The BEST time to buy!

Traditionally, the holiday season is the BEST time to buy.

Everyone else is pulling their homes off the market now.

Most sellers don't want to be bothered during their holiday family time.

Inventory is LOW!

"Have to" sellers are scrambling to move their property.

If you're a seller in November or December you have a better chance of moving
than if your home is on the market in the Summer when your competition is fierce!

Rates are low, inventory is low.

If you're a buyer, you are at a definite advantage.

America's MOST DANGEROUS City

"the study looks at crime only within St. Louis city limits, with a population of about 330,000. It doesn’t take into account the suburbs in St. Louis County, which has roughly 980,000 residents." [source]

OK, I'll buy that.

The majority of "St. Louisans" actually live in St. Louis County and the surrounding counties (including across the river in Illinois).

We are the Champions!

of the World.... (World Series, that is!)

Time to celebrate!

Click the link below to share my experience!

Buyer Incentives

To combat the slowing market more & more sellers are offering special incentives to buyers and buyer's agents.

Buyer incentives include:

• Money toward closing costs, pre-paid expenses and points
• Personal property conveyances such as refrigerators, gas grills, etc.
• Seller financing or carry-back loans

Buyer's Agent incentives include:

• Vacations
• TVs
• Cash Bonuses
• Higher commission rates (sellers raising the sales commission from 6% to 7% with 4% going to the buyer's agent)

Before offering incentives, be sure your home's price is correctly set. If you have seen a recent CMA of sales in the past 30 days and are satisfied that your home is priced lower than the competition, then perhaps adding incentives would benefit you in the sale of your home.

Just to ease your mind, there is nothing unethical, immoral or fattening about offering special incentives to buyers and their agents to sell your property -- instead of your neighbor's.

It has nothing to do with Real Estate

Sometimes we all could use a good hug!

Pricing your home to SELL

Some sellers get it, and others... well....

Here's a great article pertaining to pricing you home to sell in a "down" market.

"With some frequency I see homes priced for reasons that won't work:

• The property must sell for this price because I need $400,000 for the next home.
  
  The truth: Prices are established by the marketplace, not seller needs.
  

• Similar homes in a different neighborhood command a particular price, therefore my house should sell at the same price.

  The truth: What happens elsewhere is irrelevant. What happens in the immediate neighborhood is what counts.
  
  

• The Flombacks got $800,00 for their home so I should be getting at least that much.

  The truth: This is not about the Flombacks and should not be about seller ego. The real issue is about bricks and mortar. The Flombacks may have an objectively better house.
  
  

• The buyer's offer requires that we leave the washer and dryer -- it's an insult.
  
  

  The truth: Homes reflect our psychological identity, who we are, our social status, etc. But the marketplace reflects supply and demand. Leaving a washer and dryer may be a lot cheaper than not getting a sale for months on end.
  
  

• This home would have sold for $500,000 last August and we will not accept a lower price.

  The truth: It's not last August. It's now and the marketplace reflects current supply and demand. "

[Source]

If you haven't heard the news yet, I'm expanding my business.

I've been toying with the idea of forming a team and adding a buyer's agent.

If you know of anyone interested in working in real estate, give me a call!
(314) 495-7179

24-Hour Market Watch

Here's your Market Watch

for the St. Louis Metro area

October 10, 2006

24-Hour Market Watch

Here's your Market Watch

for the St. Louis Metro area

October 4, 2006

Local Proof!

Here's local proof that home prices are dropping.

Homes are still selling, but only for the right price - which is unfortunately lower than what they sold for a year or more ago. Most current home sellers have been dropping their list prices frequently and in large increments in order to get some showings.

If your home is currently on the market and isn't selling as quickly as anticipated, you're not alone.

24-Hour Market Watch

Here's your Market Watch
for the St. Louis Metro area

October 1, 2006

LOOK at all of those expired listings!

(must be the end of the month)

If you are one of the lucky one's whos listing has expired, call me!

We CAN get it sold!