We are now at the end of 2009...November and December are months that we are trying to get our last transactions taken care of. We are also trying to plan for 2010; a business plan. This plan will guide and direct which way the team will grow. This year, I know hasn't been the best for a lot of people and for some homeowners, but 2009 was a better year than this time last year. The Diva Team is anxious to see what the new year will bring. We are so glad that the 1st time home buyer's tax credit was extended and that the $6500. tax credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their home 5 out of the last 8 years; is eligible if deciding to buy a different home. Both of these will end April 30, 2010 and closing can be scheduled and completed thru July 1, 2010. Do I think this will make a difference? I do! I believe if you are not in the home that you want to be in as the rates start upward now would be the most ideal time ,the next 7 months, to buy and sell! If you have questions regarding the tax credits, please contact me. Again, 2009 has been an incredible year for my team, however, we look forward to 2010 with a lot of positive energy!
Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, The Diva Team, Reece and Nichols
Sellers if your house is not getting showings or you haven't heard from your Realtor in awhile..it may be time to communicate with your real estate expert. Find out the absorption rate in your subdivision or zipcode..to see how many homes sell each month and find out how long it will be until your home should sell. Especially if your home has sat awhile and it wasn't one of "the shiny pennies". Absorption pricing is something that I use..especially when we have a time frame to get the property sold in or if it was an expired property that I took over from another agent. Absorption pricing takes facts about your sub or zipcode and looks at the big picture/ugly picture of where you have to be on pricing to get it sold in the amount of time that you are looking at. If your listing agent doesn't use this...it may be helpful to have them find out about this. If you are looking for another agent, give The Diva Team a call to utilize this absorption pricing; it is brutally honest.It works and I would be glad to show you.
Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, The Diva Team, Reece and Nichols
The market has been slower the past couple of weeks..but I am starting to see the showings pick up on our listings in the Kansas City Area. I am finding that for the most part the sellers are listening to their agents to see what needs to be done to get it Sold!
I have my own Top 10 Reasons Why Your House May Not Be Selling!
10. Smoking in the house.
09. Animal smells that are not corrected and the glad plug ins only makes worse. (Get rid of)
08. Looking out the back door to see the train tracks.
07. The curb appeal is not great.
06. The carpet is mismatched in every room.
05. You walk into the home and feel that you are in a time machine.
04. The Seller not accomodating the buyers for showing times.
03 The basement is not finished for the price you are wanting.
02 Location, Location and Location
01 Over Priced for the Condition
Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, Reece and Nichols, The Diva Team
Have you ever listened to a speaker on a webinar that just bored you to tears? Well, I have the one for you...This speaker today took 20 minutes out of 1 hour to talk about himself. Oh, my goodness....that was just crazy.
I, being the way I am, kept typing messages to tell him to move on that time is money and where is the content that you promised to share. I know this speaker better have a "real" job....this isn't going to get him to the bank.
A lesson to learn....if you are going to speak don't talk in circles, as this man did. I didn't hear any material that I could utiize. Granted it was free through a FSBO vender who sponsors this speaker....not sure I would continue.
Sad, but I think I could produce more content than the entire 35 minutes I could stand before shutting it down....I believe from the comments, I wasn't the only one.
Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, The Diva Team Reece and Nichols
Buyers now is the time to take advantage of the low interest rates and if you are a 1st time homebuyer, get the $8000.00 tax credit before it ends on November 30, 2009. This means there are 71 days approx. to pre-qualify, find, put under contract, do inspections and close! Get your running shoes on........
I know that NAR is pushing and other groups to continue this tax credit and possibly open it up to all buyers...but face it; we don't know if that is going to happen or not! Also, the interest rates will be moving upwards, so you will qualify for less of a home.
I believe if you have any motivation to be a homeowner in the United States...this would be it....but here are a few other reasons that take on a lighter approach.
10. Tired of hearing your parents telling you that you really should Move out!(You are now 40!)
09. Tired of bringing your friends to your parent's home to get harassed with old stories about your past...
08. Tired of your parents threatening to have you pay rent...
07. Your parents borrowing money from you because you have plenty in the bank...
06. Tired of hearing the neighbors through your thin walls in your apartment...
05. Tired of not being able to own a pet; without a huge deposit...
04. Being able to paint and decorate the way that you have always wanted to....
03 Being able to stay up ALL NIGHT LONG....PLAY MUSIC AS LOUD AS YOU WANT....
02 Run around the house in the buff, just because you can....
The Number 1 Reason to be a homeowner.... Leave the toliet seat up; because you Can!
Just making light of being a 1st time homebuyer...in reality $8000.00 from the Government is huge..take it and run!
Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, Reece and Nichols, The Diva Team
Tomorrow is the anniversary of 9-11; Take a moment out of your busy schedule to pay tribute to those that lost their lives on this day; and also in the wars in Iraq/Afghanstan. I am going to take a lap around a park for this cause; this is something that our community has organized. I thought I would take a little time away from my hectic Friday schedule. A time to reflect and count my blessings; big and small. Remember, my kiddo, Jacob, has been in Iraq, guess what, last Wednesday night he called and said he was back in the states,Minnesota, heading to Alaska! Wow, I was surprised and so overjoyed for him being on American Soil. It didn't matter that I may not see him for another month or two; all that mattered is that my American Hero has made it thru another deployment; only if it's to get ready for another one. For All of Us!
