Judy Niemeyer

Many Mobile Eastern Shore home sellers look at the first offer on their home as just that, the First Offer with many more to come. You know what they say, ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' And in the current Buyers Market, offers are few and far between. Mobile Eastern Shore home sellers will want to consider the first offer very seriously. Here are reasons why:

• An early offer (if you're lucky!) doesn't necessarily mean buyers are lining up to follow suit. It could just mean that your home meets the needs or preferences of that one particular buyer who made the offer.
• Your home will get the most interest from buyers just after it goes on the market. The longer it stays on the market, the more "desperate" buyers will think you are, prompting lower and lower offers.
• Even if the first offer is thousands lower than your list price, consider carefully whether it might be enough - in terms of price and contract terms - before rejecting it out of hand. After all, the longer your home is on the market, the more it costs you in mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, upkeep and sheer inconvenience.
• If the offered price and contract terms are less than ideal, start negotiations by making a counteroffer, being as flexible with the terms as possible. It isn't uncommon for buyers to offer a price below what they are truly willing to pay, sometimes much below, just to see if they can buy under market.

An offer indicates serious interest in your home - don't underestimate that but don't take it for granted, either.

Thinking of selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home? We'll be happy to work with you to fine-tune your home's listing price so it fits our local market. We can also advise you on what would make your home more saleable at low cost to you. Most importantly, we can put our expertise to work for you when it comes time to negotiate with potential buyers. Learn more about us by visiting JudySells.com.

Get the value of your Mobile Eastern Shore home.

Selling your own home might sound like a good idea at first, but many Mobile Eastern Shore FSBO sellers quickly realize they've gotten in over their heads or may have sold their home for much less than they would have had they worked with a Realtor®.

The 2008 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that two-thirds of "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) sellers found some aspect of the home sale to be difficult.

Twelve percent of sellers who knew the buyer thought that getting the price right was the hardest task. Among FSBO sellers who didn't know the buyer, 16 percent found it difficult to sell within the time planned, 15 percent found fixing up the home arduous, and 12 percent found it difficult to get the price right.

Statistics also show 25 percent of FSBO sellers took no action to market their home and 72 percent didn't offer incentives to attract buyers?

If you are a Mobile Eastern Shore FSBO seller and want to discuss other missteps FSBO sellers risk when attempting to go it alone, give me a call. I am glad to talk with you.

Learn how I can help you sell your Mobile Eastern Shore home by visiting JudySells.com.

Judy Niemeyer of Ashurst and Niemeyer presents:

The Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate Podcast

July 2009:This month's edition covers Mobile Eastern Shore real estate market activity and then we'll tell how a timely inspection report can net buyers an extra $8,000 this summer!Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning. Program length: approximately 9 minutes

download podcast mp3 file | subscribe to podcast feed

Baldwin County AL foreclosures dropped dramatically in May with approximately 140 foreclosures compared to the yearly high in March with 340 foreclosures, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Baldwin County AL Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Baldwin County AL foreclosures are 0.09% below national statistics, and 0.06% above state figures.

Baldwin County AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

Baldwin County Al foreclosure activity was higher March - May compared the the previous three month, Dec - Feb. The lower auction acitivity numbers should mean fewer bank owned properties in the coming months.

Are you or someone you know behind on your mortgage payments and facing a foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and your home. Give me a call for a private consultation.

Learn more about Baldwin County real estate by visiting JudySells.com.

The clock is ticking on the $8,000 tax credit for Mobile Eastern Shore first-time home buyers. The expiration date of December 1, 2009 seems like a long time off now, but it will be here before you know it and the home buying process takes time. Here are some important facts to remember about the tax credit:

Important Facts To Know:

1. It is a tax credit to home buyers, not a loan as in last year's program;
2. It is only for first time home buyers, defined as someone who has not had an ownership interest in a principle residence in the 3 year period prior to the date of the 2009 purchase;
3. The buyer must remain in the home for a minimum of 3 years;
4. It is applicable to purchases between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009; and
5. Full credit is available to those with adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less ($150,000 for married filing jointly). The credit is phased out entirely for those with adjusted gross income over $95,000 ($170,000 for married filing jointly).

If you bought a home last year under the old $7,500 tax credit rules, those rules still apply to your 2008 home purchase.

If you purchased a home after January 1, 2009, or are thinking of buying a Mobile Eastern Shore home this year and want to learn more about the $8,000 tax credit, give me a call or visit JudySells.com.

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