Kenny Schaaf

Full Price offers on homes??

Should I or shouldn't I seems to be the question that most buyers have today on buying a home when it comes to making an offer. If you are searching for a home this may be something that you are pondering. Most buyers search for their home and usually base their search on the current asking price of the home. If you are looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that has been updated and the asking price is $200,000, and the home down the street which is very similar is a short sale and the asking price is $150,000 which home are you going to look at first? I would venture to guess that you would look at the $150,000 dollar home because it is a better fit financially for most. Now let's assume that the comparable homes sold in the area say the homes value is $170,000. The market value of the home is approximately $30,000 lower than the home listed that isn't a short sale, and $20,000 more than the home listed that is a short sale. When you look at both homes for sale and you like both homes, the home listed for $150,000 will probably be the home you put an offer on. This home is already listed approximately 10% under the current market value and 25% lower than the other home listed, why would you still offer lower than the asking price? Well, I believe that it's a standard belief that you should never pay full price for a listed property in a buyers market, but let's look at this example and try to imagine the unbelievable deal that you are already getting on the property. You are already walking into a home with $20,000 dollars in equity on the closing date and that is even in this market when most homeowners are upside down in their properties. This is an unbelievable deal and still most buyers' feel that they need to still make offers lower than the asking price. The bottom line that I am trying to make is, look at the entire package including the active listings and the sold properties to make the determination on your offer. In today's market most homes that are short sales and foreclosures should be listed under the current market values so you don't have to haggle on the price and you can get your new home quicker, it is ok to make full price offers on properly priced properties.

If you have any real estate questions don't hesitate to contact me at, 813-394-0764 or email me at kennyschaaf@century21beggins.com.

As always, thank you for your continued support and I look forward to speaking with you,

Kenny Schaaf

Realtor®

Panther Trace:

Welcome to Panther Trace, a one of a kind community located in the Riverview area of Hillsborough County. The Panther Trace community is located east off Hwy. 301 south of Boyette Road and north of Big Bend Road. This area of Hillsborough County is less congested than many other areas in Hillsborough County, however it still allows easy access to all of the Tampa area via I-75 and Hwy. 301.

Panther Trace offers it's residents several amenities including a clubhouse with social areas, lockers and a complete kitchen. The kids will love the swimming pool with a 105,000 gallon lagoon pool surrounded by lush tropical landscaping. There are playgrounds for your children and there is even a toddler playground. There are also tennis courts and basketball courts so there is something for everyone.

Panther Trace offers a wide array of homes from several different builders including Smith Family Homes, David Weekly Homes and Standard Pacific Homes just to name a few. The price ranges in Panther Trace vary and there is a home in just abound everyone's price range. It doesn't matter what type of home you are looking for, the Panther Trace community is sure to have what you are looking for. Within the community you can find single family homes, town homes and maintenance free villas.

As of today, September 14^th, 2008 there are 84 active real estate listings in Panther Trace with the price of the homes ranging from $75,000 dollars for a town home to $600,000 dollar 5 bedroom 4 baths home. During the month of August there were 10 homes that closed in the community with the average sales price being $189,900. Out of the 84 active listings in the community, CENTURY 21 Beggins is offering 13% of the listings in the community, which makes us the expert in the community.

If you live in the Panther Trace community or would like to find your new home in the community, look no further and give me a call. I will work to either sell your home for you in the least amount of time or help you find the best home for you and your family. Of course, if you are considering selling or purchasing in any other area, I can help you with that also.

Until the next post, take care and I wish you the best.

Kenny Schaaf

Realtor®

Century 21, Beggins Enterprises

813-645-8481 Office
813-394-0764 - Direct
813-902-6125 - Fax
KennySchaaf@century21beggins.com

www.kennyschaaf.com

"For your Finest Real Estate Experience...Guaranteed"