Are the Holidays a Good Time to Sell?

According to a survey performed by Realtor.com the holiday season is the perfect time to buy. Think about it, less people may be looking for a home during the season but this leaves only the serious buyers and less competition on properties. 

On Realtor.com's "Holiday Home Selling Survey" there were 429 real estate professionals whom participated online between October 26, 2011 and November 8, 2011 with the holiday season being considered from November 23rd to January 2nd.


Among the 429 real estate professionals who participated: 

• 60% agreed the holiday season is a "good time to sell"
• 30% suggest the holiday season as a good time to sell to only their motivated sellers
• Only 1% were found to never advise their clients to sell around the holidays

So, what exactly are the biggest benefits to selling around the holidays?

• 79% agreed buyers are more serious about their purchase 
• 61% stated they felt having less competition is huge 
• 17% said with cold weather homes tend to appear a bit more "cozy" which gives the home an advantage 

What are the disadvantages to selling around the holidays? 

• 39% state winter weather as a challenge
• 39% state scheduling around vacations and holiday celebrations 
• 63% stated the biggest challenge is keeping a home looking presentable or "open house ready" throughout this busy time of the year. 

There is strategy to listing in the winter season opposed to those with warmer, more comfortable weather. Over 8 out of 10 participants stated online photos to be a crucial part. Due to busy schedules buyers are less likely to attend an open house and sellers are less likely to hold as many as they probably would in the warmer months. 

What will help to sell during the holiday season?

• 74% feel pricing a home to sell is the most crucial part of selling 
• 40% said staging is key
• Almost a third feel being flexible with move in dates, closing costs and other contract details is important

While there were differing opinions on holiday decor and if it should be put up or left down while the home is on the market:

• 37% feel nonreligious holiday decor should be displayed to give the home a more inviting feeling 
• 28% said all decorations should be up regardless of religious or nonreligious decor. 
• 27% say non suggestive seasonal decor is ok
• 8% feel no decor at all should be up

To light the fireplace or not to light the fireplace:

• 80% of participants suggest the fireplace be lit to stage a sellers home. This gives a very cozy and "at home" feeling for the potential buyer
• 62% also suggest updated outdoor lighting due to shorter days in the winter buyers are most likely to see the home in the evenings

To read the full article click here.

Buying an "as is" Home and Buyer Protections

What do you do when you are a buyer and have found the perfect house to make your home but it needs a little work and has the words "as is" staring you in the face? Many buyers are left with questions they want answers to regarding those two words. What if the home inspection comes back with electrical issues or termites? Just how permanent are the words "as is"? 



The words "as is" has been best defined in most states as an "as disclosed" condition. There are standards for the "as is" status meaning if the seller has not disclosed they have termites, they must indeed disclose that information. Any material information that would have an affect on your decision making should be disclosed. However, in other states "as is" there is no disclosure requirement on the sellers part so do your research on which category your state may fall into. 


In most cases buyers are able to place a contingency in the "as is" contract. A home inspection is the key to knowing if you "as is" buy is the way to go. This is the only true way to know what exactly is going on with your potential property in every area and to get bids on repair costs if anything does happen to show up in the inspection. Having the "as is" contingency gives the opportunity for the buyer to safely back out of the contract without losing their deposit as long as they have exercised their rights to this contingency within the allotted time frame.


Some buyers who learn of termites or electrical issues do still decide to move forward with their purchase but will make a request that the seller make some repairs or a price reduction be made. In some cases, buyers will threaten to back out of the sale if repairs by the seller are refused and will still request their deposit back.


Legally a buyer is able to back out of a contract after the time period expires on their contingency but they must expect to in turn lose their deposit. Again, this is in most but not all states. 


It is best to contact an experienced agent or broker with detailed questions to choose the best route for your needs. 


To view the entire article click here. 

Reasons it is A Great Time to Become a Homeowner

While the market is clearly going to get worse before it gets better it's time to reclaim homeownership and and show the positive sides to buying in a down market.  

There are amazing deals

• There is no doubt about it, this is a buyers market. There a great deals to be had especially if you are willing to negotiate a mean price. According to Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Index, home prices have dropped nearly 30% from their highest. The question arises of homes dropping to an even lower price, is there a better deal to be made? They could but it doesn't end up making a difference in the end.  Jeremy Grantham at GMO predicted the drop in the market with complete accuracy two years ago, believes to reach fair value there will be another 17% drop in household incomes. Since this prediction have been made, we are down 18%.

