Loans Increasingly More Difficult to Obtain

Yes, lots of mortgage money is available. However, for many, the requirements to access this available money is still getting more stringent. FannieMae (FNMA) announced earlier this week that they were Increasing the 'Declining Market Delivery Fee' to .5% as of October 1st (which will of course be passed onto the consumer in the form of Higher closing costs or Increased interest rate).

Also, another trend is 'Credit-Scoring' the interest rate. Although this has been the case for quite some time, the Secondary Market is now looking at slicing the rate into far more credit score tiers.

I don't disagree with the rational of all of this, however, for anyone lookig to buy in the near future (that does not have a very high credit score) should not try to time the bottom of the market because it could really end up costing you more in the end.

You Don't Need A Realtor!

OK, I know this one that you have been thinking about. Why Do you need a Realtor?
I mean really, why do you?

First of all, there are 2 sides of a real state transaction: the Buying side and the Listing side. Lets start with the buying side...

You can get listings just about anywhere. There is all kinds of data online. You can just call the listing agent to see the house (oh, whos job by the way is to take all of your money and give it to the seller - their client). You can navigate the current changes in the mortgage market. And all other kinds of fun. And if you are moving from another part of the state or the country, it is even more fun.

And if you are a seller...
You can research comps online (if you can find them they are probably outdated). You can check Zillow (to see what your house probably Isn't worth - up or down).
You can check Trulia and get incomplete data (at least as of this post).
You can put an FSBO sign on your lawn and post on the FSBO sites (ensuring that you'll see most of the 'bottom feeders' looking to steal your house).

Hmm, maybe you do need us?