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.

Up or Down?...The March Real Estate Market Update

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

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. So where do we stand so far this year?


In JANUARY, in my 22 town Massachusetts North Shore area, 404 single family homes came on the market and 209 single family homes went under contract (off market).

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

In MARCH, 543 single family homes came on the market on the North Shore and 256 homes went under contract. That's more than TWICE as many coming on vs. going off.

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 2003 and price their homes ahead of the declining price curve.

I will provide another update again in the beginning of May 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.