Cheap Mortgages

• Interest rates at this time are at a record low with homeowners receiving a 30-year loan for about 4.3%. Two years ago, 6.3% is where the rates fell. With such a large decrease mortgage payments are cut by a fifth. Chances are rates this low will not be seen again in our lifetime. 

Save on your taxes

• Mortgage interest can be deducted from income taxes as well as real estate taxes. If there are any capital gains when the home is sold, there are breaks to be gained. An itemized list of deductions would be necessary making it a little easier to just take the standard deduction. The more you earn and the bigger your mortgage payment the more valuable tax breaks are. A lot of people find owning ends up costing them less than renting with all of the tax breaks offered. 

You own it

• You buy, you own! When you make the step to purchase a home you make the step to freedom. You can paint the walls whatever colors you want, tear walls down, build a room on etc. When you rent, you are restricted. It's often a great feeling to be able to do what you want with your home. 

You could profit

• A home purchase shouldn't be viewed as a way to get rich but with the economy at such an incredible low which means it is ready to bloom at any minute meaning prices will start making their way back up. Home equity is a great way to build your financial portfolio. 

It's the way to save

• Most feel by renting opposed to buying they are saving money when in actuality its the complete opposite. Think of it this way, you pay 1,000 a month to rent your apartment instead of $1,500 a month to own. Is the $500 a month you aren't putting into a mortgage being saved? Most of the time, the answer is no. Buying builds equity. 

Choices

• There is so much to choose from around the country right now. According to The national Association of Realtors there are 4 million homes available. The best part, more homes are coming on the market daily. The banks are now placing their unsold properties on the market slowly allowing great choices for buyers. 

To view this entire article click here .

Tax-Deductible Homeowners Expenses

While being a homeowner comes with great stresses, it also comes with it's advantages such as tax breaks! Along with interest, property taxes are deductible from federal income tax. The total value of these taxes should be taken into consideration with reviewing the true cost of owning a home. 

You should be aware of the costs involved in owning your own home and those costs which are no tax deductible such as:

• Insurance
• Rent
• Wages paid for domestic help
• Depreciation
• Utility costs
• Forfeited Deposits
• Down Payments

Property tax can be deducted based on the value of the property but keep in mind, not all charges are deductible such are charges incurred for services. 

To see this full article click here.

RE/MAX Technology is Successful

Most families who begin their venture into looking for a new home, begin online. www.remax.com is where they find what they are looking for. The RE/MAX website offer advanced search properties which allows complete home information to be found on thousands of cities and and towns. The website also connects both buyers and sellers with experiences real estate agents through the RE/MAX LeadStreet system, which to date have provided more than 10 million leads for RE/MAX associates in turn helping millions of families to buy or sell their homes. 


In 2006 LeadStreet debuted with sending an average of 2 million leads a year via email helping the ensure leads can be received anywhere, on any computer or mobile device making it possible for agents to respond quickly. 


RE/MAX Senior Vice President of eBusiness and Emerging Technologies, Kristi Graning said, "The success of LeadStreet and remax.com is proof of our dedication to customer service and to our agents. The fact that RE/MAX agents have received more than 10 million leads, without the referral fee that our competitors typically charge, has brought more experienced real estate professionals to our network. And, those professionals make theirs customers a priority."


Kristi also stated, "Staying on the cutting edge of technology is extremely important. Homebuyers and sellers today expect a quick response and they deserve one. The combination of LeadStreet and remax.com has helped our agents become the most productive sales force in the industry." 


Two surveys recently showed RE/MAX agents succeed beyond their competitors by selling more homes, helping more families and exceeding all national real estate companies regarding sales performance. According to the REAL Trends 500 survey, on average, RE/MAX agents achieved 14.5 Transaction Sides in 2010 opposed to the average 6.8 from all others included in the survey. In 2011 RISMedia Power Broker Report RE/MAX achieved 14.7 transaction sides which exceeded all others by an outstanding two-to-one. 


To read the whole article click here.

RE/MAX Preferred by Buyers and Sellers

Results from a study performed by J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Buyer/Seller Study gave recognition to RE/MAX for having the highest overall consumer satisfaction for not only buyers, but sellers too.  In the 2010 study, 2 companies came in for a tie but this year, RE/MAX was rated the highest. 

RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger states, "It all comes down to professionalism and a commitment to a premier level of customer service. Because RE/MAX agents average more experience and training than other agents, they are better prepared to deal with home buyers and sellers in any kind of market. Consumer preferences tell the story, nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX." 

For the home buying experience, three factors of focus from the study were:

• The agent themselves
• The office
• Additional Services Offered

For the home selling experience, four factors of focus from the study were:

• The agent themselves
• Marketing 
• The Office
• Additional Services Offered

The study included more than 4,200 evaluations from 3,680 buyers or sellers between March of 2010 and April of 2011. It also indicated on a scale of 0-1,000, homebuyers ranked RE/MAX at 805. Home sellers ranked RE/MAX at 791. 

RE/MAX agents are successful due to their comprehensive educational platform, RE/MAX University, offering over 1,100 educational programs through:

• Online
• Television
• Smart Phones
• Classroom Settings

If you would like more information about RE/MAX visit www.remax.com.

To see the original article click here.

Six Fix-Ups Worth the Price

Completing simple projects around your home can greatly increase the value and are incredibly affordable. HomeGains marketing company surveyed close to six hundred real estate professionals and found which home improvements benefit sellers most.

The following is a list of six projects which can be done for under $1,000 with the “return” amount (All amounts are estimated) listed as well:

Organization- Create an organized home. From closets to countertops and shelves. Remove clutter to create a clean look.

•  Cost: $290 
•   Return: $1,990

Lighting- A bright room is an inviting room! Update lighting fixtures and curtains, clean all windows and remove anything from windows blocking the natural light from coming in.

• Cost: $375
• Return: $1,550

Staging- Place your furniture in a way that gives an enhanced look. Don’t hesitate to bring in new accessories and artwork. Play soft, relaxing music in the background to give a “homey” feel.

•  Cost: $550
• Return: $2,194

Landscaping- First impressions can make or break the sale of a home. Give your home the curb appeal people can’t refuse! Adding mulch, flowers, bushes and keeping up on yard maintenance could could really make the difference.

•     Cost: $540
•     Return: $1,932

Electrical/Plumbing Repairs- Update appliances and light fixtures, replace any old plugs or lights that don’t work. Ensure all leaks are taken care of, mildew stains are removed and all plumbing is in good condition.

•     Cost: $535
•     Return: $1,505

Clean or Replace Carpets- Replace worn or stained carpet unable to be shampooed and repair all creaks.

•  Cost: $647
•   Return: $1,739

Click Here to view the entire article. 

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Services Real Estate Agents Offer for Free

With the Real Estate market still in a slump and not looking up anytime in the near future, many agents find themselves searching for new ways to remain competitive in what they have to offer. The search often brings agents to the place of offering much more than simply helping the buyer or seller complete their transaction. 

Staging
You only get one chance to make a first impression and when it comes to selling a home quickly, it's imperative for that first impression to be amazing. Many Real Estate companies not only have a staging team but will put together a virtual tour of your home to be viewed online. Considering more and more homebuyers are starting their search on the internet the virtual tour has become a necessity!


Property Analysis
Most agents will complete an analysis of the property's value for the homeowner by using available data through their agency to determine the property's worth. The value of a property fluctuates so having direct access to recent data is the most helpful.


With the values of homes dropping significantly, many homeowners are trying to fight the current tax assessment. This is a project that takes a lot of time but many Real Estate Agents will complete this for those calling to see what their property is worth. 


Neighborhood Analysis
A neighborhood analysis including in-depth information about the neighborhood you are interested in moving into can also be provided. There are laws prohibiting directs disclosure of demographic information but agents are able to inform their buyers on where to find important information. 


Property Maintenance
In most cases, agents will offer to cover a few general housekeeping duties (dusting, watering flowers, straightening up, dishes etc.) for their sellers who are renting or have already relocated and just unable to get to their home.  This is not something included in Real Estate Agents fees. 


To read the whole article, click here.

How to Prevent Water Damage

Water damage can be done by many different sources such as storms, flooding, pipes leaking, washing machines leaking etc. When water damage occurs and is left untreated, mold and odor problems can quickly develop along with structural damage and substantial repair costs. Here are six great ways to prevent water damage:





Check your Machines! 

• Washing machines, ice makers and dishwashers should have regular maintenance checks preformed on hoses and any connectors for leaks. A small leak left untreated over time can cause damage. Check the ceilings and floors for damage if leaks have been found. 

