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National Existing Homes Sales the Strongest in 7 Years

by Nancy Heim-berg

Existing home sales, or home resales, showed a slight rise in December (2013), which followed a three-month downward spiral. High demand and record low interest rates for mortgage loans combined to breathe life into the tenuous recovery in the real estate market.

According to the National Association of Realtors, or NAR, total sales of previously owned homes last year reached a seven-year high. Sales climbed 1.0 in the aforementioned month, leading to a yearly rate of nearly 5 million units.

There's more good news. Household formation has begun to steadily dig itself out of a multi-decade-long low, brightening the mood and encouraging home builders to take on new projects.

Experts point to the head-to-head battle between escalating prices and relatively weak overall income growth as having the biggest impact on the market, making home buying an unreachable financial goal for a large number of Americans.

Buyers can't buy if sellers aren't selling. It is the lack of properties for sale on the market that's causing prices to rise.

New Home Maintenance Alternatives Designed to Save Money

by Nancy Heim-berg

Saving money on home maintenance is not always accomplished through the initial cost of these renovations; it is often realized over a number of years. It's one of the sacrifices or compromises home owners have had to make for decades, like having to decide between aesthetically pleasing items, such as stone or wood, and easily maintained, such as vinyl or other man-made imitation.

Today, however, manufacturers have developed truly amazing products that mimic the real thing to such a degree that one might even say they are better than those created by Mother Nature. Listed below are some of these incredible innovations in new home maintenance:

Fiber-Siding Cement

Shingles and clapboards cut from sheets of flexible cement and stirred together with fibers of wood that will not warp, cup or rot. Its up-front cost, including painting, averages between $13,000 and $18,000, which is approximately 10 percent less than real wood.

Cellular PVC Trim

Manufactured out of the same material typically used in plumbing fixtures, with air thrown into the mix during construction for a wood like density, cellular PVC trim displays the natural look of wood, and can also be formed, cut and installed like its natural cousin. It's designed to last forever, never requiring a coat of paint, and costing about 10 percent less than real wood alternatives like pine.

Quartz Countertops

Cutting-edge pigments and resins are blended with real quartz chips to produce countertops and other stone items that display the variety and veining that's far more realistic than even those considered innovative a couple of years ago. It costs about the same as natural stone, like limestone and marble, and also enjoys several advantages over them. It's resistant to dark liquid stains, etching from orange juice and other similar household acids, and chipping via impact from heavy kitchen items like jars and cookware.

Pricing Your Home to Sell

by Nancy Heim-berg

Selling a house is one of the biggest decisions that homeowners will ever make. Numerous factors are involved in the successful sale of a home. Choices such as selecting an agent, preparing the home, timing, and price all play a major role in a positive experience for homeowners, buyers, and real estate professionals.

The one decision most homeowners wrestle with is deciding on a sales price. Pricing your home to sell involves careful planning, looking at the market, and accessing the condition of your home. Many things are taken into consideration before deciding on a price.

Location

Being aware of your home’s location will provide additional insight into the pricing of your property. Things like power plants, busy roads, and a less than desirable view may all make your sale price lower, while benefits such as neighborhood parks, easy access to shopping, and beautiful views drive prices up.

Staging

Planting flowers, painting, and purchasing new throw pillows may seem insignificant, but these small changes can actually add up to thousands of extra dollars in a home's sale. Presenting a house in the best possible light is important. Creating an environment that is warm and inviting, and that prospective buyers can see themselves in, is the key to selling a house.

Comparative Market Analysis

Given all of these factors, one of the tools that a real estate agent will use to help determine a home's value is a comparative market analysis. This CMA can vary from a short document to one laden with details, but they all have basic things in common. All of them will look at the active listings, pending listings, and sold listings. Additionally, they may look at items such as properties withdrawn from the market and expired listings. A CMA is going to compare your home to other homes with the same square footage and amenities. This information will assist your real estate agent in pricing your home to sell.

When it comes time to sell your home, allow the real estate professionals at Prudential Ambassador Real Estate assist you through every step of the process. With years of superior service and satisfied customers, we are prepared to find the right buyers for your house and to help you find the home of your dreams.

Displaying blog entries 1-3 of 3

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Photo of Heim-Berg Team Real Estate
Heim-Berg Team
Berkshire Hathaway
331 Village Pointe Plaza
Omaha NE 68118
(402) 677-9024
(402) 679-7108 | (402) 830-6123
Fax: 402-493-4805

Stacey OHara CMG financial 515-306-2360

 

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