Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI's Blog

White Potato Lake Condos

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:39:48 -0700

Finally! It took until August but it seems summer is coming to Northeastern Wisconsin. It is suppose to be in the eighties over this upcoming weekend.

If you're thinking of buying lake property as an investment or as a permanent residence, please visit me at my open house this Saturday, August 8th from 1:00PM until 4:00PM at the newly constructed White Potato Lake condos. Take Hwy 41 north to Hwy 64 west. Turn right on White Potato Lake Rd. and follow the signs to the condos.

The condos offer four bedrooms and at least 2.5 baths. Each condo has custom cabinets, ceramic tile, two fireplaces and a beautiful view of a 1,000 plus acre lake. Enjoy peace and quiet or relax and play with your friends and family. You choose!

I hope to see you on Saturday!

White Potato Lake Condos

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:39:24 -0700

Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day! Please stop by my open house at White Potato Lake. I will be there from 1:00PM until 4:00PM, Saturday, July 11th.

These luxurious condos offer four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Enjoy the lovely view of the lake from the screened in four seasons porch.

To get to White Potato Lake take Hwy 41 north to Hwy 141. Take Hwy 64 west to White Potato Lake Rd. I hope you'll take the time to stop in and see how beautiful "up north" can be!

Take care.

Open House

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:46:18 -0700

I have a new listing that will be open this Sunday, June 28th from 12:30PM until 2:00PM. The address is 1043 Reed St. in Green Bay. It's easy to find. It is across the street from the new Resch Center Pool on the west side.

This beautifully maintained, 2,900 plus sq. ft. two story offers five bedrooms and four baths. It is ideal for entertaining in the formal living room and dining room or relaxing in the large family room or three seasons room.

The kitchen has been remodeled with new counter tops, a ceramic tile floor and new fixtures. The spacious yard is tastefully landscaped and is fenced in. There are also two patios.

This house will make you proud to call it "home".

Please stop by at the open house and you'll see what I mean.

Take care.

Time is Running Out

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:52 -0700

The up to $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers and/or those who haven't owned a home in three years has proven to be a great success. Time, however, is running out. The tax credit is only available to those who close by November 30, 2009.

In order to take advantage of the tax credit, a buyer wanting FHA financing will need to have their accepted offer to purchase into their lender by mid to late September to be assured that their financing will be in place in time. Currently, FHA financing is taking up to six weeks. In the fall, with the probable increase in volume, FHA financing could take up to eight weeks or more. Those using conventional financing, however, will probably have a little more time.

Finding the right home for you may take some time. It may be a buyer's market in some areas but remember, there are many other buyers looking for homes too. Once you find a home, there may also be a delay if you encounters inspection issues that need to be resolved. It can be difficult to get a good contractor this time of year.

If you are thinking of buying a home in 2009 and you are eligible for the tax credit, don't wait. The process can take longer than you think!

Good luck and take care.

You Let Him Do what?

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:15:44 -0700

Have you ever had a listing that was a problem right from the beginning? It's not really the property's fault. The property is fine. It's just a victim of circumstances. So far, I've had two offers fall apart. The first one was due to a financing issue a week before closing.

The second one fel apart because the buyer just decided to walk away. There were no inspection issues. Needless to say, the sellers are not happy. What makes them the most unhappy, however, is that the buyer's agent allowed a radon test that wasn't requested in the offer.

I was totally shocked when he called me to tell me that the buyer wanted out and by the way the radon came back a little high. Both he and I knew he hadn't requested a radon test. Now I have a disclosure issue. I have no documentation just the other agent's comment. What would you do?

What a mess. Stay tuned.

Take care.

Open House

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Sun, 03 May 2009 10:20:27 -0700

Please come join me at my open house at 990 Hickory Hill in Green Bay today, Sunday, May 3rd from 11:00AM until 12:00PM. This cute cape cod offers three bedroom and one bath. It has lovely hardwood floors and arched doorways. If you are looking for a charming home, this is the one.

The second floor master bedroom is spacious and offers a sitting area. The kitchen is bright and efficient. There is also a large deck and the back yard is fenced in. There is also a detached two stall garage.

Take Oneida St to Hickory Hill east. I hope to see you there.

Take care.

