The United States home market has seen some substantial declines over the past half decade. Government Efforts, as well as the European Debt crisis have caused interest rates to reach all time lows. This makes real estate everywhere much less expensive.
Right now interest rates are less than 4%. If you go for a 15 year mortgage, that pays your loan off in half the time, or an ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage), your interest rates are even less expensive; closer to just 3%.
Ponder this, over the last 50 years the average mortgage rate has been around 8-9%. During the early eighties, mortgage rates peaked at more than 18%. Now, home loan rates are around the rate of inflation. Assuming that inflation remains at historic levels, the appreciation of your home value will be almost equivalent as the portion of the mortgage payment that goes towards interest.
A $100,000 mortgage loan for Sacramento Short Sales would have an interest payment of only $467.38 a month. In comparison, at 8% interest, the same home loan amount would be $733 a month. That’s a monthly savings of $265 a month, not because you bought a cheaper house, but because interest rates are so incredibly low.
If you are real estate investing, or contemplating whether to purchase your first home, It’s important to examine the basics of the mortgage payment. The interest portion of the payment, as well as property taxes are essentially money you are wasting. This part of your house payment is basically “rent money.” If your interest is going to be more expensive than paying actual rent, then the financial advantages of home owners aren’t there. With the present all time low mortgage interest rates, in most areas, buying real estate is less expensive than rent for similar properties.
It’s not just a good time to buy because mortgage rates are low, but home prices themselves are also down. In many areas home prices are down to the levels they were ten to fifteen years ago. There are some incredible deals out there, especially if you can buy short sales and foreclosures.
Overall, the real estate economy makes right now a fantastic time to purchase real estate.












