The December Market Update for Massachusetts

In January, I wrote a blog entitled "Knowing Exactly When the Market will Change" that received many comments, replies and supportive feedback. In that blog, I stated that I felt that as soon as we have 3 consecutive months when more inventory is going off (under contract) than is coming on (new listings) we can expect to once again experience an appreciating market.

Hot off the "Actual Statistics" press, it is now time for my December update (November statistics) of how the real estate market is faring in my area of the country - the Massachusetts North Shore, north of Boston. The area of observation consists of 22 towns on the North Shore and considers only SINGLE FAMILY homes for comparison.

So how did we do in November and thus far this year? In November, 247 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 197 homes went under contract. That's means that many more homes came on the market than went off - marking the eleventh month in a row that more listings came on than went off the market: +50 more during the month of November.

In January, that difference was +195, in February, +135; in March, +287; in April, +288; in May, +315, in June +255, in July +129, in August +142, in September +236 and in October +130.

That's 2,159 more homes that came on vs. going off since the beginning of the year:

So, what does this mean in general for our market area? It means that we continue to remain in a DEPRECIATING market and will remain there until this trend reverses.

Here's a recap of the previous nine months:

In September, 463 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 227 homes went under contract.

In August, 405 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 259 homes went under contract.

In July, 442 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 313 homes went under contract.

In June, 554 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 299 homes went under contract.

In May, 655 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 340 homes went under contract.

In April, 550 single family homes came on the market in the North shore and 262 homes went under contract.

In March, 543 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 256 homes went under contract.

In February, 377 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 242 homes went under contract.

In January, 404 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 209 single family homes went under contract (off market).

The message: Real estate values will continue to decline until this trend reverses.


Part of the solution? Sellers need to recognize that it is no longer 2005 and price their homes ahead of the declining price curve. As you can see, many homes are selling, but they are the ones that are priced properly and AHEAD of the declining value curve.


I will provide another update again in the beginning of January (for the month of December) and we'll take a look and see if the market is changing or if we can expect more of the same for a while.

Regards, Jay Burnham, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
North Shore, Massachusetts

November's Massachusetts North Shore Market Update

In January, I wrote a blog entitled "Knowing Exactly When the Market will Change" that received many comments, replies and supportive feedback. In that blog, I stated that as soon as we have 3 consecutive months when more inventory is going off (under contract) than is coming on (new listings) we can expect to once again experience an appreciating market.

Hot off the "Actual Statistics" press, it is now time for my November update (October statistics) of how the real estate market is faring in my area of the country - the Massachusetts North Shore, north of Boston.

The area of observation consists of 22 towns on the North Shore and considers only SINGLE FAMILY homes for comparison.So how did we do in October and thus far this year?

In October, 375 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 245 homes went under contract.

That's means that many more homes came on the market than went off - marking the tenth month in a row that more listings came on than went off the market: +130 more during the month of October. In January, that difference was +195; in February, +135; in March, +287; in April, +288; in May, +315, in June +255, in July +129, in August +142 and in September +236. That's 2,109 more homes that came on vs. going off since the beginning of the year.

So, what does this mean in general for our market area? It means that we continue to remain in a DEPRECIATING market and will remain there until this trend reverses.

Here's a recap of the previous six months:

In September, 463 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 227 homes went under contract.

In August, 405 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 259 homes went under contract.

In July, 442 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 313 homes went under contract.

In June, 554 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 299 homes went under contract.

In May, 655 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 340 homes went under contract.

In April, 550 single family homes came on the market in the North shore and 262 homes went under contract.

In March, 543 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 256 homes went under contract.

In February, 377 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 242 homes went under contract.

In January, 404 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 209 single family homes went under contract (off market).

The message: Real estate values will continue to decline until this trend reverses. Part of the solution? Sellers need to recognize that it is no longer 2005 and price their homes ahead of the declining price curve. As you can see, many homes are selling, but they are the ones that are priced properly and AHEAD of the declining value curve.

I will provide another update again in the beginning of December (for the month of November) and we'll take a look and see if the market is changing or if we can expect more of the same for a while.

