As I talk about real estate with my colleagues and friends, I emphasize that there is always a bright spot somewhere when adversity in the American real estate market is what most news articles and pundits talk about. 

For example, falling home prices have opened up home buying for many more Americans.  As a result, 53.8% of all new and existing homes sold nationwide during the first three months of 2008 were affordable to families earning the median household income of $61,500, according to the latest Housing Opportunity Index released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). 

That is up from a level of 44% during the first three months of 2007 with home prices the most affordable they have been since the three month period ending June 30, 2004. 

It is a fact that as credit tightens, fewer buyers show up in the marketplace, and home prices fall.  Then affordability increases and opportunities in real estate reappear. 

Investors have always recognized that there is a real estate opportunity somewhere no matter what the overall market seems to be doing.  Their money is portable and they seek out those opportunities across the country.  Similarly, as foreign currencies increase in value as compared to the dollar, foreign investors seek real estate opportunities in our country as a way of taking advantage of their new purchasing power. 

If you want to talk to me about finding a real estate bargain, e-mail at jane@janefairweather.com me or call me at my office. (301) 530- 4663

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