Tic-Toc

Hello-hello, People.
Just some advice when you're out with your realtor (are you seeing someone else?) and you find a house you like. Write an offer. I know, it goes against everything we've been taught. Patience, self-control, "fools rush in", look both ways before you cross the street. All sound advice in every other situation, but not when buying a home (at least homes under $500,000) in Southern California right now. Why?
The housing inventory in So-Cal is ridiculously low. If a home is priced at market value (again, this usually applies to homes under $500K but I've see it happen on more expensive homes) then it will gather several offers to purchase within a week of being on the market. There's just not that many houses on the market for sale. But the economy?
Economy, schemonomy. There are tons of 1st time buyers and investors who are out there going toe to toe over low priced houses that they can buy with low interest rates. The 1st time buyers get the $8k tax credit and the investor gets a nice rental to house all of the people who lost their home. Pandemonium.
So, to reiterate, if you're digging on a house, pull the trigger and write the offer. It's not a car. You have contingency periods that can get you out of the contract with an untampered with deposit.
Let me know if I can help.
God Bless.