Whether you are a Seller or a Buyer, in the current market, you need a Realtor who can be a chameleon.
There is a significant difference between the selling habits, buying habits, communication methods and styles, wants and needs, etc. of the different age groups who are buying and selling real estate. And, often, a transaction involves a Seller and a Buyer from different generations.
There is a major difference between Gen Y (also referred to as the "Millennials"), Gen X, Baby Boomers and seniors (some of whom are referred to as the "Greatest Generation").
For a Realtor to be "full service," he/she needs to incorporate a variety of the high tech & low tech methods in his/her business arsenal. This means your Realtor needs to employ interactive Web sites, blogging, listing syndication, text messaging, e-mail (with and without scanned documents), voicemail, faxing, overnight mail, snail mail, personal delivery, dealing with relatives from multiple generations, and availability 7 days a week.
We are all fortunate to live in such a beautiful City!
Yes, we must dodge the orange barrels. However, that means our City is constantly updated & maintained. This is important for market values of our real estate.
This is a great time to buy or sell residential real estate. The City is in full bloom & the weather is great. But, more importantly, interest rates continue at historical lows & market values for homes seem to be stabilizing.
Wish you could invest in real estate now, while the market is hot with many properties at all time lows? But, maybe you think you don't have enough cash available.
Think again, if you have retirement money invested in IRAs.
The IRS has rules & regulations that provide for investment in real estate through self-directed IRAs. You can invest in a house, duplex, apartment building, etc., depending on the amount of your investment moneys.
You will need a financial advisor, who has the training, credentials, and licensing to enable him/her to make sure your investment complies with all of the applicable IRS rules & regulations.
You will also need a Realtor® to assist you in identifying properties you may want to purchase; and, who is willing to work with your financial advisor as well.
The Senate and House continue to work on the economic stimulus plan that includes action to support the housing market. There is a critical need for a resolution of the housing crisis as a main priority for the Country's recovery from the U.S. economic recession.
For Buyers, there is plenty of mortgage money available, both FHA & conventional. Rates have increased somewhat. However, housing prices remain low. There are reports that Ohio housing prices may have hit their lowest point in 2009 & may begin to rise in 2010. So, 2009 continues to be a wonderful time to buy, especially for first time home buyers.
For Buyers who do not have the down payment required by lenders, there is positive information that some of the non-profit organizations who have helped first-time home buyers with down payment moneys may receive funding for that assistance again this year. Stay tuned for further information as it becomes available.
For Sellers, homes will sell when they are priced to sell relative to each given home's condition, location, competitive homes on the market & comparative home sales in the last 3 months. Remember that the appraisal by the Buyer's lender determines the Lending Value, which is the Market Price for a given transaction. Sellers need to be prepared to sign an Amendment to the Purchase Agreement to adjust the original Purchase Price to the Market Price as determined by the lenders' appraisals, if the Sellers want the sale to proceed. Realistic list prices at the time of listing & purchase prices when a Purchase Contract is signed will help avoid lender appraisal surprises.
After living in Westlake for 25 years, we, along with fellow Westlake residents, have reason to celebrate this holiday season. After decades of planning, the major link between I-90 and I-480 is complete.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on 12/18/08. It opened for regular traffic the same day. TEAM PRIBISKO tried the commute from I-90 to I-480 that day. Then, we tried the route all the way to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. It was fantastic! (Be sure to watch your speed. The speed limit is 35 and the police are already handing out tickets.)
This event will have a significant, positive effect on Westlake.
Westlake is already a destination city for buyers looking for an upscale community that "has it all." However, more buyers looking for an easy commute from home to work can consider Westlake, wherever they are employed. We now have direct access to all major arteries: I-90, I-80 (the Ohio Turnpike), Ohio Route 2 and I-480, making it easy to travel North, South, East and West. (And, as stated above, the tirip to and from Hopkins Airport is fantastic.)
The other positives include neighborhoods with side streets that have been used as short cuts for traveling between I-90 and I-480, which should return to controlled traffic. And, Westlake retail stores, restaurants, service providers, etc. should see increased business from the direct link to and from I-480.
After living in Westlake for 25 years, we, along with fellow Westlake residents, have reason to celebrate this holiday season. After decades of planning, the major link between I-90 and I-480 is complete.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Crocker-Sterns extension is set to occur on 12/18/08. It opens for regular traffic the same day.
This event will have a significant, positive effect on Westlake.
Westlake is already a destination city for buyers looking for an upscale community that "has it all." However, more buyers looking for an easy commute from home to work can consider Westlake, wherever they are employed. We will now have direct access to all major arteries: I-90, I-80 (the Ohio Turnpike), Ohio Route 2 and I-480, making it easy to travel North, South, East and West. And, the trip to and from Hopkins Airport will be great.
The other positives include neighborhoods with side streets that have been used as short cuts for traveling between I-90 and I-480, which should return to controlled traffic. And, Westlake retail stores, restaurants, service providers, etc. should see increased business from the direct link to and from I-480.
