MONROE - January thaw is the wake up call for home sales, according to local Realtors.
"I'm really excited about these next three to four days," said Bub Zwygart, at Century 21, about the warmer winter weather. "This is what we look for in the real estate business. It's time to get going."
Melodie Hawkins, with Hedeman Real Estate Company, Monroe, said home sales in Monroe are "pretty good."
"January normally brings in more (home sales), which it's doing, but that (upswing in sales) is also based on foreclosures and the $8,000 tax credit," she said.
Hawkins said the number of homes for sale has increased slightly, and sale prices are down about 10-13 percent from two or three years ago.
Home sellers are dropping their prices, she said.
"They have to if they want to sell - they don't have a choice. But homes are still selling at a nice, good price," she added.
While home sales around Green County are good, the continuing difficulties in the economy, and the time after Christmas, are holding people back from jumping into the market.
"Savings are up dramatically," Zwygart said. "People are afraid to do anything. But if you have security in a job, and haven't been laid off, you're an excellent candidate for buying a home now."
"Right now interest rates are very favorable. If you watch the pattern of interest rates, it's very good now. In May or June, when the demand increased, the rates trend up also," he added.
Currently, home loan interest rates are around 5.1 percent, said Sheryl Thorp, Zwygart Century 21 listing coordinator.
Home buyers should also look at two federal programs for tax credits when timing their purchases.
For first-time buyers the $8,000 tax credit program has been extended until April 30.
A new program for second-time home buyers allows for up to a $6,500 tax credit. Second home buyers qualify if they have been in their first home for three years, buy by April 30 and close by June 1.
The selection of homes on the market should spur buyers into an early search for a new home, also.
With the selection, interest rates and federal programs, "it's a good time to make a change," Zwygart said.
"I'm really excited about these next three to four days," said Bub Zwygart, at Century 21, about the warmer winter weather. "This is what we look for in the real estate business. It's time to get going."
Melodie Hawkins, with Hedeman Real Estate Company, Monroe, said home sales in Monroe are "pretty good."
"January normally brings in more (home sales), which it's doing, but that (upswing in sales) is also based on foreclosures and the $8,000 tax credit," she said.
Hawkins said the number of homes for sale has increased slightly, and sale prices are down about 10-13 percent from two or three years ago.
Home sellers are dropping their prices, she said.
"They have to if they want to sell - they don't have a choice. But homes are still selling at a nice, good price," she added.
While home sales around Green County are good, the continuing difficulties in the economy, and the time after Christmas, are holding people back from jumping into the market.
"Savings are up dramatically," Zwygart said. "People are afraid to do anything. But if you have security in a job, and haven't been laid off, you're an excellent candidate for buying a home now."
"Right now interest rates are very favorable. If you watch the pattern of interest rates, it's very good now. In May or June, when the demand increased, the rates trend up also," he added.
Currently, home loan interest rates are around 5.1 percent, said Sheryl Thorp, Zwygart Century 21 listing coordinator.
Home buyers should also look at two federal programs for tax credits when timing their purchases.
For first-time buyers the $8,000 tax credit program has been extended until April 30.
A new program for second-time home buyers allows for up to a $6,500 tax credit. Second home buyers qualify if they have been in their first home for three years, buy by April 30 and close by June 1.
The selection of homes on the market should spur buyers into an early search for a new home, also.
With the selection, interest rates and federal programs, "it's a good time to make a change," Zwygart said.