When Buying a Chicago Home, The 5-Year Rule is Good to Follow
Posted by Helaine Cohen on
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or you’re thinking about moving to a larger Chicago home or Chicago condo, the five-year rule is a good one to follow. It’s a simple question of how long you plan to stay in the home, and the answer can help you decide whether or not you should stay where you are or make the move.
For some, it has everything to do with the upgrade cycle. You purchase a smaller Chicago condo or townhome with the intention of staying there. Then, a few years later, you realize there’s not enough space and you need something larger. This upgrade cycle usually repeats itself until the buyer finally settles into a house that is big enough for their family. While great in theory, if you continually sell and purchase a Chicago home that…
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The buzz is all about low mortgage rates when it comes to Chicago real estate right now. In 12 of the 13 weeks from mid-April through mid-July 2012, long-term home loan rates matched or hit new lows. Prospective Chicago home buyers are coming off the sidelines like they haven’t in years in search of a new home thanks to record-low interest rates that will help keep their monthly payments low. But how do you take advantage of them? 
It’s rare for buyers to write a check for a home that has everything they have ever wanted. More and more buyers are looking for Chicago homes where they can do a bit of work themselves and make it a place that complements their lifestyle. There are a variety of amenities right now that are hot when it comes to luxury Chicago homes.
Realtors, mortgage brokers and homeowners have all breathed a huge sigh of relief that tax relief on mortgage debt was part of the “Fiscal Cliff” legislation. Although this law has only been extended it will nevertheless have a positive impact on the market since it limits tax liability from short sales and workouts involving forgiven, deferred and cancelled mortgage debt and provides the continuation of alternatives to foreclosure. a reduction in foreclosure inventory is positive for home values.
There is good news for real estate in the new “Fiscal Cliff” tax bill that Congress finally passed after extensive debating sessions.