april ferrao: State of the Columbia Housing Market
- 10/10/08 06:28 AM
I went to a great presentation this week given by Jeff McClellan of First National Bank here in Columbia, MO. He spoke a great deal regarding the national economy and the Columbia economy. As we know, the national news media reports about how terrible and devestating the real estate market it and that it has been the downfall of the financial markets. What we do know is that real estate is local, so yes, there are areas of this country that have been very very hard hit by the devaluation of homes and increased foreclosure rates.
So what is going … (0 comments)
april ferrao: What finding the right home is all about
- 05/08/08 01:02 AM
I've been thinking about this all night and I guess it has woken me up and I can't sleep. Tommorrow morning I close on a deal to help a man restart his life.
A couple of months ago I was contacted by this man who told me he had $20,000 and wanted to buy a house. I thought "Great, this will be hard and will probably go nowhere" This man rents a room out of house, shares a phone with others, has no car, no computer and has to call me at appointed times. So every few days he would call to … (7 comments)
april ferrao: A Happy end to a rough week
- 05/02/08 02:59 PM
I started the week writing an offer on a home that my buyers have been eyeing for months. It's been on the market for A YEAR! Who knew apparently several other people have been eyeing it as well and lo and behold another offer came in 'slightly' cleaner than ours. No counters nothing, Sellers took the other offer. We wrote or attempted to write 3 more offers this week, either losing them to buyers removing contengecis, not coming together on the deal, or the other one that was the best, and offer being accepted by the seller 5 minutes after we … (0 comments)
april ferrao: Property Tax Increase propsal in Columbia MO
- 03/24/08 02:18 PM
I, like everyone this year, am closely watching my budget, both professionally and personally. There are many items on our ballot up for Election by the public on the April 8th ballot, among those are school board members and various wards will be electing many new city council members. However, the item that is most important to me is the vote on the property tax increase for the public schools operating budget.
Financial constraints on the operating budget have compelled the school district to ask for a property tax increase. Basically they need to make up 10 million dollars. In order to … (1 comments)
april ferrao: 2008 off to a great start
- 01/10/08 03:23 PM
If the activity I've seen in the first 10 days of 2008 is any indication I think we are off to a strong year. I've had multiple showings on listing that I have, I've gotten several internet leads -- One on New Years Day! I've got several clients tooling around my website saving their favorite listings. It appears people are looking again and hopefully with interest rates in the low 6 high 5's they will be ready to jump off the fence that found so comfortable sitting on last year.
I've talked to other agents and they are equally busy showing … (3 comments)
april ferrao: Marketing it Right
- 01/09/08 04:25 PM
Here is a story about marketing. I've had a listing for about 11 weeks. In our market, as many of yours showing most likely slow down between Thanksgiving and New Years. So for about 1/2 the listing time right? This home was on the market before. During the "HEIGHT" of the season, SUMMER.
I listed it in Oct. and promptly put out flyers, notified our agents, placed in on REALTOR.COM, advertised in the REAL ESTATE BOOK, and placed it on multiple local sites and let the agents know about it again.
I have not had an offer yet, however, I have had … (4 comments)
april ferrao: CC City Broiler - THE PLACE TO EAT
- 01/09/08 03:50 PM
I know most that read this won't care too much about Columbia, MO, however, I just had the BEST meal of my life. I lived in the Chicago area for many year as a newlywed. My husband and I sampled various places and I must say this is BEST MEAL I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE CC City Broiler on Forum in Columbia, MO. It was an excellent meal in a quick time frame. We were in an out in one hour and 15 minutes. I had the filet which was pheonomenoal! If you are in Columbia, or from Columbia you must … (0 comments)
Remodeled within last 2 years this walk-out ranch is magnificent! Incredible Kitchen -- custom wood cabinets, tile counters, and tile backsplash. All appliances, washer/dryer convey, Large master suite features walk-in closets plus master bath with stand alone shower, jetted tub and partially tiled walls. Completely fenced backyard, tiered planting garden and large deck are waiting for your Spring enjoyment. The 3 bed, 2.5 bath home is located in SW at a very affordable price of only $134,900. April Ferrao - 424-2512 … (0 comments)
april ferrao: Columbia Market Report
- 12/15/07 02:31 AM
Last week I attended our Board of Realtors Installation and Awards Ceremony. At this ceremony I also learned from our CEO that Residental homes sales for the Columbia, MO market is only down 150 units as of Dec 7th. When you think about hard hit they say the market is I just don't feel that 150 units is that significant. We've had nearly 2500 residental sales this year and a total of over 3200 total properties have sold. This is actually up 100 properties from last year. So the market in Columbia remains stable and the low interest rates in the upper … (0 comments)
april ferrao: Video Listings
- 12/06/07 08:30 AM
I have an amazing home co-listed with my business partner. She does such a great job with public speaking that we thought it would be a great idea to do a video tour of one of our listings. A few weeks ago I blogged about decorating this particular home. We purchased some items, borrowed some items and we and the builder spent the evening decorating this home. So please check it out and let us know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN3L_pEMtmY
