Saturday, February 28, 2009

How to Benefit from the Distressed Real Estate Market

By Sarah Bennet

The growing number of foreclosures and deflation in the real estate market across the country is not new news. The economy has flat lined and many experts predict a record number of foreclosures and bankruptcies as job losses and cutbacks continue in 2009. While this does not bode well for the overall economy or for the real estate market, it does present an opportunity for those who have money saved and are looking to buy a home given the current market conditions.

The record numbers of foreclosures and layoffs have created a surplus of affordable housing on today's real estate market. With institutions that are holding these foreclosed homes are being forced to sell them below market value. They are taking whatever they can get, and often taking a loss in the process. While this may not be good news for the economy at large, but buyers who have financing lined up and have good credit ratings may be able to pick up their dream home for a price that is unbelievably affordable.

In order to take advantage of current real estate market conditions, buyers will have to be savvy and know what they can afford and have their financing lined up. While no one is completely secure in this market, if a buyer has a good credit rating and has saved up enough money to put down a substantial down payment, chances are there are good deals to be found on today's real estate market.

Savvy buyers will want to look into foreclosed properties that are currently on the real estate market. While buying a foreclosed home may take a lot of legwork and cutting through red tape and possibly dealing with governmental agencies, this may be worth the effort. Enlisting the services of a real estate agent who specializes in foreclosed homes may be a wise move. Foreclosed homes are not always in bad neighborhoods. Some of these homes are very nice, and chances are they are in neighborhoods just like yours. So take advantage of the availability of foreclosed homes as a means to getting an affordable home.

Today's real estate market is truly a buyers market, with sellers being forced to come down in price as the value of their homes decreased. Many sellers are anxious to get rid of a home before foreclosure sets in and are willing to part with their home for a price that is much lower that they wanted to sell. Economic circumstances are forcing their hands, and making home prices more affordable to qualified buyers.

Making lemonade when life hands you lemons may be the best lesson of this current real estate market crisis. For sellers, they may have to come to grips with the fact that they may not get their asking price. For buyers on this current real estate market, they can expect to find good deals provided their financial house is in order.

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