Wednesday, May 23, 2012

How Important is the List Price in Selling a Home?

The listing price in selling a home is extremely important.  If a home is priced too high,  the buyers often shy away from the property and don't make offers.  If a home is priced too low, the sellers might not receive an offer reflective of the true value of the home.

Once a home sits on the market for a bit with no offers, it becomes "stale" so to speak.  Often, the property ends of selling for less than it would have sold had it been priced correctly in the first place.

What is a home worth?  Supply and Demand determine the value of a home.  A certified market analysis by a local realtor is the best way to determine the worth of a home.  The data in the local multiple listing service is very valuable. It is used by local appraisers and realtors to compare properties and ascertain value.

If you are planning on selling in the near future, call me today for a free certified market analysis.  I hope to hear from you soon!


                                                         Carla Brooks
                                                                            703-577-4960
                                                                          brkslong@aol.com

Monday, May 14, 2012

Happy Mothers Day!




                                                        Happy belated Mothers Day to all!
                                  The apricots are from Costco and need a little help ripening...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Is 2012 the year of the Short Sale?

Remember when the real estate market started cooling in the second half of 2005?  It seems like just yesterday...  In reality, it was 7 years ago.

In 2006, no one knew what the real estate values would do except  that they were declining.  It wasn't until the second half of 2008 when the banks announced that they were really in trouble that the cat was out of the bag.  Serious declines in home values had occurred overnight it seemed.

  Housing inventory was piling up, homes were being abandoned, sold on the courthouse steps, and some short sales were happening.  Many realtors did not want to participate in the short sale transactions due to legal liability and their experience with the banks in the previous housing downturn  (the late 80's and early 90's).  Nevertheless, the short sale has emerged as a viable and cost effective way for the distressed homeowner to release their real estate holding(s).

A short sale is defined as the sale of a property for less money than what is owed to the banks on that property.  Banks typically make 20% less on the sale of a foreclosed property than on a short sale property.  This is one of the main reasons that the banks are now willing to do more short sales.


There are advantages to the defaulting homeowner as well.  The homeowner usually stays in the home (rent free) until the short sale is complete and sometimes is given a settlement by the bank to pay for their imminent move.  They, in turn, take care of the property while the short sale is being negotiated.  This is good news for the bank since they are not in the business to be caretakers of real estate.   Short sales are not as damaging to one's credit (in most cases--if negotiated properly) as a foreclosure.

If you are a buyer or distressed homeowner interested in the short sale process give me a call today, I can point you in the right direction for advice on the process.

                                                         Carla 
                                                    703-577-4960
                                                                 brkslong@aol.com

ps all photos are a courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Save on energy costs by installing a timer on your Hot Water Heater today




Thanks to advanced technology, one can save as much as $30-40 a month on their utility bill by installing a timer on the home hot water heater.  Apparently, our hot water heaters do their job over and over whether we use the hot water or not.  So why heat water that we are not going to use immediately?


By installing a timer on your hot water heater one can regulate when they turn on and off.  If you rise at 6 am, for example, the timer can be set for 5:45 so the water is toasty for your morning shower.  If you leave for work shortly thereafter, simply set the timer for when you return in the evening.  And then turning it off again before retiring for the evening.

The type of timer that your hot water tank will need depends on whether you have an electric hot water heater or a gas hot water heater. So be sure and consult with an expert before you make a decision on what to purchase.

If you'd like to make the most of your real estate experience call me today,  I will treat your transaction as if it were my own...




                                                             Carla 
                                                      703-577-4960
                                                  brkslong@aol.com


ps all photos are courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Monday, May 7, 2012

Interest rates fall once again!





USA today reported today that interest rates on 30 year fixed mortgages have fallen once again to a new low of 3.84%.  This new low represents the lowest rate out there since mortgages came into being in the 1950's.  Less than impressive economic reports spurred the latest drop in mortgage interest rates.


Ironically enough, many homeowners that would like to take advantage of these wonderfully low rates will not be able to do so with the rigid mortgage qualification standards today.  Additionally, it is estimated that the rates will climb back up to 4.25%-4.5% very shortly.



If you are in a position to buy a home or investment property and/or refinance, look into the matter today so the opportunity to finance at  historically low rates does not pass you by.

If you want to make the most of your real estate experience call me today, I will treat your transaction as if it were my own.  


                                                    Carla 
                                                703-577-4960
                                                            brkslong@aol.com


PS pictures are a courtesy of:  http://www.freedigitalphotos.net