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List Now Or Wait Until Spring?

The mountain tops are white again. Temperatures are also predicted to drop making it seem like autumn is giving way to winter in the region. Is the myth that the real estate market goes dormant like our lawns until Spring true?

Just as the mountains can be more of a psychological than physical barrier to travel in adverse conditions of snow or heavy tourist traffic, so can the changes of the seasons be a psychological barrier to Seller's perception of Buyer activity. The old days of moving your family in the summer when school is out are long gone. Life moves too fast for that. If you have a job transfer opportunity it is usually available immediately, not next summer. You may choose to move your family later to finish a school year, but we see families renting, or moving in with friends or families rather than forestall the sale of their home and move of the primary income provider.

If you are thinking of selling start by assessing your situation: Why do you want to sell? Do you have to sell? Do you have to move? How soon do you want to be sold and closed? Do you have to be somewhere? Are you looking to move up in the market? Move down? Are you behind in payments or struggling to make your payments? Whatever your reason, if you want to sell there is no reason not to be offered for sale right now.  We are in a seller’s market.

Many business successes are achieved by going in the opposite direction of the majority. If most people are waiting until Spring to list their home and Buyers continue to want to buy houses, you are much better off being available when the Buyer wants to buy rather than when Sellers think Buyers want to buy. Another big advantage to being on the market in the "off season" is to achieve separation in the market. When the glut of Spring inventory hits there is a lot of competition. Achieve separation in the market by being on the market.

 If you don't want showings during the inclement weather to protect your floor covering consider having shoe covers available. If you don't want to move in the winter consider a lease back situation that will give you time to experience a break in the weather. There are many more circumstantial situations you can create, but be sure you are true to yourself in evaluating their relative importance to you. Do you want to be sold and moved with a little moving stress, or waiting for the perfect situation and not have a Buyer to help you affect it?

 My Advice: Just as extreme heat in the summer slows the impulse looker, so do snow flurries in the winter. It doesn't stop the serious Buyer, however, and many homes are sold through the course of a winter. I love showing property in the snow because I know the Buyer is serious. Casual Buyers don't usually forego their creature comforts to look at property in challenging weather circumstances. Buyers in Northern Nevada are active year round. We may have more "bodies" through in the summer months, but there are more true Buyers per prospect in the winter. Be available and let them in and be sold before your neighbor is even listed.

There is no perfect timing in our industry other than what happens when a Buyer and Seller come together, whenever that may be. Control your circumstances and make sure that you are correctly priced, looking good, and ready for that Buyer that is looking to buy your home. You can't catch a fish with your hook in the boat. You can't catch a Buyer if you aren't on the market.    When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs... Experience is Priceless!   I offer a multi-media marketing plan with Television, Newspaper, and Internet.  Your referrals are appreciated!   

Kevin 775.813.2387

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January 2013 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Greetings!  I want to quickly update everybody on some new Real Estate news that everybody needs to know:

  1. The Attorney General of Nevada launched a “new” program called Home Again.  It makes it easier for distressed homeowners in Nevada facing foreclosure to determine what state or federal assistance may be available to them with a single “one-stop”, free resource – long over do! It is a single source for all distressed homeowners in Nevada to contact. It is specifically aimed to:
  • Homeowners seeking loan      modification
  • Borrowers current but      underwater
  • Those who lost homes to      foreclosure
  • Households working towards      homeownership

Friends, family, neighbors just need to call 1-855-457-4638

For more information, go to www.homeagainnevada.gov or to the Attorney General’s website.

Upon calling the toll free number (I waited for about 15 minutes on hold,) then spoke to a very knowledgeable person that explained the process. Upon reaching someone at the Home Again program, they will give you some information on the phone and then you will be transferred to a HUD approved counselor to make an appointment.

  1. Short Sales remain a staple in our market and for the foreseeable future.  Congress has extended the certain provisions of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, HR 3648, until December 31, 2013. This gives debt relief on your income taxes for just one more year!  This act benefits qualified homeowners who may have otherwise owed taxes on forgiven debt after going through a short sale.  If anybody is thinking about doing a short sale this is the time to act.  Who knows, with prices going up a short sale may not be necessary!  Call me – Kevin Bown!

If your friends, family and/or neighbors are facing possible foreclosure, have them give me a call 775.813.2387. There are alternatives. There is help out there with the HAFA, HEMP, and other Federal programs.  The state’s Hardest Hit Fund Program (they still have funds available!) is another great resource.  My advice is free.  Your referrals are appreciated! 

It is a great a time to buy and to sell!

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