We all know that buying real estate but especially in hot markets like Miami, is one of the biggest personal investments you can make. When you are buying in a competitive market, like the Miami real estate market, it’s important not to allow yourself to be pushed or cajoled into making a fast decision. The “fear of loss” factor is used very effectively by many real estate agents and is a popular ploy in the hotter markets.
The first thing you need to do is to understand that the market is cyclical. That is, it won’t keep going in any one direction permanently. OK, so over a long term of 5, 10 or more years, there will be a definite trend but don’t expect a year over year equity increase.
This fact free you from another popular real estate agent strategy… the “buy now because the price is going up” plan. Honest agents will show you market profiles that justify the asking price of any property. These profiles should include not only the asking the selling price also. There are agents that make statement like; “the market will go up 10% this year,” or “that you will make your investment up in...