househunters

At Upper End Properties, we’re very excited about the new year and the new opportunities 2010 will bring.  With the recent tax credit extension thats been put in place, many individuals will be looking to buy or sell new and used properties before the extension ends in April.  We’ve decided to compile a list of house hunting tips for those looking to enter into the market in 2010.  Wether you’re a first-time home buyer or a couple who knows the ins and outs of real estate, these 7 tips should make things a little bit easier on you come January.

1. “I Want a Foreclosure”

Beware, you likely really just want a good deal.  Ask your Realtor the best way to get an incredible bargain, but within a reasonable timeline.  Many foreclosure properties can take up to 6 months to purchase.

2. “Let’s Think About It For a While”

We actually recommend that you take control of the property by writing an offer and getting it accepted, then take your time to “look under the hood” and renegotiate if necessary.

3. “I’ll Just Use Craiglist”

The Internet is an amazing sales tool, especially when it comes to real estate.  Oftentimes buying, selling, leasing, or renting is a lot harder than it seems, especially in tough economic times.  We recommend using a real estate professional to help guide you through the process.  It might cost you a bit of a commission, but the help you receive will be well worth the costs.

4. Location, Location, Location.

How many times have you heard this one?  Yeah, it’s that important!  Research the different locations you’re interested in buying before you start your search.  With the thousands of listings available, you have no way of finding something great if you don’t narrow your search.  For information on locations in the central corridor, we recommend checking out our page on relocations.

5. “Let’s Buy It…We’re Getting $8,000 Back.”

The government has extended the tax credit.  For many, the $8,000 they are proposing will be the sole reason for buying or selling in 2010.  We do recommend buyers being cautious however because there are certain forms, contracts, and statements that need to be filled out in order to receive the credit.  It’s not rocket science, but it is often helpful to have an agent there to hold your hand.

6. Keep Your Ear to the Ground

There are some exciting opportunities in the pipeline to kickstart the housing market even more, specifically in St. Louis.  While nothing has been passed yet, St. Louis officials are pushing for a $1,250 tax break in the near future.  We recommend you stay up to date on real estate news by frequenting websites such as STLtoday or CNN and following companies on Twitter for a constant stream of information.

7. “I Want a Brunette Realtor”

We highly discourage this.  Blonde realtors have more fun and get you a better price :-) .

We hope that these 7 tips make things a bit easier on you in 2010.  We also have about 21 more that we’d love to share with you but it will cost you.  How much?  About 30 minutes of your time.  Our office is located at 7803 Clayton Rd.  We’ve got agents ready to talk every day of the week.  Happy New Year from all of us here at Upper End Properties.  We look forward to a wonderful 2010.

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