In todays negative economic environment it is hard to find some positive news.  I thought I would share some surprising news with you!!!  

 I was  reading a Forbes blog dated 1/7/09 and it featured Little Rock as one of America's 25 top housing market.  Little Rock's housing market is predicted to only drop 1%.   In Pulaski County average sales price  dropped 2.2 % from 2007. The higher priced areas of Pulaski County dropped 2.3 %.  However, the most impressive figure is our listing inventory is down 15.5 %  which means we are selling the backlog of homes. Little Rock's foreclosure rate is 1  out of 200 where the nation's rate is 1 out of 54. Click on the link to read the full article.....

In Depth: America's 25 Strongest Housing Markets

  This article is published by the National Association of Realtors..

   Existing-home sales rose unexpectedly while inventory declined, led by a surge of sales in the West. Existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops - jumped 6.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate¹ of 4.74 million units in December from a downwardly revised pace of 4.45 million units in November, but are 3.5 percent below the 4.91 million-unit pace in December 2007.For all of 2008 there were 4,912,000 existing-home sales, which was 13.1 percent below the 5,652,000 transactions recorded in 2007.

What does this mean to our local market?  Are attitudes changing? Is it a good time to buy? The answer is yes! That is why it is called a buyer's market.

   If the stimulus package is passed with a $15,000 tax credit the market will go crazy. There was a decline in listings  by 1600 (15.7%) homes in Pulaski County  and in our higher dollar areas were down by 561 (12.1%) homes.  We are still experiencing a decrease in units sold, but we are not continually adding inventory.  If you have had your home on the market or have been considering selling, feel free to contact me for an up-to-date value of your  home KerryEllison@kw.com.

I will be updating my blog with the 5 year trends in listings and units sold, please log onto my website Your Market Expert.

  

  

 

 

The Housing Market should see some positive results from the signing of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 by President Bush. The benefits are for first time home buyers in the form of a home-buyer tax credit. First-time buyers are vital to the housing market because they start the domino effect. They also keep the market stable because of the demand vs. supply.

Buyers who haven't owned a property in the last three years can qualify for a tax credit up to $7,500 or 10 % of there home purchase price. To qualify homes can be purchased from April 9, 2008 till July 1, 2009. There are income limits and recapture taxes, so please check with your financial advisor.

The housing bill includes higher loan limits allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to increase loan limits based around median pricing, which means we will see the jumbo loan limits raised.  The effect on the local market will be lower interest rates on loans higher than $417,000.  WE should see some positive results in the higher end areas of Central Arkansas.

Using history as a guide, Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors believes the Housing Act could represent a boost of 10% in the number of homes sold.

In Central Arkansas we have seen a slight slow down in homes sold. With the new incentives for first time home buyers we expect to see increase sales.

See below for the trends in Pulaski County:(the numbers below are from CARMLS and are based on Jan. through July 31 numbers)

 

Year:       TTL Listed        # sold       Avg. List $sold      Avg DOM    % Expired

2006                5403            3494             $171,558               58                     .02%

2007                6385            3461             $177,974               76                 15.72%

2008                5541            2798             $176,168               79                  22.83%

 

Our local market is only slightly down from 06 and 07 numbers, but the inventory is adjusting and surprisingly prices have only seen a 1.1 % decrease. We still have approximately a 13 month supply of homes, however we are seeing much stronger markets in specific neighborhoods with only 5 months of supply.

 

 

 How to price to sell and still make a profit

The asking price you set for your home significantly affects whether you will profit in the sale, how much you will profit and how long your home will sit on the market. Your real estate agent's knowledge of the overall market and what's selling - or not selling - will be invaluable in helping you determine the price. The objective is to find a price that the market will bear but won't leave money on the table.

Here are some points to consider: Time. Time is not on your side when it comes to real estate. Although many factors influence the outcome, perhaps time is the biggest determinant in whether or not you see a profit and how much you profit. Studies show that the longer a house stays on the market, the less likely it is to sell for the original asking price. Therefore, if your goal is to make money, think about a price that will encourage buyer activity (read: fair market value).

Value vs. Cost. Pricing your home to sell in a timely fashion requires some objectivity. It's important that you not confuse value with cost - in other words, how much you value your home versus what buyers are willing to pay for it. Don't place too much emphasis on home improvements when calculating your price, because buyers may not share your taste. For instance, not everyone wants hardwood floors or granite countertops.

