Jason Smith

It is imperative today that the buyers in this market understand multiple benefits for them in today's market and economy.

First of all buyers need to realize the time that it takes to properly negotiate a contract. There are huge financial advantages to going back and forth with a seller. The risks do include the chance of someone else purchasing the house, but the gains can put your family ahead for life! This is especially true of higher priced homes in our area of Northwest Arkansas. I'm not doing any sellers a favor by sharing this information, but the absorption rate (the rate homes are being bought vs. how many are on the market) shows that sellers for homes above $300k are waiting up to two years to sell! This is part of negotiating and making the seller aware of this rate can show them that they had better take the current offer seriously. That said, the buyer must be ready to see a counter offer that may not appear fair...don't stop yet! A counter offer is the start of negotiating, not the end! A seller is in a very difficult situation by even having their home on the market during these economic times. Instead of throwing your hands up counter back! This time include various reasons as to why the offer is what it is. For example, maybe the home just isn't very clean, or the counter tops are not what you would choose. The point is, it doesn't have to be that the roof needs to be replaced! It can just show that you are making concessions on what you want and in return you want a lower price. Be ready to hear back again, but you will be suprised 9 out of 10 times...the price will be lower! Keep it up. Don't stop yet. It doesn't cost you to keep offering. Chop away at it. There will come a time when all parties will know that the seller has done what they can and are ready to settle. At this point be ready to sign. There is no reason to beat a dead horse.

Last month I closed on a $425,000 listing that I negotiated for my buyer down to $375,000. This took a little over a month to accomplish, but I've never had a $50,000 month! In essence, that is exactly what happened for the buyer. Instantly, they gained $50,000 equity in their home by taking the time to negotiate.

Please do yourself a favor and give yourself time to negotiate. Getting in a hurry will cost your family thousands.

I will post more benefits next time, but this one is extremely important. Make sure your are represented and your family's well being is cared for!

Call me if you need an aggressive negotiator to help you buy the home your family wants!

Amazingly enough, I am still seeing consumer greed in a real estate market that is being devistated by the fact that the public bought homes they couldn't afford. Sure, the banks shouldn't loan above where people can afford, but we have to take responsibility for our own actions.

My truest frustration is the desire for more more more! And in that desire, home buyers are doing one of two things: walking away with nothing, or finding a way to manipulate the system in order to purchase more.

First of all, the people who have decided to rent vs. buy because they can't afford what they want are never going to get there. I know I am writing very directly, but how can this help your family? I remember the first home I owned was NOT what I wanted my bride to be in, but it was ours. In two years time we went from a 1100 square foot dump to a 3000 square foot beauty because we used our homes to leverage advancing our lives. A good buy can change everything for your future. Do not simply give up and rent because you are not getting what you want. Get what you need so you can get what you want later! This is especially true right now while homes are hitting a low that hasn't been experienced in years! Do yourself and your family a favor and buy for the future...please!

Second, the buyers that are getting more than they can afford...beware! The signs are all around us. Almost any financial advisor will tell you that you need at lease 3 months reserves in income. Being a real person, I know that is not possible for most of us. All the more need to be careful. Your responsibility to provide for your family goes beyond a pretty house...they know you love them...don't blow it!

Appologies for ranting, hope it helps someone.

God Bless you,

Jason

During recent studies it was found that 50% of people who lose their home to foreclosure have never been in contact with their lender! Amazingly enough, over 30% of the people who have been contacting their banks have avoided forclosure, and it is now public knowledge that more than 30% would be saved if more were calling!

Most homeowners are intimidated by the process of even dialing the number to lay out the God honest truth, so some have solicited the help of their local realtor.

Realtors have dealt with lenders for years, and know the vocabulary and much of what a lenders risks and liabilities are to hold a mortgage. A good realtor will help anyone in need by educating them in the process, or even making the calls on the home owners behalf.

With the economic struggles America is facing today it is definately time we began helping eachother. Call you local agent today and ask for help. Your recomendation to use this realtor to all of your friends will be payment enough for the help they give you.

Let's end the foreclosure epidemic one home at a time. You're next! Give us a call!