We have all seen the front page news, including such headlines as the USA Today stating that the " Housing Market gets uglier and uglier" !

So, you ask me, "why one should take the plunge into turbulent waters and finally buy.

Here are 4 crucial home buying reasons to consider:

1) Fannie Mae has significantly eased their lending guidelines and is hoping to stimulate buying as well as well as stave off a negative astigmatism on local housing.

This easing of credit, effort to stimulate the Real Estate market along with the inference of reduced risk to a company whose priority is to make money for its shareholders is a good sign.

2) Interest Rates are rising to the highest levels in three months on Tuesday's Treasury department auction. The same house that may have declined in price, actually, may have just got more expensive.

3) Negotiation is on the buyers side - the glut and over Supply of homes is a major hurdle. In fact, I know many sellers who have no showings , less any offers in the last 6 months. If you present a competitive offer most sellers will be very ready, eager and willing to negotiate price, time frames and incentives to get a deal done.

4) Home prices have dropped sharply -S&P/Case shiller reported that home prices have dropped 14.1% in the first 3 months versus the first 3 months of 2007. In Phoenix, and many of its town including Glendale, Peoria and Surprise the year over year price drop was 23%.

My crystal ball is not 100% effective and I am not saying this is the absolute bottom.

However, with low interest rates, the easing of credit to get a loan, the ability to choose from the over abundance of supply, the ability to negotiate and this significant drop in prices may afford you the opportunity for which you have waited.

Consider why you are buying your next home.

If it is a place to live, use , make your home and raise a family, a tax incentive, and a long-term appreciating asset (notice - I said long-term) , today may be an excellent opportunity to buy.

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