Vicki Baggs Galveston County Waterfront

“BEST TIME TO SELL IS MARCH THRU AUGUST”

HOLDS TRUE IN ANY MARKET !!

“BEST TIME TO SELL IS MARCH THRU AUGUST” IS A STATEMENT THAT HOLDS TRUE IN ANY MARKET, WHETHER BOOM OR BUST. Recently I was researching property statistics for the last few years looking for anything that could be considered “good news”, and this same time frame repeated itself year after year. The graphs begin moving upward in March, peaking in June, and then working its way back down by September. Of course, this is not earth shattering information; however, it struck me as something that needed to be re-emphasized – IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON SELLING IN 2011, YOUR BEST CHANCE FOR SUCCESS IS NOW!

If your property is already on the market, re-evaluate the current competition. Update those wintery pictures! We’ve had some gorgeous days full of sunshine recently to freshen up your home’s online presence.

If you are planning a move by summer – get busy (and call me!!!) now by sprucing up your property to get it ready to show - minor repairs, fresh paint, clean up the clutter, clean out the flower beds, etc.

On the waterfront, we see a pick up in customer traffic around MARDI GRAS time, which always brings in thousands of visitors to the area each year; this year it is February 25 – March 8, 2011 and will be celebrating it’s 100^th anniversary!

Go to www.MARDIGRASGALVESTON.COM

For official information

If you have a vacant home you want to sell, contact me for help with staging the property, even if it’s with just a few items of well-placed paintings, towels, plants, and furnishings. Show off the deck or downstairs entertaining area with outdoor furniture, plants, etc. Or better yet, I can give you some names of professional stagers to really give your property a leg up on the competition.

Don’t get left behind, homes WILL be sold over the next 6 months! Call me today to put your property “front and center” of this Spring 2011 selling season!

BAYOU VISTA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE. Although we sold 50 homes within our small community in 2010, the current MLS listings of 57 properties translates into well over a year's worth of inventory. As you can see from the graph (2008-2010) above from HAR's MLS statistics, sales prices were continuing to drop through out 2010. Most of the homes that sold were in the lower price ranges. The higher priced homes just are not quite moving yet. We have however, seen new construction starting to move again, and averaging $178 per square foot, which is well above what resale homes are getting.

As an average, a 2 or 3 bedroom home with less than 1500 sf is selling at $120 per sf. While a 2 bedroom home with more than 1500 sf is only getting $82 per sf, and a 3 bedroom home with more than 1500 sf is coming in around $90 per sf. Now keep in mind, there are homes that sold for more (and some for less) per square foot due to particular amenities such as boathouse, updates, or location. And unfortunately, we still have many homes that are overpriced and have been on the market for well over a year.

Overpricing your property is never a good idea in any market but especially not in the current one. For instance, a home was originally listed at $498,000 in August 2007. Once the asking price was reduced by almost $100,000, it still took 9 months to get an accepted offer. A rule of thumb that I was taught is that the current real estate market changes every 3 months. Reevaluating a listing after it's been on the market for 1 or 3 or 6 months is imperative; however, it is often very difficult to get the seller to "listen" to any recommendations I make which might very well be contrary to what I told him/her 3 months before. But in order to stay competitive, it is a must. I have heard from many sellers through the years that "well I don't have to sell...." or "I'm not just going to give it away". Maybe so, however, you need to decide and commit up front whether you "want" to sell. If you are not sure, then I would recommend not selling until you are. REALTORS do not control the market, we just report it. And it is a waste of your time and money, as well as mine.

On the other hand - it is still a thriving "Buyer's Market and with interest rates still very low, this could be the perfect time for you to purchase that waterfront home you've always wanted!

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE!

AND HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS ARE IN

FULL SWING.

1st Place '09

Bayou Vista Christmas Boat Parade Photo by www.bayouvista.com

All of December - Moody Mansion and Bishop's Palance decorated with authentic 1900's lights and ornaments. Tours available

December 9-12, then nightly 16th-1st - Moody Gardens Festival of Lights

December 11 - 6:30 p.m. - Bayou Vista Christmas Boat Parade - starts on Blue Heron this year.

December 11 - 7:00 p.m. - 49th Annual Clear Lake Christmas Boat Parade

December 11 & 12 - "The Nutcracker" at The Grand Theatre performance by City Ballet of Houston

December 18 - Santa's Kingdom Parade & Festival in Santa Fe. 7:00 start

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBATIONS

Midnight in the Gardens New Year's Eve Gala - Moody Gardens Hotel 7:30-1:00.

The San Luis Resort New Year's Eve Extravaganza - The Grand Ballroom 8:00 p.m.

Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Dept New Year's Eve Dinner/Dance - MUD 12 Building upstairs.

New Year's Eve Party - Haak Winery in Santa Fe. Hosting dinner and live music. 6:30 p.m.

Photo by www.Kemah.Net

HOLIDAY TIME SAVER

Quick and Easy Seafood Dip - very easy and everybody loves it - Mix softened cream cheese, picante sauce (however spicy you like it) add enough to make it a "pink" color about 1/2 cup per cream cheese bar, and small boiled shrimp. Crab can be substituted. Serve with cut up vegies, chips or crackers.

Don't forget to pick up extra Bayou Vista Area Phone Books! We still have some, just stop by the office!

Neptune Properties

3109 Neptune Dr.

Bayou Vista, Texas 77563

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and safe holiday season.

WONDERFUL WATERFRONT! PRICES WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN YEARS!!! Don't miss the boat! With interest rates historically low and prices we haven't seen in a decade, call me today to find your perfect home. Whether your looking for a great place to vacation or wanting to move into the waterfront lifestyle, we've got a great selection of homes.

Waterfront properties recently listed by NEPTUNE PROPERTIES include:

955 Bonita - $128,700

875 Bonita - $157,900

1170 Sailfish - $165,999

947 Bonita - $249,500

364 Ling - $120,000 - ALREADY SOLD!

Another new listing in BAYOU VISTA is a home on Redfish for $89,500. With a little work, it offers a great opportunity to get that waterfront home you've always wanted - without breaking the bank!!!!

OUR OFFICE IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK AND LOCATED IN THE BAYOU VISTA SUBDIVISION.

Bayou Vista/Omega Bay area has sold 7 properties since October 1, 2010 with 5 currently under contract.

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER INFORMATION AND PROGRAMS STILL AVAILABLE.

RESIDENTIAL LOTS ALSO AVAILABLE TO BUILD YOUR WATERFRONT DREAM HOME! EXPERIENCED GULF COAST BUILDER INFORMATION.

BAYOU VISTA TRICK OR TRUNK - GREAT TIME FOR KIDS. Celebrating Halloween, Bayou Vista residents will again dress up the trunks of the cars, trucks, golf carts or tables at the city parking lot on October 31st and fill them with candy to hand out to the kids. All are welcome for the trick or treating, games, and even a pet costume contest. 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.