remax boone realty: 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)

remax boone realty: Question about Florida Law or Tradition - 05/08/08 05:34 PM
Can a buyer write an offer contigent on the sale of another home?  Is this customary or rare?
 
In the State of Missouri we actually have an addendum you can check that states the contract is contingent on the sale of a home or the closing of a home already under contract.  The contingent sale on a home can be subject to a 24, 48 or 72 hours kickout where another buyer writes and offer and the first buyer must decide in that time frame to let the home go or waive the contingency.
 
I realize that this doesn't make for an … (1 comments)

remax boone realty: 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)

remax boone realty: 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)

remax boone realty: 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)

remax boone realty: 134,900 in SW 3 bed, 2.5 baths - 01/06/08 11:19 AM
 
 
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
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remax boone realty: 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.
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remax boone realty: 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)

remax boone realty: 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)

remax boone realty: Break down of market conditions - 11/07/07 05:26 PM
As mentioned in a previous blog I thought I would break down a few numbers. So here you go:
 
IN the 350-400,000 price range
Sales are down 22.4%  (BAD)
New listings are also down 30% (good less competition coming on the market)
Days on the Market down 40% (good what is there is staying on the market less time) =   102 days
On the other end of the scale:  In the 150-200,000 price range in the Columbia School District
Sales are down 15.64% (Bad)
New lisings are also down, but only by 4.26% (bad when compared with the amount that sales are down). 
Days on the Market is also down 8% … (0 comments)

remax boone realty: Market Conditions Columbia MO - 11/04/07 03:16 PM
Thought I would share some market research with you.
In the Columbia MLS which includes towns such as Ashland, Fulton, Harrisburg, etc the number of months of inventory we have for residental property currently stands at: 9.53 months of inventory.  A balanced market is 6 months
In the Columbia School District (Columbia is reaching 100,000 pop) it is 9.51 not much difference.  Interesting item though:  IN August we only had a 3.37 month of inventory indicating a seller's market.  In fact, since Nov. 2005 September 2007 is the first month we have actually gone over 6 months of inventory in the residental market … (0 comments)

remax boone realty: Great Client Experience - 11/04/07 02:53 PM
I just have to write about this amazing experience.  I obtained my license in late 2005 in April 2006 I met some clients from Alaska who wanted to relocate.  They found a home, closed and decided not to relocate.  They decided to rent the home out, which I took care of and managed for them. 
This year they decided they wanted to relocate and purchase a business in the area.  We will close on that in January, in the meantime they decided they wanted to purchase an additional home to live in, since the first was rented out.  (Yes that is … (0 comments)

remax boone realty: Holidays are coming - 10/30/07 05:28 PM
What a great time to sell a home.  Get in before the holidays, perhaps get a great tax break on costs, etc.  But for us agents, you should eveluate paying $500.00 to decorate a house and get a 10,000 commission.  I've been staging a home this evening and expect it to pay off big time.  I will certainly post some pictures of it and let you all know how it goes.  Let me know how your's goes. … (0 comments)

remax boone realty: Hype verses localism - 10/24/07 04:45 PM
As we all know, real estate is local.  I know the Columbia, MO market.  It is not nearly as desperate at the "national media" would make it to be or as desperate as the "Califorinia or Arizona" market appears to us to be. 
What has been your experience?  Last year our broker had a Holiday Home tour to hype that this is the perfect time to sell.  About 5% of the home that were on tour that weeked sold as a direct result of the touir. 
 
Next weekend we will be having another home tour.  Seems to bring the lookers out.  … (0 comments)

remax boone realty: Just don't get it - 10/24/07 03:53 PM
I just don't get it. We have more than 600 + realtors in town.  I know many of you have thousands of more, but in a town when three or four years ago we only had 300 + that is amazing.  I can't tell you the number of people who have "ethical" issues so I sort of feel that I have a calling even though I didn't know it when I entered this industry.
A recent ethical delima came up with bonuses offered to agents.  In the state of Missouri, you enter into a buyers agency for a certain percentage.  That document … (9 comments)

remax boone realty: What to look for in a Realtor? - 10/24/07 03:28 PM
Do you realize you have a choice?
You may think the first person you talk to you are obligated to but not so.  Especially in this market.  If you are a buyer, find a realtor who is going to look after your best interests.  One who is willing to input the time.  Maybe you are ready in a month, perhaps not for six months.  You need to find one who is familar with the market, is honed in on what your needs are and is respectful of what your price range is.  Most importantly one you "gel" witrh.
If you are a seller.... … (0 comments)

remax boone realty: Tons of Space Not Tons of Money - 10/22/07 05:15 PM
Only 199,900
Looking for a great value on a 3 car garage with 4 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, and walk-in closets? Then come see 5109 Melissa.  This full two story home on a walk-out basement is only 2 years old and is sure to please.  In addition to the tons of space, you are sure to enjoy barbeques on your deck backing to a partially wooded lot.  Call April at 424-2512 for your private tour today or visit her website at http://www.aprilbringsuhome.com/ to view a virtual tour and other listings.
 
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remax boone realty: Elementary School in Columbia - 10/15/07 06:17 PM
The new elementary school at Waco Road is planned to be opened for Fall 2009 school session.  They currently plan to house 525 students.  Of course, this means school boundaries will need to be redrawn again.
This happened five years ago with the opening of Paxton Keeley.  Sometimes the redistricting doesn't make sense to some parents.  I remember when they redistricted for Paxton Keeley.  We had been in Fairview, we were around the corner from Mill Creek but were redistricted into Paxton Keeley.  The furthest elementary school from our home.  Doesn't make much sense right?  I'm currently in Parkade and don't expect … (0 comments)

remax boone realty: For the first time home buyer -- How does the process work anyway? - 10/02/07 02:38 PM
Buying a home can be a delightful yet stressful situation.  However, the first-time home buyer has the fear of the unknown.  You may have questions about how the whole process works?  How do you make an offer?  What happens if it is accepted, countered or rejected?  Do you have to pay an agent?  What sort of expenses can you expect to incur?
You may have started your search on the Internet.  80% of home buyers start their search on the internet.  Once you contact an agent to discuss looking for home, they will should speak with you about two things:
In Missouri they are … (1 comments)

remax boone realty: Affordable Luxury close to MU - 09/29/07 07:07 PM
 
 
When you build a Riley home you know that it is quality through and throuh.  This is quality new construction complete with hand scraped wood-plank cherry floors, tile, gigantic gourmet kitchen with Bosch gas range, over-sized refrigerator, stone fireplace in living room to ceiling, large master suite with separate zen pebble tile shower with massaging jets, oversized jetted tub. Garage is over-sized 2-car with 9' carriage doors.  Extra storage is available off the bonus room.  Enjoy entertaining on the deck with built-in gas grill.  This home has all the bells and wistles.  Visit www.aprilbringsuhome.com for more details.
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April Ferrao

Columbia, MO

More about me…

Re/Max Boone Realty

Address: 33 E Broadway, Ste 200, Columbia, MO, 65203

Office: (573) 256-3148

Mobile: (573) 424-2512

Blog mostly about real estate conditions and other topics related to Columbia, MO. Posted by Re/Max Boone Realty Agent


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