Good News!
Pending Sales of Homes Up 7.4 Percent, Highest in 13 Months
Toledo Blade (OH)
(10/09/08) The beleaguered housing market received a piece of sorely needed good news, as the National Association of Realtors reported an unexpected jump in pending home sales in August compared to July. The group's monthly index reading of 93.4--the highest number in more than a year--was up 7.4 percent from July and up 8.8 percent from August 2007. Pending sales, which refer to home contracts that have not yet closed, typically result in a sale one to two months later.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
The Roanoke Valley is an awesome place to ride a bicycle. Cycling is becoming more and more popular and I don't see a decline anytime soon, especially with gas prices the way they are.
I know people who commute to work on bicycles and then join the local bike club for a recreational ride on the weekend. More power to you!
Speaking of the local bike club, here's a link to the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club:
http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.com/
Membership is now strong for the club, after a few years of decline. They offer rides for just about every skill level. The web site has a ride calendar that shows the distance, skill level and meeting time and place for the rides.
I think many would agree that Botetourt County is the best area to ride in the Roanoke Valley. Is has picturesque countryside and rolling hills. As a matter of fact, the transcontinental bicycle route passes through the county. That's what the "Bike 76" signs are all about, in case you were wondering. The Tour duPont cycling race came (quickly, I might add!) through the county for several years.
I know people who commute to work on bicycles and then join the local bike club for a recreational ride on the weekend. More power to you!
Speaking of the local bike club, here's a link to the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club:
http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.com/
Membership is now strong for the club, after a few years of decline. They offer rides for just about every skill level. The web site has a ride calendar that shows the distance, skill level and meeting time and place for the rides.
I think many would agree that Botetourt County is the best area to ride in the Roanoke Valley. Is has picturesque countryside and rolling hills. As a matter of fact, the transcontinental bicycle route passes through the county. That's what the "Bike 76" signs are all about, in case you were wondering. The Tour duPont cycling race came (quickly, I might add!) through the county for several years.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Three Things To Remember When Selling Your Home Today...Pricing, Preparation, and Photos!
When I first started selling real estate, many years ago, it was all about location, location, location. Home buyers would drive around through neighborhoods looking for homes that appealed to them. Today the Internet has changed that. According to statistics provided by the National Association of Realtors, today's home buyer will most likely find their next home on the Internet.
Pricing...
Internet buyers usually start their home search by looking in a desired region, sometimes they will narrow it down by zip code. Next, they will search by price point. Because of price point searching, a home priced at $200,000 will reach far more viewers than a home priced at $199,950. (Example...a home priced at $200,000 will show up in searches between $150,000 and $200,000 and also between $200,000 and $250,000. Remember...pricing it critical, it is best to price your home near the bottom of where your direct competition is listed so your home shows up as the best buy in it's area. Your Realtor can provide you with information about homes that have recently sold in your neighborhood, homes that are currently on the market, and market statistics.
Preparation...
When you place your home on the market...you have just entered it in a beauty pageant and the competition is fierce. Your home must be de-cluttered, clean, and show impeccability! A home with the "lived in look" will no longer compete well. We are selling the dream of home ownership. Prospective home buyers want to be able to picture themselves in your home. They are also looking for homes that are move in ready. Now is the time to invest in new neutral bedding and fresh white towels. It might be wise to invest in a professional staging consultation to determine what can be done to show your home's best features and to down play it's negative features. Remember...The way we sell our homes is different from the way we live in our homes. When you place your home on the market, it becomes a "product" and no longer a "home".
Photos...
Since the 1980's we have been taught how important first impressions are. Your home will most likely make it's first impression to it's new owners online. My listings get hundreds of "views" each week online. Each time one of my listings is viewed online a potential home buyer will make a decision about seeing that home, based on that first impression of the photo posted online. Multiple photos are important. Photos should create an image of a well cared for, clean, and clutter free home. Refrigerators should be clear of magnets and personal items. Counter tops should be clean and free of clutter. No toys or pets should appear in photos.
Homes are still selling in the Roanoke Valley...just remember the 3 "P's" when selling and you will be well on your way to your new home.
Wanda Richards, ABR ASP
Realtor, Home Staging Consultant
Long & Foster Real Estate
540.520.6434
www.wandarichards.com
wanda@wandarichards.com
When I first started selling real estate, many years ago, it was all about location, location, location. Home buyers would drive around through neighborhoods looking for homes that appealed to them. Today the Internet has changed that. According to statistics provided by the National Association of Realtors, today's home buyer will most likely find their next home on the Internet.
Pricing...
