Data Interpretation Makes the Difference

Surveys can be deceiving. How the reader interprets the survey makes all the difference in the world. Recently the Sun Sentinel ranked 20 real estate markets as the 10 best and 10 worst places to purchase. This brings up the question of whether a survey should dictate the decision to purchase. Ten cities received the worst ranking from real estate agents in the 2012 ActiveRain Survey.

The survey may be deceiving if you’re living in one of the cities ranked worst and this survey may just aid those new homebuyers looking for a bargain. The survey doesn't account for foreclosure listings that provide cheap homes for shoppers. Nor does it account for improvement in the market and the potential for a turn around.

Two of the qualifications for making the worst list include high unemployment and difficulty getting financing. For those looking for a home in the area who have a secure job and good credit, the low ranking could spell a bonus allowing these purchasers to secure a home at an even lower price.

When purchasers could easily access mortgage money, the price of homes skyrocketed. That’s because everyone could qualify as a homebuyer. Now, particularly in the worst ranked cities, mortgage money is hard to acquire. Every prospective homeowner with good credit and stable income should now yell “Halleluiah.” In addition, the cities are ripe with foreclosure listings, also lowering the price of homes. These cities and others across America, now hold great potential easy access to a home at bargain basement prices and cheap homes is what everyone wants.