With the economy in the state it's in and home prices plunging throughout the United States, many more people have found that the equity in their home no longer exists. Without that equity, some lenders will not allow you to refinance. Job losses continue to be in the news and with that, people are finding it hard to stay up to date on their mortgage. The loan modification program didn't turn out how it was designed to work and now people are running out of options. There are rumors of another big wave of foreclosures will hit our (6 comments)
how much is my home worth: San Antonio real estate and what our market means to you
- 07/26/09 03:37 PM
Ah, the news is the news and it will never change. The news is designed to tell you how and what things are happening in our good ole USA. Now I know you all hear about how the housing market is "rock bottom" with no signs of recovering, but guess what.... San Antonio's median prices rose! Imagine that! Those that live here know, San Antonio is the big city with a small time feel, what that means is, things move steady, no spurts, no dramatic changes. And we love it! For sellers it means, the equity in your home is (4 comments)
how much is my home worth: When is the good time to buy, are we near the bottom?
- 06/06/09 01:33 PM
Hello all! I have a lot of buyers shopping around. They hear the news that we are in a buyer's market, hows are just being given away!. Excitement takes over, but...... buyers are still on the fence. Why? Because when a good thing comes, sometimes it seems too good to be true, or maybe, and just maybe... if we wait a little longer, the market will drop just that much more. Realistic? No. No? Yes, no! What you have to realize, you, as a buyer or seller, or investor is, you won't know the bottom until it bottom out and starts (4 comments)
how much is my home worth: Sellers, Prep to sell in any market!
- 04/05/09 03:24 PM
Spring is in the air; that means changes are coming. As a home seller what steps do you have in place to get your home sold. 90 days are the norm here in San Antonio right now to find the buyer that wants your home. Are you taking the steps to make your home that buyers dream?
Let's start our checklist to make your home the one to choose when your selling.
A Good First Impression Can Help Sell Your Home! Your major role as a seller will be to make your home as attractive as possible to potential (6 comments)
how much is my home worth: Houses are still selling, are you still selling?
- 03/17/09 03:45 PM
We all hear, this a "buyers market" but guess what? Without sellers we won't have a buyer's market. A lot of people are scared to sell their homes because of all the "foreclosures" swarming the market places. At the end of the day, consumers still need to sell and relocate. Your home will still sell, just not at the price you would have gotten a few years back. The remedy is, consult a Realtor, groom your house for the market, and price it right. Now is the time to take advantage of a buyer's market.
What you don't (9 comments)
how much is my home worth: An offer, or a chess game
- 03/17/09 02:46 PM
At times, as a listing agent, you experience the offer, counter offer, the counter offer, etc.. game. Just be patient and let them duel it out.
As a Realtor in the negotiations, your job is to advise and keep the sellers net sheets handy!! During a buyers market, you as the sellers agent, have to be empathetic to your sellers and any low ball offers they receive. A lowball offer with the right advise and negotiations can turn into a deal, if you work it. Always remind your sellers, this is the time to counter with what you will (3 comments)
how much is my home worth: To sell a home, a home in any market.. Can I sell a home in this market???
- 02/26/09 03:13 PM
Ask any Realtor, no matter where you are, there are two reason a home doesn't sell; Price and condition..... that's the advice of the past, but they will tell you, now there's another. Marketing! With the age of the internet and the amount of buyers going to the web first; the thrid reason is now a factor. If your home is not in the condition it should be, it will not sell; only contingent on if you don't price it accordingly; with a follow up contingent on, if your home is not seen, it won't sell! Now with all the Internet sights (24 comments)
how much is my home worth: The reccession has hit; even the referral fees!
