Follow Me for a Week...

It's been a while since I've posted, but every day I have a new idea and think to myself "I really need to blog about that!" It has seemed, though, as if the best intentions of every day have simply been God using His sense of humor to make me think I have a handle on things! Lisa and I have been so very slammed, and we are so thankful! New listings, following up with showings agents, writing offers, working with buyers, setting up inspections, etc. -- it's just been managed chaos for both of us.

This brings me to my point. I had a friend send me some contact info for a FSBO on his street. While I really appreciate him thinking of me, I am not going to contact them. I have worked with many folks who have tried the FSBO route before, and I absolutely respect someone's right to try to market their own home. BUT, before I seriously consider listing a home that has been FSBO, I try to get the owner to truly understand all that goes into marketing a home. I have even invited someone to follow me for a week, or even a day, to see all that goes into this business. Hmmm... I've never had anyone take me up on that...

So, FSBOs, don't worry about me soliciting you. I'm too busy marketing the inventory I have to try to woo you my way. But, if you'd like to solicit me, that's another story!

A "Flurry" of Activity

If you are like me, you are working from home (or not working at all) today thanks to the snow and ice storm... not a bad thing to sit in your pjs and work away :-). We had snow, ice, and sleet yesterday and last night, but that is not the only kind of "flurry" happening around here...

BUYERS ARE LOOKING. Just in the past 2 weeks my partner and I have been amazed at the number of buyers, previously lying low, who have expressed an interest in finding a home and finding one quickly. Other agents in our office have said the same thing, so that tells me it is time to act. Sellers, you MUST be not just competitive but compelling. You must be staged and ready to show. You must be flexible with few showing restrictions. Talk to your agent today about where you need to be as far as pricing goes. Remember, the longer you wait the more you will be affected by increased short sales and foreclosures. A $1200/month payment quickly adds up, so reduce now and get the burden off your shoulders.

Call me TODAY to discuss!

Should I List During the Holidays?

It's a pretty predictable debate this time of year -- should I list my home now or wait for Spring? Great arguments can be made for both sides. The following are some reasons why you may decide now is the time to go for it!

-- Buyers that are looking now are serious. They have jobs, have their financing lined up, and need to buy now. Otherwise, they would wait til January to look when they had more time.
-- A lot of your competition will be bank owned. This means they will be cold, drab, vacant, and in less than broomswept condition. So, yours will automatically show better.
-- If you DO wait, you have done what the majority of folks have done, which means you will have even more competition than normal.

Call me to discuss the pros and cons -- different situations call for different strategies, and I can guide you through the decision making process.

Motivation

I read a great post on Steve Harney's blog about why we purchase certain homes. I hear so often from sellers "but I'm not going to make any profit." Fundamentally, though, do we choose a certain home because of its profit potential? Investors do, of course, when they are purchasing rental properties, but most of us choose a certain home for other reasons. Perhaps it is in the school district we desire for our children, or it has a unique layout that makes it possible for an in-law to visit frequently. Regardless, there are often factors at play that are more important than dollars and cents, and these are often motivating factors to which we can't assign a value. As your Realtor I am going to educate you about neighborhood values, but you have to decide if that is what really matters to you.

Time is Flying!

If even half the people who say they are ready to do business in January actually are, I am going to be one busy girl! Buyers are wanting to take advantage of the tax credits in plenty of time to meet the deadlines, and sellers are ready to list properties in anticipation of a hot market. I personally believe January-April 2010 are going to be hopping, so... if you have your eye on a particular home, don't let it get away! Even if it has been sitting for a few months, chances are good that someone else has it on their radar as well. And sellers... historically, February is THE month to list, but from the looks of it, if you wait until February, you are going to be behind MANY MANY other great listings. Don't wait! As you pack up your Christmas decorations, think about little ways you can spruce up and get your home show ready. I already have 4 homes going on the market the first week of January, so get in there while the getting's good!

Tax Credit Info!

President Obama has signed the bill... read on!

-- First-time buyers are eligible for up to an $8,000 credit and now have until April 30, 2010 to be under contract (and close by June 30, 2010).
--Repeat buyers who have lived in their current home for at least five consecutive years of the past eight years are eligible for a tax credit up to $6,500.
--Higher income limits - Both first-timers and repeat buyers may purchase a principal residence up to $800,000. Income limits to qualify have been increased to $125,000 for single tax filers and $225,000 for joint filers.
--Credits are effective NOW – The new legislation replaces the former tax credit scheduled to expire November 30. If you have active buyers who have not closed as of November 6, they now qualify for these credits if they meet the criteria.
--Credits do not need to be repaid – The credits for both first-time buyers and repeat buyers are true credits and do not need to be repaid unless the home is sold within three years of purchase. The credits are claimed on the buyer’s federal income tax return filed for the year they purchase their home.
--Interest rates are still historically low and selection is excellent. The rates are likely to rise in March when the Feds will pull back on the purchase of mortgage-based securities. Act now to lock in those low rates.

Info courtesy of AllenTate.com