Are you in the market to buy a home in Knoxville or beyond?  Are you worried about whether you are buying at the right time and scared that prices may continue on a downward trend? If you are thinking about buying, the number one question you have to ask yourself is WHY?

The question of WHY, seems like it should be easy enough to answer but make sure you think about the real reasons. Many experts are predicting that, in many markets across the country, home prices will continue to decline. This news, which is so prevalent in the national media, has caused many buyers to stay on the fence of indecision hoping to find that perfect time to buy. If you are planning on purchasing a home to flip or sell quickly as an investment, waiting makes perfect sense.

However, what if your reason for buying a Knoxville home isn’t necessarily about making money?  Does it still make sense to wait? Ultimately that depends on WHY you are buying. Perhaps the real reason you are buying a new home is to improve the quality of life for your family. Maybe you are moving across town into a school district where you feel your child could be better served. You could be trying to get closer to friends and family. Delaying these moves may end up costing you more than money.

Sure, no matter why we are moving we want to be sure we are making a good financial decision, but delaying and hoping to ‘time’ the market might not make sense.  A recent article by John E. Girouard on Forbes.com last week addressed this issue:

“Trying to time the housing bottom is as much folly as trying to time stocks or any other investment vehicle. In fact, it’s greater folly because if housing prices do fall further, it’s likely to be because mortgage rates are rising, which would mean that over the long term that slightly lower price you may have paid could end up costing more in carrying costs than you saved.”

He went on to say:

“My answer to those who ask whether now’s the time to buy a house is that the American Dream is and always was alive and well. It has nothing to do with the direction of housing prices but everything to do with your financial situation, income stability, ability to shoulder the costs, and if the home you have your eye on is your version of the American Dream—a home you love that you hope to live in for an extended period.”

What does all this mean?  It means that you shouldn’t base your decision on buying a home solely on finances.  Look at the real reason you want a new Knoxville home and let that weigh at least equally in the decision.  Oftentimes getting in that new school district, or closer to family and friends, and improving your quality of life can make a POSSIBLE financial loss seem inconsequential. Ask yourself what is really important.