- 01/08/09 02:41 PM
Wow, I love to go through the web to increase my knowledge of the market and all aspects of real estate. I decided to look at some of the referrals posted here on Active rain and noticed an increase in the referral fee percentages!!! Is that a sign of the times? I know we are lucky to be one of the few industries to get paid to refer but 40 - 50%???? That really seems excessive to me, am I the only one to think that? With referral requests like that, I would definitely look elsewhere. Money not earned is money not (9 comments)
how much is my home worth: 2009, a focus on you and your business
- 01/04/09 03:13 PM
A fresh start, a new year; Now is the time to refocus on your profession. You are your business and you need to treat it like that. The past is the past, but it should not be forgotten, it should be part of your learning curve and your stepping stone to reevaluate what works and what doesn't. One can never be comfortable with achieving satisfaction, one must concentrate on being the best you can be, and knowing you put all you can in your business. Can you look at the person in the mirror and say you achieved this, but you (10 comments)
how much is my home worth: Crashing through my doe
- 01/03/09 03:30 PM
Just when I thought the money I spend on marketing is a bust; I get a call from a potential client, wow! He liked the site I registered from as it was informative and not intrusive. I signed up for the site and many more for that particular purpose. I don't want to hound a person interested in signing up to view my listings, I want to be there when they're ready to talk to a professional! I treat my leads as I want to be treated, on the same note when I'm called and "courted" by a salesperson, I am (7 comments)
how much is my home worth: Texas vets!
- 12/18/08 01:52 PM
If you are, or know, or represent a Texas veteran, you may want to let them know of the great rates today!! If you are a vet, in Texas, with 30% or more disability, guess what? You can be eligible for an additional 1% less than the current rate when you buy a home!! It doesn't apply if you decide to refinance, but with the current interest rate where it is, it really is a great time to downsize or upgrade. With the buyers market and the interest rates and the additional entitlement of being a Texas vet with 30% or (8 comments)
how much is my home worth: San Antonio real estate, still growing strong
- 12/12/08 03:08 PM
San Antonio's market is still the prime area to move and work. There's still a good supply of homes in the inventory but from the looks of things, houses are still moving. Builders are dropping prices on inventory homes just to get them off the books. Interest rates are at their lowest in years! A new home for the holidays or a new years treat! All the marks are lined up in the right place. One of the best news about a buyer's market is you don't have to buy a foreclosed home to get a really good deal. This is (6 comments)
how much is my home worth: Disclosure, disclosure, disclosure!
- 11/10/08 01:57 PM
Greetings from your retired veteran, your full time Realtor! Now that we are in a "recession" although congress won't admit it, one of the biggest things you should pay attention to when selling your homem,in this market and any market is disclosure. Why? For many reasons! First, this is a buyers market, discretion is the better part of valor.... You as the seller have a need to sell your home, and yes, homes are still sold in any market, people still need to relocate, and still need a place to live. On your part, as a seller, is to (17 comments)
how much is my home worth: Now, if you really want to buy a home, you'll make it happen!!!
- 10/01/08 05:58 PM
You're sitting on the fence, still? Why? If you have the credit, and some money put aside, you are truly missing the boat! Most areas have a vast inventory of houses sitting on the market (San Antonio has about 8 months.....). You're sitting there looking at the 401k shrinking AND you just paid October's rent. Again, why? Now is truly the time to buy a home. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Once again, buying a home will, in the long run, be one of the greatest investments you can do. Whether a buyer's market or a seller's market, you (10 comments)
how much is my home worth: Get an inspection, you won't regret it
- 09/24/08 05:29 PM
To piggy back on my buddies Dale and Carl, it really is a great ideal to get a home inspection. Whether you're buying a resale home or a new home, the price you pay now is the price you save later. Building codes change all the time, so you must know how your home falls into that. Also, don't be discouraged if your 10+ year homes doesn't fall into the local codes and you feel the home of your dreams you're looking to buy is going to be a headache, your agent should negotiate a one years service contract, paid by the (9 comments)
how much is my home worth: The best thank you you can give me is a referral
- 08/28/08 03:52 PM
You hired me. I hope I met all your needs and more. My professionalism and love for the industry speaks volumes..... We've laughed, we've worked, we've dined and counter offered. Now, we've closed and found you the home of your dreams. You've expressed your gratitude and thanks, I reciprocated and really value our relationship. So I know you need the time to move in, get organized and get the furniture in order. I just ask for one thing; can I have you're referrals? If I've done you the job, offered you advice, or even if you know me from a former (16 comments)
how much is my home worth: Do you dress to look like a business person? Or are jeans your thing?
- 08/27/08 04:14 PM
Getting in the real estate business, I decided I should dress the part. I love looking professional, and having my clients working with someone dressed the part. Do you make an effort to wear clothes that reflect you as a professional? If not, you should I even offer this advice to the "well established" brokers and agents. You look like a professional, people treat you as such. Doesn't take a whole lot of time to make the effort, so, make the effort. I like looking like a professional, and being the part. It's all part of the package. (11 comments)