AboutJessica Bryan Expertise buying and selling process such as: General questions from first time buyers How to market a home Why choose a REALTOR How do I find a REALTOR Should I consider buying or selling without a REALTOR--how much can I save Should I remodel or move How much can I expect to gain by fixing up my home before selling Helpful tips when selling Helpful tips when buying finding a good mortgage loan what is the difference between banks, mortgage bankers, and mortgage brokers Questions from the general public, people thinking about getting their real estate license, newly licensed. Fellow professionals who have interests in networking and how to get started What is a market evaluation and how does it differ from an appraisal what are the different loan programs services a REALTOR can perform when to use a lawyer when to use escrow what are the regional differences in the buying and selling process what is the MLS and how does it work how can the layman access information on the web--listings and other information These are just a few of the questions. I can suggest that if I am unable to answer a question I will refer the inquiry to a source that can.
Experience Anyone who is in this business and who dedicates oneself to professionalism has continued to take classes and along with it,additional credentials, awards and honors. I can list a host of them, but my greatest accomplishments happen to be those of getting first time buyers (who didn't think they could afford to buy a home)into a home of their dreams. The look on their faces when I hand over the keys is worth all of the hard work.
Question We are attempting to sell our home in a relatively new neighborhood (3 years old) where many of our neighbors bought homes who should never have been buying homes in the first place. Although some comparable homes have been selling near the price we are offering within the last few months, and we are offering at what our market analysis suggested a few weeks ago, many new homes are being listed now for 20 to 30K below our price as short sales. At this point, if our house sold for what we are asking we would break even (including closing costs). We can't go much lower because we cannot afford to pay a lot at closing. We are able to make the mortgage payments, but we are moving out of state this summer. How does a seller who actually is able to make their mortgage payments, but needs to sell, compete against all these short sales in the neighborhood??
Answer Dear Marc;
I "feel" your frustration. Unfortunately, it is a Buyer's market right now and the truth is, buyers don't need to pay full price unless there is no other inventory around. It is the old "Supply and Demand" principle. The only thing I can suggest is that you make sure that your home is 'staged' beautifully so that it looks much better than any of the competition. Let's hope that the short sales sell and remove themselves from the market soon. It is an excellent time to buy right now since the interest rates are low and the amount of properties priced very competitively is high. So, perhaps you will be able to ride this out and sell your home close to the time you have to move.
I am really sorry that I can't give you better advice.
