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.

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!”

Will a Short Sale hurt my credit?

SkippyBean Realty’s question of the week

That depends because short sales will affect your credit differently depending how many late payments you had on your mortgage before you started the short sale process. We have had homeowners walk away with better credit when they continuted to make their mortgage payments and short sold but let the rest of their credit obligations go vs homeowners who just couldnt make any payments and waited for the short sale finish.  I have seen many instances where my seller’s credit scores were high 700’s and dropped only 60-80 points after the short sale was closed.  The standard “wait time” that lenders have told me are between 18 months – 24 months from when the short sale is closed to when the lending institutions will allow another purchase (granted the credit score is 620 minimum).  In all cases I reccomend that the seller’s contact a credit repair company immediatly after the short sale is finished to have the experts repair as much as they can in that 18-24 month time frame.  Yes it will sometimes cost a month fee or an inital deposit but its well worth it to be able to buy 2 years later and still take advantage of this buyers market.  Remember each situation is unique.  You need to speak with an experienced short sale agent at 1-800-706-7636 in order to know if you should short sale or attempt another route. 

For more information go to http://www.MyShortSale.net and request a Free personalized report on your home.

New Software for ALL SkippyBean Realty Clients!!

IT’S HERE!!!!

All of my homeowners in the East Bay have been wanting a program or access to a program that would give them an accurate….really accurate assessment on their homes market value and whats going on in their neighborhood.  This program is our monthly Market Snapshot that gives all homeowners accurate info on the most recent home sales and most recent active listings, including foreclosures and short sales in their neighborhood. If you own a home you need to check this out.  On top of the home value option it compares local schools with all the information and grades as well as lists local stores.  We can have it set up to a monthly email update, bi-weekly email update, or quarterly email update.

Check us out at http://www.SkippyBeanRealty.com and click on the Market Snapshot tab! Its Zillow times 100!

Short Sales vs. Foreclosure….What’s the difference? SkippyBean Realty

I’m finding that most homeowners in the San Ramon, Danville, Brentwood, Pleasanton, Livermore, and Discovery Bay Real Estate markets are too quick to give up and foreclose when there are a lot more options to consider. I get it…. in most cases homeowners with adjustable rates feel like they were lied to and want to stick it to the bank that didn’t explain the original loan they signed for. The best way to stick it to the bank is to work with the bank…….Let me explain. Yes it would be easier to stop making payments and wait until the sheriff came to kick you out after the foreclosure is sold. Why not try for a loan modification (which will not go through in most cases) but will keep you in the house for months (rent free)? After your denied for the loan mod and have not been making payments for months (hopefully saving your money) apply for a short sale with an experienced short sale expert. Short Sales take anywhere from 4-6 months to close (still not making payments and saving your money) and because you were denied for the loan modification you qualify for the HAFA Program which gives you $3,000 from your bank to help you relocate. It’s a not brainer….. You have not only stayed in your home rent free for months, you were able to save some scratch, and once you closed your short sale you received $3,000 and up from your bank to move.

Lending institutions have a 24 months grace period from when you short sold your home to qualify (if your credit is 640 +) to purchase a new home. This market