Working with a Realtor® ~ Buying a Home

Buying a home calls for your informed decision based in part on the knowledge, judgment and guidance of a real estate broker or agent -- particularly one who is a REALTOR^®, like Peter DeLuca.

Unlike many real estate agents who are simply licensed by their state to do business, REALTORS^® have taken additional steps to become members of their local Board of REALTORS® and have agreed to act under and adhere to a Code of Ethics.
This membership obligates Peter to be fair to all parties involved in this transaction, be it buyer, seller or cooperating agent. 

REALTORS® do more...much more...Than you may think.

Peter, who is a REALTOR^®, can help you determine how much home you can afford. Often, Peter will suggest ways to accrue the down payment and explain alternative financing methods.

Peter, in addition to knowing the local money market, also can tell you what personal and financial data to bring with you when you apply for a loan.

Peter is already familiar with current real estate values, taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and may be aware of local zoning changes that could affect your decision to buy.

Peter can usually research your housing needs in advance through a Multiple Listing Service -- even if you are relocating to another city.

Peter can help familiarize you with the closing process.

Peter will show you only those homes best suited to your needs -- size, style, features, location, accessibility to schools, transportation, shopping, and other personal preferences.

Peter will often suggest simple, imaginative changes that could make a home more suitable for you and improve its utility and value.

Peter, though generally acting as an agent for the property owner, is bound and obligated by the Code of Ethics to give fair treatment to all parties in the transaction.

Peter is sensitive to the importance you place on this major commitment you are about to make. Count on Peter DeLuca, an exemplary real estate professional, to facilitate negotiation of an agreement satisfactory to both seller and buyer.

If you see a home as one of your most important investments, the REALTOR® you work with could be one of your most valuable resources. As a home buyer, you can expect the commitment, integrity and expertise that you'll find in working with Peter DeLuca. It is the business of Peter DeLuca to work with you by understanding your home buying needs and showing you properties that fit your lifestyle and budget.

THE BEST INVESTMENT

As a fairly general rule, homes appreciate about five percent a year. Some years will be more, some less. The figure will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, and region to region.

Five percent may not seem like that much at first. Stocks (at times) appreciate much more, and you could earn over six percent with the safest investment of all, treasury bonds.

But take a second look…

Presumably, if you bought a $200,000 house, you did not pay cash for the home. You got a mortgage, too. Suppose you put as much as twenty percent down – that would be an investment of $40,000.

At an appreciation rate of 5% annually, a $200,000 home would increase in value $10,000 during the first year. That means you earned $10,000 with an investment of $40,000. Your annual "return on investment" would be a whopping twenty-five percent.

Of course, you are making mortgage payments and paying property taxes, along with a couple of other costs. However, since the interest on your mortgage and your property taxes are both tax deductible, the government is essentially subsidizing your home purchase.
Your rate of return when buying a home is higher than most any other investment you could make.

If you are moving to a home for the first time, you are going to be very pleased with all the new space you have available. You may have to even buy more "stuff."

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