About Tompkins County, NY

Congratulations! You've decided to sell your home...but wait, what's that? You don't want to use a REALTOR to assist you?

"Why should I use a REALTOR to sell my home? It costs too much and I can do just as good a job."

And to that I say... please reconsider! You may be costing yourself more, more time, frustration and money by not consulting a REALTOR!

Did you know that sellers who use a real estate professional make 16 percent more* on the sale of their home than do sellers who go it alone.

REALTORS® are real estate professionals who are experts in marketing and negotiation.

REALTORS® can help a seller set a realistic price and ensure the proper paperwork and various disclosures and inspections are handled correctly.

REALTORS® know best how to prepare a home and maximize value, provide broader exposure to the market and are more likely to generate multiple bids than a seller on their own.

REALTORS® are experts in attracting qualified buyers. A professional can show a home more objectively than can a seller who may be emotionally attached to the home. The real estate pro also checks the financial capability and bona fides of buyers before allowing them onto a seller's property.

86% of buyers found a home through a real estate agent

80% from the Internet (then contacted a REALTOR)

69% from a REALTOR yard sign

Real Estate professionals can also navigate you through the local market landscape: advising you on the best marketing strategy and target audience for your area. They can also update you regularly with local market stats and keep tabs on your housing competition.

They can also find ways to save you money when it comes to closing costs, survey's, and inspections.

Oh wait, you didn't think about the closing costs and a seller's net sheet? Just another reason to hire a REALTOR to help with your home sale.

So, if you are thinking of selling, think of a REALTOR first and remember...

*Source: Realtor.org

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!!

There is a great selection of inventory! The Ithaca Board of Realtors reports, that on average, there are 15 new listings hitting the market daily.

Interest rates are near all time lows in the 5% range! Check out www.bankrate.com

There is an $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers! Click Here for more info...

Housing affordability is at a record high - the buying power of a typical family has risen significantly. With the drop in interest rates, a median income family can afford a home costing $20,000 more than a year ago for the same monthly mortgage payment.

On the converse... if it's a good time to buy then it's a good time to sell! First time home buyers who may have been waiting another year to buy are taking advantage of the tax credit and are in the market now. So if you have been thinking about selling, give me a call, I would be happy to provide a complimentary comparative market analysis of your home!

All signs point to a stable real estate market in Tompkins and surrounding counties.

It's not a surprise to the real estate professionals in the Tompkins County area that real estate is steady and is on the rise. In my office, I have seen some agents that have found themselves in multiple offer situations and it's only the 'start' of the season. So when NAR came out with the fed report as one of their top stories it was no surprise that banks in NY are reporting that they are seeing "the most widespread rise in demand for residential mortgages in more than seven years."

Tompkins County real estate inventory is up and prices are competative. If you are thinking of selling, now is the time to interview real estate agents and choose the one that works best with you.

Lindsay Hart,

Hart is where your Home is.

Please consider interviewing me to be your trusted real estate agent!

It's not a surprise to the real estate professionals in the Tompkins County area that real estate is steady and is on the rise. In my office, I have seen some agents that have found themselves in multiple offer situations and it's only the 'start' of the season. So when NAR came out with the fed report as one of their top stories it was no surprise that banks in NY are reporting that they are seeing "the most widespread rise in demand for residential mortgages in more than seven years."

Tompkins County real estate inventory is up and prices are competative. If you are thinking of selling, now is the time to interview real estate agents and choose the one that works best with you. Please consider interviewing me to be your trusted real estate agent!

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Ithaca Oasis - Grand Opening This Saturday, April 18th!

Okay, it's not your typical Real Estate topic, but it's REAL! And it pertains to signs of our local market conditions - certain businesses are GROWING in spite of the national slump we keep reading about. One of these, is the old Commonground, under new management (by Pam K), and re-emerging as "ITHACA OASIS" on Rt. 96B.

You must check this out - if not for the wine or tequila tastings (two Tuesdays a month), then for the live jazz sets on Friday at happy hour, or for Noche Latina, a crowd-pleasing format of dance instruction followed by a DJ'ed night of great latin dance tunes. People are totally cutting it up out there - you wouldn't know it was happening from the unassuming look of the place. Weekends tend toward bringing the party outdoors, especially as we move into better weather. Pam is doing a wonderful job with the event calendar - this week's lineup includes the Zydeco Trail Riders and Diana Leigh's Jazz Quartet on Saturday, and on Sunday, a "reunion" gig featuring Marie Burns, Harry and Eric Aceto, Chris Broadwell and Doug Richards. South Hill residents take note! The Hill is ON FIRE!!!

WHAT STRIPE ARE YOU??

So there you have it - an all stripes welcome, kick up your heels, put on your party dress venue where you can SPEND MONEY and help your new local businesses stay around and THRIVE into the coming decade!

That is it for this week's edition of "THE SHORT REPORT" by Santos!

See you on the dance floor ;-)