Matthew Gardner puts out a quarterly report for Windermere Real Estate. This valuabel report outlines the economic events of the last year and it also has predictions for the upcoming year.

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Until recently, the real estate industry exclusively represented the Seller. A growing number of Real Estate Agents (and the public) want Buyers to have an equal level of representation in the Buying Process. The Swanson Group is one of Whatcom Counties best Real Estate teams offering Sundance Benjestorf as an Exclusive Buyer Agent. We are making every effort to give today’s home buyers the level of service they demand.

We firmly believe that the home buyer has a right to full and equal representation and service. As consumers learn how the real estate industry works, they are demanding the level of service that only an Exclusive Buyer Agent can provide.

Exclusive Buyer Agents can assist you with locating and evaluating property. An Exclusive Buyer Agent works to negotiate the best price and terms for you, not the Seller! They can assist you in evaluating loans and financing options, or help you find competent home inspectors and home warranty companies. Above all, the Exclusive Buyer Agent offers undivided loyalty and works to protect the Buyer’s interests throughout the transaction. An Exclusive Buyer Agent will not ask you to limit your level of service for their benefit. The goal of the Exclusive Buyer Agent is always to protect you – the Buyer.

Whether you are a first time home buyer or looking to upgrade; a relocation buyer, or someone looking for real estate For Sale By Owner… If you want to buy a home the best way possible, you owe it to yourself to see how a true Exclusive Buyer Agent can be your best answer to the complexities of real estate transactions.

OK…the Super Bowl is over and the Steelers pulled another one out of the hat. Regardless of who you were rooting for, it was certainly entertaining! I don’t know if there’s a good real estate analogy there, but it’s important we keep things in perspective.

We’re all reading a lot about the economy, jobs and the real estate market these days. Why is it that 99.9% of what we hear and read is negative? I realize that people are getting laid off or hours trimmed, stock portfolios are shrinking and that as housing prices go down many of us lose equity. Those are real life and they are negative and I won’t minimize them. But aren’t there some positives factors we should acknowledge?
“Like what” you say…..

• It’s a “Buyers Market”….who says a buyers market means a bad market. Unlike the hot market of a few years ago, there is now good selection, good prices and historically low interest rates!
• 30 year Fixed Interest Rates are under 5%.
• Loans are not being handed out, but they are definitely available if you have a job and decent credit. Don’t believe the rumors that say nobody is doing mortgages.
• If you currently have an adjustable mortgage on your home your payments may actually adjust downward.
• This sluggish & declining housing market has made home ownership a real possibility again for many people that had been priced out of the market.
• As rental rates have crept up over the last couple years and home prices have dropped slightly, purchasing a rental property as an investment makes good sense.

The bottom is this….not all the news is bad. This is a time of great opportunity. It’s just a matter of what lens you are looking through.