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- You'd believe that real estate is doing poorly.
- You'd believe that it is impossible to get a new loan to purchase a home.
- You'd believe that it is impossible to sell your home.
- You'd believe that it is an awful time to be a real estate sales agent
- You'd believe that the economy is in trouble
My best advice to anyone, especially real estate sales agents is to IGNORE the NEWS! Especially if you live in Columbia, South Carolina.
Columbia is fortunate in that our real estate market is always reasonably healthy. While we didn't experience phenomenal growth over that last several years, we also aren't experiencing the problems that some other areas of the country ARE experiencing.
Right now in Columbia, SC, you can purchase a home and get a mortgage loan to do so ... as long as you're willing to repay the money. Mortgage rates are still low ... averaging 6.5%, depending on your down payment amount and your credit score. You'll probably need a small down payment (typically 3% to 5% of the purchase price), but there are a few programs available that require no down payment. There is a great selection of homes from which to choose, and some isolated "deals" out there. It is a great time to buy.
If you need to sell a home first, or need to move to another city, you're still in luck. While it is true that in general, it takes a bit longer to sell a property these days, it is still possible to do so within your time frame if you're willing to make your home stand out among the others. Your Realtor will tell you all the things you need to do to accomplish your goals. But the facts are that many homes are selling very quickly in Columbia, and a few have had multiple offers presented. It is still a great time to sell a home in Columbia, SC.
And now to the idea that it is a bad time to be a Realtor. Not so. In my office of 38 Realtors, we have agents who are having the best year they've ever had. We are achieving our goals and the goals of our clients. Our "new" agents are putting sales on the board and building their careers, while our "seasoned" agents are doing well. This is a good time to be a Real Estate Salesperson ... if you're serious about your career.
In other words ... don't listen to the media!!!!
