We Need You(r House)!!

Though the real estate market has improved, we still have one item holding it back from a full recovery – a robust supply of homes for sale. Demand has increased dramatically. At the same time, housing inventory is decreasing especially at the lower price points.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently revealed that there is a pent-up seller demand caused by the uncertainty created by the housing crisis of the last decade.

What does that mean to you?

Houses listed today sell quickly. With prices still below peak values of 2007 in many parts of the country and mortgage interest rates at historic lows, this may be the perfect time for your family to make the move to the dream house you always wanted – whether that’s a larger home or that vacation/retirement home you have been looking at.

What does that mean to the economy?

Housing has always been an essential part of the U.S. economy. As we have reportedbefore, real estate not only provides housing for families. It is often the greatest source of wealth and savings for many. The recent increase in real estate sales has led to an increase in real estate prices. This has increased the value of everyone’s' home, whether they are selling or not. This leads to an increase in consumer confidence which in turn leads to an increase in consumer spending. Plus, each home sale automatically puts money into the economy.

NAR compiled data from research conducted by the Bureau of Economic Analysis & Macroeconomic Advisors on the economic impact of a home purchase.

After reviewing the data, they concluded that the total economic impact of a typical home sale in the United States is an astonishing $52,205.

The more homes that sell, the better the economy.

Bottom Line

In order for the U.S. economy to get better, we need to sell more homes. Perhaps, it makes sense for one of those homes to be yours.

If you have considered selling but are still a little nervous, now might be the time to sit down with a real estate professional familiar with your market and see what your options truly are.

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This Advice on Homeownership Hasn’t Changed in 200 Years

Last month, Keeping Current Matters reported that billionaire John Paulson believes in the financial advantages of homeownership. He has often repeated:

"I think, from an individual perspective, the best deal investment you can make is to buy a primary residence that you're the owner-occupier of.”

However, he has not been the only billionaire to give such advice. As a matter of fact, that same advice has been given by people of wealth throughout the history of our nation.

Here is a quote often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States and billionaire real estate developer:

“Every person who invests in well-selected real estate … adopts the surest and safest method of becoming independent, for real estate is the basis of wealth.”

Andrew Carnegie, one of the richest entrepreneurs in American history said:

“90% of all millionaires became so through owning real estate.”

Bottom Line

If the same advice has been given by the wealthiest people in each era of our country’s history, perhaps we should take it.

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Existing Home Sales Skyrocket!

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Buying is Cheaper Than Renting in 76% of Housing Markets

According to a recent report by Realty Trac, it is now cheaper to buy than rent in 3 of 4 housing markets in the US. Out of 461 counties analyzed nationwide, house payments on a median priced home were less than renting a similar home in 351 of those counties.

3 of the 10 least affordable rental markets mentioned in the report are located in Florida; Broward, Miami-Dade and Hernando counties.

For you investors out there, the 10 counties listed with the highest rental returns, included 2 counties in the Tampa Bay area; Hernando and Pasco. No counties in Florida were included in the 10 counties listed with the lowest rental returns.

Wondering whether now is the right time to buy? Please call 813-230-5804 for a free no obligation, consultation today!

Link to the full Realty Trac article here.

Blog Site Updates in Progress!

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to let you know that some of the links at this site are currently in transition. If you experience problems or would like access to the information at a link that is not working, please feel free to contact me directly for that information at 813-230-5804 or smithersells@yahoo.com. All updates should be completed by April 30, 2015.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Wishing You All The Best!

Susan Smither

Selling Your House? Price it Right Up Front!

In today’s market, where demand is outpacing supply in many regions of the country, pricing a house is one of the biggest challenges real estate professionals face. Sellers often want to price their home higher than recommended, and many agents go along with the idea to keep their clients happy. However, the best agents realize that telling the homeowner the truth is more important than getting the seller to like them.

There is no “later.”

Sellers sometimes think, “If the home doesn’t sell for this price, I can always lower it later.” However, research proves that homes that experience a listing price reduction sit on the market longer, ultimately selling for less than similar homes.

John Knight, recipient of the University Distinguished Faculty Award from the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific, actually did research on the cost (in both time and money) to a seller who priced high at the beginning and then lowered the their price. In his article, Listing Price, Time on Market and Ultimate Selling Pricepublished in Real Estate Economics revealed:

“Homes that underwent a price revision sold for less, and the greater the revision, the lower the selling price. Also, the longer the home remains on the market, the lower its ultimate selling price.”

Additionally, the “I’ll lower the price later” approach can paint a negative image in buyers’ minds. Each time a price reduction occurs, buyers can naturally think, “Something must be wrong with that house.” Then when a buyer does make an offer, they low-ball the price because they see the seller as “highly motivated.” Pricing it right from the start eliminates these challenges.

Don’t build “negotiation room” into the price.

Many sellers say that they want to price their home high in order to have “negotiation room.” But, what this actually does is lower the number of potential buyers that see the house. And we know that limiting demand like this will negatively impact the sales price of the house.

Not sure about this? Think of it this way: when a buyer is looking for a home online (as they are doing more and more often), they put in their desired price range. If your seller is looking to sell their house for $400,000, but lists it at $425,000 to build in “negotiation room,” any potential buyers that search in the $350k-$400k range won’t even know your listing is available, let alone come see it!

A better strategy would be to price it properly from the beginning and bring in multiple offers. This forces these buyers to compete against each other for the “right” to purchase your house.

Look at it this way: if you only receive one offer, you are set up in an adversarial position against the prospective buyer. If, however, you have multiple offers, you have two or more buyers fighting to please you. Which will result in a better selling situation?

The Price is Right

Great pricing comes down to truly understanding the real estate dynamics in your neighborhood. Look for an agent that will take the time to simply and effectively explain what is happening in the housing market and how it applies to your home. You need an agent that will tell you what you need to know rather than what you want to hear. This will put you in the best possible position.

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