Wanda Fears, ABR CRS GRI

"Selling your home to the next Generation of Buyers"

In case you have not heard Echo Boomers are the kids of the baby boomers. They way out number the baby boomer generation, and they are the new home buyers over the next few years. There is a projected housing shortage in 2011 because of their demand. They want 24/7 info. social networking, lots of information and most of it anonymously

if you are selling your home, it is important to hire and agent to seek these buyers out. Your want to hire an Internet savvy agent with lots of credentials, like ABR( Accredited Buyers Rep), CRS ( Only 4% of real estate agents have this coveted designation,Certified Residential Specialist), and GRI ( Graduate of the Real Estate institute.

Today's seller should want their listings on Zillow, Craig's List, and 30+ other major sites. The seller's agent must go where the echo boomers go for information and to get the listings sold.

As a seller, you may think that you do not need help putting your listing on these web sites.

A professional agent that does this as a full time career agent is the best source of where to, and what to, put on these sites.

Seek out a CRS Designated Agent today, a listing agent that has taken the social networking and technology courses in the last 2 years;

One that is keeping up with our challenging and changing times.

As a seller you will be glad you did.

These are not amateur times we are in.

Go to www.804property.com
Free market reports about on your home’s value

24/7 Marketing?

This means that I market your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What the consumer wants today is information quickly, easily, honestly and without the traditional hassles. Successful marketing hinges on this exact concept and this is exactly what my 24/7 marketing plan offers.

Why Use 24/7 Marketing?

The traditional Realtor ® guards information as secret and privileged. Ever tried to find out the information you want on an advertised home? Frustrating, isn’t it?

I take a different approach. My 24/7 marketing plan is designed to offer the consumer all of the information they need easily and at their convenience without all the hassles.

And How, Exactly, is This All Achieved?

My pledge to you, as my client, is to get the highest price for your home, the most favorable terms, in the least amount of time and with the least inconvenience to you. Even in good real estate markets, the competition is tough. My job is to market your home to get it sold. My Pro-Active Marketing Plan includes, but is not limited to, the following:

My Marketing Plan

• First, I analyze the recent sales and current listings within your geographical area and conduct a detailed inspection of your home. I use this information to determine your home’s fair market value as well as for marketing purposes. The market analysis enables me to develop a target market for your home, that, together with the right price, will generate the optimal number of prospects.
• A Long and Foster sign with my name on it will be promptly placed on your property, if possible. I will be marketing your home in a number of ways and the strong Long and Foster sign attracts prospective buyers. My name and contact information appears on the sign to ensure that interested callers will be directed straight to me, the agent who knows more about your home than anyone.
• I promote your home 24 hours a day to the entire real estate industry and the world through the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). With MLS entry, your home will be exposed to thousands of agents and their buyers immediately.
• I will take multiple photographs of your home and/or arrange for a virtual tour to be used in both color brochures and other advertising. My attractive, colorful advertising materials are very professional and promote the best features of your property.
• An open house for local real estate agents will be scheduled as soon as practicable. This is an outstanding opportunity to provide your home with early exposure to salespeople who are working with today’s buyers.
• I promote your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through my explosive Internet marketing plan. Hundreds of people visit my website and e-mail me with requests for more information regarding listings and local area real estate. In addition, your home will be marketed on the top real estate websites in the country.
• I email home information to prospective buyers. My interactive website offers 24/7 access to information on any homes for sale. Buyers are automatically updated daily via email if they desire. This innovative tool is invaluable for marketing my listings.
• Unlike many agents, I always give complete details to prospective buyers who inquire about your property. That includes price, street address, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage and whatever else the prospect might want to know.
• In addition, I use the reverse prospect search feature on the Multiple Listing Service. This allows me to match your property with the vast resource of buyers in the system and proactively notify other agents even before they have the new listing information.
• In short, you will enjoy a wide spectrum of full media advertising opportunities. Your home will enjoy the full impact of my broad, professional coverage, including: display advertising, national and international advertising in magazines and web sites, Internet advertising (every day, 24 hours a day, until it’s SOLD!), target marketing, brochure boxes, yard signs, brochures, open houses, agent-to-agent advertising, and more. My Pro-Active Marketing Plan is designed to encourage prospects to call me.

