Real Estate Market

Des Moines November 2009 Market Summary is now available for review.

This Market Summary offers you the most current information available in the Des Moines, Iowa real estate market.  You will also find the Facts and Trends Definitions along with charts.

If you have any questions on this Market Summary, please let me know.

Take advantage of the 2009/2010 Tax Credit. 
Visit Updated Tax Credit for more information. 

Winter Offers Opportunities For Savvy Sellers

If you're getting ready to sell your home, doing so this season offers some real advantages. Although spring is the traditional high season for home listings and sales, it isn't necessarily a better time to sell. Buyers who are looking for a home during the winter are usually very motivated. These serious buyers are looking carefully at the homes for sale, considering your home among the smaller pool of available homes for sale during the cooler months.

Buyers during the winter are those who have to move due to a lease coming to an end, or they're affected by their landlord's foreclosure, or they are transferees moving to town, among many reasons. Remember, too, if you're selling your home to a first-time buyer, they do not have a home to sell in order to purchase yours! This means your closing/settlement can occur faster than when working with those buyers who might include a condition with their purchase offer, making it contingent upon the sale of their home.

Lots of home sellers list in the spring, hoping to move in the summer while kids are out of school. By waiting until spring to list your home, you could face more competition from other sellers. In addition, interest rates could edge higher, discouraging some would-be buyers.

Here are more great reasons to consider listing your home for sale now, before spring rolls around:

• Motivated buyers. With fewer buyers in the marketplace during fall and winter, home shoppers tend to be more serious about purchasing. Oftentimes a buyer for your home might be a seller who has just sold his or her own home and now must look for a new home. Also, consider that more corporate moves are made during January than any other time of year. Transferees need to find new homes fast -- perhaps in your neighborhood.
• Fast start for kids. Some experts advise parents that the transition to a new home can be smoother for some kids when they are moved during the school year. Rather than spending the summer "friend free," starting at a new school immediately upon arrival in the area helps kids establish routines more quickly.
• Seasonal charm. Selling your home during cooler weather or over the holidays heightens its "warm" appeal. Keep your home bright by turning on lights and opening curtains and shades.
• Less work. Due to holiday get-togethers and often festive decorating, your home is probably in its best condition for showing. You already have your home clean and staged for company; now just open the doors to buyers, and soon you'll have your home sold!
• Particular buyers. Maybe the buyer of your home has been looking all year for "just the right home" and yours fits the bill. Their continuous searching is to your advantage.

No matter what the season, we provide the professional services, expertise and marketing to get your home sold quickly at a great price. Call us anytime for a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Jon Smith

Short sales are often complicated due to the home seller's lender being involved in the process. Understand that although the home seller may accept your purchase offer, there is another step involved in the process -- the home seller's lender approving the short sale. Here are a few keys to successfully purchasing a short-sale home.

1. Patience is necessary to accomplish the home purchase.
   
   
2. Work with a professional real estate agent familiar with short sales. (Give us a call to assign us as your buyer's agent.)
   
   
3. With your agent's expertise, educate yourself on the true market value of the home.
   
   
4. Realize that the sellers (and their lender) will make no money on the sale of the home.
   
   
5. Understand that the lender is more likely to accept the short sale if foreclosing on the property would cost even more.
   
   
6. Be willing to renegotiate the purchase price if the lender sends a counterproposal through the seller's real estate agent.
   
   
7. Be very flexible in your closing/settlement date since few short sales close in 30-60 days as typical home sales often do.

Welcome to my one-of-a-kind Des Moines, Iowa Market Snapshot

Imagine receiving up-to-the minute MLS graphical reports automatically delivered to your email box with updated real estate information on your area. As well, it keeps you up-to-date on the major questions every home seller has in today's market.

• What is the supply of unsold homes in my neighborhood?
• How fast are homes selling right now?
• How do actual selling prices compare to listing prices in my area?
• How do I get more for the money in a changing market?

Sign up today! 

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. If so, what do the photos about your home say? Before you list your home for sale with us -- and before the marketing photos are taken -- follow these proven tips to make sure your home shows well in print and online photos. We'll take care to get the best angles and lighting, and we'll market your home to get the greatest interest from buyers who like what they see!

1. Declutter. Clear out. Everything. Make sure you take all your personal photos, collections, and miscellaneous "stuff" out of a room. Let the viewer see clean lines, special features (fireplaces, bay windows, etc.) and the entire size of the room without distractions.
   
   
2. Don't vacate. Leave furniture in place when the photos are taken, even if you must move out immediately. Photos of furnished rooms are more enticing and help potential buyers see how furniture pieces can fit the size and shape of rooms.
   
   
3. Add color. If a room appears dull, add a few colorful throw pillows, some cut flowers and a vase, an arrangement of real fruit in a pretty bowl, or a textured throw to add a little interest in your room.
   
   
4. Stand at your curb. Look at the front view of your property and determine what needs trimming and clearing or cleaning. Edge the grass, place a colorful plant at your front entrance, hang a wreath on your door, powerwash siding, trim overhanging trees and bushes that obscure the view of your home. Make the view inviting to draw buyers off the Internet and into their cars!
   
   
5. Focus on the main living areas. The living room, family room, kitchen and front view are the most important areas to show in your listing. Make sure those rooms and views look their absolute best!
   
   
6. Amenities. Point out local attractions that you -- or others in your neighborhood -- enjoy frequenting. Perhaps the community pool, near-by tennis courts or walking paths, special scenic area or playground are especially popular. Ask us to take some photos of these areas and have them included in your property's listing photos.

Jon is always looking to the future of real estate and how he can assist his clients with their real estate needs even in the market we are currently in. Jon has continued his education in order to assist homeowners who are facing difficult issues and decisions when it comes to their home.

The Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation (CDPE) is an indication that Jon has taken the initiative to become an educated and prepared advocate on the behalf of a homeowner in distress.

For the uninformed, blogging is hitting the Internet today and making a real impact!

What is a blog? An easy explanation of this is a WEB LOG or a journal on the web. It’s a place where folks can “voice” their thoughts, share ideas, or comment on those of others.

Des Moines, Iowa now has such a blog where new items of interest will be posted and comments can be made. Topics range from those related to real estate and community highlights to local events of interest or anything personal or business related that might be perceived as worthwhile information for public knowledge, discussion and/or use.

It’s even possible to subscribe to a blog of interest and receive text updates on your iPod! Check out the latest updates for the Des Moines Iowa Real Estate Blog:

http://www.desmoineshomesource.com/blog.asp

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