• Selection, Selection, Selection! There are currently more than 4000 homes for sale in the Greater Augusta market area. Regardless of price range, there are plenty of houses from which to choose. Buyers are not forced to make compromises to locate the home of their dreams.

• No Bidding Wars. Inundated with news of mortgage fraud, sub-prime mortgages, and foreclosures, many buyers are hesitant about entering the current market. Investors have yet to step in. There is no competitive bidding in this current buyer's market.

• It’s OK to Make an Offer. With homes remaining on the market for longer periods of time, many sellers are now considering offers that would have been rejected outright a year ago. Sellers are no longer insulted when you make them an offer for less than asking price.

• Patience is Tolerated. In the seller's market that previously existed, everything was rush, rush, rush. Buyers were pressured to find a house and make an offer before someone else did. Now it’s OK to look at several homes and consider your choice before making an offer.

• Due Diligence is Welcomed. In today’s market, a buyer is encouraged to obtain a home inspection, termite inspection, and appraisal. In recent years, many buyers waived these contingencies in order gain an advantage over other offers.

• Repair Requests are Expected. After a buyer completes a home inspection, he is allowed to submit a repair request to the seller. In the past, seller might insist the home was sold 'as is'. Many times, there were back-up buyers waiting for a primary buyer to upset the seller whose home was increasing in value almost daily.

• Little Competition from Investors. In the past, as many as one third of all sales went to investors. These non-owner occupied buyers caused the market to inflate and affordability to decline. Mortgage fraud became commonplace. It's a great time to buy without having to compete with hundreds of prospective landlords.

• Location, Location, Location. With more homes to choose from, today's buyers can find homes closer to work. In today’s market, reasonably priced homes are within biking or walking distance to schools, work, and relatives.

• Real Financing is Back. The zero down, no documentation, adjustable rate, sub-prime loans are gone. Fixed rate mortgages are back. FHA financing, first time homeowner programs, special loans for teachers and police officers are back in business.

• Supply and Demand. With fewer buyers competing for more homes, prices are more reasonable. Buyers may now be able to find the perfect home for less than they would have had to pay in the past. It’s a great time to buy real estate!