A New Listing

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:27:02 -0700

I have a new listing I'd like to tell you about. I just listed a cute cape cod at 990 Hickory Hill in GreenBay. This is a perfect home for first time home buyers, downsizers or relocators. It has three bedrooms and one bath. There is 1,074 sq. ft. of living space. The owners have kept it in move in condition.

The hardwood floors, arched doorways and southern exposure give this home a lot of charm. The living room is spacious and the second floor master bedroom has a sitting area. The yard is fenced in and there is a large wood deck. There is also a two stall detached garage.

I will be having an open house this Sunday, April 19th from 1:00PM until 2:00PM. This is a great property with a great location. Take Oneida St to Hickory Hill and go east to the property.

Stop by and say hi. You'll be glad you did.

Take care.

You've Got To Get Creative If You Want To Make the Deal!

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:31:15 -0700

It's like I've lost my physic powers. In the past, I would write an offer that I knew was going to either be countered or rejected. I don't know about you but lately, I've been involved in some creative transactions. I have learned not to say "this will never fly" ever again. Deals I thought had no way of coming together, come together.

I'd like to think of myself as an "outside the box" thinker and it has come in handy a few times. I have put a deal together where the seller was providing the financing to a buyer who just had a recent bankruptcy. I've had a seller who was considering renting to the buyers, who have no down payment, until their house sells. Sellers seem to be willing to take more risks to make the deal than they would in a "normal" market We all know that the banks aren't.

Now, it seem just about anything goes. As real estate professionals, we have to be open to trying to make the impossible, possible. No one ever said this job is easy.

Take care.

Do You Carry Your Business Cards With You?

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:17:06 -0700

My mother taught me many things as I was growing up. She was the kind of mom who constantly reminded me about the clean underwear rule of which we all know. In addition to that, she usually came up with tidbits of good advice. Since I began my career in real estate, she has harped on me to carry my business cards with me at all times.

Of course I carry my business cards with me on appointments, to meetings, etc. She pointed out that everyone I meet could be a potential client or customer. It made sense to me so from then on, I've carried my business cards with me to church, shopping and even to the doctor's office.

Today I had a doctor's appointment. Making small talk, the nurse asked me about my occupation. When I mentioned I was in real estate, she told me she knew of two people in the building who are looking for a Realtor. One was looking to buy a home and the other was looking to sell. She immediately took my cards and said she'd hand them out.

I don't know if they will ever call but I know they at least have my card if they choose to do so. I even have left my card when I leave a tip at a restaurant. Maybe my cards get thrown away but just maybe they don't!

Take care

A Penny

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:19:53 -0700

Today I was standing at the gas station filling my car with gas when I noticed a lowly penny laying on the dirty concrete. As I picked it up, I thought about how the penny gets no respect.

Are we too focused on dollars to worry about pennies? The mint says that it costs more to make a penny than it is worth. Many people think they should stop making them. Could you imagine what it would be like to not have the penny any more?

What would we save in our coffee cans and piggy banks? What would people do if they couldn't ltake out through their coin purses looking for the correct change for their $ .98 purchase? (my pet peeve)

Remember when someone would say "a penny for your thoughts"? Remember when people actually had a penny in their penny loafers? Remember when a penny could buy you a piece of candy or a gum ball? If you don't, I feel sorry for you. You missed out on something very special.

I know that times "change" but the penny has served a very important purpose for a very long time. I may be in the minority but, out of respect, I'll always pick up a penny when I see one. It may not have much but it still has value. You see I'm penny wise but I'm not pound foolish!

Take care.

Lakeside Condos

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:20:56 -0700

If you're interested in purchasing year round or vacation property, take a look at the condos I have listed on White Potato Lake. These two story, newly constructed condos offer all of the comforts you cherish in a home.

Sit and relax in the sun room on those warm summer days as well as by the a fireplace on those cold winter nights. Each unit has hard wood floors, custom cabinetry and granite counter tops.

Enjoy the beautiful view of the lake from the master bedroom. Each unit has four bedroom and three baths. Prices start at $299,900.

I will be at the condo this Sunday, March 22nd from 10:00Am until 11:00AM. Please stop by. The condos are approximately an hour north of Green Bay. If you can't stop by, please email me for more information or to set up a private showing. It will be worth your time.

Take care.

