Linda Tremblay, Bucks County Real Estate

Here is Page One of my monthly E-Newsletter, "Why now is not the time to sell "For Sale By Owner" If you like this article and would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter or information about Bucks County Real Estate, please email me or visit my website.

NO COUNTRY FOR 'FIZZBOES'
Why Now Is Not The Time To Sell A Home Alone

Some home sellers in the boom years were tempted to market their homes "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) to avoid paying a real estate broker's commission--especially in seller's markets where homes attracted multiple buyers. While the impulse to save money is certainly understandable, selling without professional representation in today's market is a risky strategy that could actually result in lower "walk-away cash" (net proceeds) from the sale and a longer time on the market. Here's why:

Increased Competition

The nationwide inventory of existing homes for sale still hovers around a 10-month supply given the current pace of sales--in some local micro-markets the overstock is even greater. Bottom line: lots of competition among home sellers.

To stand out from the crowd and secure a sale in today's market, you'll need every advantage we can provide. We will:

• Design and execute a detailed, customized marketing strategy that puts a spotlight on your home.
  
  
• Help you determine the "right price" that's not too high, not too low.
  
  
• Recommend cost-effective improvements and repairs to attract buyer interest and offers. (Today's buyers can demand move-in condition.)
  
  
• Put your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to reach thousands of buyers and agents actively shopping right now.
  
  
• Provide you with information that's up-to-date and accurate about local market conditions and trends.
  
  
• Promote your home sale through our nationwide network of industry professionals and local client contacts.

Bargain Hunters

Typically, buyers interested in FSBO homes are looking for bargain prices--often they expect to cash in on the same "savings" the home sellers hope to achieve by not paying brokerage fees. Experienced investors may also target FSBOs who aren't as familiar with the current market and sales process. The result: low-ball offers, sometimes even below the market value of the home. As experienced, objective professionals, we can save you time and money by:

• Recommending a market-oriented listing price that will invite attractive offers within your desired time frame.
  
  
• Pre-qualifying home shoppers to weed out those who cannot afford to purchase your home and those who might have less-than-honest reasons for wanting to enter your home.

Demanding Buyers

With housing inventories up, buyers are in the driver's seat in many markets around the nation. And they're exercising their clout, asking for contingencies, conveyances, seller subsidies, multiple inspections, even incentives.

We'll manage the relationship between you and your buyers by:

• Arranging home showings in a timely manner.
  
  
• Explaining the intricacies of various contract provisions to you.
  
  
• Employing effective negotiating techniques to ensure you get the best sales price the market will bear and contract terms that meet your needs and those of the buyers.
  
  
• Managing fulfillment of contract contingencies.
  
  
• Supervising inspections.
  
  
• Communicating with all parties involved to keep the transaction on track.

Tougher Loan Standards

Today's buyers are facing bigger hurdles qualifying for home loans as mortgage lenders have tightened their standards by requiring higher credit scores, larger down payments and proven income.

We can help you and interested buyers by:

Below are the market statistics for the Central Bucks School District during the 3rd quarter of 2008. These are residential sales priced between $100,000 and $1,000,000 and are located in Buckingham Township, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township, Chalfont Borough, New Britian Township, New Britain Borough, Warrington Township, Warwick Township and Plumstead Township.

During the 3rd quarter of 2007, the average sale price was $425,000 and it took 57 days on average to sell your home. Our market here has slowed a bit and prices have adjusted, but we are in a much better market than some other parts of the country.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in the Central Bucks School District or other areas of Bucks County real estate, call or email Linda Tremblay or Marcie Purcell. We would love to help you with your real estate needs.

Home shoppers and sellers tend to focus on property listing particulars when comparing homes for sale. While "the numbers" present important information--list price, number of bedrooms and baths, room sizes, year built, square footage, lot size, systems, appliances, etc.--they often don't reveal essential home features or neighborhood details that make a house a home that buyers will fall in love with.

Even when visiting a property--either online or in person--home shoppers and their agents can't always see all that a home and its location have to offer, especially in today's over-supplied market. Anyone who has toured property after property in one short rush knows how hard it is even to remember one from another. That's where the homeowner's input becomes especially important.

If you're serious about selling your home in today's competitive real estate market, take stock of everything your home has to offer--particularly those special assets that may not be readily apparent. Use the following lists to stimulate pulling together the whole story, and provide photos to show potential buyers what makes your home the "best on the block."

Below are the market statistics for the 3rd quarter of 2008 applying to homes located in the Pennridge School District. These statistics are for homes located in Bedmiinister Twp, Dublin, East Rockhill , Perkasie, Sellersville, Silverdale, Hilltown, and West Rockhill. These homes were priced between $100,000 and $1,000,000. They were all residential resales, not lots, multi family or commercial properties.

As you can see, the average sale price was $292,000 and it took 71 days on average to sell a home. During the same time period in 2007, the average sale price was $307,770 and it took approximately 66 days to sell a home.

Although this is not good news, it is NOT anywhere near as bad as other areas of our country. If you want to sell you home, you need to remember that

1. 1. It is a buyers market.
2. 2. It does not matter what you want or need to sell your home for. Although you can set a list price, the market determines tha homes actual value.
3. 2. You home needs to be well maintained, decluttered and neutral in decor to get the best price for it.

If you are really serious about selling your home in the Bucks County Real Estate market, please call me or Ma cie Purcell

Here are the market statistics for the homes located in the Quakertown School District. These statestics are taken from Trendmls and have the following criteria. They are residential resales (not farms, multi-family or commercials), were priced between $100,000 and $1,000,000 and are located in Richland, Milford or Haycock townships or Quakertown, Richlandtown, or Trumbauersville Borough.

The average sale price for the 3rd quarter is $260,059 and it has been taking an average of 68 days to sell a home. In comparison, during the 3rd quarter of 2007, the saverage sale price for the same criteria was $269,825. It only took 50 days on average to sell a home.

Although this is not extremely good news, it is NOT as bad as other parts of the country. If you are, considering selling your home, please remember it will take a little more time and you have to realistic about what your home is worth. It does not matter what you want or need to get for your home. You can set the listing price, but you can not determine the sale price. The home will sell at the current market value, which is determined by what a ready, willing, and able buyer is willing to pay for your home.

For help with buying or selling a home in the Bucks County Real Estate market, please call linda Tremblay or Marcie Purcell. We specialize in the Central and Upper Bucks County area.