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Over the past few months, we have definitely seen a drop in bids on homes we have sold. The number of viewings has also declined significantly. Mainly due to the rise in interest rates, for a variety of reasons. We have successfully purchased several properties in the meantime, perhaps even more than before. But in addition to that, we still successfully sold homes. How? By anticipating the market. Surely that is the least you should expect from your experienced real estate agent!

We hear people ask if this is the time again when you can do it without a realtor. The answer to that is that it can always be done without a broker. But where you think you’ll save money on the cost of a buying agent, more often than not it will cause you to save money on the purchase price. Especially now, you can bid way too much on a property and regret it afterwards because you may have overpaid by €30,000 or more.

Butrr… There are also tactics to play it smart. That’s where we come in handy.

What to think about then? Well look. At the time when interest rates are as high as they are now, purchase prices are lower. And if you buy a house now that is €80,000 ‘cheaper’ than a few months ago, that value will probably start rising again after a few years. In doing so, of course, we are assuming that interest rates will fall again at the same time. And if you then refinance your mortgage after a few years, you can go back to a lower interest rate and still have bought a home for “cheaper”. Sure, refinancing your mortgage costs a few thousand dollars, but you’ll have really saved those.

And this is only tip #1.

We must remember that a few years ago this interest rate was common. After that, it started to decline extremely and we were very spoiled. A lot of people have benefited from that and others are coming in just too late. Bad luck! But now the question often comes back whether this is the new normal. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. That too is something we don’t know. All those ‘so called’ experts are just shouting something anyway. No one knows how long the situation will remain like this in Ukraine. No one knows if we will have an economic crisis. No one knows if in 10 years we will have only electric cars. But among all those experts, there is always 1 who is right. Or maybe a few. It is up to you to find it and believe in it.

Now back to this blog.

The housing market does what it does. As a result of everything that will happen in the world. But now that there is a lot of supply again, there is an opportunity for everyone to seize. The question is, do you? My advice is; YES ABSOLUTELY! Or in the words of a “motivational coach”; Chop-chop! There are opportunities for everyone in this housing market. In the lower segment, middle segment and certainly in the upper segment. But tackle it smartly! Visit a mortgage broker. Call a real estate agent and just ask them some questions first to see if they understand what you want and what the intent is. Those 2 professionals will go a long way. In fact, it is their job to take care of you throughout the buying and selling process.

So stop procrastinating and take action. It’s about your own future. Grab your chance!