Is Now a Good Time to Buy Real Estate?

It’s no secret that the housing market is in recovery mode. It’s quickly become a seller’s market once again.

In our Annual “by Owner” Corporate Housing Report, we talked to hundreds of investment property owners across the country:

19% said “Yes” they will buy this year, up from 17% last year
21% said “Yes” they will buy in the next 2-3 years, up from 15% last year
Only 4% said they were waiting to buy when banks to loosen lending requirements
Only 17% said they were “DONE” and not going to buy anymore

With all this talk of housing recovery, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy.

While real estate professionals can often make the case for buying at any time, if you are in the market to buy an investment property, it might be a great time to do so for these reasons:

Low Interest Rates: I have a feeling we will never see interest rates this low again in our lifetime.

Values Low: Home values are still relatively low as the housing market bounces back to normal. Low prices and low interest rates make for the perfect buying storm.

Pent Up Sellers: Many homeowners who wanted to sell long ago but didn’t want to sell their home at a low price or risk having it sit on the market for years are finally taking the steps to sell their homes. This brings about the potential for great inventory for investors and home buyers alike. (Remember, quality properties that are slowly making their way onto the “for sale” market are selling fast. Buyers need to identify what they want, watch for it, and move quickly to make a deal.)

As always, before you buy, make sure you find the right investment solution for you. Just because it’s a good time to buy doesn’t mean you should buy. You need to understand what you have and need, create a business plan, and put your plan into action. Talk to your financial advisor and trusted business advisers to learn if now is a good time for you to invest in real estate and corporate housing.