Is the market really down..or is it that there are just overpriced homes that need work out there? 

I took my client out on showing a couple weeks ago and as i was getting ready to leave I thought I would take a quick look to see if there were any more listings that she may like...well there was a listing I pulled up..didn't know the secretary had "just put it in the MLS" until I called to set up the showing.  It was right in her price range and sounded great...newer, rehabbed property, no pictures yet, but I thought i would give it a try.

 We went through 4 others before we came to this one.  Well we came to the new listing last and the second we walked in I just knew this would be the "one".  Newer home..open vaulted ceilings, stainless appliances.  Well what else does a younger first-time buyer want?!  Well this is it!

This seller did it right!  Great work on the house, but I truly believe the thing that did it was he priced it very, very well.  He didn't get greedy, and let me tell you he could have gotten more for this home!  I told my buyer if she waited to make a decision that house would be gone within the day, so we went back to my office and wrote the offer.  I absolutely loved the selling agent as well.  I had worked with her before and she is a definate straight shooter...no games, no hassle, and up front honesty!  I just love working with agents that are like that..everything just goes so smoothly!

Anyway, the moral of the story?.....Buyers are coming out and if your house is priced right and shows great you just may get that lucky 3 hours to sold story as well!

Was rented for $750 a month...3 bedrooms 2 baths.  Updated kitchen and bathrooms.

MLS# 43301  Only $43,000. Dues $140 month. 

Listed with Whitehead Inc. Realtors

I had a closing last Friday and it was a dandy to say the least.  It was a short sale.  I don't run from these, actually I kind of like the challenge sometimes.  Anyway, got the offer the beginning of Feb and sent it in right away, the WHOLE package that is required, even though the lender had most of the info already due to a past offer that another buyer had walked on us from.  I started making my calls....leaving messages..asking questions...getting nowhere.  This was a GREAT offer, GREAT buyer as well so it was a bit frust

rating to say the least...I did not want to loose this buyer too!

Fast-forward a month...it is the beginning of March now and the buyer is getting antsy and getting ready to walk..she does extend the offer another couple weeks but will walk if we don't hear something soon. Find out my negotiator has been out over a week due to a death in the family..apparently they don't assign a new person to anyone's files when this happens....

Fast forward another week...still making daily calls and leaving messages..finally get to speak with a supervisor and she looked at it and within 24 hours I had my approval!  Now, tell me how this happens?  Why all these weeks go by with NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH, no answers to my calls and then BAM I can get an approval within 24 hours?!  I am not complaining here..well maybe a little..I understand these lenders are inundated with these offers and are understaffed, so I don't want to be in their shoes either...but just a call...or email...or some sort of sign that they even got the offer and it is in the right persons hand, would be great! 

How have your short sales been going?.........

PS:  don't get me started on our compensation either............

Now I remember why I got into the business..I love helping people!  I have been wondering lately why I am doing this...with things being slower than usual.  It has been a little disheartning to say the least. 

Anyway, today I took out a new client to see some condos and it was fun.  This lady was so upbeat and excited to look at condos and start out on her own, it made me remember what a great business this really is and how exciting it can be from getting to know my clients to them possibly becoming a friend.  I love how I am helping people with a very big decision!   I guess sometimes we have to remember the good times to get us through the not so good times!

I started working with a young couple that is moving back home from out of state, and they to were so excited about coming home and finding a new place and it was just so great to start working with someone that was excited about buying and not afraid of what the economy was doing or what is going to happen in the future....they just wanted a place to call home..they both had jobs to come back to...which they could be thankful for...but they aren't worried about "overpaying" for the house because it might go down in value...they are relying on me to make sure it is priced right and to look at what our local market is doing.  It was just so wonderful to feel needed I suppose..to work with clients that actually felt you know how to do your job and relied on that knowledge!

Anyway....I also got a call from another potential buyer and a past client that needs to list their house...so yeah...I had a GREAT day today!  I think things are looking up.

The ADDI Program provides six percent (6%) of the purchase price to be used as downpayment and/or closing cost assistance. The funding is provided as a five (5) year forgivable mortgage loan.  As long as the loan terms are met, no payments are required.

