Buying Your Maryland Home in a Buyer's Market

These days a homebuyer is tempted by the chance to negotiate a great deal on a house. It's been decades since the conditions were so favorable for buyers – reduced prices, motivated sellers, and extra concessions available to make a deal happen. Whether a new or existing home, it's a good time to buy. And it's hard not to be enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Which is exactly why buyers need to step back, take a breath, and make sure they aren't tempted to take shortcuts that they could regret later. Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware - applies as much to home buying as it does to any other major purchase. Think it through, ask questions, and be sure you understand before signing on that line.

Ask yourself one important question: Is this the right time for YOU to buy a home? The question is not, "Do you want to buy a home?" The question is about whether the time and all the factors in your life are right. If you have to stretch financially to buy, if you would have nothing left in your budget for the extra costs of home ownership – unexpected repairs, regular maintenance, etc. – then you could be setting yourself up to become a statistic. But if owning a home is part of your budget, and it's the right time for you, then you are in a good market.

Once you've decided that the time is right, do your homework. Learn everything you can about the area you want to live it. You can learn a lot through Internet research – try using a search engine like Google to find news and articles about your target area. And don't overlook the expertise available from a real estate agent who knows the area through years of experience. The agent can tell you about the houses in your target neighborhood, what they are selling for, and can help you narrow the field to the homes that will suit your wants and needs. And when you find that house that says "Home," an experienced professional can also help you negotiate your best deal.

After more than 20 years in real estate in Prince Georges, Calvert, and Anne Arundel Counties, the "Special" Ed Haraway Team can help you find the perfect house for you and your family in this land of pleasant living. We are "The Realtors Who Treat You Special!"