Tank Water Heaters

• Older water heaters in tank form are known for leaking. The bottom of the tank can rust causing severe leaks. If possible, install an overflow valve which will send the leaking water through a pipe to the acceptable interior drain.

Check the Interior

• Take note, there are pipe leaks that can happen inside the walls and are nearly impossible to detect until after the damage has been done. 

Gutter Checks

• Gutters and Downspouts should be checked regularly for which way water flows. All water should move away from your home's foundation. 

Leak Detectors

• Place water leak detectors near all water heaters, interior air conditioning units and other floor level water leak hazardous areas. An alarm will ring if water is detected on the floor around the areas the detectors are placed. These detectors are a preventative and inexpensive way to prevent damage. 

For more information click here

Fall "To-Do's" for your Home

Fall provides the perfect opportunity for homeowners everywhere to prepare their homes for the weather change Winter is sure to bring! We find ourselves performing our home maintenance while the seasons change. The following are ten items to add to your "to-do" list to ensure you home is ready for the upcoming weather before the temperature drops. 





Gutter Check

• Clean your gutters frequently. Clogged gutters often cause damage to roofing from standing water. 

One Last Mow and Trim

• While it may feel as though you are ahead of the game for next year, maintaining your yard really improves your home's value and Fall happens to be a great time to fertilize and seed your lawn. Imagine your yard standing out among others in a season known for being dreary. 

Cut Tree Limbs

• The ice Winter brings tends to break the limbs off trees. Use the beautiful Fall weather to your advantage and trim the limbs one big snow could take down. This precautionary step could help avoid damaged property this Winter. 

 Powerwash

• Summer causes driveways, sidewalks, patios and decks to get pretty dirty. Take the time to powerwash these items. If you decide to invest in a powerwasher you won't be disappointed! 

Furniture Storage

• A lot of outdoor furniture is made with the intention of being stored away during the Winter season. Prepare a storage place such as your garage or shed ahead of time to avoid damage to any furniture. 

Heating your Home

• Have you changed your filter recently? There is money to be saved and improved efficiency in the process of checking your furnace! 
• Check the seals around your windows. Recaulk if necessary to ensure efficient heating and reduce the amount of heat escaping. 

Chimney

• To avoid chimney fires, remember to have yours cleaned each year!

Pipes

• Prevent freezing/bursting pipes by checking for insulation. 

To read this full article by Carla Hill, click here 

Educate your Buyers on their new neighborhood

In most cases, home buyers are not only interested in finding the right home, but also the right neighborhood. Picking a neighborhood is a critical part in choosing which home is the right fit. Aside from choosing how many bedrooms are desired, a ranch style of 2-story ect., questions arise about nearby amenities, neighborhood safety and the value of surrounding homes. It's important to know the neighborhood! Your buyers will feel more comfortable knowing the ins and outs of their new surroundings. The following are three ways to help ensure your buyers are comfortable with their neighborhood selection:

Take a cruise around

• Drive your buyers around their new neighborhood. Show them every available access point, but take them through the prettiest first. Take them on different days and at different times of day. Point out the available amenities that may appeal specifically to your buyer while showing parks and shopping areas as well. Make sure your buyer gets a good "feel" from their community and has seen all it offers.

Offer neighborhood resources

• Provide your buyer with a list of resources including neighborhood safety. What some feel comfortable with as a safe neighborhood, others may feel the complete opposite. Ensure your buyers are equipped with all available information such as the local police station or providing crime rates, help them to determine what's safe for them. 

Provide stats

• Don't forget to not only focus on the stats of the particular home you are selling but also the neighborhood. In most cases a homeowner will move again, when they do you want them to call you. Provide comparative stats on their neighborhood vs. nearby neighborhoods. When there has been a dip in the market, how has their neighborhood performed? Did it recover quickly? Be prepared to help them understand the importance of home values. If a home didn't necessarily perform well but their are major improvements underway in the area, this is a potential upside. Make sure your buyers have the numbers to back up their impulse and emotion to buy. 

Click Here to view the full article on how to educate your buyers before they move to the neighborhood.

Home Inspections - Questions Answered!

Home Inspections can be a bit intimidating if you are left with unanswered questions. Now, the answers to some of those lingering questions you may have.

What is it?

·         A home inspection is an objective look into the physical structure of a house. This includes the external and internal, from top to bottom, roof to foundation!

What is included?

