Great article about rising home sales. Could this be the year to sell, or upgrade...?

• Home Sales Hit 7-Year High

  Home sales surged in 2013 even as prices continued to rise in all regions of the country. Read

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Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

What recent mortgage revisions can mean to you...

• How Much Tougher is It to Get Approved for a Mortgage?

  The rules for getting and repaying mortgages have changed dramatically. Will you benefit from new protections or have a tough time getting a mortgage? Read

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Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Here are some simple ideas to consider if you're thinking about selling your home.

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  5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

  Working to get your home ship-shape for showings will increase its value and shorten your sales time. Read

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Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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  (New!)

  When is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?

  A major appliance should never be an impulse buy. We pinpoint the best moments to buy, on and offline. Read

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Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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  7 Smart Strategies for Kitchen Remodeling

  Follow these 7 strategies to get the most financial gain on your kitchen remodel. Read

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Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Pricing Your Home to Sell

How much your home is worth to you and how much it is considered to be worth in the real

estate market can be two very different numbers. If you’re planning to put your home up

for sale, one of the most important factors in making a quick sale is pricing the property

correctly. There are a few important guidelines to remember.

Pricing your home too high can mean it might end up sitting on the market. Pricing it too low

means that you’re losing potential revenue and leaving money on the table. By pricing your

home “just right,” you will not only ensure that it will appraise for approximately the same

value (increasing the likelihood that your buyer will secure financing), but you will likely see an

offer or two – and if you’re lucky, multiple offers.

So, what is the best way to determine how you should price your home? It’s best to look

at recent, comparable sales, or “comps” in your neighborhood or surrounding area. Once

you have a “feel” for comps in your area, your agent can help you decide how your home

stacks up. Using his or her expertise can be helpful if you don’t have a lot of specifics about

how your home compares against others in terms of features and upgrades, additions, or

renovations.

With the market in better shape now than in recent years and inventory levels low, your

chances of selling your home quickly are good – but this still depends greatly on pricing. With

a little research and the expert advice of your agent, you’ll be able to price your home just

right to make that sale.

by Kristin Brown, www.realtytimes.com, August 20, 2013

PROOF THERE IS NO BUBBLE -- 6 REASONS

According to KCM Blog, a real estate blog, well documented with national sources and valid statistics, and a recent job report regarding wages, give great evidence that there is no bubble.  Talking about the possibility of a bubble has made for good fodder both in the papers and on cable newscasts.  However, take a look at the following and you will find some compelling reasons to keep an open mind and draw your own conclusions.  1) 41% - Percentage of homes being bought where payment is cheaper than renting.  2) 16 X's - The ratio of home prices to rents in the first  quarter of 2013 is slightly better than long-term average.  3) 8% - The percentage housing is still undervalued on a price to income ration.  4) 91% - Percentage of the country which is still undervalued.  5) Pent up demand / Low inventory.  6) Wages are rising.  We aren't even mentioning larger down payments, stringent loan qualifications and number of owner occupied versus investors is rising significantly.  Finally, has it been mentioned the renewed perception that home ownership is once again a great investment?