October 2008

"Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful."

- Warren Buffet (world's richest man)

The question you have to ask yourself, as a Buyer in this current real estate market, is whether you want to get a great deal badly enough to take action in what can appear, on the surface, to be a very chaotic and scary marketplace.

Look, I'm not saying it's right for everyone but Buyers who understand the dynamics of supply and demand economics also understand there has not been a better time to buy real estate (or stocks in well run companies, for that matter) in our lifetime.  It takes courage to take actions when most investors are running for the hills but I guarantee if you make smart decisions with your money now you'll come out…

The above chart represents a year over year statistical comparison of the Median List Price and Inventory levels for the City of Decatur (30030 Zip Code).

You'll immediately notice the steep decline in inventory levels starting in July of this year.  You'll also notice the median list price of home for sale has dropped from a peak of around $380,000 a little over a year ago to now hovering around the $355,000 to $360,000 mark.

"Don't wait to buy real estate.  Buy real estate and wait..."**

**chiasmus

I heard this from a colleague the other day and it gave me pause.  What a simple, yet profound way of describing how to buy real estate in the current market. 

If you wait to buy real estate you may find that you're buying on the upswing of a market that has already hit bottom.  Better to go ahead and hop off the fence, buy some real estate and wait for time to make you a genius.