Many yearn to own their own home. A place where they can do pretty much anything they want. If they want to paint a bedroom a certain color then they can without having to ask a landlord. Owning a home is part of the American dream. Over the last 5 years it became a night mare for many people as the real estate bubble popped and caused this current economic downturn. However, the perfect opportunity has presented itself to many people. Homes are affordable again. Here are some reasons to purchase a home now.

1. Interest rates are low and that may not last forever. Many expect interest rates to increase so the window of low interest rates and low home prices won’t here forever. This could be the perfect opportunity for a home buyer. Real estate prices could be at an all time low with low interest rates makes home ownership very affordable. Depending on your area some homes are selling for a third or a half of what they used to sell for.

2. Home Prices. While it is awful that so many people have lost their homes, it has created an abundance of home inventories. Homes are being sold for a third of their past values. All around the country you can find terrific deals on homes you may have not been able to afford in the past. With prices so low, you will be able to purchase more home for your money. This includes new homes or recently built homes. Many developers have found that their plans were stopped when the economy halted. Large homes in new subdivisions have incredibly low price tags attached to them. It is a buyers market.

3. Down Payment Assistance. In an effort to boost home sales in an area many states, counties and even cities are offering down payment assistance programs. These are grant programs that provide people additional money to put down on a home that will not have to be repaid. The only conditions to these programs are that you buy in a specific area and that you remain in the home for certain number of years. In some states you can combine these programs from each level of government giving you the ability to place a very large down payment on a home and it won’t cost you anything.

4. Create wealth. Despite what has happened in the real estate market the last 5 years people will start making money again in real estate. We will eventually see appreciation again. Markets move in cycles and we may be at the end of this one. When you buy a home you are paying off your mortgage. If your home appreciates it is a double whammy. Suppose you have a 15 year mortgage and your home appreciates modestly for the next 15 years. At the end of your mortgage you will have a home free and clean and worth a pretty penny. If you buy rental properties and hang on to them for awhile it could make for a nice retirement plan.

5. Improve your credit. When you get a mortgage and pay on time your credit score will improve. Homeowners are considered to be a lower risk and are typically given a higher credit score. A better score means that you can borrow money more easily and at lower rates.

There will probably never be another time that home prices are so low in comparison to their true value. With low mortgage rates and a large variety of homes to select from on the market, there is not a better time than now to purchase your dream home.

Marc Rasmussen sells Bird Key real estate

Tags: business, buy home, finance, garden, gardening, home, home purchase, house, investing, mortgage, personal finance, real estate

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