In the first quarter I have seen a 60% increase in calls/showings and sales compared to last year. The buyers out looking and ready to buy.
The only problem that I have seen is that the banks are not loosening up enough, it is still tough to get a loan. Too bad since the interest rates are low.
The market is still a buyers market, so if you have descend credit and some money to put down then this is a great time to Buy!
Donna Hazlewood was recently awarded the Accredited Home-Staging (AHS) designation. She joins a select and growing group of real estate agents who has recognized the importance of providing this value-added service to their clients.
A effectively staged home sales faster and brings a higher sales price.
In a Buyers Market the best way to attract potential buyers besides your corrected market list price is your home curb appeal.
You may have a beautiful interior but to get buyers inside you must provide the buyers with a positive first impression. This will help weed out your competition. Keep your lawn manicured, weeds out of your flower beds, fresh mulch, driveway swept and an inviting front entrance. A fresh coat of paint and new hardware for the front door will make a big different.
When a potential buyer drives by the homes that they have on their list, they will want to see the home that has that appealing curb appeal first.
I’m sure you have been keeping up with the news in reference to the Real Estate Market in the US. Here in Jefferson County, it is finally a Buyers Market and I don’t see that changing for at least another 18 months. The home values when down in 2007 and in 2008 the values will not increase.
www.DonnaHazlewood.com
Contact a lender before your viewing of homes for sale and get pre-approved. You need to determine your loan eligibilty and need to know how much you can invest in your purchase. This will help you and your Realtor with the search for the perfect home, in your price range.
When you find the perfect home, the Seller will take your offer much more seriously knowing you are already approved by a lender.
Go to my website: www.DonnaHazlewood.com and click on the financing tab to view a list of local lenders.
Leave the Selling to the Professional
Buyers Often feel uncomfortable in the presence of a homeowner, so:
* Try not to be present during inspections.
* If you are home, never apologize for the appearance of your home.
* Only your Certified Residential Specialist should discuss any objections and subjects like price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyers.
ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages): Most of the troubles in the current mortgage market are the result of adjustable-rate mortgages, which often feature very low introductory interest rates. Once the rate adjusts after 2 to 3 years, many homeowners can’t meet their monthly payments.
Nearly 2 million homeowners have ARMs that will adjust higher by the end of 2008. Of those, the Federal Housing administration estimates that 500,000 could go into foreclosure.—-Buyers, my advice to you is to understand the type of mortgage you are getting.
This weeks Hint will be on keeping the disturbances down: Potential homebuyers have a lot to take in, so minimize distractions.
1. Pipe in classical, jazz or soft rock music, but keep the volume low.
2. If possible, turn off the ringer on your phone during showings.
3. Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way- preferably out of the home.
Mortgage lenders rely on the secondary markets to borrow money to make more loans. The problems started as subprime mortgages (loans given to customers with poor credit history) started going delinquent at faster rates.
The problems have spread to the broader mortgage market, making investors nervous about almost all types of loans that cannot be purchased by government backed loans (Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac).
Bottom line is that it is tougher to get a loan if you have blemishes in your credit. In addition lending standards stemming from the subprime crisis likely means fewer buyers, pushing down home prices.
Here are some suggestions that makes a listing more attractive to potential buyers:
*Place a big pot of yellow marigolds in the foyer – Yellow makes people feel comfortable.
*Give the trim around the front door a fresh coat of paint, covering up fingerprints and dings.
*Hang a small flag that says “Welcome”.
*Dribble a few drops of vanilla on the oven door and turn it to low. (It’s smell just like cookies baking).
*Fertilize the grass so it’s bright green.
Donna Hazlewood – Realtor www.DonnaHazlewood.com syndicates its weblog posts and Comments using a technology called RSS (Real Simple Syndication). You can use a service like Bloglines to get notified when there are new posts to this weblog.
