Richardson, TX

Sales were off by 4% in January compared to a year ago. The average sales price and median sales price both were up sharply but this was due to an atypical distribution in the price ranges. Basically what happened was that there were fewer homes selling in the lower price ranges and a few more sales in the upper ranges. Pending sales were down by 4% and the number of active listings continues to decline leaving a very small 2.9 months of inventory.

Richardson has the smallest inventory on the market of any area. If you are a buyer this leaves you with very few choices. The best homes go quickly!

Sales: 43

Average Sales Price: $183,658

Median Sales Price: $176000

Pending Sales: 55

New Listings: 91

Active Listings: 230

Months of inventory: 2.9

After being up for the last 2 months sales fell by 20% in the month of December. The average sales price and the median sales price increased but this looks like it was due to some sales of higher priced homes. The number of Pending Sales decreased by 7%. New listings increased but the number of active listings continues to shrink. The months of inventory is at 2.9 months. This is a very low number and if you are a buyer you have very little on the market to choose from.

Sales: 52

Average Sales Price: $189,339

Median Sales Price: $171,000

Pending Sales: 42

New Listings: 82

Active Listings: 231

Days on Market: 59

Months of Inventory: 2.9

Luxury Foreclosures in 2010

There are currently (as of January 12, 2010) 45 active luxury foreclosures (luxury meaning over $750,000) in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. With the average price list price being $1,155,560 and the average days on market being 237, there are definitely some great opportunities out there right now. There are even several brand NEW homes that have been foreclosed on!

The Good Home Team has been helping home buyers & sellers in the DFW metroplex for the last 5 years. We pride ourselves on giving 5 star service and working hard on negotiating the best deal possible on your home purchase. Give The Good Home Team a call today at 972-215-SOLD (7653) or email us at Info@TheGoodHomeTeam.com.

You can begin your home search at www.TheGoodHomeTeam.com or by clicking here.

The Good Home Team is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty.

This time of the year we all start reflecting where we have been and start to peek around the corner to see if we can see what might be ahead in the coming months. The way I see 2009 was the year of "fasten your seatbelt, there is turbulence ahead." 2010 has the promise of being the year of "The Captain has turned off the fasten seatbelt light and you are free to move around the cabin."

2009 was a tough year. For everyone I know the consensus is that the only thing to do during such turbulent times is to "fasten your seat belt" and hold on the best you can. And, that is how it went in 2009 - the market puckered up in a way that we have never seen before and we all strapped ourselves in and found our way to staying alive.

No question it was a wild ride. There were starts and stops in work flow, a constant stream of analysis about the state of the art of the market and the massive governmental intervention, seeming systematic changes in the residential real estate market, low rates, high unemployment, a full scale recession. range wars in Washington and the fall out from all the above those of us in the trenches experienced every day.

There are a lot of economic indictors that suggest that the worst is over and we are onto better days ahead. In my view the governmental actions in the past year have targeted residential values. If you look at TARP, the allegations of the Stimulus, some of the programs inside the Stimulus including the Tax Credit for First Time Buyers, the actions by Treasury in the bond market and the low rates that resulted the central issue is stabilizing residential values.

When 2010 is over the hope is that this promise of being free to move around the cabin has been the experience for all of us. All I can is that this economy and the people in it are tough, smart and resilient. Whatever happens this year there is little doubt that we will all persevere.

Bad Real Estate Photography - Lessons from the Media Age

You've heard it once, you'll hear it again - In a previous post, I detailed one of my favorite soap-box subjects, which is the poor use of digital cameras in real estate. Bad Real Estate Photography can be avoided - after all, a luxury of having a digital camera is the fact that you, yes you, can view the photograph you just shot and choose to delete it. When you are listing a home (especially if a good amount of time and effort has gone into cultivating the relationship with that Seller), it's only in your best interest and the interest of your client to list as many good quality photographs in MLS and online (ahem, AR) for public viewing as possible.

Due to the large success of both previous entries, I've decided to make it a routine feature of the blogosphere and have been cultivating a folder of Bad Real Estate Photographs stripped right from MLS for your viewing pleasure. Again, not to pop anyones bubble, but these are actual un-doctored photographs with personal opinions. You be the judge:

Which house are we talking about, here?

Now, I know which house we're talking about, but I'm betting buyers are looking for a house that comes complete with a roof. And, boys and girls, I don't see one!

You're joking, right?

REALLY, guys? A light would be a good thing.

This one is like an episode of 'Snapped'... okay overall, but looks like it's straight out of a crime scene.

Sorry, kids. No MLS comments state that this television (without remote) comes with the house. Better luck next time.

These photos from a house that's perfect for your 'fun'-sized family!

"If I buy the house, can we remove the hidden cameras?"

Cool. A shower.

I'm hoping it's an archway and we aren't looking 'through the glass' before even getting to the kitchen.

Caption Option: "And YOU TOO can have your very own trash-can in a cabinet!"

I get the 'granite thing.' But I'd love a whole 'kitchen thing.'

I got nothin.

The good news is, it doesn't have to be this way! See my previous post that details a few tips on how to avoid these types of "photos" with your listing. Buyers like pretty pictures, it's a fact. So give them what they want! Another lesson to all!

Avoid Bad Real Estate Photography! If you are considering selling your home and want to ensure that beautiful pictures are taken, call me!