About Seabeck's Stavis Bay

Two recently published articles provide us with an analysis of the real estate market, both locally and nationally.

The first article, published in The Kitsap Sun, provides comparative figures for Kitsap County WA between 2009 and 2010:

Lower Prices Fuel Condo Sales in 2010

The second article, published in the New York Times, offers up a more sobering perspective on the recent slump in home sales across the country:

U.S. Home Prices Slump Again, Hitting New Low

Over the course of my career as a licensed real estate broker, I've learned that every market dynamic poses its own unique opportunities and challenges.

The recent downturn offers great opportunities to both Buyers and Investors. As we approach and reach the bottom of our current cycle, home prices will have adjusted to their lowest point in many years. Coupled with the extremely low interest rates still being offered, 1st time Buyers especially can capitalize on these circumstances.

And due to the growing number of short sale and foreclosure properties, Investors can identify viable properties that can offer a much quicker rate of return.

For Sellers, my advice is to price your home aggressively, right out of the gate, and to pull out all the stops when it comes to effectively preparing your home for market. With the increased levels of inventory out there, the competition for attracting qualified Buyers has increased tremendously. Condition and price will help your home to stand head and shoulders above all the rest. In addition, ensure that your home receives the greatest degree of Internet marketing as possible. With over 95% of all Home Buyers accessing the Internet for the home searches, online exposure has become absolutely critical in achieving a successful sale.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate broker providing Knowledgeable Empowerment and Relentless Representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, Everyday CK, HomesByHarbors, and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

Fresh out of the oven - my own recipe, "Crab Pot Pie" which uses generous portions of Dungeness Crab meat that we catch right over in nearby Hood Canal WA. The base is a roasted garlic Alfredo sauce, complimented with fresh green peas, baby carrots, and sliced zucchini squash. The ingredients are placed into a porcelin ramekin (a set of 4 costs $3 at Cost Plus). Use a spare ramekin to cut-out your cover from store-bought pre-made pie crusts. Bake on 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Goes great with a tossed Romaine salad, Sour Dough French bread, and a glass of Pinot Grigio.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG, Crabbing in the Hood, Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

This is the 3rd and final installment in a series entitled “The Art of Offering Less” and deals with the unique nuances associated with tendering an offer that is lower than the asking price.

In the 1st article we discussed the market dynamics that tend to encourage or breed low offers.

In the 2nd article, we shared various strategies for Buyers to achieve success with low offers.

In this final part, we’ll talk about the risks that are inherent with making low offers.

To read the rest of this article, simply click through to SOUNDBITEBLOG. (Opens in a separate window for your viewing ease)

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG, and Crabbing in the Hood.