Salem, OR

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE-WHAT A DIFFERENCE A "STAGE" MAKES-HOMESTAGING, THAT IS! SALEM OREGON HOME SELLERS, COULD STAGING BE THE ANSWER TO GET YOUR HOME SOLD? SEE THE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES FOR YOURSELVES..... AND YOU DECIDE

If you are currently a SALEM OREGON HOME SELLER, or thinking seriously about putting your home on the market, I am sure you are aware of the fact that in the current SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE MARKET your home must be the best home, at the best price. There is competition all around you, and your home needs to stand out as the BEST HOME in that price range!

Now, I am going to fess up right now.... In the past, I have not been a huge fan of home staging because my listings sold within a short time after putting them on the market. The last couple of years have shown a huge shift in the LOCAL SALEM REAL ESTATE MARKET.

I recently had the opportunity to get to know a local home stager, Margaret Oscillia, of Creative Concepts and Contracting, through some local blogging and social networking classes. After several months of my many, numerous questions, and viewing her before and after photos and results once she staged a home, I decided that maybe there was something to this "staging stuff". I went ahead and booked her for two of my listings/sellers.

Here are some before and after pictures of one of my seller's homes. This home began as a vacant home, but the great thing about a home stager is that they have several different levels of staging. You can do a full stage, or a partial or minimal stage. You can also start off with a consultation to see what kind of suggestions they have that can bring you a "Top Dollar" offer. Many times they can work with your current furnishings, just making minimal changes, and adding a little "pop" to the rooms.

ENTRY

LIVING ROOM/DINING

FAMILY ROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

MASTER BATH

So, you decide, which pictures are more likely to peak your interest, and cause you to pick up the phone to schedule a showing appointment with your Realtor?

If you would like more information about SELLING YOUR SALEM OREGON HOME, you can contact me directly at 503-931-1846, or email me at MelWagnerBroker@msn.com.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Creative Concepts and Contracting, or if you would like to see more of their before and after photos, here is the link to their blog.

Of course, after seeing just a few of the photos for this fantastic home, you may want to see more. So, here is all of the information on this wonderful single-level 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in South Salem. This home is listed at only $249,900.

Lovely Single Level 3/2.5 with indoor sauna

Overview Maps Photos Features Description Novak Audio Tour Open House

$249,900 Single Family Home For Sale Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Partial Bathroom Interior: 1999 sqft Lot: 0.14 acre(s) Location 5559 Novak CT SE Salem, OR 97306

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Mel Wagner Coldwell Banker Mtn. West Real Estate, Inc. (503) 931-1846 MelWagnerBroker@msn.com http://www.MelWagnerBroker.com Listed by: Mel Wagner

Our recent listings Dual Living!! 4/3 in West Salem Lovely Single Level 4/3 in West Salem Gorgeous Single Level-Move in Ready Horse Property and Private Country Home Setting close to Town and I-5 Salem, Oregon Lovely Single Level 3/2.5 with indoor sauna Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Salem, OR real estate for sale

So do you want the good news, the good news, or the good news first...

You pick the good news? Cool.

It's no secret to Salem Oregon real estate agents that October was busy. We all had to figure out how to get out of pajamas and actually write contracts last month.

The good news...median home price was down (I know I'm weird that I think that is good news)

The good news...Salem Oregon homes sales were up 31% over last October

The good news...the current home inventory as I write is 6.1 months for Salem Oregon.

Read more about the current real estate market conditions in Salem Oregon.

As I meet with potential clients the question always comes up about price. I remind them that Price equals a Sale. Though we are supposed to get the best possible price for our Seller, it is also our responsibility to guide them into the right price bracket. In Salem there is a ton of available inventory, but what sets our homes apart from the others? Price!!!!

The numbers don't lie, and if we keep the price realistic than we are taking care of our clients. Realistic pricing leads to less days on market. This in turn, will put more money into the back pocket of our clients.

SALEM OREGON HOMES FOR SALE HAS GREAT NEWS FOR SALEM OREGON HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS-THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT WAS OFFICIALLY EXTENDED TODAY, AND NOW INCLUDES SOME HOME SELLERS THAT WILL BE BUYERS!!

Earlier today President Obama signed the unemployment bill which also includes an extension for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, and a new tax credit for sellers who will also be home buyers once they sell, if they qualify.

Here is a basic rundown of what exactly this means to Salem Oregon Home Buyers and Salem Oregon Home Sellers:

• Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
• Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

There are some qualifications that buyers must meet to be eligible for the tax credit:

• First time home buyer must not have had an interest in a principal residence in the last 3 years.
• Sellers must have lived in their home for 5 out of the last 8 years as their primary residence.
• All purchases must be in contract by April 30, 2010.
• Buyers have until July 1, 2010 to close on their purchase.
• Home purchase must be $800,000 or less.

Buyers must also meet income guidelines:

• The single person income cannot exceed $125,000 to qualify for the full credit.
• The married persons' income cannot exceed $225,000 to qualify for the full credit.
• There is a "phase out" in place for incomes exceeding that which may still qualify the buyer for a partial tax credit.
• Married persons filing separately have different amounts of credit that they can qualify for-first time home buyers is $4000, and current homeowners is $3250.

If you would like to view a comparison of the previous credit vs. the new credit, the National Association of Realtors has put together a chart.

So, what could this mean to the Salem Oregon Real Estate Market, you may be asking? The hope is that by extending the credit, it will keep those first time buyers buying. In addition, by extending this credit to current home owners, these home owners will be moving up or down in size, which will bring more buyers into the market for those middle and higher price range homes. That portion of our market has been lagging behind for some time now.

If you are a first time buyer, or a seller, that has questions, or would like assistance to get started, you can contact me directly at 503-931-1846, or MelWagnerBroker@msn.com.

If you are relocating to the Salem Oregon area, I have a relocation package that can provide you with current information on home prices in Salem, Oregon.

If you are a Salem Oregon Home Seller that would like to know what the current market value of your home is, you can request a free, no obligation market analysis here.

If you would like to stay updated on new and breaking information regarding Salem Oregon Real Estate and Homes for Sale, be sure to join my business page on Facebook, and subscribe to my blog.

If you are just curious about whether or not the Salem Oregon Real Estate Market is stabilizing, or would like more information about a neighborhood that you may be interested in moving to, you can visit my Salem Oregon House Values site to see what is going on in any neighborhood that you are interested in.

I recently returned from a deployment overseas. As I get back into today's market I am excited for those Veterans that are looking for a new home. Our Veterans are experiencing more support and benefits than ever. The new GI Bill has been upgraded, and pay increases jumped over three percent in 2009. A pay increase is scheduled for this upcoming January, and because of this I am sure that there will be more military members and Veterans looking for a home.

As Veterans Day approaches, make sure to thank those that you know who have served as I am sure that they will truly appreciate it.