Real estate in 2014: What to look for when looking forward

Buying or

selling real estate today brings a roller coaster of emotions. It’s a great time to buy with rates so low, but it’s also just as great of a time to sell with price increases at all-time highs. With inventory nonexistent, it makes both buyers and sellers (who need to buy after their sale) weary of moving forward.

With cash buyers making up about 31 percent of the buying pool along with investors at 19 percent, it’s a scene from the

with these two parties being stronger than the rest — and usually battling against the much weaker first-time and/or financingcontingent buyer.

And why is inventory as low as it is? Even with the massive price increases we have been seeing, sellers aren’t as motivated as you may think. If there is nothing to buy, why would someone want to sell? While mortgage rates are still extremely low (the current 30-year fixed is at 4.44 percent), it’s predicted that the highest we will see for next year (the end of next year) is about 5.3 percent — which is still great. Interestingly, stocks like Home Depot and Lowe’s have been showing great performance indicating that more and more people may be staying in their home and renovating versus selling their home and entering the “buying warzone”.

So how does one make the rest of their year jolly with joyous real estate outcomes for the upcoming New Year?

Buy, then sell

If you’re considering selling, check out the buying market first. Odds are, if you price your home properly, it will sell, so make sure you have something to move into!

Be fiscally fit

If you’re going to war, you want to win, right? Preparation is the key to winning, especially when it comes to real estate. Make sure to have your finances and credit in order, and that you are truly “fiscally fit” so that when you make an offer, you can put some muscle behind it!

Put forth your highest, best

When you meet someone you are interested in, you want to “dress to impress”; and just like a real estate offer, if you want to beat out the competition you’ve got to be as attractive as possible with all of your terms, including financing, closing date, inspection period, and of course, price.

Samantha (Sam) DeBianchi is a Realtor® and founder of DeBianchi Real Estate in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Her expert real estate advice and straightforward approach can be seen and heard on FOX Business and other national media outlets. Always keeping it REAL, you can follow Sam online on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.