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What does Warren Buffett think of the Housing Market?

In an article written by Andrew Frye, Bloomberg News, Warren Buffett predicts that the housing market will bounce back in 2011.

Buffett says, "Within a year or so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us, Prices will remain far below 'bubble' levels, of course, but for every seller or lender hurt by this there will be a buyer who benefits. Indeed, many families that couldn't afford to buy an appropriate home a few years ago now find it well within their means."

Warren Buffett is a well respected businessman, growing his business into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. However, just because Buffett sees the housing market bouncing back in 2011, doesn't mean that that's going to happen. There are many opinions out there as to the housing market and the recession. I think there are a couple key points that need to be addressed in our National system before we start seeing a steady rise in home values. It's true that homes are more affordable now with home prices pretty stagnant or dropping and interest rates at an all time low (NOW is a great time to buy). But we all know that the housing market is only as strong as the economy.

If we can get to the core and fix the nation's housing problem, it would start with job creation and keeping jobs in the USA.

What do you think?

Get Pre-qualified for a Home Loan Before Searching for a Home

Anchorage Real Estate Blog

There are many good reasons as to why home buyers should get pre-qualified for a home loan before searching for a home.

Getting pre-qualified or pre-approved for a home loan before actually searching for a home can save you, the home buyer, a ton of time and energy.  Why? First of all, you don't know how much of a house you can really afford without getting pre-qualified. If you are talking to sellers or looking at homes with a Realtor that are $300,000+ and you can realistically afford a $200,000 home, you would be wasting a lot of energy and time.

Getting Pre-qualified puts you, the Home Buyer, in the Driver's Seat. How? Home Sellers will take you much more seriously if you can prove, in black and white, that you've seen a loan officer and you can actually afford to put an offer in on their home. Without a pre-qualification letter, home sellers don't want to expend their energy on negotiating an offer.

Getting Pre-qualified will better your chances of getting your Dream Home. Really? Yes, think about it this way. It's the weekend and you go out searching for a property with your Realtor. You find the home of your dreams, in a price range that you're comfortable with. You want to put in an offer on the property. You find out that the sellers are expecting another offer so you raise your purchase price above the asking price. Your Realtor submits your offer, but oooops, you forgot to get pre-qualified and you can't meet with any lenders since it's Saturday, after 7pm... The seller accepts the other offer, with a LOWER OFFER PRICE, because they have a pre-qualification letter. The seller says that he/she accepted the other offer because they feel more confident with the other offer since they know those buyers: 1) can afford the home, 2) are more likely to perform since they were more prepared, 3) will get things done that need to get done to close on the home!

*Getting Dressed for the Prom and Having Your Date Not Show Up is Much Like Searching for a Home Without Going Through the Pre-qualification Process. You might find the home of your dreams while searching, but end up losing it to another buyer if you're not prepared.

Anchorage Real Estate

Achorage Police Say Kids Are Being Targeted For Abduction Attempt

There is a young man in Anchorage who is trying to abduct shool age  children while they are making their way to school. So far, he has attempted three times to abduct girls between the ages of 10-11. According to ADN.com, he hit the girls, at different times and places, then offered them a ride to the hospital or home.

Fortunately, all three girls escaped and told an adult. The Anchorage Police Department (APD) is working hard to find this CREEP.  REad more at ADN.com

When I get home, I know what I'll be talking to my kids about.  Stranger=Danger, this sounds harsh but unfortunately, it's the reality that we have to live with today.

Suggestions for ensuring your kids get to school safely:

-If your child walks to school or the bus stop, Form a Walking Group with at least 5-10 kids. Teach the kids the dangers of talking or going w/ strangers and how to get scream for help if someone does approach them.

-Take turns walking the kids to and from school. Get a group of 5 parents together and form and take turns walking the kids to school.

-Make sure kids are wearing bright colored clothing and put a light reflector on their back packs/coats. It's still dark when the kids are making their way to school and this helps drivers keep clear of the children.

-Form a neighborhood watch group.

Any other suggestions?

Text 90999 to donate $10 to the Haiti Relief Effort

According to moconews.net, donations of just $10 has really added up... to the tune of $800,000.  MocoNews.net also pointed out that social networks have played a big role in getting the word out there. This goes to show that social media is alive and working. It's a social medium that is making huge strides by allowing the word to get out quickly and spread when needed most.

Anchorage Real Estate Statistics

week ending January 12, 2010

The Total Market Overviews, provided to Keller Williams Agents, show the number of active listings, number of pending homes, the pending ratio, months of inventory, closed listings in the last six months, average original list price of sold home, average final list price of sold homes, average sale price of sold homes, list to sales ratio, average days on market of sold homes, and average day on market of Active (unsold) homes.

The Total Market Overview, or what I call my Anchorage Real Estate Statistics, is a great tool for home sellers and buyers. As a home seller, if you know what price range you belong in, and you can find out by requesting a Free Home Evaluation, you can estimate your time on market based on what is going on in the Anchorage real estate market. The Total Market Overview can give sellers a sense of what to expect as far as the marketing time of the home and what price ranges are most popular for current homebuyers.