Whether you are single, newly married, a family looking to expand or are empty-nesters considering downsizing, now is the time to make your move. For people looking to buy or build a house these days mortgage interest rates are at an all time low, which makes now a perfect time to buy.

According to Freddie Mac, 30 year fixed mortgage rates are below four and a half percent, which is among the lowest rates recorded in the past 40 years. Just in the past year alone we have seen the U.S. economy getting better, through the improved gross domestic product (GDP) numbers and the declining of unemployment rates. Although it is a good thing, it indicates that we are on the way to economic recovery, and interest rates will soon be climbing. Which is why now is a perfect time to buy or build your dream home and lock in these historically low interest rates.

Before you even look for a house, you must examine your finances. Two critical components are determining what you can put in as a down payment, and what you can comfortably spend each month on a mortgage payment? Shop around to see kind of interest rates you qualify for and how much you can afford to spend on your new home. A good banker can help you with this and recommend a total purchase price and payment that you
can live with.

Buying VS Building

There are many aspects to consider when deciding whether to buy or build a house. Both options will require commitments and you will face different steps and various obstacles along the way. One the biggest and most important elements of the decision making process is figuring out what you value most in a new home. Do you wish to plan your future in a house that you chose from several houses and make it your own? Or would you prefer to create your dream home from the ground up with the help of a reputable custom builder?

Buying a House

When buying a move-in ready home, whether pre-owned or brand new, there are two ways to find a house that will fit your wants and needs.

The first, and most time consuming, is searching out properties on your own. You’ll find yourself scouring the internet for the best deal and spending your weekend doing drive-bys of the properties you’ve found.
The other way is to hire a real estate agency to help you find the property that fits your needs. Typically the buyers agents are paid by the sellers of the home so hiring an agent will really come at no cost to you up front.

The major drawback of buying a move-in-ready home is that all of the construction, floorplan layout and interior appointments are already complete and in-place. Buyers rarely have any say over the design of the home, or the interior or exterior features. You will surely find yourself having to settle for some features over others rather having the home exactly to your desired specifications. But for those on a time crunch making concessions or having to remodel your new home is something you must be willing to do.

Building a Home

Your home is your biggest investment. And for most the idea of making concessions on or having to remodel their new home just doesn’t sit right with them. When building a new home in Georgia you need not settle for anything less than what you are looking for in your new home.

Southland Custom Homes, Georgia’s premiere on Atlanta custom builder, builds from the ground up. Since 1980 Southland has helped thousands of people build their dream home throughout Georgia and in metro Atlanta and Macon, while staying true to their mission: building quality custom designed homes on the land their customers love-all for a price they can afford.

With four new custom home model centers, located in Marietta, Stone Mountain, Dawsonville, Marietta and Macon, the Southland team of certified builders in Georgia is able to travel throughout Georgia to build dream homes for their clients. Homebuyers no longer have to choose between the home they love and the location they desire…with Southland they can have both.

Customers can choose from over 100 new free home plans-designed to fit nearly every lifestyle and budget. Plus, this Georgia builder can execute and customize plans clients bring to them or customize one of their own plans. All Southland homes are quality, custom homes, built one board at a time on the customer’s land. For those buyers that do not yet own land Southland is even able to help them find the perfect lot for their dream home. For 30 years they have made thousands of happy customer’s dream homes a reality by delivering on that promise.

For those needing a home now, a move-in-ready home is probably the best option. But for those in no real rush, there is no doubt that building your home will bring you the most happiness in the long-run. Interest rates are at an all time low. However they are expected to increase towards the end of 2010 or in early 2011. And as the economy continues to improve, the prices of lumber and other construction related materials will increase too. So either way you go, buy now or custom build your dream home, you will have to act soon if you want to take advantage of these once in a lifetime low interest rates.

Author Bio: http://www.southlandcustomhomes.com/index.php

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: Georgia Builders, builders in Georgia, Atlanta custom builders