Horoscope for 2009

Sydney, Australia: Ringing in 2007

It's that time of year when radio stations begin playing their "top 100" songs of the year and horoscope predictions for the upcoming year are printed out and scoured over. For a different spin on the Real Estate outlook, I thought I would format it in the style of a horoscope. These are my predictions for the market this year:

Where's my luck this year?

If you are a first time home buyer looking to buy, this is a great year to buy. You've patiently waited out the storm (subtle metaphor for the more commonly used term "boom") and now the pouring rain has slowed to a mere drizzle. This is the time to secure a pre-approval and take advantage of low interest rates, 4.79% for a 5 year fixed.

Home Sweet Home

No need to lament over perceived lost income due to buying at the so-called "wrong time." Truly, there is no wrong time. The way I see it is this: you need a place to live. Yes, the value of your home has likely decreased on your annual property statement this year but what would you have paid were you to have continued on living in your rental? Perhaps those numbers balance each other out. Enjoy your home and make it your own - have fun this year with some new paint with a funky name like sulfur yellow or black raspberry. With names like these, what's not to enjoy? (disclaimer: the two listed above do not match each other).

Mantra for 2009

"Focus on what you do best and let go of the rest" - Les Hewitt