Friday, December 3, 2010

brightmoor Subdivison Matthews, NC. Market Report Nov. 2010

Brightmoor Subdivison located in Matthews,NC is a large subdivsion of ranch and two story homes built in the late 90's to early 2000's. Tucked away and conviently located to major shopping schools and highways this subdivsion is ideally situated.

The numbers below are indicative of sold homes over the past three years. The sales are from Dec. 1 to Nov.30 of the following year.

3 years ago there were 18 homes that sold. The average sale price was $227,586 and they were on the market for an average of 38 days.

2 years ago there were 16 homes that sold. The average sale price was $208,956 and they were on the market for an average of 43 days.

Last year there were 8 homes that sold. The average sale price was $185,417. they were on the market for an average of 111 days.

Currently there are 10 homes active on the market right now and an additional 2 homes that are pending(homes under contract but not closed).

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Crestdale Crossing matthews, NC. Market Report Dec. 2010

Tucked away in Matthews, NC. is Crestdale Crossing. A small subdivison made up of 110 homes. A popular spot among young familes this 8 year old subdivison is an affordable place to live within the Matthews school district.

History has shown this community has done well in this down Real Estate market. The numbers below are sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1.

3 years ago there were 15 homes that sold. the average sale price was $127,620. They lasted on the market an average of 33 days.

2 years ago there were 4 homes that sold. The average sale price was $121,875. They were on the market for an average of 23 days.

Last year there were 5 homes that sold. The average sale price was $122,000. They were on the market for an average of 60 days.

Currently there are 2 homes actively on the market right now.

Based on current inventory levels and home sale trends we are at a balanced market in regards to Crestdale Crossing. Six months of inventory tends to be an average market. It favors neither the seller or the buyer.

Dave dicecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Stagingg Your home For the Holiday

A lot of sellers want to remove their home off the market during the holiday season. But, what if you leave it on? How do you stage it to sell while still enjoying the holiday's?

Be careful on placement of Christmas trees. You do not want to block the windows natural light coming into a room. Natural light and windows can make any space feel and look larger than it is. By covering it up you run the perception that the room is dark, gloomy and small. Also, try to position Christmas decorations so that the room still looks like it is spacious. Consider removing furniture and storing it in the garge or attic while you have holiday decorations up. I have been in a lot of homes where they just shuffle the couch or chair around the room to make space to put up the Christmas tree. You are taking away from the space in the room. It makes people feel like the room is smaller than it may actually be.

Bake cookies this time of the year. I wrote a blog a couple of months ago that talked about smells and odors in a home. Certain smells and odors can be deal breakers and others can help get the other senses invloved in the buying process. The smell of fresh baked cookies or pies is always a great smell to have. This time of the year it will not only help but will allow the buyer to envison when they were younger and helping their parents or grandparents cook or spending holiday's as a family.

Decorate your home in taste. Buyers are expecting to see lights on houses, Christmas trees up, wreaths hanging on doors and holiday decorations scattered throughout the house. They do not want to drive up to see Chevy Chase house on Christmas vacation though. So, just do not overdo it.

You can decorate and keep the holiday traditions alive and well and still have your home marketable. Just be sure it is in moderation. And who knows the best Chrsitmas present you may receive is an offer on your home.

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Why Has Your Home Not Sold?

Today I am thinking and working on a listing presentation for a seller who has been on the market for over a year now with a few agents. Apparently it is my turn to take a shot at the listing.

Well, when I looked at the history; the first thing that hit me was " why has this house not sold yet?" I have learned to do this with everyone of my listing presentations now. I ask them the question.They tell me what they think then I tell them my views and somewhere in the middle is probably the reason why.

But, today I read a fellow collegue blog on 7 reasons your home has not sold by Alan May. It inspired me to go take out my list I use and see how many of those questions made his list. All of my questions made it on his list in one version or another plus one. So, here are the standard questions I ask myself and the seller as to whay their home did not sell with the other Realtor:

1. Is it over priced for the market? Pricing a house slightly above the market to leave room for negotiations is fine. But are you 5% or greater above the market value? if so you are overpriced.

2. How is the quality of photos? And how many pictures are there? Most people today are visual. An old adage holds so true today more then ever before; "a picture is worth a thousand words". So how are the photos of the house? Are they fresh with the seasons? Or do you have snow and trees with no leaves on them with the listing in the summertime?

3. Is Your home reasonably availble for showings? Most people are not expected to be availble from 8 to 8 seven days a week. But for the most part are you accomadating for showings? Or do you make them reschedule the time?

4. Will your home appraise for your asking price? Unfortunately, in this market you have to factor in foreclosures and short sales when you are figuring the value fo your home. Yes they may need work. But is the amount of work needed justified in the difference in the price of the house?

5. Does your home need any updating or repairs? A home that needs major remodeling or updating from the 70's or 80's is going to detract from the value of the home to a prospective buyer. You do not have to be modern just in this century.

6. Has your home been on the market steadily for over a year without any time off? If so it could be stale. If it was over priced to begin with and then you have continued to lower the price it is just recylcing through the system. People are remembering it after a while and saying "oh ya, there was something about that house I did not like". Moving on to the next one and it could have been the intial price. Sometimes taking it off the market for a a couple of months and bring it back fresh will help the home attract the same buyers and make it look fresh and new.

7.Is Your home being properly marketed across the internet? This is one of the biggest reasons I find homes do not sell. In the technology age we are in right now; the internet has become the first stop for buyers to look at homes. If your home is not marketed across a spectrum of internet websites you are losing potential buyers daily.

8. Is Your Home Properly Staged? This can make the difference between receiving an offer and not receiving an offer. I showed three identical homes and my client purchased the most expensive one because it was staged the best and showcased the amenties and space in the house the best. They felt they were getting the best value for the dollar and remebered that house. All they remebered about the other ones were the clutter or family photos all over the place.

9. Did your Realtor work to try and sell your home? I always save this for last. Unfortunately, we get a bad reputation to begin with. But there are some Realtors out there who still believe put a sign in the yard, and place it in the MLS and it will sell. Well, those days are long long long gone. You have to market and network your listing. If you are not doing that you are not going to get it sold.

So, if you home has not sold. Ask yourself these eight questions. And be honest with your answers. Your home is the largest investment you made. It needs to be the most objective sale you make as well.....

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

Monday, November 29, 2010

Why Put Your Home On the Market During The Holiday's?

This time of the year the question arises as to whether I should place my home on the market now or wait to after the first of the year. I always seem to get this question now and my answer is always the same....Defintely YES.

There are numerous arguements for and against putting homes on the market during the holiday season. But one arguement that is hard to refute is; the buyers that are out looking at your home now are buying a house now.

Yes, it can be inconvient this time of the year.With family getting together and holiday parties and shopping. Keeping your home up for showings can be an added stress some people do not want to deal with this time of the eyar.

But so many people intentionally let their home expire prior to the holidays. This way they do nto have to worry about showings and finding a home to move to during the holiday's and enjoy the time with family and loved ones. But, are you losing out on potential buyers?

Well, one large community I have a listing in had 7 active listings in October. Today there are 2. The remainign 5 expired and have elected to stay off the market until after the New Year. I have three showings scheduled this week alone. I now have a very captive audience of buyers. The choices for them have narroweed substantially; thus increasing my chances of my seller receiving an offer on their home.

This time of the year showings are probably going to be less now than after the New Year going into the spring season. But, the people that are out there looking at the homes are not looking three to six months down the road before they buy...they are lookign to buy now. So, why would you not want to have your home on the market during the holiday season?

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com