Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
The American Dream is Alive, In Spirit
"Buying a home remains a problematic proposition fraught with underwriting road blocks and money down, but a housing crisis that has lingered for seven years hasn't put a damper on the desire to own a home.
Real estate valuation company Integra Realty Resources (IRR) found that even after home prices slid an average 54.2 percent during the housing downturn, three out of four Americans want to be a homeowner and consider it a major goal in life.
The study surveyed non-homeowners ages 22 to 50 in 11 major U.S. markets, and found that 75 percent of those surveyed reported that owning a home is important.
Virtually the same percentage of those planning to buy who are 30-years-old or older gave "I have always dreamed of owning my own home," as a reason to buy.
However, more than 60 percent don't plan to buy a home soon.
Particularly among younger households, consumers are significantly concerned about job security and their inability to save enough cash for a down payment.
The survey said 31 percent of respondents are not planning to buy a home because they lack a down payment. Down payment levels escalated after the market crashed and lenders became more stringent to reduce their risk.
"The down payment conundrum continues to suppress demand with no easy resolution in sight. For this reason and the continuing foreclosures is why the homeownership rate is decreasing. Some respondents feel that purchasing a home may be too risky in the near future," says Benjamin Loughry managing partner at IRR-Dallas/Fort Worth." [Read more]
Real estate valuation company Integra Realty Resources (IRR) found that even after home prices slid an average 54.2 percent during the housing downturn, three out of four Americans want to be a homeowner and consider it a major goal in life.
The study surveyed non-homeowners ages 22 to 50 in 11 major U.S. markets, and found that 75 percent of those surveyed reported that owning a home is important.
Virtually the same percentage of those planning to buy who are 30-years-old or older gave "I have always dreamed of owning my own home," as a reason to buy.
However, more than 60 percent don't plan to buy a home soon.
Particularly among younger households, consumers are significantly concerned about job security and their inability to save enough cash for a down payment.
The survey said 31 percent of respondents are not planning to buy a home because they lack a down payment. Down payment levels escalated after the market crashed and lenders became more stringent to reduce their risk.
"The down payment conundrum continues to suppress demand with no easy resolution in sight. For this reason and the continuing foreclosures is why the homeownership rate is decreasing. Some respondents feel that purchasing a home may be too risky in the near future," says Benjamin Loughry managing partner at IRR-Dallas/Fort Worth." [Read more]
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy 4th of July!
From our family to yours we would like to wish you a very safe and fun 4th of July!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Getting an Offer
"Have you ever wondered what it takes to get more showings and to finally seal the deal? If your home has been lingering on the market for months, you might be asking yourself just that question.
This question is more than just idle curiosity. When and how quickly you sell your home can mean the difference between buying the dream home before it's scooped up and avoiding carrying two mortgages.
There is an old adage used in real estate that says, “location, location, location.” While location is important for certain reasons (close to schools, crime levels, neighborhood appearance), there is something is far more important when it comes to making a deal. The new adage should be “price, price, price.”
You can sell any home if it's priced to sell. Pricing right is about more than just pricing along with the competition. Sometimes it means listing at a lower price to make your home more attractive. Of course no one is willing to let someone just walk away with their home, but in a strong buyers market like we have today you must be realistic about what price will truly entice a buyer.
Experts say that if you overprice a home at the start you're making a big mistake. Buyers look for new listings. They'll pass right over your home if it doesn't compare to the competition. They could also see your price reduction laster on as a sign that you are willing to go even lower on your price.
This is not to say you shouldn't do a price reduction. If you already have your home on the market then you should consider if a price reduction will bring in buyers. An overpriced home will never sell in today's market. There are simply too many other good deals out there." [Read more]
This question is more than just idle curiosity. When and how quickly you sell your home can mean the difference between buying the dream home before it's scooped up and avoiding carrying two mortgages.
There is an old adage used in real estate that says, “location, location, location.” While location is important for certain reasons (close to schools, crime levels, neighborhood appearance), there is something is far more important when it comes to making a deal. The new adage should be “price, price, price.”
You can sell any home if it's priced to sell. Pricing right is about more than just pricing along with the competition. Sometimes it means listing at a lower price to make your home more attractive. Of course no one is willing to let someone just walk away with their home, but in a strong buyers market like we have today you must be realistic about what price will truly entice a buyer.
Experts say that if you overprice a home at the start you're making a big mistake. Buyers look for new listings. They'll pass right over your home if it doesn't compare to the competition. They could also see your price reduction laster on as a sign that you are willing to go even lower on your price.
This is not to say you shouldn't do a price reduction. If you already have your home on the market then you should consider if a price reduction will bring in buyers. An overpriced home will never sell in today's market. There are simply too many other good deals out there." [Read more]
Friday, June 15, 2012
Bathroom Remodels Soaking Up Marketplace
"There are a few places where most of us spend a lot of time in the home: the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. So it makes sense that bathroom remodels are saturating the renovation marketplace.
According to the National Association of Homebuilders, bathroom remodel projects have increased in the last two years, up 17 percent. In fact, they are the most common remodeling project these days.
But in these tighter economic times, surveys show that homeowners aren't necessarily going for the McMansion-style bathroom, but rather something that suits their needs. Practicality is top of mind.
For sellers, this means doing all you can to position the all-important bathrooms in the best light. If you're planning to do some remodeling, at the top of the list are things like ceiling-mounted "rain" shower heads, handheld shower heads, doorless showers. The big whirlpool tubs aren't quite as popular as a bit more luxurious and spacious shower.
But even though bigger showers are popular, homeowners and buyers are highly interested in green technology and energy-saving devices. They're looking to save money on their utility bills each month.
So, be prepared for buyers to ask questions about your utility bill and what types of energy/cost-savings devices you have installed, such as a dual-flush toilet. One button flushes solids by using more water; the other button flushes liquids using less water." [Read more]
According to the National Association of Homebuilders, bathroom remodel projects have increased in the last two years, up 17 percent. In fact, they are the most common remodeling project these days.
But in these tighter economic times, surveys show that homeowners aren't necessarily going for the McMansion-style bathroom, but rather something that suits their needs. Practicality is top of mind.
For sellers, this means doing all you can to position the all-important bathrooms in the best light. If you're planning to do some remodeling, at the top of the list are things like ceiling-mounted "rain" shower heads, handheld shower heads, doorless showers. The big whirlpool tubs aren't quite as popular as a bit more luxurious and spacious shower.
But even though bigger showers are popular, homeowners and buyers are highly interested in green technology and energy-saving devices. They're looking to save money on their utility bills each month.
So, be prepared for buyers to ask questions about your utility bill and what types of energy/cost-savings devices you have installed, such as a dual-flush toilet. One button flushes solids by using more water; the other button flushes liquids using less water." [Read more]
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
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