Beth Ganem

Why NOW is the right time to buy!

If you are thinking of buying a home, NOW is the time. There are many reasons but I will tell you about a few great reasons to buy at this time.

Inventory. There is currently a great inventory of homes on the market. As we pass the peak season many homes have been reduced in price and there are some great values out there. After the new year properties generally are listed at a higher price in anticipation of the new selling season .

Competition. At this time of year there are fewer buyers looking to buy. This means there is less competition for the home you may wish to purchase. In the Spring, there will be a new group of buyers ready, willing and able to buy. That being said I just reduced the price on one of my listings and we received 4 offers. The activity suggests that there are buyers out there ready to buy a house that is affordably priced.

Interest Rates. There are some of the lowest interest rates that we have ever experienced for mortgages that are available. The combination of low rates and lower prices mean you can qualify for much more house now than when rates and prices rise. If you are on the edge of ratios to qualify for a mortgage a rise in interest rate could mean the difference from being qualified to buy or not being approved.

Negotiating. At a quiet time of year with fewer showings of homes it often means you can agree with a seller on a better price and terms. Some sellers may also be willing to move back the closing to a later date in order to sell their current home and move on with their plans.

Choices. At this time of year you may have more flexibility in the options available. If you don't want to move into a home until the Spring or Summer you could consider building a new home and getting the design, finishes and energy efficiency that you desire in a house. Waiting until Spring may mean that you will have to wait longer for a new home and the home will not be completed in time for you to position your current home for sale at the peak selling season.

If you have decided to buy be READY to buy. This means talking to a mortgage company and getting a pre-approved In order to have a strong offer you need to have a pre approval letter from a bank. This will tell the Sellers that you are qualified and ready, willing and able to purchase. If you need a gift for cash down at closing be sure you speak to the mortgage consultant on how to document and the timing of such a gift so that it can be applied to down payment and / or closing costs. Know what types of loans you are qualified. Some may have better options or work better for you depending on your resources. Be sure you have discussed the sequence and timing of events that occur with a home purchase. From the time the offer is made, through acceptance and contingencies you should be well informed about the sequence and time frame. Expect that a normal closing will take about 6 weeks. You can move into your new home after your close. You may need to adjust your time frame on the offer based on when you need to be living in the house.

The smoothest home purchases happen when the buyer is knowledgeable about the process and has an experienced professional who can assist them every step of the way. Before you start looking you should set up a meeting with an experienced Realtor to discuss your needs and the process. Home ownership is one of the most rewarding experiences life offers us.

Autumn is in the air...

What does this mean to sellers? It means that it is time to think about curb appeal once again! Those fading summer flowers need to be trimmed back, replaced with a burst of fall color in the form of brilliantly colored mums. Gardens should be cleaned up and mulched and shrubbery trimmed. This is a good time to talk a walk up your own front walk and see what Realtors and their clients are seeing as they approach your home. Be sure that while they wait for their agent to open the front door that the front trim and entrance shout well maintained home! A clean welcome mat also projects the right image. If you have a brass door knocker be sure that it gleams and windows shine in the fading fall light.

As the daylight fades earlier it is important that the interior looks and feels warm and cheery. Be sure the lights are on and the home welcoming. The scent of apples and spices will draw them in. This is easily done put a pie plate of apples and spices in the oven and turn on low for a few minutes and then turn it off and leave them in the oven.

Make sure the house is clean and dusted... it is the season of haunted homes but you don't want yours to look scary. Get rid of any cobwebs inside or out.

While you are taking a fresh look around this is a good time to reassess the flow as one walks through the house. Make sure that the furniture doesn't block a nice flow and that as we change seasons there isn't too much summer and fall stuff in the way.

Fall is a great time for charity sales. If you haven't already done so clear out those items that you don't want to move. The less clutter and stuff the better the house will show. As you remove items be sure you clean where they may have been. Take extra care in the basement in garage which should be washed down and perhaps freshened up with some new sealer or paint.

Now is also a good time to go through your closets. If there is clothing that you haven't worn in years this is a good time to clear some of it out. Once this is done, reorganize. You will be amazed at how much more abundant storage space appears and how much more inviting. You should also consider removing seasonal items and storing them elsewhere to free up space. Lack of storage space is an inadequacy that many buyers will not overlook.

Remember.in most areas the real estate market slows between Thanksgiving and New Year's so this is the time to make every showing count so you don't have to wait for the Spring market. If your house isn't on the market but you do want to sell next year this is a great time to call a Realtor. They can give you assistance in deciding what should be done prior to putting your home on the market and perhaps taking a few exterior photos while the outside is green. These will be invaluable when you decide to list your home before the snow melts in the spring.

Leverage your property sale...

Tucker suddenly stopped to gaze at the panoramic view of Ithaca. He knew that homeowners needed a New Perspective on positioning their properties for sale! The sales data that he and Realtor Beth had meticulously analyzed sent a clear message.. Presentation, Pricing and Target Marketing were the keys to selling a home for the highest price, in the shortest time and with the least hassle. And while Tucker didn't understand how detailed marketing plans translated into a SOLD signs, he did know that every home has a story and that Realtor Beth could expertly tell it.. So he hurried back to the office knowing now was the time to assist sellers in gathering the photos, planning repairs, staging and more.to be ready to sell now or in the Spring!. Summer was almost over and it was going to be a Fall, Winter and Spring of Successful Sales for those who planned ahead. The End.