I had no idea how long it had been since my last posting!!! It has been a very, very busy Real Estate season and time just got away from me. I took most of August off (needed a break) but still sandwiched in my work when I needed to. The market is still busy but, this time of August does slow down due to "Back to School" and "The Great New York State Fair". Summer went fast and fall is fastly approaching. People that want to sell a home don't normally think Fall is a good time but...it really is! Why you ask? Just what I said! Most people don't equate the Fall as being a busy time so they wait until Spring like everyone else and the guess what??? So much competition for buyers that it may take them longer to sell. Anyone thinking of making a move should really think about it now. When you do call a realtor to look at your house and give you a range in which you should list it.......listen to what that agent tells you and if you are not happy, get 2 or 3 other opinions. If they all seem to be within range then list it with the agent that you feel is most experienced and has a good marketing plan. But...don't list it at a price that is not going to get showings or offers. If you are told you are too high then get that price down within 2 weeks or so after you initially list it. If you don't you may end up selling it for less down the road because it will get what's called "Market Age". That's when people drive by and see your "For Sale" sign for months and months and then think there is something wrong with it and that's why it didn't sell. Buyer's will also gauge what offer to make based on how long it's been on the market. Listen to the professional....why hire a Realtor if you are not willing to take their advice and experience and put it to good use!!! It makes no sense.
THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WOULD NOT EVEN BELIEVE THAT THE HOUSING PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUES MOST LARGER CITIES...ESPECIALLY IN CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA, IS NOT EVIDENT HERE IN SYRACUSE AND CENTRAL NEW YORK! WHILE CERTAINLY THERE ARE "POCKETS" OF AREAS AND PRICE RANGES WHERE SALES ARE NOT AS BRISK....I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS SPRING MARKET HAS BEEN THE VERY BUSIEST I HAVE SEEN IN YEARS! WE ARE SEEING RECORD NUMBERS OF FOLKS ATTENDING OPEN HOUSES AND THESE HOMES ARE SELLING FROM OPEN HOUSES. I AM ALSO FINDING THAT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF HOMES IN CERTAIN PRICE RANGES AND THE ONES THAT ARE ON THE MARKET, REALLY NEED TO HAVE SOME WORK, NEED STAGING OR ARE JUST PRICED TO HIGH. IF A HOUSE IS CLEAN, STAGED WELL AND PRICED WELL....MULTIPLE OFFERS ARE BEING SEEN, AGAIN, DEPENDING ON THE PRICE RANGE THE HOME IS IN. MY BEST ADVICE TO BUYERS IS "GET A REALTOR TO HELP YOU..DON'T TRY FINDING A HOME ON YOUR OWN" BY THE TIME YOU FIND IT, ANOTHER BUYER WHO HAS A REALTOR HAS BOUGHT IT!!! IF YOU ARE A SELLER "LISTEN TO YOUR REALTOR'S ADVICE" PROPER PRICING, STAGING, AND ALL AROUND CONDITION ARE WHAT WILL SELL YOUR HOUSE.