·         A report will be given covering:

o    Heating and cooling systems

o    Plumbing and Electrical

o    Attic and basement (Insulation included)

o    Windows and doors

o    Walls

o    Ceilings

o    Floors

o     Foundation and structure

Do I really need an inspection?

• Considering a home can be one of the biggest investments/purchases you will ever make, a home inspection is a way to make you more aware of some major repairs that need to be made or even constructional oversights that may have been made.  New or older, the home could easily have hidden damage or repairs, a home inspection will make you more aware of what you are getting into, in turn, helping you to make the best decision for you.
• Already a homeowner? A home inspection can help you to make preventative repairs to which may help to save money while avoiding major problems in the future.
•  Planning to sell? A home inspection will help to point out the areas your home may need repairs done to help your home more desirable to buyers.

What is the cost?

• The cost will vary depending on location. In some areas, the fee will vary depending on size of home, age, various testing that may need completed (well or radon).  When making the decision to have a home inspection, cost should not be the deciding factor. Having the knowledge about the home being inspected delivers a peaceful sense of security well worth whatever the cost may be.  When choosing your home inspector consider: qualifications, experience, training ect.

Can I do an inspection myself?

• The most handy, experienced homeowner lacks the necessary amount of knowledge needed to perform a proper home inspection.  A qualified home inspector knows what to look for in the construction of the home, installation, maintenance and safety.  They know how systems should be running or how they can be fixed otherwise. Aside from the qualifications, they are able to be much more objective.

Can a home fail inspection?

•  A home inspection is performed to determine the condition of the home therefore cannot be failed.   This is strictly to determine current physical condition, major repairs, damaged systems ect. 
•  An appraisal will be done to determine market value and a municipal inspection completed to verify code compliance.

Where do I find an inspector?

• Ask around! Between friends, family and co-workers, you will surely have someone who can recommend a home inspector they have used.  Real Estate Agents and Brokers are typically able to provide you with the name of a qualified inspector.
•  Use the “find an inspector” search tool for a list of inspectors in your area.
• To have a list of inspectors mailed to you, call 1-800-743-2744.

Should I be present for the inspection?

•  Is it a requirement? No. It is however, highly recommended. If you are present during the inspection, you will have the opportunity to ask questions as you go about the home’s condition.

The report revealed problems, what now?

•  At this point, you know what you are getting into! If you are unable to afford the areas in need of a little TLC, don’t fret. In some cases, sellers may offer to make the repairs in order to keep you as a buyer. If the offer is not made and you can afford the repairs, you know in advance what to prepare yourself (and your budget) for.

The report is good! Why did I get an inspection?

• You can now complete your home purchase with 100% confidence.  Chances are you gained knowledge about your new home on things you may have never found out from the inspector’s report and you now have that to reference in the future. 

Click here to view more about Homes Inspection and ASHI certified home inspectors.

Buyers & Sellers - Your Questions Answered

There are two questions which can quickly produce a feeling of overwhelming burden. Buyers are wondering if it’s a good time to buy while Sellers are wondering if it’s a good time to sell. There is currently an unbelievable amount of homes for sale with a shortage of Buyers in turn producing lower prices making it an amazing time to buy!  Rich Levin shares some excellent points to consider.

Buyers:

• Down payment requirements as well as interest rates are indeed still incredulously low.
• Business insecurities are making people unsure of their buying decisions, causing them to choose to not purchase.  
• This is an incredible time to buy a home you may have never thought you could afford!
• Speak with a lender or ask your Real Estate Agent about mortgage qualifications. If you are able, buy now!
• No regrets! Eventually, inflation will cause interest rates and home prices to rise. You don’t want to look back wishing you would have bought when prices were low! 

Sellers:

• While it seems to be a bad time to sell due to prices being low, if you are a seller looking to by now is a fabulous time to make that move. You may sell your current home for a lower price but you will make up the difference in your next home purchase.
• With all this said, if you can wait to sell, wait. It could mean waiting a year or two but the rise in prices will occur quickly when the market picks back up!

Healthy Real Estate Areas:

• It is fairly easy to determine a “healthy” town from an “unhealthy” town. Are there a lot of homes on the market? Are they selling quickly or just sitting there?
• Drive around neighborhoods of interest looking for “for sale” signs and use your resources. Search online or call the Real Estate Agent to see if the home is still for sale.
• Look at the job market. In most areas with job stability, most people aren’t selling and there may even be more qualified Buyers than there are homes for sale.

