Blog for www.lclarkrealestate.com http://www.lclarkrealestate.com/index.php?base=blog en-us Weblog Generator Foreclosures http://www.lclarkrealestate.com/blog//Foreclosures Wednesday, November 26th 2008 Because losing a home to foreclosure is difficult on the current homeowner it's easy for a Buyer purchasing a home in foreclosure to feel guilty. I spoke to several people who were in that very position and found they were relieved to be out from under the process plus it helped to save their credit.

This can be a very emotional time for both Sellers and Buyers but choosing a Real Estate Agent you feel comfortable with can help to alleviate some of the anxiety.

]]> A Buyer's Market http://www.lclarkrealestate.com/blog//A-Buyers-Market Tuesday, November 11th 2008 Currently we are in a Buyer's Market, what does this mean?
In a Buyer's Market, we have more listings/inventory to sell and not enough Buyers purchasing this inventory; properties stay on the market longer. Sellers typically are more flexible on the listed price, which in turn gives the Buyers a better opportunity to purchase their new home at a price they can afford.

~ Is it better to rent than to buy in today's market?
Due to our economy and the subprime market, getting a home loan has been a bit more difficult. With foreclosures at a high and banks not being able to finance Buyers due to the tightening of lender requirements, more people are having to rent, making it a strong rental market which drives rental prices higher. 

It's a great time to be a Buyer...
Why pay someone else's mortgage when you can buy your own home for what it might cost you to rent!
]]> Selling Your Home in a Buyer's Market http://www.lclarkrealestate.com/blog//Selling-Your-Home-in-a-Buyers-Market Monday, November 10th 2008 What can you do to help get your home sold?

~ Don't let a potential Buyer DRIVE BYE (as in Goodbye)
You want potential Buyers to remember YOUR home in a positive way. The first thing a Buyer sees is often the last; don't let it affect the sale of your home (this includes the interior).
I had a listing with a contingent offer so I went to view the home that had been listed for some time. When I entered the home, I was in a dark maroon colored room. That was the first room I saw when entering the home, and the last room I exited through. I suggested they color the walls a neutral color, which they did; the home sold almost immediately..

~ Get rid of clutter:
Photos can often make a home look cluttered. Clean off the fridge of magnets, pictures, recipes... If possible remove some of the furniture, smaller can make a room look bigger...Less IS More!

~ Clean: (Aside from the usual cleaning, here are a few things people tend to miss)
Make sure to clean light fixtures- cobwebs from ceilings - dust molding and vents (both heater and air) - dust pictures and electrical faceplates - clean mirrors and exposed light bulbs (make sure they are off!) 

~ Replace:
Burner pans - burnt out bulbs - cracked electrical faceplates - missing molding - broken light fixtures.

Buyers in today's market take their time when buying a home. I would suggest making necessary repairs that otherwise might give the impression to a potential Buyer that the home might not have been maintained.

VERY IMPORTANT:
Whether you're a home owner or a builder selling a development, LOOK AT ALL OFFERS!!! I have heard this a few times "If an offer comes in below $$$, I'm not even going to look at it". HELLO...just because someone makes a low offer does not mean they won't pay more. You have a potential SALE; don't let the door close before you see what they are WILLING to pay. Most of the time there is a happy middle for both parties.

In today's market Sellers need to be open minded, have patience, don't get frustrated and don't give up.
 
It's just a matter of time before the home you're selling becomes someone's dream!
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