Things Are MOVING in Ozaukee and Washington County Real Estate!
We’ve seen a 49% increase in the number of single-family homes that have sold in Ozaukee county during the first quarter of 2012 over the same time last year and a 30% increase in Washington county. While prices have remained steady or slipped a bit, this is a strong indicator that buyers’ confidence in the housing market is indeed improving.
With inventory moving at a much quicker pace and some properties even receiving multiple offers, this is the time for anyone thinking about buying a house to get out and buy a house.
Condo Living Is Waiting for you at Ardennes II in Belgium WI
Two great, affordable, move-in ready condos are available in the newer Ardennes II subdivision in Belgium.
A side-by-side 2-bedroom/3-bath unit at 317 La Roche Lane has an open concept floor plan, finished lower level and a private deck, and is listed at $159,500. Located just across the street at 306 Louvain Lane is a 2-bedroom/2-bath upper unit with nearly 1800 square feet in living space as well as a front balcony and rear deck. All of this for just $124,900.
So How Are Real Estate Sales in Ozaukee and Washington Counties??
Seems everywhere I go these days people are asking, “So how is the real estate business?” And it seems that many of my colleagues are getting the same question.
I happily am able to answer that with a heartfelt, “Great!” Yes, activity is certainly picking up out there. Open house traffic is increasing, even in those homes that hadn’t had visitors for a while. Some homes are getting multiple offers, and the days on market don’t seem to be hitting the three-digit numbers as often any more.
Are we out of the woods? Probably not. But what we’ve seen in Ozaukee and Washington county homes sales since January 1st of this year through today compared to the same time last year is promising. As you can see in the chart below, the number of single-family units sold in Ozaukee County is up 31% this year over the same time period one year ago. Prices, however, have dropped about 6%.
Washington County also saw an increase in number of units sold — about 6% over the same time last year. Prices stayed just about the same.
It’s important to understand, however, that because of shadow inventory — those short sales and foreclosures that are expected to come on the market over the next several months — prices are anticipated to drop a bit more through most of 2012.
If you are thinking about selling, now is the time to do it. And if you’re thinking about buying, this is the time, as well, with interest rates hovering near and even below 4%.
I’m hopeful the worst is behind us and look forward to helping home ownership become a reality for more families and individuals in 2012.
We’re Ready to List the House — Now What Do We List It For??
One of the many things I try to plant in my sellers’ minds is the fact that this real estate market we’re in is ever-changing. Every day is a new adventure. Every day I learn something new.
And although this has been the reality for some time now, it still can be difficult to really wrap your head around the way things are. Prices are low and inventory is high. Foreclosures and short sales are out there — even in “your neighborhood.”
What does that mean if you are ready to sell? LIST YOUR HOUSE AT A COMPELLING PRICE!
You want the buyers to come through your house, not your competition’s.
You want the buyers to write an offer on your house, not your competition’s.
So be aggressive. See things as they really are. Really study the comps your Realtor® provides for you and heed his/her advice.
Pay attention to what comparable homes have recently sold for in your area and consider those numbers when deciding on a list price.
Price below your competition — not the same as your competition.
Compel a buyer to buy your house.
It can be really hard to swallow what you will likely get for your house in today’s market, but if you are committed to selling, consider this.
How are you going to feel if that For Sale sign is sitting in your front yard six months from now?
Stay ahead of the competition — be aggressive. Sell your house — don’t just list it.
Just So You Know, You Won’t Be Making Much Commission on This One
A couple of days ago I received an email out of the blue from a buyer I met at an open house about four or five years ago. When we first met he had just started looking, and I think he had decided it wasn’t the right time for him to buy. So we lost touch; I didn’t do a good job staying connected to him, so to receive this call from him is flattering, to say the least.
He said he’s looking for a house, has a few he saw on the internet he’d like to see, and would like to buy something sooner rather than later.
Then he told me that I wouldn’t be making much commission on this sale. Huh???
He explained that he really wanted to stay close to $100,000 and possibly buy more of a dream home down the road. Do I still want to work with him? He said he realizes real estate agents don’t make much on a $100,000 sale so wanted to be sure I was okay with this.
He reminded me of a comment I had received from another buyer the previous weekend. That buyer called me asking to take a look at a fixer-upper I had listed. When we met at the house, which was listed at $103,000, he told me he called because a friend of his in the business wasn’t returning his call. His girlfriend quipped it was because this is “only” a $100,000 house.
I will never understand that mentality of not wanting to work with a “$100,000 buyer.” I will be the first to acknowledge that if that is the only price point an agent works in, it will take many, many sold units to be able to keep up with the bills.
But at the same time, these buyers need my help just as much as a $200,000 or $500,000 buyer does. So if they can demonstrate to me that they are serious about and commmitted to buying a house, you can bet I will work with them. Hopefully one day they will call me when they are ready to move up to something bigger or maybe they have a friend or relative who needs my services.
And besides, I was a $100,000 buyer several years ago. To think an agent would have thought less of me because of my price point — well, I don’t ever want someone to feel they’re any less important than someone who may qualify for a more expensive home.