• Applicant must be a first-time homebuyer i.e. an individual and his or her spouse who have not owned a home during the three-year period prior to the purchase of a home with ADDI assistance.

Exceptions made for "displaced homemakers" as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The property must become the principal residence of the applicant.

• The applicant's household income (income of everyone over the age of 18) projected over the next year, must be at least $14,250 and must not exceed eighty percent (80%) of median income, as defined by HUD and subject to change annually. (See Projected Income Inclusions/Exclusions) 80% of Median income:

• The applicant must complete homebuyer's training offered through Rockford Area Affordable Housing Coalition (RAAHC) or complete the Rockford Housing Authority's Buying a Home Workshop prior to purchasing a property. For the purpose of the City programs, a Certificate expires 3 years from the date on the Certificate.

• The property must be located within the area bounded by Central Avenue on the west, Riverside on The north, the Rock River on the east, and Whitman/School Street on the south, and located in the City of Rockford. (See map & address ranges)

For more information on this and other city prgrams please feel free to contact me!

Updated ranch,  New electrical, plumbing, Furnace/AC in 2005, H2O heater in 2004.  New kitchen cabinets, updated bathroom.  New roof on garage.  New windows, siding & gutters.

Harlem School Dist.  Great location.  see more info at www.whiteheadweb.com/mhaun

Nice Tri-level located in Rockton,  IL.  Listed for 152,900.  Features

• 3 bedrooms
• 1.5 baths
• 3 season porch
• Big Living room
• Big Family Room
• Huge fenced-in backyard
• Shed
• Garden
• Hardwood floors in Bedrooms (and under carpet in LR, condition unknown)
• Eat-in kitchen w/ oak cabinets
• 1/2 acre lot located in small country subdivision

Until the market gets better to sell!  I was talking with a woman the other day at a party and of course she asked me how I thought the market was.  I told her for me it was going well.  This summer has been fantastic and will, cross-my-fingers, keep going!  I explained to her that homes are selling, especially the ones that are priced right and in great condition, as well as the cheap investment properties!  I had a listing sell in less than 30 days because of location and condition, it was a bit on the high end on price but he didn't loose too much on what he wanted!

She was concerned that a home on her street recently sold as a foreclosure would bring the value of hers down dramatically.  She proceeded to tell me everything they have done to the home in the past few years and was worried she would not get that back, with the way the "market is" today!  I asked her where her home was located and she told me it was in a local town that gets quite the traffic when a home is listed, so as I had told her before, with the condition her home is in she wouldn't have any problems.  I asked her what she thought her home was worth, and after she told me what she thought, I really reassured her she would have no problems as long as the condition was as good as she says it was.

I know in every market location, price, and condition have always played a role in a home selling, and in our market today you can bet yours will sell quickly if all of these are together in a nice selling package! 

We agents have heard the stories of agents getting robbed, beaten, and even worse raped or murdered.  So why is it some of us still go out alone?  Are we too trusting and let our gaurd down because it hasn't happened close to home?  I have done this many times but have now chosen to start meeting with them at the office if they call me out of the blue on one of my listings, either on my cell phone or on a floor call.  Not only for my personal safety, but to really sit and get to know this person I could potentially sell a house to.  I think this will also help build rapport and save the trouble of finding they are working with a couple other agents!

At many of our office meetings our broker managers always press the issue of meeting someone you don't know at the office first!  Not only as a precaution, but it will give you a chance to actually talk with the person or persons and really get to know them and what they are looking for.

So as a buyer don't be irritated with an agent that wants to meet you at their office first.  We want to understand your needs and wants better and what better way to do that then to sit and chat with us.  This way even helps you on whether or not the agent you are meeting with really is the right "fit" for you.  Personalities do clash and this is one way to find out early and not waste any of your time working with someone you are not comfortable with!

Our wonderful city of Rockford has been plagued by this crazy. cold winter and our roads are sure showing the damage.  If you see or "hit" any areas that haven't been repaired yet you can call 964-4653 or make a request online at ci.rockford.il.us.