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I'll Call It: The Bottom is Here!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Summers/East Coast Realty Group

Recently, I have been pouring through market data for my area. And, I have noticed a few pleasant trends in the market. First, the number of listings that are expiring without a sale is down significantly along with the number of listings in general. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, listing prices in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area have stabilized greatly in comparison to the rest of the nation the average difference between the original listing price and the final sales price is narrowing.

 

This can be interpreted in many ways. I believe that it is a positive for sellers' and buyers' interests alike. The average home-buyer can take solace in the fact that if (s)he buys a home today for a fair market price, the value should hold steady through upcoming economic turmoil. Inversely, the average seller can rest a little easier in knowing that if they accurately price their property, then they should not have to institute many, if any, significant price reductions. Personally, I prefer to take an optimistic view of the statistical data that I have gathered. I tell my clients that, "it is not going to get any worse than it is right now and the future looks bright". Also, I feel confident in telling them that, " if they can negotiate a good price/terms for a property now, then they stand to make money off of their investment". Of course, there are many caveats involved in any real estate transaction. This is why I advise customers, regardless of experience, to always have an agent handle a real estate transaction on their behalf.

Posted by

Brett Richman
   
Summers Group Realty LLC
Broker/ Owner
Cell:    (504) 813-6409
Office: (504) 586-8900
Fax:    (504) 754-7652
1539 Jackson Ave. Suite 230
New Orleans, La. 70130
www.SummersGroupRealty.com
REALTOR®
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Show All Comments Sort:
Marnie Schooling
Virtual Sales Assistance - San Diego, CA

Brett, I like your optimistic outlook!  Thank you for sharing.  I agree with you, the bottom is here or really close to being here.

Marnie

Feb 18, 2009 06:06 AM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

You might be seeing a bottom in New Orleans, but the midwest is still in for a lot more pain. Layoffs, layoffs, layoffs.

Feb 18, 2009 06:51 AM
Barrett Powell
Southern Advantage Group Realty - Cary, NC
Barrett Powell

I want to be optimistic.  But I also want to be realistic.  We have NOT seen the bottom.  Far from it.  What we are seeing right now is a blip of "some" pent up demand reacting to home prices and rates.  We are not likely to see the bottom until later this year (2009) or early next year.

Even then, we will never return to the market we all knew for probably a decade or more.  Times really have changed.

Feb 18, 2009 11:36 AM
Tony and Libby Kelly
Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere - Lake Oswego, OR
CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE

I like your outlook.

Feb 19, 2009 07:58 AM