If you can have 24/7 MARKETING, why settle for anything less?

Wanda Fears, ABR GRI CRS Realtor Long and Foster Richmond Va.
wanda@wandafears.com Call 804-909-2777

This is an update on your market in Richmond Va, and comments on the market in general.

Granted it has been a trying year, but Richmond has not fared badly. Average prices in the area are from 250-280 with many better than average deals out there. There is plenty of good inventory at premium prices as sellers are offering reasonable negotiations. Every month we list and every month we sell homes.

National Association of Realtors reports home sales in August were up 3.1 percent over July. We are selling 5 million plus homes a year. The median existing home price was 212,400. Down 7.1 % from last year. Even Florida and California are selling again. Builders are letting inventory drain off. That is good news for exiting home sales. This should help bring supply and demand back in to balance.

Interest rates remain in the 6's. My interest rate 15 years ago was 7.25. Yes, you need a down payment now. No more 100 % loans. But we have found that people need to invest in their homes. They will have a financial loss, if they don't pay the mortgage. And yes, people can no longer use their house as checking accounts. One buys a car with a car loan, one buys furniture by saving, and one pays off credit cards as soon as possible. Since when is it okay to use your home as a bank. It's like putting a lien on your home, each time you write an equity line check.

Investments mean just that. You put a down payment on a property. You upgrade where its needed, and you make repairs when it's needed. You live in it for 5-7 years, you sell it for a good price, and you make a profit. Then you reinvest with more money down the second time. Third time. Fourth time.

Let's all get back to the American dream of responsible home ownership. If you have friends or family who still rent and seek to improve their net worth; Encourage them to save and invest in America. Own a Home . Don't let politicians,wall street or nay-Sayers discourage them from doing what Americans have always done.

It is firmly believed that April 2008 marked the bottom of the US housing market. Many of these mortgage companies have been holding on to bad debt with their head in the sand, hoping it would go away. That is why you are hearing so much about it now. The bottoming is happening right now. The mortgage companies are now acting more responsible. The housing bust is now 3 years old. Housing prices peaked in July 2005.

The boom made housing un-affordable for many American families,especially first time home buyers. These first time home buyers are needed to keep the market viable. As a result it now takes 19% of income of the average home buyer, and 31% of the first time home buyers monthly income to purchase a home. These were the levels of income needed in the 1990s and early 2000s for a home purchase. With prices dropping 10-15 % in the last three years,homes are back to being affordable.

Most home owners will now see a a slow increase in value, as buyers come back into the market. More home sales and smaller price declines means fewer homeowners will be upside down. They will thus have less incentive to walk away and opt for foreclosure. When there is this stabilization of values, there will be a huge impact on economy. Perceptions will change.


Yours Wanda Fears, Realtor ABR GRI CRS

"one of 4% of CRS designated agents in the country"

Please email or call me if you have questions about our market.

"We can work it out together" 804-909-2777 Wanda@wandafears.com

www.wandafears.com

Buyers expect a home to be in good shape. Replacing the roof and painting, replacing the HVAC are not value added in a buyers market. They are expected!

If a seller neglects their home, and decides to sell; they will be hard pressed to recoup these costs in a higher sales price.

Buyers are looking for homes than have been maintained during ownership, and value those homes more than quickly fixed up homes for resale.

Many home repairs, if not made promptly, will cause other problems.

Leaky roof may cause the sheathing to be replaced, as well as mold and drywall issues.

Uncleaned and unmaintained gutters may case water to back up and ruin the wood trims around the house.

Plumbing leaks under the house again cause mold.

Not changing air filters cause the HVAC units to work harder and less efficiently and shorten life span.

