One of the most common questions asked before someone decides to list their home is "what repairs should I make to maximize my profits". Should you finally finish the "Honey Do List" you have been putting off, or should you make more extensive repairs?
While major repairs or projects may bring you a good return on your investment in certain market conditions. It can be difficult to know what major projects to complete. Have a Realtor help you make this decision by showing you how similar homes to yours are selling with repairs vs similar homes without repairs.
If you don't want to tackle the larger projects there are many small items that can be fixed that will have a huge impact on the potential buyers that come to take a look at your home. Here is an article from MSN Real Estate that explains 10 items that should always be addressed before you sell.
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108483
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Mortgage Rate Update
According to Realtor.com current mortgage rates have dipped slightly in the last week to just below 4%. Mortgages rates have started to rise in the last few months. If you have been thinking of selling your home and buying a new one, or if you are looking to purchase a new home NOW is a great time to take advantage of the current rates.
Contact me today if you would like to sell your current home or if you are looking to purchase a new home.
Link to the full article from Realtor.com
Contact me today if you would like to sell your current home or if you are looking to purchase a new home.
Link to the full article from Realtor.com
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
WISCONSIN HOME SALES RISE AGAIN
Wisconsin Home Sales Report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association
Date: June 17, 2013
MADISON, Wis. – Strong home sales in Wisconsin for May helped boost prices up, according to the most recent statistical report released by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). The sale of existing homes in May increased 18.2 percent over last May, now the 23rd straight month of positive sales growth in Wisconsin, which helped push the median price up 4.3 percent to a statewide median of $144,000.
“These are very positive signals and represent an uptick from the pace of sales established in the first four months of the year,” said Renny Diedrich, Chairman of the WRA board of directors. Existing home sales rose 10.3 percent from January through April this year compared to that same four-month period in 2012. “There’s no doubt consumer demand has been strong over the last couple of years, but now we’re also seeing sellers jump back in the market as well,” said Diedrich, noting new listings of homes for sale jumped 16.4 percent in May, compared to last year. “This increased supply should help moderate price increases that can occur during periods of very strong demand,” she said.
Wisconsin home sales grew in every region of the state in May with the strongest spike in sales seen in the South Central region where sales increased 28.9 percent compared to May 2012. Existing home sales were up 20.3 percent in the North region, and they rose 18.9 percent in the West region of the state. Both of these regions have significant second home markets, which can be more volatile than the primary home market. Finally, home sales rose 15.7 percent in the Central region, increased 15.0 percent in the Southeast, and grew 11.8 percent in the Northeast over the May 2012 to May 2013 period.
The median price for homes in May was $144,000, an increase of 4.3 percent. “Prices showed solid but sustainable growth,” said Michael Theo, WRA President and CEO. “We saw some large increases in median prices in March and April, so it’s good to see more modest increases in May,” he said. Median prices rose in five of the six regions statewide, with the increase strongest in the South Central region, up 7.2 percent, followed by the Northeast region where prices were up 6.3 percent. Median price increased in the West, Central and Southeast regions between 4.4 percent and 5.3 percent over the period between May 2012 and May 2013. Only the North region experienced a fall in median prices over the period, down 13 percent. “It’s not uncommon to see prices in the northern part of the state fluctuate substantially when there is a shift in the mix of properties between primary and second homes,” said Theo.
Although continuing to slip, housing affordability remained solid in the state due in large part to low interest rates. The Wisconsin Housing Affordability Index shows the percentage of the median-priced home that a buyer earning the median family income can afford to buy, given current mortgage rates and a 20 percent down payment. The index was at 239 in May, which is down from its peak of 292 in January of this year.
Despite a relatively weak job market, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index has increased in each of the last two months, with the most recent release indicating that consumers are more optimistic about the future conditions of the economy and future job prospects. “We expect the combination of improving consumer confidence and low mortgage rates to keep demand strong throughout the summer, and this will put upward pressure on prices,” said Theo. “Potential buyers may have missed the bottom of the price cycle, but there continues to be excellent value in this market,” Theo said. “While both mortgage rates and home prices rising, Wisconsin housing continues to be very affordable, and an experienced REALTOR® is still the best way for buyers to identify the best deals,” he said.
CONTACT ME TODAY TO FOR A FREE CONSULTATION ON WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH IN TODAY'S IMPROVING MARKET!!!
