For sale or On sale

A good time to buy and a good time to sell

The first thing that came to my mind when I read a post by a local real estate agent on social media saying that we were in a “hot market”, was to take my sign down. I still had a lot of packing to do. Downsizing could take a while and I can not get out that quick. Real estate markets vary by location and are driven mostly by economic factors in an area that influences supply and demand. market

Here are my tips to make it easy for you to know how your area is performing and if it is the right time for you to buy or sell.

Hot market

Real estate agents in your area have ready, willing and able buyers just waiting for a new listing to hit the MLS, due to very low inventory
The list price is generally the starting price and buyers bid up
Quick closings, as buyers are mortgage ready or have cash, closing within 30 days
Buyers are scouting the neighborhood and when your sign goes up they leave a note on your door with an offer
Your agent will hold a “public open house” and state a time and date that you are open to review offers
Buyers will make an offer without coming into town or viewing the home

Seller’s market

Homes sell at list price
Prices are stable or increasing
Buyer incentives paid by the seller are added onto the list price
Seller offers few repairs only if necessary to obtain financing and may ask the buyer for a contribution
Low inventory
Start of the selling season, defined by your local area trends
Average days on the market are less than 60

Buyers market

Prices decreasing in an area
Average days on the market are more than 60
Sellers are advertising price reductions
Sellers are offering buyer incentives such as loan closing fees without increasing the price
Sellers are offering other incentives such as new appliances, repairs, and cosmetic updates
Homes are on the market at the end of a selling season, like late fall or the beginning of a school year depending on your area trends

Working with a real estate professional and having a market analysis prepared for the area you are planning to buy or sell will easily give you this information.

Happy home buying and selling 🙂 It’s a piece of cake

Alice

Pricing A Home To Sell

Real estate agents used the pyramid chart to price properties for successful sales for many years. This can be a helpful guide when selling and your property is not getting many showings, or low offers. Buyers may also use this as a guide to prepare an offer.

Either way it works….Happy home buying and selling 🙂

Tip…US census-a relocation resource

census

An abundance of useful information when you are considering or shopping for a new location.

https://www.census.gov/

Natural light with the blinds closed

Source: Natural light with the blinds closed

Natural light with the blinds closed

Blinds

Here’s a quick inexpensive way to add natural light to your home and not give up privacy that blinds provide. I picked this tip up from a home seller that wanted to brighten the rooms without having to remove the window treatments. They took the 2″ blinds and lowered them about 10 inches from the top of the window frame. Not only did they add natural light but it also presented the window itself with a more expensive look. Best of all it was free and a finished home project in one day.

Happy home selling 🙂 Let the sunshine in 🙂

Finding out what a property is worth

Sellers of real property and buyers of real property have the common goal of obtaining the best possible price and terms in the transaction.

Here are a few suggestions to help you determine market value if you are thinking of buying or selling real estate.

Appraisal services are offered on a fee basis depending on the complexity of the property. A small tract of land or a home in a neighborhood contains information from a local Realtor multi list system, tax records, and court records. An appraiser uses listings currently on the market, recent sold properties, along with adjustments for size and improvements. Photos are included in the report along with comments explaining the reason for adding or subtracting value when using the comparable approach. For more complex properties such as commercial sales, land developments, farms and multi family properties reports may be quite lengthy and include an analysis of the present and future return on the investment. Appraisers are licensed by the states they perform services and their opinion of value is very reliable.
A comparative market analysis is provided by a real estate agent, also know as a CMA. The data offered is pulled from a local Multi list system that the agent is a member of. The information includes competitive listings, recent comparable sales to what you are preparing to buy or sell. Most real estate professionals offer this service at no additional cost to their agency agreement with the client. It is very reliable for most residential and lot purchases.
Tax assessor records are easily accessible today with most areas offering online services. Depending on how often records are updated you can get an information for what you are selling or buying. If recents improvements are noted and the information has been accurately input you can get an idea of where the value may be. Some assessors sites also show recent sales surrounding the subject properties.
Real estate and mortgage lender internet sites can also be a resource for finding the value of a property. Depending on the site and how often the information is updated, and the accuracy of the information submitted you may get an idea of the value.

Happy buying and selling…… 🙂

My un-sightseeing weekend in NY City

The59Club

I never hesitate to say “yes” to a last minute invite for a weekend get away. Without the baggage cluttering my mind , I have free time to wander and notice all the great surroundings.

Visiting New York City without the “what to see and where to go” pamphlet is great fun on its own.

I just let my old people watching, pizza eating, window shopping self take some not so picture perfect photos to share with all of you.

Enjoy 🙂

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New home, small monthly payments

Sitting in the stack of presorted mail on my kitchen table is a photo of someones dream home.
The starburst on the front of the postcard is eye catching enough to make me flip it to the back side to read more. There is an attractive description of the features in the home and the location, but what’s missing is how I can get the $795 payment.

Typically, a new home builder will use what I describe as their “door buster” plan with very standard features to keep the price as affordable as possible. Combining that price with the best rate available on a mortgage program offered in their local market place they will make this offer.

In almost all cases this is not the time for a buyer to get excited. There are many variables when obtaining a mortgage such as a credit score, amount of down payment a buyer has to work with, and the amount of time a buyer may need to close all affecting the interest rate for the payment advertised.
Take the time to make the call to ask for the missing terms, since *full disclosure is required they will certainly have all of the information on hand.
New home builders are eager to keep their customers happy in high hope that you will be a referral source by telling your friends and family how satisfied you were during your home buying experience.

Happy home shopping 🙂

*http://realtormag.realtor.org/sales-and-marketing/feature/article/1996/12/do-your-ads-satisfy-reg-z-patrol

Darien Ga. 62 miles South of Savannah

Traveling through Georgia by way of I95 or US 17, here’s a great little city to spend the day packed full of history and waterfront dining on the Altamaha River.

For more information:http://www.cityofdarienga.com/en/

Summer travel USA-Niagara Falls, NY – The59Club

Summer travel USA-Niagara Falls, NY

Whenever I get asked about a great US vacation destination I always share one of my favorites, Niagara Falls. Located in Western New York and on the Canadian border in the province of Ontario this is an ideal location and within a days drive of all the popular North East Cities.

For US residents without a passport the view of all of the Falls is amazing from the NY State Park, and you get to walk over a bridge above the white water rapids. There is plenty to do and see for all ages, with restaurants and a casino within walking distance of the park.

For those carrying a passport you can drive or walk over the Rainbow bridge into Canada. To get the full experience I would plan one full day on each side. Also, plan to get wet from the mist as you get close, and bring your sweet tooth and eat some Maple fudge.

I can sit for hours and listen to the soothing sounds of nature harmonizing with the wind blowing, water flowing, birds flying, fish jumping, snow balling or sun shining, it is truly a wonder of the world.

For more information visit : https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com

I hope you visit and “fall in love”

via Summer travel USA-Niagara Falls, NY – The59Club