Market News

Sellers Beware of Online Agents – This is a true story!

I have been working with a client for a few months now, searching for a home. As you know, the market is moving pretty fast even in these cold months, so we have been on “high alert” as homes are coming on the market. Finally, one popped up, and within the day, we walked through, and I was writing up an offer. I wish I had the happy ending to share. But unfortunately, that was weeks ago, and we are still waiting for a response.

Most know that the seller’s agent responds back within 24 hours when an offer is made. But for whatever reason, this seller’s agent is on its own timeline. I do wonder if the seller knows about it???

If you know anything about me, is that I follow up. I always call the seller’s agent to let them know an offer is sitting in their inbox. This is also an excellent time to answer any questions they may have. With this particular call, I got his voice mail and left a message. (First RED FLAG 🚩 though I get it. People are busy 🤷)

Another day goes by, which is strange, and I make another phone call. This time, I am pushy and get a “not so friendly” person informing me that the agent I am looking for may not even know there is an offer. This property had a “team,” and it could take up to 5-7 days for a response. (More RED FLAGS 🚩🚩! First, shouldn’t the entire team know the status of an active property? And secondly, 5-7 days to respond to an offer? The seller agreed to this??)

I have to tell you that this property should have been sold weeks ago and would have been if their “online” agent had made them a priority. These online platforms promise a lot (strong cash offer, no showings, free local move, etc.) and prey on people’s emotions without delivering.

The bottom line is that this is bad business, affecting everyone involved – the seller, the buyer, the agents. I hope you never get into this type of mess (either buying/selling) though if you do, be sure you have the right person in your corner. Putting you first!

DEC 2021 | Market Insights Report

MIBOR just released December numbers for the Central Indiana housing market. The key takeaways are:

	· Prices continue to edge upward, up 1% over last month, but definitely off the 15% pace compared to a year ago
	· Sales in December were down 2% from December 2020; with average days on market growing from 21 to 26 days
	· Active inventory continues to slow, down 14% from the preceding month, and 14% from a year ago
	· Inventory remains tight- especially among homes built in the most recent 30 years. Some have drawn as many as 40 offers. With older homes, sales are much, much, much slower

A full PDF report by county can be found here

If you are thinking of selling / buying this year, give me a call at (317) 625-0655. I can provide a full comparative analysis so you can make an informed decision on the next steps. Might be the right time for you!

How Sellers Can Prepare For An Early Start To The Spring Market

In last week’s blog, I talked about how to prepare for an early start to the Spring market as a Buyer. But what if you need to sell to buy? The following checklist will help you prepare yourself or your home property, so don’t get left behind!

Getting Ready To Sell

If you’re hoping to put your place on the market and capitalize on those early-bird buyers, you want your property to be in the best possible shape. That means you’ll want to tackle the following tasks:

Clean: Scrub like you’ve never scrubbed before! Some recommend hiring a cleaning service as new eyes will find old stains and smudges you no longer even notice.

Paint: Nothing brightens up a room like a fresh coat of paint. Don’t forget the moldings and trim. Buyers notice every detail.

Declutter: You’re going to have to pack up anyway, so why not do it sooner rather than later? As you go through each room, start storing non-essential items that you plan to take with you to your new address. If you find items you no longer want or need, donate them or try to sell them online for a quick influx of cash you can spend on your new place.

Tackle repairs: Take care of anything that would pop up on a home inspector’s report. Chances are you’ll need to fix it before you move, so why not do it now and enjoy these improvements for as long as you remain in the home?

Work on your curb appeal: Your home’s exterior is what’s going to make that all-important first impression on buyers. If your lawn boasts more weeds than grass, your shrubs are dead, and your fence is falling apart, you can count on that prospect driving on to the next house.

Whether you’re planning on selling, buying, or both, you may be competing with plenty of other buyers and sellers once Spring is in full swing. So, taking care of the items listed above can help you get the edge you need. Especially with the Spring real estate market getting its own head start!

Not sure where to get started …give me a call at (317) 625-0655. I can help with a hassle-free “No Strings Attached” Room by Room Analysis. What does this mean…. that I walk your property (inside and out) and give my two cents on repairs/improvements that could be done to yield a quick home sale as well as sell for the most $$$. Click Here to schedule today!

We work harder to make good things happen!