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A Few Ways to Generate Interest in your Home

 

 

With historically low interest rates, increased affordability, and a wide selection of homes to choose from, it i a great time to buy a home.  As the popular spring-time buying period approaches, it is important that home sellers consider the best way to generate interest in their home.

 

 

Here are some tips from MSNBC financial columnist Laura T. Coffey:

  • Consider feedback. Take any criticism your Sales Associate passes along from buyers who have viewed your home, and use it to your advantage. Fixing any issues that come up makes your home more attractive to buyers.
  • Take a break. It is best if you are not at home during showings. This allows potential buyers to talk freely, making it more likely that you will get the constructive feedback you need to make the sale.
  • Mix it up. Host an Open House on a weeknight in addition to a weekend day. This makes it easier for people to attend and could attract an entirely new group of potential buyers.
  • Price it right. A home that is priced right will sell in any market. Think about the lowest amount you are willing or able to accept, and be open to adjusting your home’s list price accordingly based on local market data.

For recent home sales in Bedminster, go to Bedminster-Real-Estate.com.  If you are thinking about the possibility of listing your home for sale, and would like a FREE Market Analysis, please contact us and we would be happy to set up a time to meet with you.

Recent Bedminster Sales – 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close Date      Address                              Section                   List Price     Sale Price

01/06/2012    67 Ashley Ct                       Crestmont             $265,000       $252,500

01/13/2012     1 Calgery Lane                  Stone Run 1          $429,000      $410,000

01/19/2012    77 Sage Ct                          Mayfield                $199,900       $189,000

01/19/2012    19 Eton Ct                          Stone Run II         $369,999       $363,500

01/20/2012   49 Crestmont Rd               Crestmont             $269,999      $265,000

01/20/2012   200 Old Farm Rd               Hunt Country       $795,000      $801,000

02/01/2012   48 Spruce Ct                      Pinevale                $229,999      $227,000

02/01/2012   1207 Timberbrooke Dr    Timberbrooke     $419,000      $412,000

 

For more information on buying and selling in Bedminster go to:

                            www.Bedminster-Real-Estate.com

Tips for a Successful Home Sale

Selling your home quickly and at the price you are asking is every homeowner’s dream. While the real estate market may seem like it is complicated and ever-changing, there are several constants to keep in mind when embarking on the home selling process.

Be certain to consider the following rules of thumb when your home is on the market:

Tidy Up. Be sure that your home is neat and tidy before potential buyers arrive. Give your home a once over and make sure that nothing is getting in the way of buyers being able to see how well loved and cared for your home is. Dirty or cluttered homes typically turn buyers off quickly, and the extra time you put into cleaning up will be well worth it.

Hit the Road. Never remain at home during showings or Open Houses. Your goal is to get buyers to explore your home, perhaps lingering to imagine the possibility of living there themselves. You being there could make them uncomfortable, leading to a shorter visit. For sure, you will be curious, but it’s easy enough to get any feedback from your real estate agent right after the showing.

Price to Sell. Often the key to how quickly a home sells is directly related to its price. It is extremely important to set a realistic, competitive price that will attract buyer attention. Your real estate agent can provide you with pricing recommendations based on local market conditions and sales of comparable properties.

For recent home sales in Bedminster, go to Bedminster-Real-Estate.com.  If you are thinking about the possibility of listing your home for sale, and would like a FREE Market Analysis, please contact us and we would be happy to set up a time to meet with you.

Remodeling projects that add value

According to Remodeling magazine’s 2011-2012 “Cost vs. Value Report,” replacement projects perform better in resale value than other types of remodeling projects. In fact, seven out of the top 10 projects were siding-, window- and door- replacement projects.

The good news for cost-conscious homeowners is that

investing in your home in a way that pays off at resale doesn’t have to cost a lot. The high value of most replacements can be

contributed to the relatively low cost of these projects. What’s more, the majority of replacement projects immediately improve curb appeal, making the home more attractive to buyers.

Based on interviews with real estate professionals throughout the country, the Remodeling report found that the top project is fiber-cement siding, which typically recoups 78 percent of costs. Fiber-cement siding has been in the No.1 spot for six of the seven years since it was added to the report.

Moving up two spots in the rankings is the minor kitchen remodel, now coming in at fourth place at 72 percent. Considered an “interior replacement” project, this is the least expensive way to give an existing kitchen a complete facelift. It is typically done by adding new cabinet door and drawer fronts and hardware, new countertops and new appliances.

The right remodeling project, when done well, also has the potential to make for a quicker sale and reduce negotiations with buyers over perceived shortcomings.

If you are thinking of perhaps putting your house on the market, please feel free to give us a call, and we would be happy to meet with you and answer any questions you might have about getting your house or townhouse ready to sell.  Also, feel free to go to www.Bedminster-Real-Estate.com  for more valuable information about buying and selling in Bedminster.

December 2011 Home Sales Up 5%

 

According to the National Association of Realtors, in December existing home sales rose for 3 consecutive months in a row from where they were a year ago.  The latest monthly sales data shows a 5% rise in sales of existing home sales.  You can read the full article from the National Association of Realtors by clicking here.

If you are looking to buy or sell in Bedminster, check out Bedminster Real Estate today!

 

A Great Time to Buy a House!

 

There is no doubt that this is a great time to buy a house.  Purchasing a home has remained affordable, primarily because of the extended period of historically low interest rates that has continued for more than two years.  A wide variety of properties from which to choose and affordable prices sweetens the opportunity for homebuyers.

