Time to buy y'all!

Here are some examples of who should buy a home this year and why.

Investors

- There will be more foreclosed homes available in our area this year than any time in the recent past. One reason is that banks have been holding a "shadow inventory." They have been very slow to get homes on the market  in the last couple of years and are waiting for the market to come back a little so they can build the values up.  That way they wouldn't lose as much on the homes. This year is the year they are getting those houses out there.

-With more foreclosed homes, competition isn't quite as fierce and your chances of getting a bargain are higher.

-Banks have been pricing homes lower than they did in the recent past because they want to start thinning their inventories.

-The second half of 2010 had a lull in first time home buyers because many of them took advantage of the tax credit going on in the first half of the year. Now they've been slowly building in numbers and will be looking for good valued homes that have been fixed up and move-in ready.

First-Time Home Buyers

- Rates are still super low!

- Home values are holding at a strong affordability ratio in the Sioux Falls area.

- There are TONS of incentives with local governments and banks to help you out with financing your first place.

- Monthly payments on a home are more often than not, LESS than monthly rent. In fact, national average is a little less than 10% less.

- Home sellers have spent time and money getting their homes in great showing condition so they shine to potential buyers.

- Home sellers have experienced a small gain in value of their homes over last year, but are still keeping their pricing VERY competitive.

- Coming off of a 2nd half 2010 lull in entry level homes and winter, now there are more great homes than ever to shop!

Home Sellers / Move-Up Buyers

- We should see a bounce back in the number of first-time home buyers from the 2nd half 2010 lull we had.

- Even if your home isn't an entry level home, you will see a chain of buyers building in most every home price range.

- Rates are still good.

- Entry level homes in our area have had some minor appreciation due to the tax credit buyers of the 1st half of 2010.

- If you have maintained your home in good condition and price it in line with homes in your area, buyers will come!

- You may not gain as much on the sale of your house as you could but you will most definitely gain more house for the money on your buy side. Here's why: More expensive homes have built up a larger inventory than typical. This means a better value when buying up! If you made let's say $5000 less on your $100,000 home than you could in a couple of years for example. That $5000 lost equates to 5% of the home value.  If you just carried logic to your next home and buy now for let's say $200,000 you would save $10,000 (5%) on your buy side than you would by waiting a couple of years. A net gain of $5000! But in actuality there are more of those $200,000 plus homes out there and you'd probably save even more. 

If you have any questions on profit makers, buying programs, home values or marketing, don't hesitate to ask "The Agent." Run your research, thoughts or ideas by me. No obligations.  John Maurer 605-521-1183 (call or text). John@realestateretrievers.com.

356 N Holiday - Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Introducing 356 N Holiday Dr - Sioux Falls SD 57103 

only $139,900

Incredible updates you won't believe...like GRANITE! If you are looking for that move in ready home with all the extras you deserve? Look no further! This home was remodeled with you in mind. GRANITE countertops in the Kitchen, both Bathrooms and even the folding table in the laundry room. Very spacious and open floor plan with a new walk-in GRANITE surround shower in the lower level. Even the toe-kicks are GRANITE. Fresh paint inside and out with a large garage and an extra parking pad. Fenced in backyard and deck off the dining area provide for great entertaining. This home has so much to offer that you need to read the captions to get it all in.

Home Selling: Logic or Luck? Mind or gut?

I'm the guy who is too conservative for my democrat friends and too liberal for my republican buddies.

I'm the guy who acts too hip for people my own age and too square for young hipsters.

My agnostic friends call me a Bible-thumper, my Christian friends get concerned that I have wandered off the path.

Who am I? Well I'm the guy who takes the time to consider all the angles. Yes, I have been known to be an over-analyzer, and occasionally a waffler.

I’m simply trying to find balance between logic and luck. Between gut instinct and the mind.

I believe in universal truth and I am willing stand firmly on a position. But, also, I can see that sometimes, there can be truth behind 2 different and opposing ideas. And that is weird.

What's weird is not that duality exists. Being aware of it, balancing it, well, that’s the weird part.

This becomes an internal dialogue that I've gotten to know. Kind of like a neighbor that I'm happy to greet, but hope isn't outside when I pull in after a long day.

It's a voice of reason that tells me there is often another side and another voice to every story.

Case in point: I’ll have a home for sale where the price, timing, condition, and location are all in alignment for a quick sale. But sometimes it seems that a house will decide to get a good offer when it damn well pleases, despite the logic of my exhaustive research. So, why fight it? Put it on MLS and wait patiently.

On the flip side of course, my stomach tells me that you have to give action to get a reaction. The more people get to see this home, the better the chances are that a deal will be struck. And of course, in order to be seen, I have to "introduce" this home to as many people as possible through open house, ads and overall buzz.

See every home listed gets on MLS and is exposed to all cooperating Realtors®. And 96% of homes sell from other MLS Realtor members. So why advertise? Why hold open houses? Am I throwing away good money to get a result that I have no control over? But then again 80% of homebuyers start searching for homes on their own, without a Realtor®. By ignoring those starters am I extending the home's marketing time unnecessarily?

Is it patience or perseverance? Is it logic or luck? Answer to both? Both.

So, am I the guy who relies on what my brain tells me? Or, am I the guy who relies on what my gut tells me? I am both. And everyday I'm trying to be the guy who does the right thing, will go brain and will go gut and more often than not will end up somewhere in between. Where my heart is. And that's where I think universal truth comes from anyway.

So, Lookout for one of my ads and opens coming to a neighborhood near you :)

The Horse Race

THE HORSE RACE

It's a cold winter. They forecast -50 windchill for this evening. Not what you'd call prime home selling weather. But let me tell ya things are starting to have that subtle sense of excitement. An inner buzz. Nearly everyone I've spoken to in the industry is feeling it. So its probably not just blind optimism. So if things really are getting ready to get busy, what does this mean? Of course the first most honest answer was "Time for Steady Paychecks Again!" Then a deeper answer came to mind "We Better Get Ready!" And that's exactly right. For me, it's time to gear up and get a firm grasp on this market. Hone in on my marketing strategies. Get blogging again. Keep up with friends and past clients on social media sites. Spread the good word. Start making phone calls to let people know that the first ones out the gate are gonna get the best homes for the money. For you, it means gettin out there and braving these frigid temperatures to find some awesome houses. You'll have a head start and a little time to consider each house as you look. Cause come a month or maybe less the horse race begins! I'm getting ready. You should too. Call or text for some good "out-the-gate" information to prepare you for the process. 605-521-1183.