Keep it simple. Because time is of the essence, make it easy for the buyers. Remain flexible on when your agent can schedule showings. Also, avoid putting contingencies on the sale. Though a desirable move-in date makes for a smoother transition between homes, it could cause you to lose the sale altogether.

 

10 Questions to Ask Your Realtor about Selling a House

1. Are you a full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you worked full time in real estate? How long have you been representing buyers? What professional designations do you have?
   Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her commitment to your transaction. As with any profession, the number of years a person has been in the business does not necessarily reflect the level of service you can expect, but it is a good starting point for your discussion. The same issue can apply to professional designations.
2. Do you have a personal assistant, team or staff to handle different parts of the purchase? What are their names and how will each of them help me in my transaction? How do I communicate with them?
   It is not uncommon for agents who sell a lot of houses to hire people to work with them. As their businesses grow, they must be able to deliver the same or higher quality service to more people.
   You may want to know who on the team will take part in your transaction, and what role each person will play. You may even want to meet the other team members before you decide to work with the team. If you have a question about fees on your closing statement, who would handle that? Who will show up to your closing?
3. Do you have a Website that will list my home? Can I have your URL address? Who responds to emails and how quickly? What's your email address?
   Many buyers prefer to search online for homes because it's available 24 hours a day and can be done at home. So you want to make sure your home is listed online, either on the agent's Website or on their company's site. By searching your agent's Website you will get a clear picture of how much information is available online.
4. How will you keep in contact with me during the selling process, and how often?
   Some agents may email, fax or call you daily to tell you that visitors have toured your home, while others will keep in touch weekly. Asking this question can help you to reconcile your needs with your agent's systems.
5. What do you do that other agents don't that ensures I'm getting top dollar for my home? What is your average market time versus other agents' average market time?
   Marketing skills are learned, and sometimes a real estate professional's unique method of research and delivery make the difference between whether or not a home sells quickly. For example, an agent might research the demographics of your neighborhood and present you a target market list for direct marketing purposes.
6. Will you give me names of past clients?
   Interviewing an agent can be similar to interviewing someone to work in your office. Contacting references can be a reliable way for you to understand how he or she works, and whether or not this style is compatible with your own.
7. Do you have a performance guarantee? If I am not satisfied with your performance, can I terminate our listing agreement?
   In the heavily regulated world of real estate, it can be difficult for an agent to offer a performance guarantee. If your agent does not have a guarantee, it does not mean they are not committed to high standards. Typically, he or she will verbally outline what you can expect from their performance. Keller Williams® Realty understands the importance of win-win business relationships: the agent does not benefit if the client does not also benefit.
8. How will you get paid? How are your fees structured? May I have that in writing?
   In many areas, the seller pays all agent commissions. Sometimes, agents will have other small fees, such as administrative or special service fees, that are charged to clients, regardless of whether they are buying or selling. Be aware of the big picture before you sign any agreements. Ask for an estimate of costs from any agent you contemplate employing.
9. How would you develop pricing strategies for our home?
   Although location and condition affect the selling process, price is the primary factor in determining if a home sells quickly, or at all. Access to current property information is essential, and sometimes a pre-appraisal will help. Ask your agent how they created the market analysis, and whether your agent included For Sale by Owner homes, foreclosed homes and bank-owned sales in that list.
10. What will you do to sell my home? Who determines where and when my home is marketed/ promoted? Who pays for your advertising?
    Ask your real estate agent to present to you a clear plan of how marketing and advertising dollars will be spent. If there are other forms of marketing available but not specified in the plan ask who pays for those. Request samples or case studies of the types of marketing strategies that your agent proposes (such as Internet Websites, print magazines, open houses, and local publications).