Regards,

Jay Burnham, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
North Shore, Massachusetts

October's Massachusetts North Shore Real Estate Market Update

In January, I wrote a blog entitled "Knowing Exactly When the Market will Change" that received many comments, replies and supportive feedback. In that blog, I stated that as soon as we have 3 consecutive months when more inventory is going off (under contract) than is coming on (new listings) we can expect to once again experience an appreciating market.

Hot off the "Actual Statistics" press, it is now time for my October update (September statistics) of how the real estate market is faring in my area of the country - the Massachusetts North Shore, north of Boston.

The area of observation consists of 22 towns on the North Shore and considers only SINGLE FAMILY homes for comparison.So how did we do in September and thus far this year?
In September, 463 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 227 homes went under contract.

That's means more than twice as many homes came on the market than went off - marking the nineth month in a row that more listings came on than went off the market: +236 more during the month of September. In January, that difference was +195; in February, +135; in March, +287; in April, +288; in May, +315, in June +255, in July +129 and in August +142. That's 1,979 more homes that came on vs. going off since the beginning of the year.

So, what does this mean in general for our market area? It means that we continue to remain in a DEPRECIATING market and will remain there until this trend reverses.

Here's a recap of the previous six months:

In August, 405 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 259 homes went under contract.
In July, 442 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 313 homes went under contract.
In June, 554 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 299 homes went under contract.
In May, 655 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 340 homes went under contract.
In April, 550 single family homes came on the market in the North shore and 262 homes went under contract.
In MARCH, 543 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 256 homes went under contract.
In FEBRUARY, 377 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 242 homes went under contract.
In JANUARY, 404 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 209 single family homes went under contract (off market).

The message: Real estate values will continue to decline until this trend reverses. Part of the solution? Sellers need to recognize that it is no longer 2005 and price their homes ahead of the declining price curve. As you can see, many homes are selling, but they are the ones that are priced properly and AHEAD of the declining value curve.

I will provide another update again in the beginning of November (for the month of October) and we'll take a look and see if the market is changing or if we can expect more of the same for a while.

Regards,

Jay Burnham, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
North Shore, Massachusetts

The September Massachusetts North Shore Real Estate Update

In January, I wrote a blog entitled "Knowing Exactly When the Market will Change" that received many comments, replies and supportive feedback. In that blog, I stated that as soon as we have 3 consecutive months when more inventory is going off (under contract) than is coming on (new listings) we can expect to once again experience an appreciating market.

Hot off the "Actual Statistics" press, it is now time for my September update (August statistics) of how the real estate market is faring in my area of the country - the Massachusetts North Shore, north of Boston.

The area of observation consists of 22 towns on the North Shore and considers only SINGLE FAMILY homes for comparison.So how did we do in August and thus far this year?
In August, 401 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 259 homes went under contract.

That's marks an improvement over earlier in the year; however, for the eighth month in a row, more listings came on than went off the market: +142 more during the month of August. In January, that difference was +195; in February, +135; in March, +287; in April, +288; in May, +315, in June +255 and in July +129. In total, since January, 1,743 more single family homes have come on the market than have gone under contract. There are so many For Sale signs that have been posted for so long that some appear to be taking root!

So, what does this mean in general for our market area? It means that we continue to remain in a DEPRECIATING market and will remain there until this trend reverses.

Here's a recap of the previous six months:

In July, 442 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 313 homes went under contract.

In June, 554 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 299 homes went under contract.

In May, 655 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 340 homes went under contract.

In April, 550 single family homes came on the market in the North shore and 262 homes went under contract.

In MARCH, 543 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 256 homes went under contract.

In FEBRUARY, 377 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 242 homes went under contract.

In JANUARY, 404 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 209 single family homes went under contract (off market).

The message: Real estate values will continue to decline until this trend reverses. Part of the solution? Sellers need to recognize that it is no longer 2005 and price their homes ahead of the declining price curve. As you can see, many homes are selling, but they are the ones that are priced properly and AHEAD of the declining value curve.

I will provide another update again in the beginning of October (for the month of September) and we'll take a look and see if the market is changing or if we can expect more of the same for a while. At least July and August show modest improvement.

Regards,

Jay Burnham, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
North Shore, Massachusetts

The Massachusetts North Shore Update - June, 2007

In January, I wrote a blog entitled "Knowing Exactly When the Market will Change" that received many comments, replies and supportive feedback. In that blog, I stated that as soon as we have 3 consecutive months when more inventory is going off (under contract) than is coming on (new listings) we can expect to once again experience an appreciating market.