… (2 comments)
april ferrao: Video Listings
- 12/06/07 08:29 AM
I have an amazing home co-listed with my business partner. She does such a great job with public speaking that we thought it would be a great idea to do a video tour of one of our listings. A few weeks ago I blogged about decorating this particular home. We purchased some items, borrowed some items and we and the builder spent the evening decorating this home. So please check it out and let us know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN3L_pEMtmY
… (0 comments)
april ferrao: Video Listings
- 12/06/07 08:29 AM
I have an amazing home co-listed with my business partner. She does such a great job with public speaking that we thought it would be a great idea to do a video tour of one of our listings. A few weeks ago I blogged about decorating this particular home. We purchased some items, borrowed some items and we and the builder spent the evening decorating this home. So please check it out and let us know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN3L_pEMtmY
… (1 comments)
april ferrao: Re/Max on History Channel
- 12/01/07 04:39 PM
For those interested at 7:00 AM Central time Sunday Dec 2 there will be a 1/2 program with an interview with Dave Liniger about the start up of Re/Max. The program will air on the History Channel on the program entitled History's Business. If you can't catch it then or tape it check out the History Channel website for additional showings of the program. … (4 comments)
april ferrao: E-Neighborhoods Experience
- 12/01/07 04:35 PM
Is anyone using E-Neighborhoods. I recently signed up for a trial and tried to start using it. When I tried to do the MLS connect it tried to connect to the MLS system we stopped using last fall. I'm thinking that's a bad sign that this is a program that doesn't work that well in my area. I've contacted them, but no reply yet. Let me know your thoughts on this program.
Thanks
… (0 comments)
april ferrao: mortgage Rates
- 11/19/07 05:33 PM
What are people hearing about mortage rate? Here is what I heard: Right now, we are seeing 30 year mortgage rates at 6.25% and a 15 year rates at 5.875%. Be watching out going forward though, Fannie Mae is implementing price adjustments for lower credit scores. Those will be going into effect on all mortgages delivered after March 31, 2008.
Sell or Lock those homes fast. I don't think buyers know right now how good they could have it. Education is the key. … (0 comments)
april ferrao: Update from NAR - Thursday -- Hispanic Markets
- 11/15/07 03:19 PM
Today's favorite speaker was Brenda who spoke about the Hispanic Market. Do you know that 40% of baby boomers are in the Hispanic Segment. That is HUGE! Do you need to speak Spanish or be of Hispanic origin to target this segment? NO! provide them with what they want and need and they will be your clients for LIFE. Better yet, they will refer their friends to you! An overview in General. Those people age 30-87 want information provided to them. The older crowd need you to walk (talk) them through the information, the mid set want you to provide them with paperwork … (2 comments)
april ferrao: Update from NAR
- 11/14/07 07:16 PM
NAR is Great. Went to the Expo opening last night. Too little time, too much to see and do. I've been 2 more times and still haven't seen everything I want to get to. My only complaint is that the expo is only open during the same times as the classes so today closed at 4 and tomorrow at 5. Way Way to early since there are also so many great classes and speakers to go to. It's hard to decide what to do. Went to the General Session this afternoon. The first hour was okay. Of course, it was great … (4 comments)
april ferrao: NAR Update
- 11/13/07 05:33 PM
This is Great! Everyone should come. There are some sessions that I have been to that seem like a repeat. However, th others more than make up for it, plus the Expo is great!
I've learned about streamlining my advertising to those who actually want to recieve my adverstiing. This is great, This is what the consumer wants.
I'll write more tommorrow. … (4 comments)
april ferrao: New Columbia Mo High School
- 11/13/07 05:22 PM
Just announced today.... The new high school for Columbia, MO will be located on St. Charles Road. This is north of I-70 and East of 63. No one can know at this point what subdivisions will be includeded but to give you a perspective of what is near by: Lake of the Woods, Watersege, Deer Ridge, Maryland Heights, Wyatt Lan Acres, Breezewood Estates, Meadowlands, Thessilia, Garden Park, most likely anything east of 63 but of course not an absoloute. … (0 comments)
april ferrao: NAR
- 11/07/07 05:33 PM
Off to National Association of Realtors convention next week in Sin City (Las Vegas). Not only is the location great, but the learning opportunities will be phenominal. I think this is a very important event that anyone who is serious about this chosen profession should attend. I've worked in various aspects for the last 23 years, but always held to the belief that you have to have a passion for what you do and do what you do the best possible regardless of what the payment is.
I'm serious about this and just eat up everything related to Real Estate. I'll … (2 comments)
I went to a great presentation this week given by Jeff McClellan of First National Bank here in Columbia, MO. He spoke a great deal regarding the national economy and the Columbia economy. As we know, the national news media reports about how terrible and devestating the real estate market it and that it has been the downfall of the financial markets. What we do know is that real estate is local, so yes, there are areas of this country that have been very very hard hit by the devaluation of homes and increased foreclosure rates. ;)
;)