Caulking in baths and under toilets,not kept up can cause replacement of bath flooring.

Fireplaces not cleaned can cause overheating and crack and are very expensive to repair.

Clean, clean, clean. Windows, baths, closets, kitchen, light fixtures, attic, yard, garage. Even clean older worn carpets. Put the brightest light bulbs the fixtures will allow in all sockets.

Why is it people are more aware of changing the oil in their car, than keeping up with maintenance of the biggest investment they own.

Sellers need to consider a pre-sale inspection and offer it to the buyers prior to a contract. Leave it in a note book on the table with the listing information. This easy access can put buyers at ease and more apt to write a contract if everything has been disclosed and repaired.

Leave the major renovations to the buyer, but offer them a solid and well kept home.

"Remember do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Most sellers are buying a home too)

Wanda Fears ABR GRI CRS

Long and Foster Realtors

email:wanda@wandafears.com

www.wandafears.com

Richmond, Virginia

804-909-2777

Homes prices in Richmond Virginia ,especially condos, are good buys right now. A 4 BR room house can house 4 students or better yet a condo may be just the thing. 2 or 3 students can live comfortably and have access to a kitchen and can study with out going to the library. Condos are being priced competitively around 125-225,000 near VCU.Houses are priced around 225-275,000.

Sellers are more reasonable and buyers have great interest rates and good inventory from which to choose. Builders are giving many upgrades and pricing nicely for a good return in a few years. The market is not going to stay down for long and your students still have to go to school ,as well as other students in the years behind them. So you have built in buyers or rental property for ever.

There is no time like the present to buy a home, second home, or possibly a condo for that College attendee. Ask about crunching the numbers and how they work for buying a condo or townhouse in a city of universities.

Your future graduate can save on room and board if you get the right property. Roommates can help pay the mortgage. Parents or students will often come out less in debt. The condo appreciation can cut the education debt of a student in 4-6 years.(i.e. medical students, law students, or graduate school).

For years foreign students parents have been buying condos for two or three brothers and sisters attending the same university. 600 a month per student is Lot better than 1200-1800 for the price of room and board.

The condos near Virginia Commonwealth University are very industrial,( less worry about damage,concrete counters bamboo wood floors and brick walls. This is what the kids want.They are near school and with in walking distance of the school hangouts. A bike is all they need, save on cars and car insurance.Parking is a real problem at the school and also has a cost. A good old fashion walk is healthier.

Condo pricing numbers work , usually saving the parent at least half of the housing cost of an average student.Apply those savings to education bills. Let other parents save too, and let them help pay your mortgage.

Many Universities only guarantee 1 year in dorms and they still are expensive. So Think about an investment in real estate, to offset you education costs.

Main street have always been less risky than Wall street.

Wanda Fears ABR CRS GRI

Long and Foster Realtors

www.wandafears.com

804 909-2777 ....cell

email Wanda@wandafears.com

In the coming weeks, the sign pictured above will be popping up all across Richmond. It's all part of Mayor L. Douglas Wilder's "City of the Future" plan, which is generating more than $300 million for community improvements for City neighborhoods, parks, libraries, streets and sidewalks -- without requiring a single increase in taxes.

"This is truly a new day for the City of Richmond, as rarely does any community have the opportunity that now is before us," said the Mayor.

Approximately $113 million of City of the Future funding is already in the pipeline, being directed towards areas that will have the broadest benefit for the majority of Richmond's citizens. From neighborhood to neighborhood, the City of the Future plan will provide numerous improvements across the City.

The funding mechanism for the City of the Future plan is a byproduct of the experience, energy and innovation brought to the City Department of Finance by Harry Black, the City's Chief Financial Officer.

Never before has Richmond created a funding source for its projects without first issuing bonds or taxing its residents. The Mayor's City of the Future plan has changed that.

"We are in a very enviable position, as I am not aware of any other municipality in the United States that has a $300 million reserve with no tax increase," said the Mayor.