Old Houses

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:35:37 -0700

I love going through old houses even before they are renovated. I don't want to live in one. I actually prefer new construction. I just like walking through them and wondering what memories they hold. Today I had the opportunity to go on a listing appointment to a very large house that is over 100 years old.

I believe that it was a very grand house when it was built. This house had been in the seller's family for over eighty years. It had not been kept up for quite a few years yet when I walked inside, I got the feeling I was walking back in time. The sellers relayed many stories as we walked from room to room.

The high ceilings and the ornate doors and 8" woodwork were in near perfect condition. It had hard wood floors, sliding glass doors and walls with built in cabinets with shelves. Some of the light fixtures, while probably not original, looked very elegant. Everything seemed so solid.

Almost every house from that era had a parlor, a formal dining room with a huge chandelier and at least five or six bedrooms as did this one. It also had to have a large front porch to sit on in the summer time with a glass of lemonade and watch the world go by.

This one was unique in that it had a walk out basement. In the basement was a very old octopus furnace that could easily pass as a space ship from another planet. It had a cistern and a coal bin. Right next to this ancient furnace was a coaxial cable for the TV. I thought that was quite amusing - new meets old.

When I list this home, it will be as a commercial property. I hope who ever buys it restores it as much as possible. I warned the sellers that someone may buy it just for the land. They could easily tear down the house and build a new office building. It would be a shame to lose this old structure but I guess that's progress. It sure was nice while it lasted.

Take care.

Thank You for Thanking Me

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:01:45 -0700

I received a letter a few days ago that made my day. No, I didn' win the lottery, not that that wouldn't be nice. It was a letter from a buyer who purchased one of my listings a few months ago. This was not an easy transaction from the beginning so we were all happy when it went to close. Recently, I facilitated an amicable solution between the my seller and this buyer concerning an unforeseen issue with the well.

I've received thank you notes before but this one is very special. The hand written note was full of compliments which I, of course, enjoyed reading. The most important part, however, was I could tell it was written from the heart. It wasn't the obligatory "thank you". They were really grateful.

It made me feel really good that someone had taken the time to let me know that they appreciated my efforts. With all the problems and struggles we have these days, it was so nice to receive a thank you from someone who wasn't even my client and who really meant it.

I've received thank you notes before but this one will always be very special to me. The lesson here is take the time to write a note telling someone how much you appreciate them for whatever reason. Trust me, it will make their day and probably yours too.

Take care.

Need Something to Do This Sunday

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:43:25 -0700

If you're looking for something to do this Sunday please feel free to join me at my open house! I'll be at 2188 Klondike in Bellevue from 12:30PM until 2:30PM. This is a new construction three bedroom, split design ranch.

Some of the amenities include custom maple cabinets, six panel doors and ceramic tile. You'll love the plush carpet and the attention to detail in the woodwork. There is an egress window and access from the garage in the basement for future expansion.

Come see what $168,900 can buy! You'll be pleasantly surprised. Take Lime Kiln to Klondike.

I hope to see you there.

Take care.

Minimize Your Utility Costs

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:20:56 -0700

Quite often, when I'm showing a property, I am asked to get the amount of the average utility bills. In our area, that is a combination of natural gas and electric. I, of course, happily comply.

I do, however, explain that the current owner's utility charges are in no way indicative of what the buyer's utility charges would be if he or she purchases the home. Maybe the current owners spend three months out of the year in Florida or Arizona and they leave their thermostat set at 50 degrees. Maybe they set the temperature at 80 degrees and sit around their house in T-shirts and shorts all winter long. (my grandfather used to do this).

It could be as simple as mild winter verses our current, nasty winter. There is also the rise in the price of natural gas and electricity in general that contribute to increases in utility bills. So many variables affect utility costs that it is difficult to project them with any accuracy. Here are, however, a few ways to minimize them:

1. Make sure the home is properly insulated. Get a home inspection.

2. Check the windows and doors and insure that they seal properly and there are no drafts. Add weather stripping as necessary.

3. Have all the wall/pipe penetrations caulked and sealed.

4. Have the furnace clean and checked at least once a year and replace the filters as necessary even during the summer.

Don't let average utility bills influence whether or not you look at a property. Evaluate it for yourself and if you purchase the property take the steps necessary to minimize the affect of utility costs on your monthly budget.

Take care and stay warm.