·       Ask your Agent to do research for you and provide a list of homes for sale, under contract and sold. Once the list has been provided, compare the homes for sale versus the homes sold. This too will help you to determine what kind of market your are surrounded by.

For more on this topic go to BrokerAgentSocial.com

 to view the full article by: Rich Levin, rich@richlevin.com

What Sells a Home?

Sellers often ask what the secret to selling their home quickly is in today’s market, as well as how to hold their built equity. While there is no sure answer to either there are certainly factors that can affect all aspects of your home selling. 

Consider the following ten objectives and how you can help apply the information to help the sale of your home:

Listing Price

The pricing of your home is the leading factor in if a home will sell. Although you may have a home located in a very prestigious and desired area , you may have listed your home with a selling price tens of thousands of dollars above the comps in your area. If this is the case, no one will show interest in your home, while the home priced below the comp price, will sell immediately.

Location

Location is important.  If your home sits next to train tracks, has a record for crime or is off a busy street it appears less desirable compared to a home in a quiet neighborhood.

Amenities/Perks 

Buyers in today’s market are looking for “stuff” to do. Any neighborhood offering amenities/perks such as a golf course, restaurants, theaters, safe neighborhood, good schools and an array of activities will all help to sell your home.

Condition

Well maintained, move in ready homes are what buyers are looking for in today’s market. There was a time when fixer –uppers were desired by flippers or investor’s looking to turn a profit.  Now they can’t seem to sell the house quick enough which has them practically giving their profit away.  Simple cosmetic fixes such as cleaning the carpets and  painting have a positive effect.                   

Know your strengths and weakness’

It helps to know the pros and cons to your home when deciding upon your listing price.  Current listings, past homes sold in your area as well as foreclosures will be looked at by buyers.  Think of the updates you’ve made compared to others; kitchens, bathrooms, landscaping. If you are going to price with the competition make sure you have the same things to offer, if not more!

Curb Appeal

You only have the opportunity to make the first impression of your home once.  Be sure to keep your yard and the outside well maintained while your home is listed

Decoration/Staging

When a buyer walks into your home you want them to be taken back by the décor, pleased with the cleanliness of your home,  see up-to-date repairs, hear silence and feel the warmth of being completely at home.

Kitchen

When you have family get together, think of where everyone ends up at one point of another, the kitchen!  A kitchen can be the ultimate selling point.  The kitchen is found to be one of the highest remodeling projects on the top of everyone’s list. Updating counters, floors and cabinets can really help to reel in a buyer. If you already have a fabulous kitchen, be sure to spotlight it!

Agents

In this market, you need a close ally. That ally needs to be an accomplished agent with loads of knowledge of today’s market! They know the ins and outs of the business, market trends and also have contacts in their network of agents to help market your home.

Marketing

The internet has become the biggest marketing tool available to help sell your home! From the MLS, video tours, webcasts and various websites. Your agent should sit down with you to go over a detailed marketing plan. You are paying them a commission, make them work for it! 

For more info, CLICK HERE to check out the full article on Realtytimes.com

10 Signs Your Home is Overpriced

Depending on the amount of time your home has been on the market, you may be wondering if your home is overpriced. Price definitely remains a huge factor in determining how fast a home will stay in our current market.

1. Your home has been priced according to surrounding homes for sale opposed to those already sold.
2. Inspite of the obvious fall in the market in surrounding areas, you feel it won’t affect your home sale.
3. Your home is priced based upon home improvements you made.
4.  An old appraisal (3 months or older) was used to base your selling price.
5. You feel your home has “character” and/or is “unique” despite its similar age, size and condition to other homes in the area, therefore deserves a higher price.
6. You feel the longer your home is on the market, the more opportunity it gives for the right buyer to come along who will be willing to pay your asking price.
7. Although you have held several showings, you’ve yet to have an offer.
8. Your home has been on the market for 6-12 months….maybe longer!
9. You couldn’t come to an agreement with your Realtor on price therefore they refused to list your home leaving you on a search to find someone who would.
10. You are getting NO showings. Once you have marketed your home for a showing and are still receiving no interest, the price and your home have been “rejected” from the market.  This is the number one sign of an overpriced home.

All of these reasons could waste you valuable market time. Think carefully, study the comparables and most of all listen to your real estate agents suggestions and advice. 


This article and more was found on Realtor.com. Great advice for all! Check it out.

