70% surveyed think today is a good time to buy! *Fannie Mae National Housing Survey fall 2010

Getting help from an Illinois REALTOR®

is a smart financial decision.It has never been more important to work with a REALTOR®, the local

market expert, to properly assess market values. Some areas have two levels ofpricing—distressed sales and traditional sales. REALTORS® have access to themost up-to-date and comprehensive property listings and sales information.REALTORS®knowyourmarket andcanoffer trustedcounsel for both buyers and sellers.

Owning beatsrenting over thelong-term.Owning a home is how many familiesbegin to accumulate wealth. A typicalhomeowner’s net worth is 49 times thatof a renter’s.* Homeownership is aninvestment in your future offering immedi-ate shelter benefits and long-term value.

Sellers must set acompelling price.To sell quickly in today’s market make sure your homecarries a competitive price, not just a comparable one.Seek help from a real estate professional to better under-stand current market conditions. With foreclosures andshort sales at discounted prices, plus more supply ofhomes than demand from buyers, selling today requiresrealistic expectations related to pricing and time onmarket.

Today’s market offersopportunities forfirst-time, trade-upand investment buyers.If you’ve been thinking about buyingyour first home, a move-up home orsecond home—or find you have torelocate—current inventory levelsplus historically low interest ratesand affordable prices make this anexcellent buying opportunity.

Grab a low interest ratewhile they’re still here.Mortgage rates remain at historiclows but this scenario can’t last for-ever. A quarter percent change inthe interest rate can mean tens of thousandsof dollars in costs over a 30-year mortgage.For example, an increase from 5 to 6 percenton a 30-year $200,000 loan can change themonthly payment of principal and interest by$125, an increase of 11.6 percent.

Affordability is at a generational high.The combination of lower home prices and historically low mortgage rateshas made housing exceptionally affordable relative to household income.

Good credit andstaying withinyour budget key.Lending rules have tightened after theturmoil in the financial markets in recentyears, and this will affect your ability toget a loan. It’s important to pre-qualify for amortgage to know how much home you canafford. Check your credit report for free atwww.annualcreditreport.com and take stepsto safeguard or improve your credit history.

FACT

S YYoouu SShhoouulldd KKnnooww AAbboouutt TTooddaayy’’ss IIlllliinnooiiss RReeaall EEssttaattee MMaarrkkeettss..Think locally and long-term, and do your homework.Visit www.YourIllinoisHome.com for more information.

Safe and affordable mortgages are available…even for people with less-than-perfect credit. A mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Authority(www.FHA.gov or www.HUD.gov) can be the answer forfirst-time buyers who have a hard time getting financing andenough money for the down payment. Also, the Illinois Hous-ing Development Authority (www.IHDA.org) offers specialloan programs that include down payment assistance. Seewww.YourIllinoisHome.com, click on Financing.

When you sell, recoup when you buy. Waiting until later may cost you in the long run. What aseller may lose on the sell side can be recovered on thebuy side when you take advantage of the low interestrates and lower priced homes.

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IllinoisAssociationofREALTORS®522S.FifthStreet,Springfield,IL62701www.illinoisrealtor.orgwww.YourIllinoisHome.com

Think locally and long-term, and do your homework!

Buyers, this market’s for you…If you’re a first-time buyer, trade-up buyer or investor yourtiming couldn’t be better! With low interest rates, amplesupply of homes and more affordable prices, the Illinoishousing market presents an excellent buying opportunity!

Sellers, rely on the expertise of a REALTOR®…If you need to sell, be patient and price your home cor-rectly. Wise buyers and sellers get the facts about theirmarket and seek the counsel of a qualified real estateprofessional—a REALTOR®—to guide them through thecomplex process of buying and selling a home.

Every market is different…It has never been more important to work with a REALTOR®, the local market expert. You don’t have to go it alone.

For more information visit www.YourIllinoisHome.com

FACT

SYou Should KnowAbout Today’s Illinois Real Estate Markets.

91030 - 9/2010

70% surveyed think todayis a good time to buy!*Fannie Mae National Housing Survey fall 2010