Snow All You Want - I'm Not Shoveling

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:53:41 -0800

Today it was almost 50 degrees and the sun was shining. It tasted a lot like spring. Sunday we are expecting a winter storm and I'm very annoyed. It's almost mid March and I'm sick of shoveling snow. I know I can't fight mother nature. While I can't fight it, I can ignore it! I have a truck with four wheel drive and I'm not afraid to use it!

Yesterday I received an offer on a property listed in the mid $200,000 range. The offer was significantly, ridiculously low. My seller was, of course, annoyed. This is the second low ball offer we've received.

Now I know what you're thinking. This property must be priced too high or there is something wrong with it. Trust me. It's not priced too high and there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, it is only a little over a year old, was hardly lived in by the owner and is in a very desirable area.

Fortunately, my seller is on the same page as I am. He's ready to take a stand. He's not going to fight the low ball offers by countering. He's going to take a lesson from my attitude about the weather and ignore it! Low ball all you want, we're not shoveling. If you can't come to the party with a fair offer, don't come at all.

Take care.

I'm Discouraged!

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:51:43 -0800

Today, I'm discouraged. It was a cloudy, dreary day today. The stock market dropped a ton. I had the closing for my mother's home. The upside downsizing is complete. The closing went fine. All the papers were signed but when all was said and done - no funding. I waited, and to a certain extent, worried all afternoon while the buyer was busy moving into his new home that wasn't exactly paid for. Finally the call came and the money had arrived. Like I need more stress in my life.

Next I get a call from an agent saying she was sending over an offer on one of my listings. The offered price was of course ridiculously low. This is the second time in two days that I received off the wall offers.

To add insult to injury, the buyer was someone I gave a private showing to on the same property a few weeks ago. When I called to talk to her about it, her response was "that's OK, I have buyer agency". It bothers me a great deal when agents don't realize that buyer agency has little if nothing to do with procuring cause.

She said she had been working with this buyer for the past eight months. She said he had told her that he had seen the property at an open house. It was a blatant lie. I showed him the house and I have a witness. I am not going to push the issue, however, as my main goal is to get the property sold.

What ever happened to responsibility? What ever happened to honesty? What ever happened to things going smoothly? Everything today felt like a struggle. It takes a lot to get me discouraged but I managed it today. Usually, I'm a half full person. I'm always looking for the silver lining, the bright side. Tomorrow the sun is suppose to shine and the temperature should be around 50 degrees. In our area, it's a taste of spring.

I'll talk myself into "happy" again. Tomorrow's a brand new day and I'll be ready for it.

Take care.

Are You My Agent?

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:35:11 -0800

With the passing of the stimulus credit and the implementation of the first time home buyer's tax credit, we as real estate professionals are hoping the buyer's will be seeking our help and expertise in purchasing a home. Since first time home buyers have limited or no experience in this area, it is important that they fully understand the purchasing process.

Here are a few buyer myths that I have come across that can cause buyers to misunderstand agency relationships:

Myth 1 - If an agent is showing me properties, that agent is working for me!

Fact - This is a common misconception. Unless you have entered into a buyer's agency contract with that agent, that agent is ultimately working for the seller.

Myth 2 - If I want to see a listed property, I have to call the agent on the yard sign!

Fact - The truth is any real estate agent who holds a valid license in the state can show you any listed property. It is critical that the agent know the market, however.

Myth 3 - If I want a real estate agent to help me write my offer on a property, I need a buyer's agency contract.

Fact - You do not have to enter into a buyer agency contract to have a real estate agent write an offer for you. Even though the agent writing the offer does not represent you, he or she must adhere to the code of ethics which specifically requires him or her to be honest and fair with you.

These are just a few of the misunderstandings that may occur. When beginning your search for a new home, work with an experienced agent that you like and trust. He or she will be more than happy to answer any agency questions you may have.

Happy house hunting!

Take care.

How is Your Sunday Looking?

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:33:49 -0800

We had a whale of a snow storm last night. It was just nasty. This morning the sun is shining. Hopefully the sun will be with us all weekend. If you're looking for something to do on Sunday and you are in the market for a new home, stop by my open houses.

I'm having an open house from 12:00PM until 1:00PM at 733 N. Melcorn in East De Pere. This home is a lovely, four bedroom two bath ranch that is new construction.