Hot off the "Actual Statistics" press, it is now time for my JUNE update of how the real estate market is faring in my area of the country - the Massachusetts North Shore, north of Boston.
The area of observation consists of 22 towns on the North Shore and considers only SINGLE FAMILY homes for comparison.So how did we do in June and thus far this year?

In June, 554 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 299 homes went under contract.

For the sixth month in a row, many more listings came on than went off the market: +255, or nearly double. In January, that difference was +195; in February, +135; in March, +287; in April, +288; and in May, +315.

So, what does this mean?Simply this: We will continue to remain in a DEPRECIATING market until this trend reverses.

Here's a recap of the previous five months:

In May, 655 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 340 homes went under contract.

In April, 550 single family homes came on the market in the North shore and 262 homes went under contract.

In MARCH, 543 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 256 homes went under contract.

In FEBRUARY, 377 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 242 homes went under contract.

In JANUARY, 404 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 209 single family homes went under contract (off market).

The message: Real estate values will continue to decline until this trend reverses. Part of the solution? Sellers need to recognize that it is no longer 2004 and price their homes ahead of the declining price curve. As you can see, many homes are selling, but they are the one's that are priced properly and AHEAD of the declining value curve.

I will provide another update again in the beginning of August (for the month of July) and we'll take a look and see if the market is changing or if we can expect more of the same for a while.

Your Experience Level

Imagine getting ready to sell your first home. You choose a real estate agent who arrives at your home on schedule. The agent sits down, pulls out a real estate listing contract and a pen, and says "Sign here!" How would you feel?

OK, then, let's say you've decided to sell your 18^th home in as many years. The sales agent of your choice sits down at your kitchen table complete with a laptop computer and listing presentation book, and proceeds to give you a very basic two-hour presentation on the procedures involved in selling a home. Now how do you feel?

One of the services you can expect from your sales agent is the ability to determine and understand your experience level in selling a home, and then to respond by presenting only that information you need for a rewarding, satisfying sales experience.

If the home you're selling is your first, the presentation may include information on the selling process employed by the agent's company, their advertising strategies, use of "For Sale" signs, and an explanation of contract forms which will be used. You may also receive information about closing procedures, sales expenses, and an analysis of the estimated sale price and terms which you can expect. Or, if you've sold many times before, you may only want a thorough explanation of present market conditions and pricing.

Choose your real estate agent with care, and you'll be on your way to a successful sale.

End Pocketbook Pain!

How important do you think it is to price your home correctly once you've decided to sell? Are you aware that overpricing can be painful to your pocketbook? Sure, it's simple – an overpriced home rarely sells.

Here are some of the best reasons for heeding the advice of your real estate professional regarding price. First, overpricing a home discourages buyers from even making an offer. They feel that even if the offer is accepted, they haven't gained anything more than a fair price.

Overpricing also attracts the wrong prospects. If you've priced your $450,000 home at $500,000, you'll be attracting buyers who expect to see $500,000 worth of home. When they don't, they'll be disappointed. And, you'll lose your desired advertising response, too, since the $450,000 buyers won't even call.

Another casualty of overpricing will be other real estate agents. Keep in mind that they know and understand pricing because of daily contact with sellers. Once they realize your home is overpriced, it may not be shown as much. Worse, it may be shown to help sell the competition (other houses like yours that are priced fairly.) Finally, if a buyer is located, the lender may reject the loan because of a low appraisal.

Price your home fairly from the beginning. You and your wallet will be glad you did!

Finish Before You Begin!

Close your eyes for a moment, and let your imagination take over. Picture yourself as a buyer walking through a home you may wish to purchase.

As you step from the fresh outdoor springtime breeze into the home, your nose immediately notices a slight musty smell. The home appears in good condition except for carpeting that shows heavy wear from the activities of a large family and three dogs.

Once inside, you mention the heavily worn carpeting. The homeowners explain that they will recarpet the home. They point out new carpet samples on the dining table, and explain that they will either install the new carpet or give a "carpet" allowance of $2,800 to the new buyers of their home. Obviously, the homeowners were aware of the one major flaw in the salability of their home and were willing to correct it…after the fact.