Eight steps to selling your home Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you'd like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Work with your real estate agent to map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale. Name your price. Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house. Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers. You will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It's often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price on your home, so your real estate agent's expertise is invaluable at this step. Your agent will know what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done. This typically costs a few hundred dollars. Remember: You're always better off setting a fair market value price than setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with newer, reasonably priced listings. Prepare your home. Most of us don't keep our homes in "showroom" condition. We tend to overlook piles of boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. It's time to break out of that owner's mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. Your real estate agent can help you take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to stage it and make it more appealing to buyers. * A home with too much "personality" is harder to sell. Removing family photos, mementos and personalized décor will help buyers visualize the home as theirs. * Make minor repairs and replacements. Small defects, such as a leaky faucet, a torn screen or a worn doormat, can ruin the buyer's first impression. * Clutter is a big no-no when showing your home to potential buyers. Make sure you have removed all knick-knacks from your shelves and cleared all your bathroom and kitchen counters to make every area seem as spacious as possible. Get the word out. Now that you're ready to sell, your real estate agent will set up a marketing strategy specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including: * The Internet * Yard signs * Open houses * Media advertising * Agent-to-agent referrals * Direct mail marketing campaigns In addition to listing your home on the MLS, your agent will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to your home. Your agent should structure the marketing plan so that the first three to six weeks are the busiest. Receive an offer. When you receive a written offer from a potential buyer, your real estate agent will first find out whether or not the individual is prequalified or preapproved to buy your home. If so, then you and your agent will review the proposed contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties to execute the transaction. The contract, though not limited to this list, should include the following: * Legal description of the property * Offer price * Down payment * Financing arrangements * List of fees and who will pay them * Deposit amount * Inspection rights and possible repair allowances * Method of conveying the title and who will handle the closing * Appliances and furnishings that will stay with the home * Settlement date * Contingencies At this point, you have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counteroffer), or reject it. Remember: Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding. If you have any questions or concerns, be certain to address them with your real estate agent right away. Negotiate to sell. Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win agreement. Your real estate agent is well versed on the intricacies of the contracts used in your area and will protect your best interest throughout the bargaining. Your agent also knows what each contract clause means, what you will net from the sale and what areas are easiest to negotiate. Some negotiable items: * Price * Financing * Closing costs * Repairs * Appliances and fixtures * Landscaping * Painting * Move-in date Once both parties have agreed on the terms of the sale, your agent will prepare a contract. Prepare to close. Once you accept an offer to sell your house, you will need to make a list of all the things you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected or repaired. Your real estate agent can spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the buyer's agent and service providers. Depending on the written contract, you may pay for all, some or none of these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue. If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. You or the buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or proceed to closing. Important reminder: A few days before the closing, you will want to contact the entity that is closing the transaction and make sure the necessary documents will be ready to sign on the appropriate date. Also, begin to make arrangements for your upcoming move if you have not done so. Close the deal. "Closing" refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer. Your agent will be present during the closing to guide you through the process and make sure everything goes as planned. By being present during the closing, he or she can mediate any last-minute issues that may arise. In some states, an attorney is required and you may wish to have one present. After the closing, you should make a "to do" list for turning the property over to the new owners. Here is a checklist to get you started. * Cancel electricity, gas, lawn care, cable and other routine services. * If the new owner is retaining any of the services, change the name on the account. * Gather owner's manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances.

 

      

 

      I was in Atlanta last week for our yearly Keller Williams Convention.  It was great to be around such a great group of agents that were so up beat and realistic about our market.  We are really lucky in our Central Arkansas Housing Market.  Our sales are only down 6.3 % from 2006 -2007.  We have actually seen a rise in our average sales price of 3.16%. And our total sales Volume in Pulaski County was only down 3.39%. (2006 1.01 Billion and 2007 982.55 million)

 

Little Rock Home values have been buffered from the extreme highs and lows of other parts of the country.  We have never seen double digit appreciation so our adjustment in our market was only minimal.  Below is a copy of an email summarizing the current state of our market and how we arrived in our current situation?

 

The 10-year run-up in real estate that began in the early 1990s, led to an environment in which homes were no longer affordable, lenders were willing to take unreasonable risks and inventory rose to record levels. This chain of events led to mortgage lenders pulling back, followed by a credit squeeze, increased inventory, dropping prices, rising defaults, slipping consumer confidence and reluctant buyers.

This is so true, we have seen the national media just hammer the real estate market, but they forget not everyone lives on the East and West coast.  We are still seeing an increase in the inventory of homes for sale in our January numbers, however I really think when we close our this month we will see an adjustment...below is some Market Statistics I found interesting.   

Year                                            Homes Listed         Homes sold       30 days Sold %

Pulaski County      Jan 07                          885                     316                 36 %

Pulaski County       Jan 08                         896                      261                29%

 

Hillcrest/Heights     Jan 07                         364                        130                 36%

WLR,Maumelle

NLR,Chenal Midtown

Chenal                    Jan 08                          389                         123                32%

 

Little Rock Real Estate is seeing an increase in pending sales for the month of February.  Will that translate to higher closings?  Will the increase in FHA loan limits improve the ratio of pending to closed homes?  I think we will....IF you are thinking of buying or selling now is the time. Go to my website at http://www.kerryellison.com/  for a free report on the value of your home and homes in your area....

 

This information was derived from CARMLS and is specific to certain market areas.