So, When those darn buyers or sellers are making your day or hour, pure hell! Remember, those that have really experienced a true hell! You will learn to have patience or find humor in the situation. When the "dumba--" doesn't listen to you, and they lose the deal to another buyer. Or the seller that will not listen to the expert they hired, because they just became the authority of what you do........Take a moment and Reflect!
To all my Realtor friends....enjoy life...it is so short!
Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, The Diva Team, Reece and Nichols
Real Estate has been interesting this past week. I have seen the market improving on one hand and on the other I still see some agents allowing their buyers to still think they are going to steal non foreclosure properties away. It's very crazy and REAL!
Let's take the 1st transaction where the buyer wanted a property that was listed in the mid 230's; they settled $4000.00 from the asking; very fair for both parties! The seller was firmer than what the "old market" was suggesting. The buyer understood the value and truly loved the property. It was a shiny penny. This deal was smoothly put together!
The other transaction involves a buyer who offered $50,000 below what the sellers were asking. This house is not in distressed condition, it is not vacant, it is in a very nice neighborhood, it hasn't been on the market a long time...and guess what the comps are showing most properties are selling $5000.00 under where the current listing price is...All Comps supported this; I believe the agent should have educated the buyer more and I believe the buyer doesn't realize that the market is starting to be a more "Normal Market" for sellers and buyers.
Inventory is reducing and the pricing is staying steady in the Kansas City Areas...I believe in these 2 cases we saw what is becoming more normal in the first instance...and the 2nd one we are seeing less of; because of the education the Realtor is giving to the buyers.
I believe we will always see those "crazy deal hunters" but...Realtors try to put the facts in front of these type of buyers. See if they can really see some reason! Everyone thinks say the word Cash and they will come down 50,000; NOT!
Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, The Diva Team, Reece and Nichols
Buyers, Buyers, Buyers come out where ever you are! The $8000. tax credit is quickly going to be a faint memory. The 1st time home buyers are missing an opportunity to take advantage of this money. Do you realize that this tax credit could pay for a lot of furniture, school loans, a down payment on a car, new carpet, a fence, a trip etc.
November 30th is the last day to close on a home to be able to collect this cash from the government. Do not wait to get it under contract and expect to close within in 2 weeks; You need to be writing contracts now and thru the end of October. The contracts that are written in November are cutting it close..in case there are any inspections, financing, appraisal and other problems that come up during the home buying process.
If you know of a buyer that is just not certain about owning...please have them talk to their accountant or just run the numbers themselves..as long as you choose a home that has good resale potential so when you do sell, it will be easier to get it Sold! Don't bite off too much, make sure you are not house poor..but, instead comfortable with the monthly payment.
Grab your favorite Realtor and get out there tomorrow!
Until Next Time, Becky Alumbaugh, Reece and Nichols
Today was a very unforgettable day for my buyer. It was our 1st outing to actually look at homes together. Well, he met me at a what I will call a very undesirable house. The biggest turn off was probably the pea gravel for the flooring in the kitchen and entryway. Wow, isn't that pea gravel made for the outside of properties?
Next, our 2nd property was in another area of Kansas City....we took the interstate to get to where the property was...Well, he was following me...I was driving "My Diva Car"..when all of a sudden the semi 2 cars in front of me slammed on its brakes; Wow, all the cars went flying to get stopped without hitting one another going 65 or 70 mph; my heart dropped & I missed everyone by inches.... Oops, I forgot my "cowboy buyer" luckily he had gotten out of harms way. He had been referred to me...the previous client mentioned I was a "Hoot" never boring, very good at my job; but they had forgotten to tell him that I was a Nascar Driver........
Guess what, it wasn't the 2nd house..but I brought him to one of my own listings and He Loved It! He is writing on it! I wonder if that is just to keep his time with me to a minimum!! LOL!!
Real estate transactions happen when the seller or buyer has motivation to make the offer come together...What do I mean with this statement, let me explain. A buyer never knows what type of sellers they get on the other side of the deal until there is an offer. If the sellers are moving for a career change, job transfer, divorce, marriage, children etc. there will be more of a motivation to get the offer together. They usually have a plan that is thought out and ready to put in place. They have high motivation. Less motivated sellers are those that may just want to move...not sure where or why..so when an offer comes in and there is a gap of getting it pulled together, these less motivated sellers may be more difficult to work with to pull it together. They don't have their final destination yet and therefore, can't see the vision. It is so important for sellers to really think about their decision to move before they get that offer..they need to have a plan or direction. Also, their agent needs to prepare them for what they could be faced with in this market. Overall it should be a win win for all involved, as long as all parties are prepared and have the motivation that will make it happen. Until next time, Becky Alumbaugh, The Diva Team, Reece and Nichols
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.
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