What the present owners failed to realize is that, standing in a home with unattractively depreciated carpeting, it is very difficult for buyers to imagine fresh, newly installed carpeting on the floors. Thus, the buyers move on to purchase another home – probably one that looks, smells, and feels cared for.

The lesson for sellers? Make repairs and complete all necessary redecorating before the first buyer crosses your threshold. You'll be rewarded with a quicker, better sale.

What's Your Priority?

Do you remember the sayings, "Don't put the cart before the horse," or "Which came first – the chicken or the egg?" They have to do with priorities, don't they, like deciding which task to accomplish first?

Those same sayings can apply to buying and selling homes. If you presently own a home, and plan to buy another, which do you do first – sell your existing home or buy the new home?

If you sell before you buy, you might worry that you could be left "out in the cold" with no place to live. But if you buy before you sell, you may end up owning two homes at once. It has all the makings of a dilemma, doesn't it?

Try this solution. First, measure you personal commitment to purchasing another home. If you are firmly determined to change your residence, then ask yourself this question: Am I financially able to purchase a second home while still owning the first one? If your answer is "No!", consider selling your present home first.

Selling your existing home first will reveal the solution to the dilemma. First, you will have no double financial pressure. Second, once your home is sold, you will know exactly how much money you have to spend on another home, and when you will need to move. In the current market there is generally a good supply of homes available in any city or town, so you can choose your new home with ease.

To get started, call your professional Realtor® for a free market analysis of your home's value. You'll soon be on your way to that new home of your dreams.

Is the Market Changing?...Here's the May 2007 Update

In January, I wrote a blog entitled "Knowing Exactly When the Market will Change" that received many comments, replies and supportive feedback. In that blog, I stated that as soon as we have 3 consecutive months when more inventory is going off (under contract) than is coming on (new listings) we can expect to once again experience an appreciating market.

Hot off the "Actual Statistics" press, it is now time for my MAY update of how the real estate market is faring in my area of the country - the Massachusetts North Shore, north of Boston. The area of observation consists of 22 towns on the North Shore and considers only SINGLE FAMILY homes for comparison.

So how did we do in May and thus far this year?

In May, 655 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 340 homes went under contract. That means that many more listings came on than went off the market: +315, or nearly double. In January, that difference was +195; in February, +135; in March, +287; and in April, +288.

FORECAST: We will continue to remain in a DEPRECIATING market until this trend reverses.

Here's a recap of the previous four months:

In April, 550 single family homes came on the market in the North shore and 262 homes went under contract.

In MARCH, 543 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 256 homes went under contract.

In FEBRUARY, 377 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 242 homes went under contract.

In JANUARY, 404 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 209 single family homes went under contract (off market).

The message: Real estate values will continue to decline until this trend reverses. Part of the solution? Sellers need to recognize that it is no longer 2004 and price their homes ahead of the declining price curve.

I will provide another update again in the beginning of July (for the month of June) and we'll take a look and see if the market is changing or if we can expect more of the same for a while.

What's That Sound? Earnest Money Talks!

Prospective buyers just left the home you have For Sale. They said they would pay full price which sounded great. But then they asked you to hold the house for them until next month. They didn't offer to give you a deposit to hold the home, either. Do you think you really have serious buyers? Would you be willing to hold the home, unsold, for a month for such buyers?

Chances are what you have are just some serious "lookers" or "shoppers," but probably not real buyers. Sincere, motivated buyers understand that in order to purchase a home it is necessary for them to give the sellers (or their real estate agent) an "earnest money" or "good faith" deposit. This is usually an amount that would assure the sellers that their property was indeed SOLD, and which would ensure final settlement on the home.

It is generally thought that the more money tendered by buyers as "earnest money," the more serious and committed they are to completing the purchase.

Real estate purchase agreements often call for the forfeiture of the deposit if the buyers do not complete the purchase. Thus, it follows that insincere buyers won't want to risk a penny, while real buyers will be very cooperative in making a substantial deposit.

Don't hesitate to ask your buyer for "earnest money." It's your assurance of a completed sale.

The Family Photo Album

You're getting ready for a family visit back home next week. Imagine this scenario as you take some snapshots of your home, inside and out, so you'll have pictures to show the folks.

