Whilst sales of new homes have slumped in recent months due to the fact that buyers found foreclosed homes more affordable, research has shown that buyers prefer ‘green’ homes to luxury features.

Forty nine percent of those looking to buy homes, preferred homes containing devices which aid energy saving such as solar panels over luxury features. Only 31 percent of those interviewed preferred luxury features.

The neighborhood, in which the new home is located, is also an important consideration. People prefer their new homes to be in areas with low crime rates and in close proximity to their place of work. Only 6% of respondents would be prepared to sacrifice their proximity to shopping malls, whilst 3% of people would sacrifice their proximity to public transportation, such as bus routes.

Significantly more respondents, compared to previous surveys are prepared to sacrifice personal comfort in order to be able to afford a new home.

Despite the financial difficulty a new home purchase would bring, 81 percent of people interviewed still want to purchase new homes. After the elections in the US, researchers predict a hike in the property industry.

Most interviewees wish to purchase a new home between now and 2014 and with the recession drawing to a close; now may just be the best time to do it.

Purchasing your own home is an incredible feeling and even better is to buy ‘off the plans’ which enables you to choose your own designs within a custom set as well as your own fixtures such as wardrobes and tiles.

Developers that specialize in developing new homes prefer hiring in-house real estate agents which they pay a commission to in order for the agent to represent them. However, with the high volume of new home developments all over the world, real estate agents that sell new developments earn a lower commission on new home sales than on typical home sales. Due to this, some of them pressurize buyers into signing. It is always a good idea to carefully select your own real estate agent who will disclose drawbacks about your new home before you sign anything.

A developer’s agent may be less likely to disclose some of the negative aspects to you.

Developers often prefer their own lender, as they will keep the developer fully informed of your personal progress. Be sure to find a reputable lender who you feel comfortable with.

If you, like so many people today want a new ‘green’ home, be sure to hire a real estate agent that knows a great deal about green issues and other environmental issues to help you find the perfect green home for you.

Most green homes are more compact than ‘normal’ homes, so look around and make sure that you find a green house in the right size for your family.

A green home makes use of solar power and low flow toilets, double paned windows and is built from environmentally friendly materials that don’t have any negative impact on the environment.

Invest in your family’s future by buying your own residence.

Buying a new house is often a convenient reason for relocation. As such, prospective buyers may be interested in finding a Guelph home or a Kitchener new home.

News flash: Real estate is in a downturn. Prices are dropping. Does this mean that you should get out of Real Estate investing? No this is actually the BEST TIME to increase your property portfolio. When you are buy property it does not really matter whether the market is up or down unless you are trying to do a fast turn over. If you are holding for the long term then you have to deal with the market fluctuations with an inevitable upward trend at some point. If you can buy at the lower end of the cycle that is the best time to buy of course.

When the real estate market is experiencing a downturn it is the best time to buy. Just check the foreclosure lists and auctions. You can pick and choose and buy normally below market value. However, keep an eye on your monthly bottom line. In other words make sure your rental income (from your new investment) equals or exceeds your outgoing including mortgage repayments. If you have other income you may be able to stand an extra $100 or more per month to top up the mortgage but try to avoid it. You will sleep far better at night knowing that the mortgage payments are taken care of.

If the property market is rising you can be confident that the value of your investment is increasing. That is where your profit is and you should be able to sell if necessary. However, that was a few years ago when the market was more positive but now the reality is that the market has dropped and you need to be able to hold long term without any worries. It may take a few years before we hit healthy real estate selling conditions again, let alone a property boom.

Several investors that started during the “boom” now have to change how they are thinking about investing. This is the time when we separate “those who can from those who got lucky and made a few bucks”. Now is when the long term hold plans must start becoming the focus. This is a business. You need to do the math. Will your income from your investment cover the expenses/new mortgage?

Taking the current market woes in to consideration, the fact that now is a great time to buy and hold for the long term, goes without saying. Due diligence is the key for the next few years. Now is the time to look at buying for long term gains.

Doc Schmyz has invested all over the US. His free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find real estate information by state