Internet buyers usually start their home search by looking in a desired region, sometimes they will narrow it down by zip code. Next, they will search by price point. Because of price point searching, a home priced at $200,000 will reach far more viewers than a home priced at $199,950. (Example...a home priced at $200,000 will show up in searches between $150,000 and $200,000 and also between $200,000 and $250,000. Remember...pricing it critical, it is best to price your home near the bottom of where your direct competition is listed so your home shows up as the best buy in it's area. Your Realtor can provide you with information about homes that have recently sold in your neighborhood, homes that are currently on the market, and market statistics.
Preparation...
When you place your home on the market...you have just entered it in a beauty pageant and the competition is fierce. Your home must be de-cluttered, clean, and show impeccability! A home with the "lived in look" will no longer compete well. We are selling the dream of home ownership. Prospective home buyers want to be able to picture themselves in your home. They are also looking for homes that are move in ready. Now is the time to invest in new neutral bedding and fresh white towels. It might be wise to invest in a professional staging consultation to determine what can be done to show your home's best features and to down play it's negative features. Remember...The way we sell our homes is different from the way we live in our homes. When you place your home on the market, it becomes a "product" and no longer a "home".
Photos...
Since the 1980's we have been taught how important first impressions are. Your home will most likely make it's first impression to it's new owners online. My listings get hundreds of "views" each week online. Each time one of my listings is viewed online a potential home buyer will make a decision about seeing that home, based on that first impression of the photo posted online. Multiple photos are important. Photos should create an image of a well cared for, clean, and clutter free home. Refrigerators should be clear of magnets and personal items. Counter tops should be clean and free of clutter. No toys or pets should appear in photos.
Homes are still selling in the Roanoke Valley...just remember the 3 "P's" when selling and you will be well on your way to your new home.
Wanda Richards, ABR ASP
Realtor, Home Staging Consultant
Long & Foster Real Estate
540.520.6434
www.wandarichards.com
wanda@wandarichards.com
Thursday, February 28, 2008
What if we had listened?
by Dolores Farmer
by Dolores Farmer
- "The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline." (Time, December 1, 1947)
- Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is around $8,000—out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers." (Science Digest, April, 1948)
- "The era of easy profits in real estate may be drawing to a close." (Money, January, 1981)
- "The golden-age of risk-free run-ups in home prices is gone." (Money, March 1985)
- "Most economists agree… [a home] will become little more than a roof and a tax deduction, certainly not the lucrative investment it was through much of the 1980s." (Money, 1986)
Don’t let the “experts” get you down; they are often wrong!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
TWO OF A KIND!
What does a drug dealer and a coke seller have in common? Well, in my case both of these fine men are members of my church.
One sells Coca Cola and one sells for a large pharmaceutical manufacturer!
In today’s society words mean different things to different people. Take the words Home Owner – you may not really fully own your for 20 – 30 years but it’s yours in the sense that as long as you pay the note no one will make you move. Not so when you are a Renter. Also When you are a home owner and the final note is paid it is yours – plus most likely the house’s worh is 20 – 100% more than the original price.
When you are a Renter the house is still worth much more than when you moved in, but you won’t own it – you just paid for the house for someone else! What a nice guy you are!
Don’t you owe it to yourself and your family to be a nice guy to them?
If you know someone that’s renting do them a favor – encourage them to seek out a qualified REALTOR® and talk – or better yet have them take advantage of my seventeen years of experience, Give Me a Call!
Tommy Helm GRI, CRS
Long and Foster Real Estate
Roanoke North
1638 Roanoke Road
Daleville, VA 24083
Office: (540) 966-1820
Cell: (540) 520-1174
Licensed in Virginia
What does a drug dealer and a coke seller have in common? Well, in my case both of these fine men are members of my church.
One sells Coca Cola and one sells for a large pharmaceutical manufacturer!
In today’s society words mean different things to different people. Take the words Home Owner – you may not really fully own your for 20 – 30 years but it’s yours in the sense that as long as you pay the note no one will make you move. Not so when you are a Renter. Also When you are a home owner and the final note is paid it is yours – plus most likely the house’s worh is 20 – 100% more than the original price.
When you are a Renter the house is still worth much more than when you moved in, but you won’t own it – you just paid for the house for someone else! What a nice guy you are!
Don’t you owe it to yourself and your family to be a nice guy to them?
If you know someone that’s renting do them a favor – encourage them to seek out a qualified REALTOR® and talk – or better yet have them take advantage of my seventeen years of experience, Give Me a Call!
Tommy Helm GRI, CRS
Long and Foster Real Estate
Roanoke North
1638 Roanoke Road
Daleville, VA 24083
Office: (540) 966-1820
Cell: (540) 520-1174
Licensed in Virginia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)