You ask your family to stand by the front door as you take the first picture. Next, you position yourself for a shot of the kitchen. In order to get the entire room in the picture, you stand just outside the kitchen doorway in the dining room. The bedrooms are next, and then you finish up by taking the last shot of the family room.

Now you are showing the photos to your folks, and your explanation might sound like this:

"Oops! There's the front of the house – part of it anyway."

"This next one is our kitchen – just pretend those dirty dishes aren't there."

"Our bedroom is really quite large – pay no attention to the unmade bed."

"Uh-oh, I think I forgot to turn on the light – that's supposed to be the family room!"

Remember this story when you decide to sell your home. Just imagine how much more the family would have enjoyed your pictures if you hadn't had to apologize for every one of them. What do you suppose the folks back home thought?

The impression you make on your buyers during their first visit is critical. If they find everything in place, in good repair, and sparkling clean - your home will be a hit with everyone. Otherwise, well....

THE GREAT SEGWAY GIVEAWAY!

This spring I purchased a SEGWAY Personal Transporter and it has changed my life. It's hard to explain if you have never been on one, but there is a kind of Zen that you can associate with the Segway. It's as though thought and action become one. Really. And the Segway is serious transportation with zero emissions. It's also a heck of a lot of fun. Trips to the store to pick up milk are no longer a chore and I'm using a lot less gas, which is great now that we are once again over $3.00/gallon in downtown Hamilton, MA.

But let me tell you what else has happened since I got my Segway. I have met scores of people. It's like a conversation magnet. Everybody wants to talk about it...and try it, of course. When I come to a stop at a crosswalk, drivers invariably stop to let me pass because they want to see the Segway in action. I get "thumbs up" from car drivers and truck drivers and pedestrians alike. I am having face-to-face conversations with people I have never met and it's a real pleasure.

So I got to thinking... Everyone seems so enamored with the Segway, what can I do to help share the enjoyment and at the same time, reduce carbon emmissions and earn energy credits? I decided to hold a marketing promotion that is tied hand-in-hand with my business as a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker. Something that is so remarkable that no other agent would even consider making such an offer. I call the promotion:

MOVE . . . AND BE MOVED!

The branding for MOVE...AND BE MOVED! is a natural since each company (Coldwell Banker and Segway) helps people move... in different ways.

[For details, go to: http://www.listwithjayforafreesegway.com/]

I am now offering qualified sellers who list their homes with me a FREE Segway PT when their home closes. This is NOT a Coldwell Banker offering - It is an independent offering from me to my seller clients and is valued at more than $5,000.00.

This BLOG marks the beginning of the promotion. Handouts, flyers, postcards, personal appearances, local advertising and online promotion will all begin today. So you will be hearing a lot more about it.

In the meantime, if you know someone thinking of selling a home in this area that would like a Segway as a sign of appreciation for listing with me, let me know. I will be pleased to meet with them and even bring along my Segway for a demonstration.

Best regards,

Jay

Family Traffic Jam?

What if you bought a home because you fell in love with it? And what if, the day after you moved in, you noticed that the nearest grocery store was twelve miles away, the nearest school was halfway up a mountain, and that 325 small children tramped through your yard each day on the way up the mountain to school?

Would it occur to you that you should have taken time to notice the traffic patterns around the outside of the home before buying it? Would it surprise you to know there are also traffic patterns inside your home?

Of course there are. Take your present home, for example. Imagine that each member of your family has bright yellow wet paint on the bottom of their shoes for twenty-four hours. Imagine the trail they would leave on your floors as they pursued their regular activities for just one day. That trail would be your "family traffic pattern." And, it would be a good indication of the room arrangement a new home should have to best suit your family's needs.

When you start looking for a new home, think about that family traffic pattern. Determine the most suitable door, hallway, and bedroom locations in order to provide an easy flow of traffic through your home. If you like to entertain, check out the potential traffic from kitchen and dining to living, family and recreation rooms. Thinking ahead like this can be the key to easy living.

For more great tips, visit my website, scroll down and click on . You'll find plenty of helpful articles whether you are buying or selling or just thinking about either.

A Personal Invitation

When it's time to sell your home, you may be temped to sell without the services of a professional real estate agent.