My second open house is from 1:30PM until 2:30Pm at 1801 Payton in West De Pere. This is also a new construction. This three bedroom, split design ranch is a must see.

Both homes have custom maple cabinets, ceramic tile, six panel doors and plush carpet. Stop by and say "hi". You'll be glad you did.

Take care.

Home Buying Seminars

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:34:51 -0800

I was invited a few days ago to attend a home buyer's seminar as a the real estate expert. It was sponsored by a local credit union. It was perfect timing for obvious reasons and the attendance was great for a cold Thursday night. It was scheduled from 6:30PM until 8:00PM.

As the first speaker began to give her presentations, I quickly realized that for someone who has never purchased a home before, this could be a very confusing topic. What is the percentage of the asking price are the seller's getting? How much earnest money do we need? Do I need a home inspection and how much will it cost?

These are some of the questions the potential buyers asked. They are great questions that have somewhat difficult answers. More than once I had to respond with a "it depends". I would then, due to time constraints, proceed to give an abbreviated answer. The days of the pat answer are gone. Everything is very situational. Needless to say, that hour and a half went by very quickly.

The presenters did a great job of presenting the material and left the audience with two main points. The first one is to meet with a lender and get pre-approved. The second point, which they stressed over and over again, was to work with a Realtor. I certainly appreciated their endorsement and applaud their understanding of the critical role a Realtor plays in the home buying process. I thought it was a great seminar.

Take care.

10 Tips for Sellers in a Buyer's Market

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:25:00 -0800

With the passing of the stimulus package, we expect (pray) that there will be an increase in the number of buyers looking for homes. Please consider the following tips if you have or will have your house on the market:

1. List your home with a real estate professional. They have experience in negotiating which will help you achieve the highest price possible for your property. Choose an agent who has at least five years of experience and will market your property on at least 20 national websites. Buyers usually search the web before they ever contact an agent.

2. Keep your house free of clutter. Clean off counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Straighten your basement. Pack away your collectibles. Pick up your children's toys. Clean the closets. You get the idea.

3. Try to make your house available on short notice for a showing. This can be difficult to do but it is critical to get a buyer through your home while your home is top of mind. Many buyers will move on to the next property and may never get back to yours. People realize you have to live in your house so a few dirty dishes in the sink aren't going to make or break a deal.

4. When you have a showing, it is not necessary to turn on every single light in the house. Major lights are fine and appreciated. Tray ceiling rope lighting or under cabinet lighting is great. It's just not necessary to turn on the lights in your china hutch or on top of your piano, etc. unless it's included in the sale. Many times the Realtor can't find the off switches and are forced to leave them on until you get home. If you still want to turn them on, please don't get angry if we don't turn them off.

5. Please do not burn candles. Buyers think you are trying to cover something up and they are a fire hazard. A candle has never to my knowledge ever made or lost a sale.

6. Baking bread or cookies is fine but don't leave them out for the buyers. Realtors don't want the liability of buyers walking around your house while they are eating and dropping crumbs.

7. Leave notes for the showing Realtor and the buyers if there is something specific about your home you want to share. Some people leave a list of dates when updates were completed. This is very helpful.

8. Remove your pet's dishes, toys, etc. Clean your carpets if there are pet stains and odors. If the carpets can't be cleaned, replace them. Nothing turns a buyer off faster than pet odors.

9. Be patient when it comes to a showing report. It may take a day or two to get some feedback. It is usually not your Realtor's fault. May buyers want to discuss each property before they provide feedback to their agent.

10.. Talk to your Realtor. Let him or her know your thoughts. Don't be afraid to ask for statistics on how often your home is viewed on the various websites, etc. Be open to his or her suggestions and let him or her know of your frustrations.

If you have a specific question or concern about listing your home, please feel free to email me. I'll be happy to address it in my blog. We hope to have a very active spring and a great 2009. Good luck and take care.

Yes, I Do Mind!

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:05:05 -0800

Sometimes I wonder what ever happened to professional courtesy. Lately I've discovered that agents have been showing my vacant properties without scheduling a showing. When I call them to question them, they respond "I didn't think you'd mind or I tried to get a hold of you".

