The Price is Right!

Some 24 percent of listings currently on the market in the United States as of July 1, 2010, experienced at least one price reduction, according to Trulia.com.  

What does that mean to you, the buyer?  It means there are deals to be had.  It's still a buyer's market.  Your negotiating power is stronger than ever.  There is still a slight imbalance sometimes between what sellers think they should get and what the market will actually bare.  So it is to the buyer's advantage to have an astute real estate agent research other comparable sales in the area and negotiate with the seller.

What does that mean to you, the seller?  It means you need to choose a real estate professional who will price your house right.  You need to have an agent who will research recent sales in the area and find out what your home is really worth and price it accordingly.  This will lend itself to getting your home sold quickly without any price reductions that just prolong the sale.  An agent such as myself, will price it right the first time!

Despite some painting a gloomy economic picture right now, it is really a great time to move real estate!

What an awesome day yesterday. The unexpected unfolded and it made for a really terrific 4th of July celebration.  Great friends Marisa, Phil, Natalie and Philip, Bruna and Rocky joined us for the Town of Penfield Parade. Panini and a beer afterwards for lunch and Mesquite smoked ribs and fixens for dinner.  Such a treat to be able to spend some time with family and friends and to cook an amazing meal. 

Market Ambles Towards a Solid Recovery

Wow, what a June! Figures all of the pre incentive deadline transactions had to close sometime, eh?


In my real estate practice I noticed a significant drop in activity in May. Expected I guess but kind of scary in light of the unpredictability of the market and where its been the past 24 months! Fortunately both buyers and sellers seem to be back in play. The market quiets down in July and August. I'm always bullish so I think 2010 will break the quiet trend during these months.

Discover the featured listings at http://www.realestateonthemove.biz/. New listings added everyday.

The market is the market, sometimes dynamic and sometimes not. Sometimes worse than others and sometimes better. But statistics don't lie!

I've been watching Monroe County home sales for the past few months and see something of note in the numbers.  Weekly median sale prices show an uptick over the median year-to-date and the prior year-to-date. This seems to be the experience both in the suburbs, collectively, and in the City of Rochester. During the comparative periods the sales volume has been relatively the same.

Why is this significant? What does it mean? This means that sales price continues to rise here but a look at the magnitude of the numbers says that the upward move is cautious.  The trend is positive though and something to be pleased with in light of the news reports we hear from other communities.  Lets see what the numbers say at the end of the summer.  Hopefully the trend continues.  I am bullish on the trend! How about you?

Visit http://www.realestateonthemove.biz/ and see our featured listings! Search FREE for your dream home.

First Impressions

The summer real estate season is almost upon us and its time to get your house ready to sell. And as the saying goes, you only get one chance to make the first impression and this is so true when preparing your house for sale. So, sellers, make your to do list! (Here are some tips to help you get moving…)

Get control of clutter. A cluttered home often looks cramped and small. The key here is to declutter by removing all those knick-nacks and personal items, file your paperwork and eliminate items that will divert buyers.

Kitchen and bathrooms should be spotless. Concentrate on your kitchen and bathrooms. De-clutter here too by eliminating personal items from your refrigerator door and packing your countertop appliances, canisters, etc. This will save you time packing later! Spend some extra time in your bathroom making sure this is spotless. The potential buyers looking at your home will appreciate it.

Time to refinish hardwood floors. Your hardwoods are a major selling point. Show them off by refinishing or at the bare minimum give a good cleaning. Sparkly hardwoods will make your home seem comfy and cozy and it will give your house an advantage in the market.

Paint, Paint, Paint. Painting is some of the least expensive and quick changes you can make. Neutral colors are best for marketing your home for sale. Choose a warm white or beige; your potential buyers will see a blank canvas to decorate their home.

Rent, buy or even borrow! Listen, it’s time to get rid of the old sofa you have in the family room. Why not borrow from a neighbor or think about buying a new piece for your new home? Even though potential buyers are not purchasing your furniture, you don’t want to give the impression you live in tattered home. They may think, if they let the couch get that bad, what else did they not take care of??

So, when making your to-do list, think about these important items to get your house ready to sell. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Make your impression count, and you will get your house sold!