As the first-time home buyer tax credit comes to an end (homes must be closed on by December 1, 2009), it’s time to reflect upon it’s effectiveness. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel posted one such article last week…
Read the Journal-Sentinel article.
What do you think?
One factor that demonstrates that real estate is becoming more affordable for buyers is the following statement:
On a national basis, median home prices, which rose to more than four times median household income in 2005 during the housing bubble, have sunk to a bit below the norm of about 2.8 times family income – a ratio reflecting, in part, the sale of many lower-priced starter homes.
The article also states that lower priced homes are becoming the most popular choice amongst home buyers.
That statement also remains true for the Wisconsin Rapids area. Homes under $125,000 in our area are moving the fastest. In a later post I’ll show you the expected time on the market for homes in all our various price ranges.
If you’re considering placing your home on the market now is your last chance to reach first time home buyers because the deadline is fast approaching.
How has the first-time home buyer tax credit affected you? Has it caused you to purchase a home this year? Have you been left out because you already own a home?
Have you noticed the archive section on the left sidebar? We’re starting to repeat months… Yes, that means this website has reached it’s first birthday!
In the past year I’ve published over 90 posts, created 30+ pages and have had 1000’s of visitors find their way here.
It’s been a blast creating and writing each and every thing you see and read on this site. It’s been an awesome creative outlet and has allowed me to flex my creative muscles in ways not possible before. This website has allowed me to meet many new people, as well as gain many new friends along the way.
Also, a big thank you to the people who’ve subscribed and read each and every post.
This website has also opened many doors for me, including getting to meet Patrick Goodness of GoRapids.com. Through that meeting I’ve been allowed the pleasure of talking real estate on his site as well. Have you checked me out over there yet?
So again, thank you. I’ve got a bunch of things running through my head on ways to make this better for you. So stay tuned!
Photo Credit
Have you checked out First Weber’s fan page on Facebook yet?
You know why you love facebook. Why not add a little real estate to the pot?
There’s love in the air. Can you smell the pheromones*? I’m looking for a warm home, any size, style or age. Relationship will be short, but memorable. My heart has room for many homes. Each will be very important to me.
Say what? Above will make sense as you continue to read.
I also know that we’re supposed to be suffering through a horrible real estate market…
Anyway, real estate is moving. If you’ve priced it right and properly updated your home, you can expect to sell in a decent amount of time.
But back to why I need properties to sell. It’s now August. Fall will be here soon. Winter just after that.
And when winter and the holidays hit, the real estate market will really slow down. What that means to you is less buyers will be actively looking for homes. Most people do not want to be moving around the holidays or when the temperature is waaaayyyy below freezing.
You need some really good friends in order to get them to agree to haul furniture in -10 degree weather when the Packers are on and they could be sitting in the warmth of a comfy leather recliner that’s the perfect distance away from the new hi-def TV. And if you can’t get your closest friends to help you move, you’re left with calling some of your acqu-ends. You remember the Seinfeld episode, right? The one with Keith Hernandez? I can’t be the only one…
Not only will the cold weather keep buyers away but the first-time homebuyer tax credit is also ending December 1, 2009. The last push of first-time homebuyers is starting to hit the market because they need an offer accepted in the next 45 days or so. That could be your home.
Ok, so that’s drawback number 2.
Time for number 3. Does your landscaping ever look better than now? Granted my lawn has looked better, but the recent rain has perked it back up a little. At my house the flowers have never looked better. The lilies are in bloom, the coneflowers are at their peak, plus a bunch of other stuff I only know as “pretty” are making my home look like a million bucks. Maybe not a million, but I know I can sell the serenity that comes with sitting on my deck overlooking my yard beautified with blooming perennials.
What I’m trying to say is that your curb appeal is at its best right now. And because purchasing a home is very emotional, that curb appeal you’ve been cultivating can pay you back in spades with a quick sale.
I’m working hard to deliver value to my clients. If you’re ready, or would just like to talk please let me know. Call me at 715.572.8372, through my contact form, or just send me an email at holberga [at] firstweber [dot] com.
Are you interested in knowing what your home is worth? Fill out this quick form and you can know what the right price is for your home.
Are you in love with this article? Maybe even just ‘in like?’ Why not sign up to receive all articles delivered to your email inbox? It’s simple and really unobtrusive; you’ll receive one email for every two articles I write. I promise to not be like that last boyfriend or girlfriend you had…
Photo Credit
* or maybe it’s just pollen…
This is a continuation of my discussion on First Weber’s new multi-media program Front Runner. You can read the original article as well as the follow up on the text messaging component.
Today you get to see ’stuff’ that’s automatically created when your home is listed. This insures that everything associated with your home is of the highest quality. Plus it allows me to save time, thereby allowing me to do my job, which is to get your home sold.
I’m able to easily send these links to any interested person. They click on it and they can see a flyer, a video, a map where the home is located, my contact information… Everything.
I use these in emails to buyers, in your Craigslist ads, and on the website I create for you. Plus buyers have access to this information when they view your home on FirstWeber.com.
I’ve always said that you don’t know where the buyer for your home will come from so the more arrows you have in your quiver the faster you’ll end up selling your home.
Without further ado, check out the following links:
The embeddable video is below. It’s used in websites (like this one)…
PHONE: (715) 572-8372
My name is Adam Holberg and I’m a Realtor with First Weber of Wisconsin Rapids. This website is designed to inform and help bring conversation to a topic I love, real estate.