The general public agrees, and so does the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 

 

Consider these recent reports:

 

  • According to a recent Gallup poll, 69 percent of Americans believe that now is a good time to buy a house.
  • Responding to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll, 9 in 10 Americans said homeownership is an important part of the American Dream.
  • The National Association of Realtors‘ ninth housing pulse survey showed that the overwhelming majority of Americans (72 percent) say that buying a home is a good financial decision.  Almost two-thirds (64 percent) say that now is a good time to buy a home.
  • During a recent interview broadcast on CNN, Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, urged Americans to purchase homes.  He said, “In the long run, it is a good time to become a homeowner because it’s so affordable today compared to where it’s been for generations.”

For more information on Buying and Selling Homes in Bedminster, go to www.Bedminster-Real-Estate.com.

 

 

 

 

Taking the Plunge with an In-Ground Pool

Whether you’re thinking of buying a home with an in-ground pool
or toying with the idea of having one built, there are many
important considerations to take into account.  In additon to significant installation costs for those building
a new pool, all homeowners with a pool will need to be mindful of ongoing maintenance expenses as well
as insurance and tax implications.

 

If a swimming pool is in your future, here are some things to keep in mind:

 

•    Installation costs for a 600-square-foot concrete pool average around
$30,000. Less expensive options include fiberglass shells and pools with
liners; however, pool liners need to be replaced approximately every 10
years, raising ongoing maintenance costs.

•    Other equipment you will need to maintain your pool include an energy-
efficient pump, chemical balancing supplies, cleaning, and fees for
opening and closing the pool for the season. A rule of thumb is
homeowners should budget around $600 annually for maintenance in a
seasonal swimming climate and between $15 and $25 per week in a
year-round climate.

•    Homeowners with a pool should increase the liability portion of their
homeowners insurance policy from the standard amount. In addition,
many underwriters require you to fence in the pool so that children can’t
wander in unsupervised.

•    There is no guarantee that adding a pool will add to your home’s selling
price. Experts advise keeping building costs between 10 percent and 15
percent of what you paid for the house to help assure you don’t invest too
much money that you won’t necessarily recoup on resale.

For more information on Buying and Selling in Bedminster,

Click on the following link:  Bedminster Real Estate

 

 

The housing market shows positive signs

Several reports out last week indicated that the recovery in the real estate market is continuing, and that buyers continue to be motivated by today’s high home affordability and the fact that owning a home is now less expensive than renting in many areas.

In March, sales of existing single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops increased 3.7 percent from February, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Given that existing-home sales have risen in six of the past eight months, Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, is confident that real estate is clearly on a recovery path. Separately, NAR reported that its Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, rose 5.1 percent. Because this data reflects contracts but not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months, it means modest near-term gains in existing-home sales are likely.

In addition, the Commerce Department announced Monday that in March, sales of new single-family homes rose 11 percent, and that the median price of a new home rose nearly 3 percent from February.

Click here for information about buying a home in Bedminster.  For a free home evaluation please click here.

April Closings bring Happy Home-Owners

Eleven new happy home-owners in Bedminster!

  • 17 Wescott Rd – Wynnewood  The Hills – listed for $206,900, sold for $200,000 in 30 days
  • 80 Ashley Ct – Crestmont The Hills – listed for $285,000, sold for $265,000 in 24 days
  • 41 Ashley Ct – Crestmont The Hills – listed for $290,000, sold for $286,000 in 19 days
  • 363 Wren Ln – The Hills – listed for $329,900, sold for $329,000 in 5 days
  • 28 Cambridge Rd – Stone Run II The Hills – listed for $359,900, sold for $354,000 in 54 days
  • 14 Heatherwood Ln – Four Oaks The Hills – listed for $369,000, sold for $363,000 in 33 days
  • 28 Stone Run Rd – Stone Run I The Hills – listed for $399,000, sold for $385,000 in 97 days
  • 92 S Edgewood Rd – Edgewood The Hills – listed for $449,900, sold for $432,000 in 50 days
  • 12 Cobble Ln – Gatehouse – SHORT SALE – listed for $839,900, sold for $755,000 in 190 days
  • 1 Elizabeth Ln – SHORT SALE – listed for $855,000, sold for $795,000
  • 33 Gatehouse Rd – Gatehouse – listed for $950,000, sold for $950,000 in 48 days

With the exception of the short  sales, most of these properties sold quickly within 2-4% of their list price.  Right Pricing is what this market is all about!  For more sales data, visit Bedminster Real Estate.

If you would like a free market analysis for your Beminster home, I am happy to provide it.  We can get together for a few minutes to walk through the house and then I will send you a report.  Whether you are ready now, next month or three years from now, I’m happy to meet you and become your real estate resource!

 


Bedminster Market Activity as of March 16, 2011

Closed Sales in March

There are now two new happy homeowners in March in Bedminster.   The following properties have closed this month:

27 BENTLEY CT  $289,999  $278,000
77 AUTUMN RIDGE RD $769,900    $745,000

26  new listings came on the market this month, and 9 listings have gone under contract.  To see these new listings or to start your search, click on Bedminster Homes For Sale.

Please note:  2 additional properties sold in February but were not reported online until March.  Those properties are:

147 CORTLAND LN  $99,999  $99,999
15 WENTWORTH RD  $259,999  $252,500

So that brings the total sold homes in Bedminster in February to 5.

Absorption Rate

I explained what the absorption rate is in a previous posting, but basically it is a way to help us determine how much market activity there is at a given time in the market.  A market absorption rate of less than 5 months is considered a Seller’s Market, between 5 – 6 months is a Normal or Balanced Market, and inventory levels greater than 6 months indicates a Buyer’s Market.

There are currently a total of 95 listings on the market in Bedminster.  17 properties went under contract in the last 30 days, so that gives us a current market absorption rate of 5.6 months in Bedminster.  Which indicates that currently the market in Bedminster is a balanced market.

If you are considering a move into or out of Bedminster, it pays to plan ahead.  Start your search or understand the value of your home at Bedminster-Real-Estate.com