5 New Rules Home Buying

I just read an interesting article from CNN.com called 5 new rules for home buyers -
There's no guarantee that prices have hit bottom yet - but that doesn't mean that you can't get a great deal now...Especially in DC...

Rule 1: You can't time the bottom
Rule 2: One reason to buy now - mortgage rates
Rule 3: Another reason to buy - rates on big mortgages
Rule 4: Don't buy cheap; buy good schools
Rule 5: Make sure your agent has your interest at heart
And my personal favorite (and my own rule)
Rule 6: DC is becoming ever more affordable with all factors taken into account....

...with rising gas prices, longer commute times, falling home prices (and some good negotiating tactics from your agent), improving school districts, millions in commercial/retail real estate development - the list goes on - DC has become ever more popular in recent months for suburban families to pack up and move closer to their jobs, mast of which happen to be in DC. Why spend all of that time in the car in bumper-to-bumper traffic wasting gas with the A/C turned up barely crawling at 5-8 mph when you could wake up at the same time, walk to your local Starbucks, have breakfast, read the paper and walk to work all in the same amount of time. What do you think?

post 18 gas prices increasing means owners move back into the city

As gasoline prices increase and commute times increase, many employed in the District may be forced to move back into the city to limit the effect on their budget. Prices are now above a nationwide average of $4.02 and are expected to increase throughout the rest of the year.

Forbes: 10 Worst Cities for Commuters

D.C. Area has Second-Longest Commutes in Nation

Gas Inches Higher

Are you affected by the current gas prices in your commute or lifestyle?