After all, you know a lot of people, don't you? And the best source of buyers might be people you already know. So start by making a list. Write down the names of people you know personally. Which of them currently own their own home, and which are renting? Next, eliminate all the renters who don't plan to buy soon, and all homeowners not planning to sell and buy another home. How many names are left on your list?

Next, of the renters who are planning to buy, identify those looking for a home like yours, whose employment you believe qualifies them for a loan on your property. From those who currently own a home, select the ones who already sold their existing homes, and who have probably received enough equity to make a substantial downpayment on your home.

Finally, place the names of only those with immediate plans to buy, and who have the financial ability to buy your home, on a separate list. Now, call them up one-by-one and invite them to consider your home. How many will accept? Of those who do accept, what are your chances of making a sale?

Before attempting to sell your home alone, get all the facts. Learn from the experience of the most qualified real estate agent you can find. With a REALTOR® on your side, you'll be on your way to a successful sale.

Is There a Limit?

Do you have plans to buy a home soon? If so, has it occurred to you that some of the homes you look at may be overpriced? Given the recent history of the real estate market, they may be priced too high for today's market.

How would you recognize that kind of situation? And if you did, what could you do about it? Should you assume that all houses are overpriced and make low offers on all of them until one is accepted?

Relax. There's a way you can become a satisfied homeowner without taking the risk of paying too much. Consider for a moment how prices are set on the homes you'll be seeing.

Some prices are arrived at by the owner's "guess-timation," while others are decided only after thorough investigation of the present real estate market by knowledgeable real estate agents. The latter involves careful study of homes for sale now as well as those which have sold recently. As a result, homes listed for sale with a highly successful real estate agent tend to be priced fairly and appropriately for the market from the very beginning.

Thus, by selecting your agent carefully, you can be assured of having a generous selection of homes from which to choose without having to worry about pricing. You'll be able to focus on the features that fit your lifestyle, and make the process of choosing your next home a satisfying experience.

Lemonade for Sale – 10 Cents!

Have you ever watched neighborhood youngsters set up a lemonade stand in the heat of summer? They are sure their price of 50 cents per glass will bring droves of customers and high profits. As the morning wears on with few takers, prices begin to come down. By early afternoon, 10 cents will buy the same glass of cooler. The hot sun beats down and the lemonade is soon gone, along with dreams of great wealth.

The lemonade stand contains a message for home sellers, too. Price your home too high and people will look but not buy. Price it too low and you will be overrun by buyers thirsty for a bargain. What is the right price for your home? There is a time-proven method to determine that price.

First, call a REALTOR®! Selling your home is no lemonade stand situation, it is serious business. By securing the representation of a REALTOR®, you can expect to receive all the facts about sale prices before the "For Sale" sign goes up.

Because buyers compare homes before making a purchase, ask your REALTOR® for a detailed accounting of homes for sale now, the homes that are competing with yours for buyers. Next, ask to see the sale prices of similar homes which have sold recently. This will give you a good idea what buyers are willing to pay for homes like yours. You should also expect to be told what buyers are not willing to pay, as illustrated by the prices of homes which did not sell.

Pricing your home correctly form the beginning is the key to a successful sale at the best possible price. For complete details, select a REALTOR®, then enjoy the benefits…SOLD!

For a Comprehensive Market Analysis of your home, along with our unique Marketing Plan, call us today. We'll help you get the best price for your home.

Wholesale or Retail?

So…you're planning to sell your home. Will you be selling at wholesale or retail price? Yes, you heard right. There is such a thing as wholesale and retail in real estate.

But how will you be selling? Of course, there's no structured wholesale and retail price list, as such, but there is quite a variance between the two.

Most home sellers want to receive full "retail" price for their homes. That, of course, carries with it some responsibilities. Here's an explanation of what is required of a home in order to command a top price (retail.)

First, it must be priced at NO higher than the full fair market value. Second, the terms offered must be attractive to potential purchasers. Depend on your real estate agent for advice as to what terms you should offer. More liberal terms will attract more full-price offers.

Third be certain that your home shows like a model home. Do all repairs and fix-up before your home is shown for the first time. Everything about your home should say, "Welcome – Stay forever!"

Lastly, how will your home be marketed to prospective buyers? Your experienced real estate agent will be able to answer this important question, too. The right answer could be your assurance of receiving a top price for your home.