Date: June 17, 2013
MADISON, Wis. – Strong home sales in Wisconsin for May helped boost prices up, according to the most recent statistical report released by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). The sale of existing homes in May increased 18.2 percent over last May, now the 23rd straight month of positive sales growth in Wisconsin, which helped push the median price up 4.3 percent to a statewide median of $144,000.
“These are very positive signals and represent an uptick from the pace of sales established in the first four months of the year,” said Renny Diedrich, Chairman of the WRA board of directors. Existing home sales rose 10.3 percent from January through April this year compared to that same four-month period in 2012. “There’s no doubt consumer demand has been strong over the last couple of years, but now we’re also seeing sellers jump back in the market as well,” said Diedrich, noting new listings of homes for sale jumped 16.4 percent in May, compared to last year. “This increased supply should help moderate price increases that can occur during periods of very strong demand,” she said.
Wisconsin home sales grew in every region of the state in May with the strongest spike in sales seen in the South Central region where sales increased 28.9 percent compared to May 2012. Existing home sales were up 20.3 percent in the North region, and they rose 18.9 percent in the West region of the state. Both of these regions have significant second home markets, which can be more volatile than the primary home market. Finally, home sales rose 15.7 percent in the Central region, increased 15.0 percent in the Southeast, and grew 11.8 percent in the Northeast over the May 2012 to May 2013 period.
The median price for homes in May was $144,000, an increase of 4.3 percent. “Prices showed solid but sustainable growth,” said Michael Theo, WRA President and CEO. “We saw some large increases in median prices in March and April, so it’s good to see more modest increases in May,” he said. Median prices rose in five of the six regions statewide, with the increase strongest in the South Central region, up 7.2 percent, followed by the Northeast region where prices were up 6.3 percent. Median price increased in the West, Central and Southeast regions between 4.4 percent and 5.3 percent over the period between May 2012 and May 2013. Only the North region experienced a fall in median prices over the period, down 13 percent. “It’s not uncommon to see prices in the northern part of the state fluctuate substantially when there is a shift in the mix of properties between primary and second homes,” said Theo.
Although continuing to slip, housing affordability remained solid in the state due in large part to low interest rates. The Wisconsin Housing Affordability Index shows the percentage of the median-priced home that a buyer earning the median family income can afford to buy, given current mortgage rates and a 20 percent down payment. The index was at 239 in May, which is down from its peak of 292 in January of this year.
Despite a relatively weak job market, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index has increased in each of the last two months, with the most recent release indicating that consumers are more optimistic about the future conditions of the economy and future job prospects. “We expect the combination of improving consumer confidence and low mortgage rates to keep demand strong throughout the summer, and this will put upward pressure on prices,” said Theo. “Potential buyers may have missed the bottom of the price cycle, but there continues to be excellent value in this market,” Theo said. “While both mortgage rates and home prices rising, Wisconsin housing continues to be very affordable, and an experienced REALTOR® is still the best way for buyers to identify the best deals,” he said.
CONTACT ME TODAY TO FOR A FREE CONSULTATION ON WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH IN TODAY'S IMPROVING MARKET!!!
Monday, June 10, 2013
What’s Hot in Home Design for 2013
Click Link for Article - What's Hot in Home Design for 2013
Its always interesting to see the changes in home construction and remodeling and what is popular. This article explains some of the design trends that are currently being installed in homes. One of the really interesting topics is the integration of technology in the home. I have watched this take place throughout my career and it has been fascinating to watch it change. The article covers the use of our smart phones to run the systems in your home while you are there as well as when you are away from your home. It will be amazing to see how technology changes how we live in our homes in the future.
Its always interesting to see the changes in home construction and remodeling and what is popular. This article explains some of the design trends that are currently being installed in homes. One of the really interesting topics is the integration of technology in the home. I have watched this take place throughout my career and it has been fascinating to watch it change. The article covers the use of our smart phones to run the systems in your home while you are there as well as when you are away from your home. It will be amazing to see how technology changes how we live in our homes in the future.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Video: Why you should use a REMAX Agent
Click Link to View Video: Why you should use a REMAX Agent
Comic video on what you can avoid by choosing a full time RE/MAX agent to help you with buying or selling your home.
Comic video on what you can avoid by choosing a full time RE/MAX agent to help you with buying or selling your home.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
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