Why listen to me...I just do this for a LIVING!
Some First Time Home Buyers (meaning anyone not owning a home in the past 3 years) remind me of an experience I had when I was breeding my dog. I only bred her twice - The first time because she is a GREAT dog and I thought other pet owners would love her pups - The other time, I confess, I did it for the money.
Something odd always happened when I entertained the "prospective puppy purchasers" in my home. I would claim it a fluke - but in both instances the scenario was the same.
A "prospective puppy purchaser" would make an appointment to see all the pups. When they arrived...I always made sure the puppies were as cute as they could be and cleaned up ALL of the puppy messes that only puppies can make.
They would pick them up - play with them - oooh and aaahhh over them and I'd just watch.
After the first 5 or 10 minutes of this I would eventually chime in... "Do you want to know which puppy is the BEST of the bunch?" I usually received a blank stare an instant later...but that NEVER deterred me.
See - I live to HELP people...and I was sure they wanted my assistance.
In the first litter - the "best" puppy was quickly snagged by the Stud that made the magic...or his owner...so in the "prospective puppy purchasers" defense, I was only hawking the "2nd" best...
But I digress...
The 2nd best puppy out of the litter (my opinion of course) was a little guy I dubbed "Z" He was born with a perfect Z on his forehead and displayed a lot of "puppy smarts" <read as - could FIND the food> and more loveableness than any of the other pups. <yes, I just made up a word>
So, I would pick up "Z" and proudly proclaim - HERE he is!
No one EVER picked "Z"
I still have him - He is the BEST dog I've ever owned and he would gladly lay down his life to save mine (as long as treats were present)
So, I relate that to this dilemma. This is the BEST time I have ever seen to buy a home - yet no one is buying.
Just think of this scenario - you are a young couple - maybe a single mom - single Dad - or even just single...or a gay couple, or a retired couple or an immigrant with a green card or anyone for that matter...that is renting an apartment and paying someone else's mortgage.
Here comes the bail-out. An $8,000 REFUNDABLE tax credit (or 10% of the price of the home) http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/13/real_estate/homebuyer_tax_credit_finalized/index.htm Some of the lowest interest rates in history. http://www.mynewhouse.net/html/mortgage_complete.html And a proven track record of home ownership being the number one vehicle to create wealth in America. http://housingmarketfacts.com - yet - the market isn't flooded with First Time Homebuyers.
I guess my question to you - fellow rain men and women - is what now? Why are people passing up the BEST puppy?
