Clarksville Real Estate

There is a FSBO home which I pass by a lot, and it has been a FSBO off and on for several years.  I have called and left several voice mail messages to get information on the house this last FSBO campaign. The owner has never called me, nor has she called back several people I know who are interested in the house.  

I have noticed over the last few months that the phone number on the signs has gotten dimmer and dimmer.  Today, it is almost gone.  It is impossible to see it from the street.  Now, probably if you get out of your car, and get close to the sign, you may be able to see a faint memory
of a hand-written number,
but you can't see it from
the street. 

Think maybe this FSBO has
given up? Doesn't care?   I do know one thing. He or she needs a Realtor to get it sold.  It is none of my business, but if this were my house, I would either pick up my weather-beaten
signs, and forget about selling
or renting it.  

OR, call a Realtor with a fresh, readable sign to list it and market it to sell.   

Time to get off the fence, JMHO.

Top Ten Things I Learned about Real Estate in 2008

 10.  Not All Mortgage Companies now approve all Title

       insurance companies. ****

 9.   Just because your client is approved for their loan  

       today, doesn't mean they will be approved for

       the same loan next week.

 8.   Historically low rates can still get lower.

 7.   Not everything the media says is true.

 6.    Well qualified consumers know it is a good time to buy real estate. 

 5.    Listings are still selling if they are staged, priced correctly and listed with a  REALTOR ®    

 4.    This market can be a great time to learn and teach new skills that will make us  

        better  professionals.

 3.   The public really does read our blogs and gets to know us.

 2.    Not every person off the street has what it takes to be a REALTOR® or loan   

        officer.

 1.    No matter how bad our markets may have been, we all found time to give and give generously to

       those less fortunate.    

 ***UPDATED****

**** Since this seems to be causing some confusion, let me try to clarify what I mean by this.  What I mean by this is whatever title insurance policy your title company uses, The BINDER company, may not be approved by the lenders.  Your closing could be delayed as your settlement officer, lawyer, closing company has to switch binder companies.   CAPEESH???  Please check with your lender and Title company to clarify this in your area. *****

Buying a home? Make sure it's Move In Certified.

Selling a home? Certify it now!

Seller inspections also known as Pre-Listing Inspections are becoming more and more popular. These inspections virtually eliminate all the hassles and aggravation associated with waiting until a buyer is found to do the inspections.  When you stop to think about it, waiting to schedule a home inspection until after a home goes under agreement can in many ways be too late.  Seller inspections are arranged and paid for by the seller, usually just before the home goes on the market.  The seller is the inspector's client, so the inspector is working for the seller and the inspection report is generated for the seller.  The seller then typically makes multiple copies of the report and shares them with all the potential buyers. A seller's inspection is a beneficial to all the parties party's involved in the transaction.

Here are some of the benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection:
- The seller can choose a certified InterNACHI inspector rather than be at the mercy of the buyer's
  choice of inspector.
- The seller can schedule the inspections at the seller's convenience.
- It might alert the seller of any items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active Wood
  Destroying Insect infestation.
- The seller can assist the inspector during the inspection, something normally not done during a buyer's
  inspection.
- The seller can have the inspector correct any misstatements in the inspection report before it is
  generated.
- The report can help the seller realistically price the home if problems exist.
- The report can help the seller substantiate a higher asking price if problems don't exist or have been
  corrected.
- A seller inspection reveals problems ahead of time which:
     - might make the home show better.
     - gives the seller time to make repairs and shop for competitive contractors.
     - permits the seller to attach repair estimates or paid invoices to the inspection report.
     - removes over-inflated buyer procured estimates from the negotiation table.
- The report might alert the seller to any immediate safety issues found, before agents and visitors tour
   the home.
- The report provides a third-party, unbiased opinion to offer to potential buyers.
- A seller inspection permits a clean home inspection report to be used as a marketing tool.
- A seller inspection is the ultimate gesture in forthrightness on the part of the seller.
- The report might relieve a prospective buyer's unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
- A seller inspection lightens negotiations and 11th-hour re-negotiations.
- The report might encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
- The deal is less likely to fall apart the way they often do when a buyer's inspection unexpectedly reveals
   a last minute problem.
- The report provides full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

 

Due to the nature of real estate (most of us need to live somewhere) many properties sold this past year, although not as many as a few years ago.  The market this year has presented many challenges, such as, the credit crisis, and both resales and brand new homes had to compete with foreclosures and short sales.

So how did some sellers manage to sell in this market? Here are a few tips:

1. They made sure their property was priced correctly right from the very beginning.
2. They were more aware of market trends and so knew that being more flexible when negotiating was necessary. They also did not reject offers outright.
3. They did not put up any showing barriers but instead provided good access.
4. They consulted with agent, pre-inspected and made repairs prior to listing.
5. Knew competition would be stiff, so to gain an edge invested in professional staging. Data has shown a staged house sells faster and for more money.
6. Offered a warranty to give the new buyer peace of mind.
7. Had a plan as to what type of incentive could be offered to buyers such as; help with closing costs, especially since the credit markets have tightened.

 

I won't kid you, even after doing all this, some houses still did not sell.   Sellers are now considering lease with option to buy - a practice that had not been seen when it was a seller's market.  If such an option is considered it is advisable to discuss it with your accountant.

If you are one of those sellers whose house failed to sell during the year here are a few questions for you to ponder.

• How motivated were you to sell? Were you holding out for a sale price similar to the one your neighbor received a couple of years ago?
• Did you keep up with the market trends in your neighborhood and County such as, how many homes sold, what was the median selling price, price per square feet, inventory level and days on market?
• Were you aware of foreclosure and short sales activities?
• Were there any major layoffs in your area?
• Did you know who your competitors were? If so, how did your home compare to theirs?
• Did you prepare your home for sale like the seller's who were successful. if not, why not?

The truth is, this is no time to bury ones head in the sand. There are many challenges to face but some of these can be overcome and your Realtor can be a great resource.

With the recent drop in mortgage interest rates and the possibility of these going even lower, I suspect more buyers will enter the marketplace. So, make sure your home is poised to be one of those that will be sold. Now is the time for reflection and constructive action to gain that edge.

 

Jennifer Fivelsdal - Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842

To find a home in Dutchess County or to find out what your Dutchess County home is worth click the appropriate button below.

                   

 

 

 New VA Outpatient Clinic set to open on December 31, 2008. The old VA Clinic located at the old Gateway Medical Center Physician's Office Building is now closed. Plans to have a new facility just off Exit 1 failed when the local contractor was unable to fulfill his obligations.

 The new permanent location for the VA Outpatient Clinic is just down the street at 1832 Memorial Drive This is  only a half-mile from its current location. This is the former location Premier Medical Group Ob/gyn clinic.

  New phone lines are being installed and there will be new numbers for the clinic. During this time patients may call the Centralized Scheduling Unit at 1-866-786-9367 to make appointments. Routine care questions can be answered by calling 1-800-228-4973 during normal business hours.