Things must turning around …

One of the things I find great about Bend is the ability to enjoy a truly fine morning of powder skiing and the ability to be back in the office by noon. Today we had one of the few truly deep snow experiences of this ski season. It was one of those Pacific Northwest storm days with piles of deep snow drifted everywhere. For those who know where to go the snow was deep, deep enough for true face shots!! Not quite the type that suffocates you with mouthfuls of fine powdery snow but the type that would cover your goggles and blind your path for a short time.


Could this be the end to the El Nino cycle? Could things be turning around? An omen from above? It has been said in the El Nino years the snow producing weather pattern does not return until the spring season. I say bring on the daffodils, the Easter Bunny and bucket loads of powder. It is never too late to have a great powder season.

First Time Homeowner Rebate Coundown

Just sixty days left before the $8000 first time homeowners tax rebate expires this November 30th. Are you in position to take advantage of this program? If not it is time to move fast before this fabulous program gone.

The program is designed to bring first time home buyers or those who have not owned a home for three years or more into the market. This program combined with ultra low interest rates and home price that are in full retreat, a new home buyer has never had it better.

"Time is of the Essence" is a common phrase in real estate but never more relevant than now with home sales transactions taking anywhere from thirty to ninety days to close. Since the banking collapse many new laws have inacted to protect consumers. These laws have added more layers to the process of buying and closing a home. Ironically these laws meant to protect may now cost many the opportunity to buy a home.

First time buyers need to have there ducks in a row. First off having pre-approval from your lender is essential. Do the research in selecting a mortgage professional, make sure that they have a history of moving quickly to get all the paperwork processed in a timely fashion.

With pre-approval in hand, time will be short to find the right property, one that meets your physical and financial needs. There are a wide variety of buying situations that may provide the timing and value you need to close quickly.

Bank owned properties offer a tremendous value, they have their quirks but generally have fewer strings attached leading to a quicker closing.

With the short timeline most short sales are out of the picture. Short sales require the seller to get the approval of their lender(s). This is a time comsuming process sometimes taking over 120 days. Once the sale has approval you will need to tack on the lenders time needed to close out the sale. Occasionally there will be short sales available that have already been approved by the lender(s) for a previous buyer who's deal fell through. These properties can provide an opportunity to buy low with out having the unbearable wait.

Probably the least cumbersome is the conventional home sale. No need to deal with the sellers lenders here.

If you are looking to purchase in the Bend market, let me be your guide.


Bill Panton
Broker, Duke Warner Realty
1033 NW Newport Ave.
Bend, Oregon 97701
bpanton@dukewarner.com
cell 541-420-6545
office 541-382-8262
fax 541-385-3272