Housing Sales and Prices Continue Trending Higher

Home prices have now risen for four months in a row and sales transactions have risen for five of the last seven months, while the drop in sales prices from 2010 is smaller than it has been in the last three months. The June 2011 RE/MAX National Housing Report, which includes sales data from 53 metro areas in 45 states, indicates that closed transactions rose 7.5% and median prices were up 4.5% from May. Residential  inventories continued a 12-month downward trend, most likely due to decreasing foreclosure activity. Although the market had a slow start to this year’s buying season, it now appears to be on track with a more seasonal performance. More metro areas are experiencing positive growth, and growth figures are increasing. Factors that continue to weigh on the market include unemployment, tight lending standards and  consumer uncertainty. “It’s very encouraging that both home prices and sales transactions have now risen for several months in a row,” said RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly.  “It appears that this market is following traditional seasonal trends as it works its way through a recovery and back to more normal conditions.”

Transactions -  Year- Over- Year Change

Closed transactions in June were 7.4% higher than in May, while still lagging 10.6% behind the level seen in June 2010. The sales increase from May to June was the second highest  of 2011 . In June, 47 of the surveyed metro areas experienced a  rise in sales, up from 42 in May. Twenty of  those metros saw double-digit increases in June compared to 15 in May. Monthly sales increases were the highest in the northeast: Burlington, VT +32.2, Hartford, CT +31.9%, Trenton, NJ +29.1%, New York,  NY +27.9% and Boston, MA + 26.6%.

Median Sales Price – Year-Over-Year Change

The June 2011 RE/MAX Housing Report shows  that home sales prices in June were 4.5% higher  than in May, and only two did not see a monthly increase in prices: Albuquerque -1.7%  and Honolulu – 3.0%. On a year-to-year basis, home prices were 4.9% below June 2010, but  19 metro areas are now experiencing higher  home prices than one year ago. In May, only 13 metros had higher prices than a year ago.   Some of the most significant yearly increases in home prices occurred in: Pittsburgh, PA  +6.6%, Baltimore, MD +4.8%, Des Moines +3.2%,  Hartford, CT +3.7% and Washington, DC +3.5%

Day on Market – Average of 53 Metro Areas

The average Days on Market for homes sold in June was 90, down 4 days from the May level.  While June marks the 9^th consecutive month the average has been 90 or above, it is the lowest Days on Market the RE/MAX National Housing Report has seen since September 2010, when the average was 88.  Days on Market is the average number of days from listing to receipt of a signed contract.

Months Supply of Inventory – Average of 53 Metro Areas

Due to increasing sales and lower foreclosure inventories, the 53 metro areas surveyed in the  June 2011 RE/MAX Housing Report had an average Months Supply of  Inventory of 6.9, which is unchanged from May, but down significantly from the 9.3 mark seen in June 2010.  Overall inventory continued a 12-month trend to  lower levels.  Inventories were 2.1%  lower in June than in May, and down 14.2% from June 2010.  The Florida markets continue to see the largest drop in inventory: Miami, FL -50.1%,  Orlando, FL -45.1%,  Tampa, FL -30.1%, Phoenix, AZ -29.9% , Chicago, IL -25.5% and San Francisco, CA -25.4%

This information is provided to you courtesy of RE/MAX, LLC.

Description:
The RE/MAX National Housing Report is distributed each month on or about the 15
Definitions:
Transactions are the total number of closed residential transactions during the given month.Month’s Supply of Inventory is thetotal number of residential properties listed for sale at the end of the month (active inventory) divided by the number of sales contracts signed (pended) during the month.Where "pended" data is unavailable, this calculation is made using closed transactions.Days on Market is the number of days that pass from the time a property is listed until the property goes under contract for all residential properties sold during the month.Median Sales Price is the median price of all residential properties sold during the monthMLS data is provided by contracted data aggregators, RE/MAX brokerages and regional offices. While MLS data is believed to be accurate, it cannot be guaranteed.MLS data is constantly being updated, making any analysis a snapshot at a particular time.Every month the RE/MAX National Housing Report re-calculates the previous period’s data to ensure accuracy over time.All raw data remains the intellectual property of each local MLS organization.th. The first Report was distributed in August 2008.The Report is based on MLS data in approximately 53 metropolitan areas, includes all residential property types, and is not annualized.For maximum representation, many of the largest metro areas in the country are represented, and an attempt is made to include at least one metro from each state. Metro area definitions include the specific counties established by the U.S. Government’s Office of Management and Budget, with some exceptions.