The best deals are made when the market is anxious, waiting for uncertain issues to resolve. Once the uncertainty is resolved, the market is less anxious and less prone to deal-making.
Regardless of your situation, however, Real Estate is a regional issue. National news and numbers - however dramatic and eye-catching on the nightly news - have little relevance to day-in and day-out actual sales.
Waiting for Scottsdale Home Prices to Drop?
As of December 4th, 2007, conforming rates were the lowest they've been in the last 2 1/2 years. If you're waiting for home prices in Scottsdale to go down, please examine this chart:
How Buying Power Changes with Rates
Buying a Home NOW
Buying a Home LATER
Purchase price: $400,000 with 10% down
First mortgage: $360,000 at 5.625% = $2072/mo
Property taxes: $416/mo
PMI: $240/mo
TOTAL: $2728/mo
Purchase price: $375,000 with 10% down
First mortgage: $337,500 at 6.5%
(where rates were 3 months ago)
Property taxes: $390/mo
PMI: $225/mo
TOTAL: $2748/mo
If you were planning to buy real estate in Scottsdale in 2008, you need to Start Now. Align yourself with an agent who is working for you at the outset.