The turbulent financial markets around the world and in the United States have affected the real estate market at the local level. Buyers and Sellers are concerned about the effect the financial markets will have on the market price of homes for Sellers and the availability of reasonal credit terms and interest rates for Buyers. No one has a crystal ball; but, the fact remains that homes will continue to be purchased and sold. Sellers will see lower market prices for their homes, but Sellers will, likewise, obtain their next homes at a lower purchase price. Buyers are still in a Buyers' Market, so there are a number of homes to choose from at each price point and "more home for your money". Buyers, however, need to be prepared for stricter mortgage loan guidelines, when applying for a loan pre-approval and for loan applications. And, more Buyers will qualify for FHA loans, since FHA mortgage loan limits have been raised.
As residents of Westlake (in Settlers Reserve) since 1983, TEAM PRIBISKO has a unique perspective in and knowledge of your neighborhood.
The Estates of Westlake is a prestigious, upscale neighborhood with stately homes. It is one of the most desired neighborhoods in suburban Cleveland, because of the quality of the homes (both in terms of construction and fine appointments); the ample size of the homes, with varied styles; the attractive, well-kept landscaping and yards; and common areas that include the community tennis courts and pool.
A wonderful feature of The Estates of Westlake is its location within Westlake, somewhat secluded, yet close to all of Westlake's amenities. A resident of your neighborhood is approximately one to two miles from everything -- Crocker Park, The Promenade, restaurants of all kinds, a variety of shopping establishments, entertainment and recreation venues, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Westlake campus, West Shore Hospital, Westlake schools, pre-school and day care centers, beautiful parks, private and public fitness facilities, private and public golf courses, the opportunity to join or coach sports teams for various age groups, etc. (The Westlake Recreation Center Campus is within walking distance.)
The Estates of Westlake provides a sense of warmth and safety. When walking past the stately homes, one quickly gets a sense of community, with residents waving, smiling and saying hello.
A resident of The Estates of Westlake has a commute of approximately 20 minutes to downtown Cleveland and Cleveland Hopkins Airport, as well. There is quick access to I-90 and the Ohio Turnpike. And, the completion of the Crocker/Stearns extension to I-480 is slated for late 2009, which will provide easy access to I-480.
As residents since 1983, TEAM PRIBISKO has a unique perspective in and knowledge of our neighborhood, Settlers Reserve
Settlers Reserve was one of the first upscale neighborhoods in Westlake. It remains one of the most desired neighborhoods, as there are a variety of home designs and sizes, with mature trees and well kept yards, and it is affordable.
One of the best features of Settlers Reserve is its location within Westlake. A resident of our neighborhood is approximately one to two miles from everything -- Crocker Park, The Promenade, restaurants of all kinds, shopping of all kinds, entertainment of various types, the Recreation Center, pharmacies, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Westlake campus, West Shore Hospital, Westlake schools, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, day care centers, beautiful parks, private and public fitness facilities, private and public golf courses, the opportunity to join or coach sports teams for various age groups, etc.
A resident of Settlers Reserve has a commute of approximately 20 minutes to downtown Cleveland and Cleveland Hopkins Airport, as well. There is quick access to I-90 and the Ohio Turnpike. And, the completion of the Crocker/Stearns extension to I-480 is slated for late 2009, which will provide easy access to I-480.
Settlers Reserve has a great diversity of age groups: senior citizens; empty nesters; families with teenagers, grade schoolers, or pre-school/day care age groups; and families without children. This age diversity provides the opportunity for friends, no matter what stage of life one is in. There is definitely a sense of community spirit.
When walking in our neighborhood, one quickly gets a sense of community, with residents waving, smiling and saying hello. Settlers Reserve provides a sense of warmth and safety. It is common for one to see people taking walks late in the evening and running in the early morning hours.
Many residents have finished lower levels in and /or built additions to their homes, rather than leave our neighborhood. Your neighborhood experts have done both. We have a larger living area for our family without leaving the neighborhood we love. We would not consider leaving. Settlers Reserve is the best location in Westlake!!
OPEN HOUSES ARE IMPORTANT FOR SELLERS IN A BUYERS' MARKET
Realtors® used to quote the accepted statistic that only two percent (2%) of homes sell from Open Houses. The thought was that Realtors® used Open Houses to find new Buyer clients to sell other homes on the market.
Flash forward to the Buyers' Market we are in today.... We have a glut of homes for sale on the market. Buyers are like "kids in a candy store" looking at as many homes as they can, both by themselves at Open Houses and with Realtors®. Sellers need to have their homes "stand out from the crowd." One important way to do this is for Sellers to ask their Listing Realtors® to hold Open Houses. Some Buyers won't contact their Realtors® to view a home until they have previewed it at an Open House. As Buyers' Agents, we encourage our Buyers to view as many Open Houses as they can when we aren't with them.
Fact is, in a Buyers' Market, Sellers need to use every avenue possible to reach Buyers. Open Houses have become an important tool in each Seller's Marketing Plan.
Adivice for Home Sellers. Advice for Home Buyers. Advice for First Time Home Buyers. Market Condition Information. Home Staging Information. Listing Information. Home Financing Information.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
As residents of Westlake (in Settlers Reserve) since 1983, TEAM PRIBISKO has a unique perspective in and knowledge of your neighborhood. 
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