably expect sellers to negotiate to get a closed sale.

5. You can't beat the location. Want to live closer to work? In a better school district? Near the town center? In a larger--or smaller--home? You may be surprised at the abundance of possibilities out there that are a much better buy these days.

6. Bargains available. Qualified first-time buyers, down-sizers, second-home buyers, rental investors and others can find bargains today--if you know where to look. Bargains are available from owner short sales, lender-owned foreclosures, builder close-outs, executive relocation properties, estate sales, even tax and condemnation sales. There are bargains out there in every price range now. If you are looking for a below-market value, I can help.

7. Affordable payments. Interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have been hovering near 6% this year. Compare that to the average interest rate 10 years ago on a 30-year fixed, which was 6.94%; 20 years ago, 10.34%; and 30 years ago, 9.64%. From an historical standpoint, today's interest rates look terrific. Combine low rates with low prices to get low payments, and you know why now is a great time to buy.

Inventory to choose from is high, prices are low and interest rates are great - what are you waiting for? Trying to determine the bottom of a market is like trying to catch a falling knife. You could wait longer to see if the market will decline however interest rates could increase during that time as well.

Call The Romanski Group today to begin your home search (765) 532-6148 or visit us online at www.RomanskiGroup and get signed up for our automated email home search system!

Lafayette Indiana Real Estate - Price Reduced on Wolflake

Erin Romanski and The Romanski Group | Keller Williams Realty | 765-532-6148 5003 Wolflake, Lafayette, IN Immaculate ranch, corner lot near I-65, new hospitals & Meijer. Staged beautifully w/ privacy fenced backyard, deck, & landscaping. Many upg 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $127,500 Year Built 1996 Sq Footage 1,448 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 0.34 acres HOA/Maint $7 per month DESCRIPTION This better than new ranch is located on a corner lot in Brookfield Farms. The home, yard, and landscaping have been immaculately maintained. The ceramic tile foyer entry welcomes you into the family room with a floor to ceiling brick fireplace. The large fully equipped kitchen has a breakfast bar, ceramic tile flooring and backsplash, and beautiful crown molding. The dining room also has ceramic tile flooring and opens onto the large deck in the privacy fenced backyard. The master suite has its own bathroom, extra large walk-in closet, and crown molding. There is a surround sound system with Infinity speakers in the family room and second bedroom. This spacious home offers three bedrooms, two full baths with nearly 1,500 square feet throughout. Additional features include plantation blinds throughout, a floored attic, 6-panel doors throughout, freshly painted interior and a 2-car attached garage. Call The Romanski Group today for more information (765) 532-6148! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace Walk-in closet Tile floor Living room Dining room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Attic Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Water Softener Fenced yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Erin Romanski and The Romanski Group Keller Williams Realty 765-532-6148 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Oct 24, 2008, 5:43am PDT

Lafayette Indiana Real Estate - Santanna in Julius Springs

Erin Romanski and The Romanski Group | Keller Williams Realty | erin@romanskigroup.com | 765-532-6148 1432 Santanna Drive, Lafayette, IN Custom built 2-story home on 2 beautiful wooded acres in prestigious Julius Springs. 5BR/2.5BA Single Family House offered at $439,900 Year Built 2003 Sq Footage 3,445 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 2 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This custom built 2-story home is situated on 2 beautiful wooded acres in prestigious Julius Springs. Fine attention to detail is evident throughout this spacious home with five generous bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms. This home combines warmth and charm with many upscale amenities including cherry finished hardwood floors. This home offers nearly 3,500 square feet of finished living space plus a partial finishable basement with an additional 1314 square feet. The impressive 2-story foyer entry opens to the office and formal living room that leads into the formal dining room with columns and a tray ceiling. Relax in front of the double sided fireplace in the breakfast nook or family room. In the heart of this home is the fully equipped kitchen offering cherry stained cabinetry, ceramic tile backsplash, center work island and a large pantry. The cozy family room looks out onto the wooded backyard and has vaulted ceilings and a fireplace flanked by a built-in bookshelf. The luxurious owner's retreat has crown molding, a tray ceiling, double lavs, jacuzzi tub and a glass walk-in shower. Additional features include a 16x16 patio, surround sound, security system, lawn sprinkler, hardwired outdoor lighting w/ converter, professionally designed landscaping, Kinetico water softener and drinking water system (new in '07) and a 3+ car attached garage. Enjoy the wildlife and nature right from home. Call The Romanski Group at (765)532-6148 for your private tour. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Office/Den Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Basement Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard Jacuzzi/Whirlpool ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Erin Romanski and The Romanski Group Keller Williams Realty erin@romanskigroup.com 765-532-6148 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Oct 7, 2008, 9:19am PDT