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Stacey Matsuda

The state of the real estate market

As we get ready to enter the fourth quarter of the year, a typical time for a real estate slow down, I wonder what this year will be like. It seems to me that last year at this time is when our local real estate market started to change.

I am encouraged that here in the Upstate of South Carolina have not suffered losses that some other areas have., including the coast and even Charlotte, NC. Our current days on the market is about 126 days and our average price point has stayed around $120,000. What is discouraging is the lack of sales that we are actually closing. At a recent real estate board meeting is was revealed to us that our local sales are down by 24 1/2%.

So what does that mean to the average real estate consumer you might be asking? It means, NOW is a GREAT TIME TO BUY a house. We still have amazingly low interest rates, which historically has not been the case in previous economic recessions. Inventory of houses to choose from are at an all time high and in many cases priced aggressively to sell. Qualifing for a loan can be much more difficult right now though and I reccommend you get an excellent mortgage broker to help you with the process. (I am married to one if you need any help!) If you have credit issues today, start working to repair them immediately! A responsible lender is someone who will take the time to help you correct problems on your credit report and step you through the buying process with confidence.

If you are considering selling a house right now, there are a few things to keep in mind. #1 PRICE IS EVERYTHING #2 CONDITION IS KING #3 BE NEGOTIABLE You might not get that "pie in the sky" asking price but if you are selling so that you can make another purchase- chances are you will more than make up for any loss on your new home. Hire a real estate professional that will advise you everystep of the way on what is the best way to get your home sold.

Greenville/Spartanburg, SC Area Market Statistics

Real Estate is not national, it is local...I know. Well, our area has not been effected too much by the negative publicity that we have been enduring from the mass media USA- until now. Apparently, the Greenville/Spartanburg Area lags behind in real estate trends by about 6-9 months. It is finally showing up in our MLS stats that sales are down. That being said, last year was still (I believe) the 5th busiest year in real estate history. So down- yes, BUT what goes UP must come DOWN, right? I have read in several places that the real estate market is cyclical and it must correct itself periodically. Sellers need us now more than ever! Unless of course they want their house to be lost in the sea of other listings. A professional realtor knows the market, knows what buyers are looking for and knows how to price their house to get it sold. It always comes down to price. Hire a real estate professional with experience. Call me if you need to sell and I will tell you what it will take, honesty.

Home Values Not Declining

Wow! I have good news for all of you potential sellers out there. I was at a real estate meeting the other day and a mortgage broker joined us after he finished his continuing education class. We asked what he learned, jokingly, but what he said drew a round of applause. An appraiser speaking for the CE class, like an angel from heaven, brought the best news we have heard in a long time. In our market- Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, our home values are holding steady, not declining. HOLY COW! All the gloom and doom we read in the local newspapers, hear on the radio, see on the TV about how bad the market is. NOT US BABY- Remember real estate is local! I just had to share that good news. Give me a call so I can help you get your house sold.

Selling in today market takes expertise

I would just like to share that I have been in the real estate market for 6 years now and have done better than your average real estate agent. I attribute my success to having a professional real estate coach that has taught me that treating every client as a relationship, not a transaction will get me further in business than any type of "marketing" will. I have built many successful relationships, done multiple transactions with the same folks-their families, friends, co-workers, church members, etc in just a short amount of time. Why? you might ask...I am guilty of being as honest as they come. I will will ask permission to be frank and then tell you what I really think. I am not going to tell you I can sell for X amount of dollars because that is what you want to hear. This may not be the most accepted practice in real estate, however, it is one of the most successful. So, while I do not carry 30+ listings at any given time, I will truly give you the time that each client deserves to have a quick, stress free, enjoyable, listing period and an agent that is there for you when you call. So, give me a call today to see how I can get you moving! Right now my listings have all sold in record time and yours should be the next one to go "under contract".