7 Reasons to List During The Holiday Season vs. Waiting Until January

7 Reasons to List During The Holiday Season vs. Waiting Until January – 

1. While there may be less buyers out there, people who look for a home during the holidays are serious and ready to buy NOW!

2. There are fewer homes for buyers to look at during the holidays which means less competition for you….less competition equals more money!

3. After the holidays the supply of listings increases substantially which lowers the demand for your home…more competition equals less money!

4. Your home show’s better when it’s decorated for the holidays!!

5.  Many buyers have more time to look for property during the holidays (as opposed to a normal work week).

6.  We will restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown.  You remain in control.

7.  You can sell now for more money and not have to physically move until January or February…as opposed to just starting the whole process at that time.

Considering a Short Sale vs. Foreclosure?  Check out http://www.MyShortSale.net for your Free No Obligation Confidential Consultation.

Is your landlord foreclosing under your nose?

This is a question that most renters dont ask…… BUT NEED TO!

I’m currently working with a buyer that received a custom Short Sale informatoin packet from me when I mailed it to his landlord because of a recent Notice of Default filed on his home.  His first reaction was shock because he was 3 months into a 12 month lease.  His next question….

Do I still have to pay rent if my landlord is foreclosing?

YES.  As long as he is still the current owner of the home (find out but emailing info@skippybeanrealty.com) you must abide by the lease agreement.  The owner of the house could be trying to work with their bank to negotiate better loan terms as a loan modification or other services that the bank offers.

The first thing I would do is contact my landlord and simply ask if he/she is in default.   If you cant reach your landlord or don’t think they will give you the correct info you need to go to http://skippybeanrealty.com/market-snapshot and request a “market snapshot” of your house.   It’s Free, it doesn’t obligate you to anything and it provides a quick snapshot of your landlords current situation.

The last thing you want is to get a knock at the door from the authorities with a 24 hour notice to move.

I’ve heard horror stories…..It happens

Is your landlord foreclosing under your nose?

Is your landlord foreclosing under your nose?.

Homes in a “Walkable” neighborhood command higher selling prices…..NO KIDDING!

I just wasted 10-20 minutes of my day by reading this mind-blowing article in the California Association of Realtors magazine. 

Homes in a “Walkable” neighborhood command higher selling prices.

A recent study was just released showing homes in area’s that are more “walkable” increase the home’s value anywhere from 1% – 10% vs homes that are in “non-walkable” ares’.  This study was conducted by analysis from CEO’s for Cities when (let’s say his name was Joe Smith) analysed data from 94,000 real estate transactions in 15 major markets. 

According to his study he found houses with above-average levels of “walkability” command a premium of about $4,000 – $34,000 over houses with just an average level of walk-ability fun.  Increases in selling prices were more obvious in area’s such as San Francisco and Chicago vs area like Fresno and Tucson. 

My take – Does this take you buy surprise?  Is this study really telling me that homeowners that live in neighborhoods where all of their desired destinations are within walking distance command more money when they sell vs the homeowner who has to get in the car, drive to their desired destination, look for parking (sometimes pay for parking), get out of the car (maybe with baby in hand); just to pick up a jug of milk?  NO KIDDING!!!…. I think by now we have all heard of real estates 3 magic words….. Location, Location, Location, right?  I’m glad this article was written and shined light on the obvious. I look forward to next months subscription when C.A.R magazine tells me that homeowners who price their home $150,000 over market value with not see a “multiple offer” situation anytime soon. 

Can you imagine being in the morning production meeting when they assigned this task?……………..

C.A.R Boss – “Ummmm Joe Smith, yeeeaaahhhh I’m going to need you to do a study on; lets say……94,000 real estate transactions in; 15 major housing markets and write an article telling our subscribers that if a Safeway Super-Market is next door to your home, then you sell that home a potential buyer is willing to pay more to live in that neighborhood then if that Safeway Super-Market is a 20 minute drive away”. “Can you do that good ol’ Joe-meister”?

Joe Miester – “Sure boss”!!!! “What about the article you wanted me to write about sellers pricing their home $150,000 over market value”?

C.A.R Boss – “We’ll blow the mind of our subscribers next month with that Gem!”

Joe Miester – “Good golly I’ll get right on it!”

Owning a home is cheaper then renting!!

Could it be????? Its cheaper to buy with SkippyBean Realty then paying your landlords mortgage and renting!!!

A recent study by Trulia’s Summer 2011 Rent vs Buy index show’s that owning a home is more affordable than renting in 74% of major U.S cities.  The index compared the median list price and the median annualized rent on a two bedroom apartment, condo, and townhome in America’s 50 biggest cities based on population. 

The study showed that the top 5 cites that we’re buying is cheaper than renting are Fresno CA, Las Vegas, Detroit, Mesa AZ, and Arlington TX.  The area’s where renting still makes the most sense are Fort Worth TX, San Francisco CA, NYC, Seattle, Omaha, and Kansas City MO.  Although depending on a person’s income it may make more sense to buy a home in the Oakland CA, San Jose, Los Angeles, Memphis, Boston, and Portland OR areas. 

Here at SkippyBean Realty have seen a steady increase from March to October 31st in home search requests.  We have been hearing that buyers are trying to take advantage of a week selling market now that the holidays are around the corner.  The buyers have gone to http://www.SkippyBeanRealty.com to search for their dream home.  Homes in San Ramon had an average of 90 days where as homes in Brentwood are averaging a sitting period of 64 days. 

Its time to buy baby! You will not see another market like this in your lifetime.  Get qualified, take a day to see the homes, then make your decision.  With rates on a 30 year loan at 3.875% with only 3.5% down, it’s a no-brainer

Check out our short sales at http://www.MyShortSale.net or call us for a free report at 925-999-9891

Owning a home is cheaper then renting!!

Owning a home is cheaper then renting!!.