Have we reached the bottom of the Real Estate Market downturn</= title> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"PlaceType"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"PlaceName"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"address"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"Street"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple style=3D'tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=3DSection1> <st1:place = w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Flagler</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:s= t=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Real Estate News and Views<o:p></o:p> Volume 8 Is= sue 7 <o:p> </o:p> Published b= y: Ben and <st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><s= t1:address w:st=3D"on">Marie Lane</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p> TwoL= anes<o:p= ></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Have we reached the bottom of the Real Estate Market downturn? Well, you never know when the bottom, or the top, of any market is reached until after the fact. But, here in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:Plac= eName w:st=3D"on">Flagler</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County</st1= :PlaceType></st1:place> in the last few months, the number of properties on the market has declined= and the number of sales has increased. So it seems that at least here, and for = now, the Real Estate Market has changed, for the better. <o:p> </o:p> &nb= sp; However, no matter if the Market conditions are strong or weak, some properties sell quickly, while others just = sit. Why? The reasons are basic and obvious, but frequently ignored. <o:p> </o:p> Price: An overpriced pr= operty wastes time and money. But mo= st importantly, an overpriced property helps sell the competition. It makes ot= her, market priced properties more attractive to the buyer, and these sell. Sell= ers don’t determine the price of a property, n= either does a Realtor, a neighbor, a friend, or even the buyer. The market determi= nes the price. A property must be priced at the market as of today, not last ye= ar, last month or even next month, but right now. Finally, if by chance an overpriced property does get a Sales and Purchase Contract from an enthusiastic buyer it still may not clo= se. It must appraise for the Contract price. Appraisers determine the market value of a property by looking at comparable properties that have actua= lly recently sold, not properties that are active. <o:p> </o:p> Condition/Appearance: W= e call it the “wow” factor. Will buyers say “wow” when they walk into your home. Remember your property is competing against other similar properties as well as brand new homes. It m= ust stand out, in a positive way. Interior paint is not too expensive and makes a huge difference. Flooring must look good. Odors are real negatives, smoke and pet smells make buyers leave quickly. Get rid of clutter. Clear o= ff countertops. Closets and rooms need to look larger. Remove unnecessary furniture, store it, sell it, or give it away. De-personalize your entire h= ome. Do a complete “spring cleaning” and keep it that way. Clear the artwork and pictures from the refrigerator. And remember how important first impressions are. Keep the grass and shrubs mowed, trimmed and watered. Get = toys off the lawn. Pressure wash the walks and drivew= ay. Clean debris from the roof and gutters. Put yourself in the buyers shoes. When you open the front door would you say “wow”? If so would that be a “positive” wow, or a “negative” wow? <o:p> </o:p> Location: You can’= ;t pick up your property and take it somewhere else so just about the only thi= ng you can do about the location is adjust the price. A “good” or “bad” location can be very subject, and “in the eye of the beholder”. Whatever the= case, look at and listen to your property and surroundings with objectivity, comp= are it to the competition. If you see negatives adjust the price lower than the competition. However, if you like what you see and hear chance= s are others will too. Adjust the price upwards compared to the competition and m= ake sure to market to buyers who want the same positives you see. <o:p> </o:p> Marketing: Marketing yo= ur property is much more sticking a sign in the ground and waiting for offers. First, marketing involves the right pricing and the best condition, those 2 items are the most important. It means making your home easy to sho= w by using a “lockbox” and eliminating the need for agents to “make an appointment”. This will lead to more showings, and as = we say, “if need to get a buyer in the door you before you will get an offer”. Leave your home when an agent is showing it. The buyers will = feel more comfortable, look closer and stay longer. Your agent should have a written, aggressive and targeted marketing plan that involves the internet, print, direct mail and other methods of communication and promotion applica= ble to your specific property and to the target audience (the right buyers). <o:p> </o:p> Need More Information:<o:p></o:p> Contact Us:<o:p></o:p> Email: <a href=3D"mailto:twolanes@twolanes.net">= twolanes@twolanes.net</a>,<o:p></o:p> Phone: Ben 386-931-8531, Marie 386-931-5727<o:p>= </o:p> </div> </body> </html>

MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/2D6C18D7/volume8issue7.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Have we reached the bottom of the Real Estate Market downturn</= title> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"PlaceType"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"PlaceName"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"address"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"Street"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple style=3D'tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=3DSection1> <st1:place = w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Flagler</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:s= t=3D"on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Real Estate News and Views<o:p></o:p> Volume 8 Is= sue 7 <o:p> </o:p> Published b= y: Ben and <st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><s= t1:address w:st=3D"on">Marie Lane</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p> TwoL= anes<o:p= ></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Have we reached the bottom of the Real Estate Market downturn? Well, you never know when the bottom, or the top, of any market is reached until after the fact. But, here in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:Plac= eName w:st=3D"on">Flagler</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County</st1= :PlaceType></st1:place> in the last few months, the number of properties on the market has declined= and the number of sales has increased. So it seems that at least here, and for = now, the Real Estate Market has changed, for the better. <o:p> </o:p> &nb= sp; However, no matter if the Market conditions are strong or weak, some properties sell quickly, while others just = sit. Why? The reasons are basic and obvious, but frequently ignored. <o:p> </o:p> Price: An overpriced pr= operty wastes time and money. But mo= st importantly, an overpriced property helps sell the competition. It makes ot= her, market priced properties more attractive to the buyer, and these sell. Sell= ers don’t determine the price of a property, n= either does a Realtor, a neighbor, a friend, or even the buyer. The market determi= nes the price. A property must be priced at the market as of today, not last ye= ar, last month or even next month, but right now. Finally, if by chance an overpriced property does get a Sales and Purchase Contract from an enthusiastic buyer it still may not clo= se. It must appraise for the Contract price. Appraisers determine the market value of a property by looking at comparable properties that have actua= lly recently sold, not properties that are active. <o:p> </o:p> Condition/Appearance: W= e call it the “wow” factor. Will buyers say “wow” when they walk into your home. Remember your property is competing against other similar properties as well as brand new homes. It m= ust stand out, in a positive way. Interior paint is not too expensive and makes a huge difference. Flooring must look good. Odors are real negatives, smoke and pet smells make buyers leave quickly. Get rid of clutter. Clear o= ff countertops. Closets and rooms need to look larger. Remove unnecessary furniture, store it, sell it, or give it away. De-personalize your entire h= ome. Do a complete “spring cleaning” and keep it that way. Clear the artwork and pictures from the refrigerator. And remember how important first impressions are. Keep the grass and shrubs mowed, trimmed and watered. Get = toys off the lawn. Pressure wash the walks and drivew= ay. Clean debris from the roof and gutters. Put yourself in the buyers shoes. When you open the front door would you say “wow”? If so would that be a “positive” wow, or a “negative” wow? <o:p> </o:p> Location: You can’= ;t pick up your property and take it somewhere else so just about the only thi= ng you can do about the location is adjust the price. A “good” or “bad” location can be very subject, and “in the eye of the beholder”. Whatever the= case, look at and listen to your property and surroundings with objectivity, comp= are it to the competition. If you see negatives adjust the price lower than the competition. However, if you like what you see and hear chance= s are others will too. Adjust the price upwards compared to the competition and m= ake sure to market to buyers who want the same positives you see. <o:p> </o:p> Marketing: Marketing yo= ur property is much more sticking a sign in the ground and waiting for offers. First, marketing involves the right pricing and the best condition, those 2 items are the most important. It means making your home easy to sho= w by using a “lockbox” and eliminating the need for agents to “make an appointment”. This will lead to more showings, and as = we say, “if need to get a buyer in the door you before you will get an offer”. Leave your home when an agent is showing it. The buyers will = feel more comfortable, look closer and stay longer. Your agent should have a written, aggressive and targeted marketing plan that involves the internet, print, direct mail and other methods of communication and promotion applica= ble to your specific property and to the target audience (the right buyers). <o:p> </o:p> Need More Information:<o:p></o:p> Contact Us:<o:p></o:p> Email: <a href=3D"mailto:twolanes@twolanes.net">= twolanes@twolanes.net</a>,<o:p></o:p> Phone: Ben 386-931-8531, Marie 386-931-5727<o:p>= </o:p> </div> </body> </html>