I make a point of making myself available by carrying my cell phone with me everywhere but the shower and church so I don't buy into the "couldn't get a hold of you" excuse. I wouldn't dream of entering a property without requesting a showing from a listing agent. I would never want to interfere with the possibility that another agent has scheduled a showing at that time.

There are circumstances where on the way to show another property you can come across a vacant home the buyers would like to see. In that case, call the agent and request a showing. Don't just assume that because the property is vacant, you can go in whenever you want. The property may already have an accepted offer on it or the seller may be taking it off of the market. A sign in the yard doesn't mean it's available. Sometimes we can't remove our signs until the spring.

Most agents in my area are fairly responsive and will get back to me fairly quickly if I request a short notice showing. I keep a list of the various real estate companies and their agents in my car so that if I can't reach the listing agent, I can at least get in touch with the on call agent or the broker.

Most buyers appreciate your efforts if you exhaust every possibility in an attempt to contact someone. They understand they may have to wait a day or two and realize that there are procedures that have to be followed as a professional coutresy as well as for security and ethical reasons.

Obviously, I want as many showings on a property as possible but I need to know by who and when.

Take care.

Home Buyer's Seminar

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:10:34 -0800

Have you ever asked yourself "how does this real estate thing work anyway?" Well I have the answers. Attend an upcoming seminar. You're invited to attend a home buyer's seminar to be held on Thursday, February 19th sponsored by Fox Communities Credit Union. The seminar will be held at the Ramada Inn. The Ramada is located at 2750 Ramada Way in Ashwaubenon.

The seminar will be from 6:30PM until 8:00PM. This is an informational seminar geared at explaining the home buying process. As you know, everything concerning buying and or selling a home has been changing at a very rapid rate.

Please contact Diane Sundell at Fox Communities Credit Union to register. Her number is 920-884-7133. If you would like to email her, her email is dsundell@foxcu.org. You can also contact me at cleiterman@new.rr.com and I will forward your registration.

I hope to see you there. It will be time well spent if you're thinking of buying or selling a home.

Take care.

Did Your New House Talk To You?

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:43:31 -0800

It's a buyer's market. How many times a day do you hear that? The simplistic definition of a buyer's market is that there is more housing inventory than there are buyers for those houses. For buyers it should be a quick and easy process. Why then do some buyers have a hard time finding a home?

One reason is that too much inventory means too many choices. Some buyers are afraid to make a commitment to one house for fear that the next house may offer something better. They get overwhelmed by the whole process.

The real reason, I beleive, is they take awhile to find a house that "talks" to them. It's the same concept as "feeling at home". Houses give off feelings. Some are warm and cozy while others are cold and stark. Most fall somewhere in between. It's even true of vacant houses.

When working with buyers, I always tell them that when they find the right house for them, they will know it by the way it feels. I will show them as many houses they need to see to find the one that makes them feel like they are home.

Sometimes they get very frustrated because they buy into the buyer's market concept and feel that it should be quick. When it becomes a lengthier process than they expected, they get to the point where they want to buy something just to get it over with.

I always tell them that if they are patient, they will find the right place that feels like home. They'll know when it "talks" to them.

Take care.

Reduce the Price? - Let's Raise It!

Cindy Leiterman Green Bay, WI (Resource One Realty, LLC) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:16:32 -0800

My seller called me about reducing the price on one of his properties. I believe the home, which is new construction, is currently priced properly. I get good traffic through it but haven't received an offer yet.

I told my seller to hold his price as long as he could. My problem with reducing the price is that's where the buyers start. They then proceed to drop the price from there. The list price is the bar that most buyers want to be way under when they make their offers.

Somewhere along the line, buyers have been told or have experienced the fact that there are properties that can be obtained at bargain prices. I can't argue with them because it's true. The problem is not all properties fall into that category and not all sellers are willing to "give them away".

Not everyone is upside down or in foreclosure. I had a person call me on one of my new constructions that has been on the market for about a year and asked if it's a short sale or bank owned. My response was neither. A few years ago, no one would have even thought to ask that question.

Now that we are getting closer to spring, I'm trying to get my seller to raise his prices instead of lower them. I'm not talking a major increase but a percent or two probably wouldn't hurt. Eventually new construction will become more and more scare.

As the $7,500 federal tax credit program starts to unwind this summer, I think more and more first time home buyers will be motivated to buy a home. I'm counting on them buying one of mine.

Take care.