Readers have been asking for my Top 10 Real Estate Predictions for 2009.

I try to write my annual real estate predictions at the same time every year, which is the first week in November, and hadn't realized time was slipping away. Probably because recent events such as the presidential election, major bank failures, unprecedented foreclosure filings, wild swings in the stock market and rising unemployment rates had distracted me. But I finished my list of real estate predictions on November 7 and published it.

This year's list is a little different than previous years. I covered a few more categories and made riskier predictions, but I also examined how this forecast may directly affect home buyers and sellers in 2009.

Let me know what you think of these possibilities and whether you believe my predictions are accurate . . . read more about 2009 Real Estate Predictions.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• Best Places to Live in America
  
• Why FHA Loans Are Popular
  
• Tax Breaks for Home Sellers

_{©Big Stock Photo}

Technorati tag: real estate predictions

A potential home buyer confided in me last week that she was did not yet need a real estate agent.

She wasn't quite certain what she wanted to buy, where she wanted to buy or even if she was ready to buy her first home. That's OK, I assured her; it was perfectly fine to take your time. In the meanwhile, I sent her active real estate listings directly from MLS. This way she could look them over when it was convenient.

That was on Monday. On Tuesday she called to make an appointment to tour some of the listings. Wednesday, we toured. By Thursday, she was in contract. And she got a two-bedroom home in East Sacramento for the unbelievable price of $225,000 which, if she hadn't quickly acted, might have slipped away . . . read more about Do I Need a Real Estate Agent?

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• How to Hire a Listing Agent
  
• How to Hire a Buyer's Agent
  
• How to Interview a Real Estate Agent

_{©Big Stock Photo}

Technorati tag: need real estate agent

When the job market tightens, it becomes more common for married couples to find themselves in the role of commuting spouses.

Nationally, the unemployment rate is 6.1%. Experts predict it will rise to 7.5% next year. Major corporations are laying off employees and many established older businesses are closing up shop. Although nobody wants to use the R word, when the gross domestic product drops, like it has for the second quarter this year, we are in the midst of a recession. I suspect the prevailing hope is that by the time our politicians and economists feel it is OK to actually admit we are in the throes of full-blown recession, it will be over and, therefore, easier for the public to swallow. But I don't believe they are fooling anybody by skirting around the issue.

In the meanwhile, good jobs are becoming harder to come by. As a result, some professionals are finding that they have no choice but to accept a job in another town or even out of state. When that happens, not every couple can pack up and move together. Commitments or financial responsibilities may keep one spouse behind . . . read more about Commuting Spouses Between Houses.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• Home Buying Before Marriage
  
• Buying During a Recession
  
• Selling in a Falling Market

_{©Big Stock Photo}

Technorati tag: commuting spouses

Some home buyers hesitate to buy a formal rental as a home.

The main concern is the perception that tenants don't take care of property the same way an owner-occupant would. Sometimes, tenants don't tell the owner when things break or even recognize when something goes wrong. But that doesn't always mean a home has been neglected just because tenants have been living in it.

Whenever I've sold my own rental property, I first asked the tenants to vacate because it gave me the opportunity to personally inspect the home from top to bottom and make repairs, if needed, and paint. Plus, I didn't have to worry whether the home would be kept clean and tidy.

Not only do vacant homes make showings a lot easier for buyer's agents, but buyers can't tell if it's been recently rented . . . read more about Buying a Home the Seller Rented Out.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• First-Time Home Buyers
  
• What Motivated Seller Really Means
  
• Requesting Seller Repairs

_{©Big Stock Photo}

Technorati tag: buying rentals