I recently saw a report on MSNBC that more than half of potential homebuyers say they’re still not ready to enter the housing market, according to a poll conducted by Realtor.com. Their biggest concern was that they would lose their job and be unable to support the new home. Other worries include fear of not selling their current home and that home prices will keep falling.

In dealing with my customers and clients, I too have found that tight credit restrictions are keeping many would-be buyers out, but even those who can qualify are skeptical that prices will continue to drop. Furthermore, as many of the best deals in the marketplace are foreclosed properties, new homebuyers are constantly reminded that purchasing a home is a big risk financially in these troubling times.  Additionally, many perceive purchasing a foreclosed property as a lot more complex than other transactions.

The poll by Realtor.com also found that Americans generally are skeptical about Obama’s plan to alleviate the foreclosure crisis by giving the lending industry $50 billion in incentives to lower borrowers’ monthly payments. While about 27% of those polled did feel the plan was working, the remaining people did not believe it was working, or didn’t know if it was working.

What is the end result of all this? In my business , I am seeing an increased interest from both potential sellers and buyers in home rental rather than traditional sales and purchase.   

Renting gives those relocating an option to test out the market and find the right fit, and allows those needing to upgrade a chance to do so much sooner than they might be able to in these current conditions.Home owners are also finding rental over selling attractive, as it allows the real estate market to rebound and their property values to increase.I foresee that, until consumer confidence increases for the home buying market, renting will continue to be a favored option for home buyers and sellers alike.   

 DenverRentAHome.com can help those in the Denver, Colorado and surrounding areas with over 75 years of combined expertise in the residential rental and property management fields.  Homeowners can now post their properties online for FREE for two weeks, followed by a low monthly fee. And prospective tenants can now get pre-qualified online! Visit www.DenverRentaHome.com for more information or call 303.681.6767.

Homeowners wanting to sell their home are in for some good news as many real estate markets are showing signs of rebound.Denver, Colorado is one such market, and homes in the $100,000-$300,000 price range are selling fast and for more than the experts predicted.  However, despite these positive trends, sellers remain cautious and competition is tough, especially since foreclosed properties continue to saturate most markets.   

One way to maintain the competitive edge, increase the desirability of your home and set it up for a quick sale is to have your home professionally staged.The goal of professional staging is to take away the personal touches in your home that may not appeal to a wide range of buyers, and set it up to look appealing to the most buyers possible.  You want a prospective buyer to picture himself living in the home.

Although there is no guarantee, history has shown that staged homes spend less time on the market and sell for far more than non-staged homes.  And yet, many homeowners are reluctant to take advantage of this proven sales strategy, for several reasons. 

1.It is too expensive.The cost to professionally stage a home can fluctuate.As the objective of home staging is to emphasize its positive features and downplay the negatives, a house that is already in terrific condition will have a lower bill to professionally stage it.Most professional stagers will meet with you and provide a cost estimate, and many are even allowing creative payment options to meet your particular needs.

2.It will be too big a bother.The truth is that staging your home can be as easy as getting rid of all your clutter or rearranging furniture.On the other hand, it might demand a complete overhaul of every room in the house.The good news is that drastic of a tactic is rarely necessary, and focusing on a few main rooms such as the kitchen, baths and master bedroom will often give outstanding results.It is critical to get rid of all the clutter in order to feature all of the best qualities of your home. 

3.  It will take too much time.The truth is that even the most complicated staging projects rarely takes more than a week, and the average time spent is one to three days. 

The housing market continues to be tough, and houses competing with bargain priced bank owned properties need as much help as they can get.Having your home professionally staged may be just what you need to give you that competitive edge and to sell your home fast and for a great price. 

DenverRentAHome.com can help those in the Denver, Colorado and surrounding areas with over 75 years of combined expertise in the residential rental and property management fields.  Visit today to find out how DenverRentaHome.com can help you find or fill your home today. 

It’s been a long-held belief that it is more financially wise to purchase a home rather than to rent, if you can afford it. But the last 24 months have turned those beliefs upside down and folks are finding an uncommon real estate market that is difficult to understand.

While the super-low interest rates and plummeting housing prices seem to make a great case for buying a home, more and more consumers are looking to rent or rent-to-buy opportunities. However, making the right choice can be difficult.

So, generally speaking, when does it make sense to rent, and when to buy? I find that there are five basic factors to help you decide:

1. Credit Score. If you have a less than perfect credit score, it’s now nearly impossible to get a mortgage loan. In a rent-to-own scenario, renting can give those looking to build their credit history some time to do so while building equity. However, if you are fortunate to have a high credit score, now might be the ideal time to obtain a loan at interest rates that are lower than they have been in fifty years.

2. Cash Flow Needs. It is especially important in the present economic environment to make sure you maintain enough cash to satisfy your current cash needs, and many folks are finding it difficult to come up with the cash needed for a down payment to purchase a home. These folks are finding that monthly rent are typically lower than a monthly mortgage payment, which allows them to preserve their good credit and meet other monthly expenses more easily.

3. Unemployment Concern. I recently read an article by Forbes.com Real Estate columnist Matt Woolsey, in which he said “Given the state of the job market right now, the anchor of full ownership is a heavy one.” I find this to be so true with many of my clients, who are worried they might lose their job.  If this is a concern for you, not having to worry about having trouble making your mortgage payments and potential credit damage and foreclosure is a big pro for the rent or rent-to-buy scenario.

4. The Flee Factor. If you’ve recently relocated, or want to or need to move, locking into homeownership isn’t always ideal. By renting, you are able to explore all of the area options before selecting the neighborhood you want to set down roots in, rather than a quick purchase and possibility of needing to sell before prices have increased enough to avoid a loss on the transaction.

5. Market Volatility. Even in markets like Denver, which was recently named the No. 1 city on the verge of recovery from the real estate slump by Barbara Corcoran on NBC’s “Today” show, data is mixed on when the housing market will actually “recover.For many, renting is an attractive option while they wait to see what the market does.

There are certainly cases for either option and the key is to educate yourself and make the best decision based on your own specific circumstances. A qualified real estate professional will help find the answers.They may point out some new and unusual options that are available and that may be exactly right for your situation.

   DenverRentAHome.com can help those in the Denver, Colorado and surrounding areas find those solutions with over 75 years of combined expertise in the residential rental and property management fields.  Visit today to find out how DenverRentaHome.com can help you find or fill your home today.