“This nationwide event offers buyers the chance to visit some of the many homes in their local area while learning more about homeownership,” said Nicole Anderson, 2012 president of St. Clair Association of Realtors.
The Realtor Nationwide Open House Weekend is April 28-29. Local Realtors will hold open houses all weekend, bringing buyers and sellers together. The Realtors will be available to answer consumer questions about the home buying process and local market conditions.
Anderson said now is a great time to buy a house.
“Interest rates are at an all-time low and more people now can afford homes than ever before,” she said. “The low interest rates make house mortgage payments lower, so more people can buy houses and buy better homes for the money.”
Anderson said the St. Clair Association of Realtors is growing quickly, and participates in many open house-type activities.
“These provide the opportunity for people to see a variety of homes in different offices across the county and the state,” she said.
Anderson said she will be onsite at a number of Fox Hollow homes in Pell City both days.
“I would suggest people check local property magazines and newspaper ads, and also contact local real estate companies to find out which houses are available during the open house weekend,” she said.
Anderson said the open house weekend is a yearly event.
“Buying a house can be stressful,” she said. “We are trying to expand what we offer as Realtors, and this is one way to do it. If people know that there is an open house weekend every year, it can make it easier for homebuyers. And April is a great time to look at houses.”
Anderson said homeownership matters to individuals, families, communities and the nation’s economy.
“The housing market plays a vital role in both the long- and short-term health of this country,” she said. “Homeownership is not just an investment in your future; it’s an investment in the future generations to come.”
Lawrence Fields, with Fields Gossett Realty in Pell City, said it is exciting to have the open house weekend.
“The housing market has been steady,” he said. “We are still selling homes and closing them out. It’s not quite back to where it was before the economy crashed, but it was unreal the way homes were selling then. I do think it’s turned the corner.”
Fields said he will have at least two lakefront homes to show at the open house weekend.
“Other Realtors in our office are planning to participate, too,” he said. “We have participated several times in the past. It will be good to see how much participation there is this year and gauge the market to see what prices people are looking at and what they are looking for in a home. We hope to meet new people and help them find the property they are looking for.”
Contact Elsie Hodnett at ehodnett@dailyhome.com.
