The quick answer is yes. It seems to be a buyers market for home sales almost everywhere thanks to the media. The media pounds us everyday with bad news about the credit industry, foreclosures, high gas prices, the weak dollar, etc. Some of it is true and some is, well just over exaggerated to say it nicley. So most potential home buyers today think it is a buyers market no matter where they are looking. But we still have a lot of people looking at homes for sale in our area.

So as a potential home buyer in the York County or south Charlotte area what can you expect? Our area has not seen the double or triple digit increases in home values like Florida, northeast, and southwest part of the country in the last few years. Our home values have seen moderate growth. You can find many articles and reports on how our homes have held their values in the last few months. Homes are taking longer to sell today then last year.  If you are coming from one of the over inflated markets, low ball offers on solid (non foreclosures), well kept homes in our area will most likely cause the seller to not want to negotiate. If you want extreme bargains look for foreclosures.

If you are a seller, just putting a sign in your yard today won’t cut it like last year. You need to price your home for today’s market conditions. Many current real estate articles suggest pricing your home without negotiating wiggle room. Carmen can better assist you with your selling price strategy. Other selling tips include boosting your curb appeal. Click here to see Carmen’s tips and Century’s 21′s brochure for more curb appeal and home staging info. If your budget allows, invest in bigger improvements in the make or break it key rooms like the kitchen or bathrooms.

So to sum it up, don’t assume our area has gone completely cold and prices falling dramatically because of the negative national real estate news reports. If you would like to do your own market research, Carmen has a great tool called the MLS Market Snapshot (for Buyers and Sellers). The system is from a company called Top Producer. The MLS Market Snapshot tool searches current home sales and listings in a defined area and reports to you automatically on a monthly basis via email on the current trend. She probably does not want me to say this but she is paying for it and the report is absolutely free for you to use. Carmen has the MLS Snapshot tool on her blog and website.

Its a buyers market even in Fort Mill or Tega Cay, SC. I found a few tips I want to share with my home sellers.  

Below is a reprint of an article by David Sobel and RISMEDIA. The article has good tips for sellers on how they can increase curb appeal to make sure buyers come in to view their home.

By David Sobel

RISMEDIA, Jan. 17, 2008-You’ve all had that experience with a client where you drive up to a house and they don’t even want to go inside. It’s an immediate “un-appeal.” You may know the inside of the house shows much better, but you just can’t convince them to spend the time to even go inside. In today’s market where lots of choices in housing are available to the buyer, why should they?

Here are some easy, inexpensive fixes that will help create that outside appeal and get you one, giant step further to a sale.

1. Paint or stain the front and garage doors, especially if they show any weathering. These are the first visuals where a potential buyer focuses. If garage doors are metal and dented, they may need to be replaced.

2. Any old, basically abandoned sheds or small structures, must be removed, the area graded and the grass replaced.

3. Change any dated, outside light fixtures.

4. Fix that driveway. If it is blacktop, make sure cracks and crumbling areas are dug out and filled and then the whole driveway sealed. If it is cement, have large cracks filled and repaired professionally. The buyer must at least feel they can drive the moving truck in confidently!

5. Make sure landscaping bricks are in their proper placement. Mowing, weed-whipping sometimes moves them and this is something the homeowner rarely notices, but makes the property look unsightly.

6. Fill in bare dirt under large shade trees. Plant shade-tolerant plants in defined planters or groundcover. Landscape properly for that area.

7. All landscaping beds should be cleaned out and updated for the time of year it is in your region. Place new bedding material down.

8. Have trees and bushes pruned and trimmed. If a bush or tree is looking old or about to expire, remove it and replace it with a similar size and type if you can. If there is a tree limb(s) over the roof, have them removed.

9. If the house needs painting and a full paint job is not in the cards; have it touched up professionally in the worst, most visible spots. Paint shutters and fix them if they are hanging crooked. At least this may help get your client in the front door, even if they negotiate a full paint job into the sale later.

10. If the house is sided, have it power-washed and have gutters and windows cleaned. Window cleaning inside and out makes the house feel updated and fresh, rather than old and dingy.

11. Make sure grass is in good shape, weeds are removed, trimming done regularly. So many sellers fall down on this job the minute the house is listed, and this is critical to selling a house quickly, especially one where the owners have already moved out. In snowy climates, removal must be done regularly too. If owners have moved out, make sure you have an HWA Home Warranty to re-assure buyers.

12. Keep garbage and recycle containers inside the garage, along with all toys and equipment. Make sure the garage is neat and organized. Painted walls and floors also go a long way in this area and are inexpensive to do.

13. Decks should be washed and repainted or re-sealed; plantings around them cleaned, weed-free and looking good. Patio furniture should be in excellent condition. Even though it is in the backyard, this is the area where the family can envision enjoying the warm days and the new yard.

14. If the roof has missing shingles and they can be replaced inexpensively, suggest this be done as it may save negotiation over a completely new roof. Roof repair needs and costs should be minor or the homeowner might as well replace the entire roof.

15. If the homeowner wants to do a bit more, suggest solar lights lining the driveway or installing a more attractive front door with lead glass inserts and replacing plain doorknobs with something more custom.

16. If you have an evening showing, make sure lights are on outside and inside the house. This is warm and inviting.

17. If it’s a holiday season, by all means decorate the home! Just like sugar cookies or vanilla scent on the inside of the house, this really says “it’s a home” and I can see myself enjoying life here! In the least, always have some greenery or flowers for the season on the front step or porch; even a birdbath with a little garden around it says home.

A link back to David’s Article

Walk the Walk What a Home Buyer Should Do before Closing – Fort Mill, SC.
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One of the final steps before the closing is called the final walk-through. This is an opportunity for you, the buyer, to see the property one last time before the money is exchanged and the purchase paperwork completed and filed.

It is important to note that this is not a home inspection. That should have been done weeks ago so there was adequate time to negotiate and address concerns. This is also not a time to nit-pick or back-track on agreed upon items. However, it is the right time for you to look! at the property and make sure it is in the condition you agreed to buy it. If repairs or upgrades were part of the deal, now is the time to make sure they were completed to your satisfaction.

Your real estate professional may or may not accompany you to the final walk-through. In either case, you will want to do the following:

• Open and close all windows, doors, garage doors
• Run all faucets and check for leaks
• Flush toilets
• Test outlets
• Check the basement, attic and crawl spaces
• Make sure that certain items as stipulated in the contract are left behind – i.e. light fixtures, window treatments, appliances, etc.
• Test the heating and air conditioning systems

In short, you want to make sure the home systems are operational and the seller has met the obligations laid out in the purchase contract.

If you do have a concern, bring it to the attention of your real estate professional and attorney. They can advise you ! about different courses of action. For instance, if it a significant expense, you may withhold money until a repair is made.

A final piece of advice: don’t skip the final walk-through. Because this is a busy time filled with packing and moving, some buyers are tempted to neglect this step. After all, you are so close to actually buying the home. In reality, the final walk-through is there to safeguard your investment.

This article is from Carmen’s Life at Home Newsletter January 2008 and Century 21. To see the entire newsletter, click here – Jan 08 life at home newsletter

On the Market for Fort Mill, SC
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What makes one home sell in a few weeks while another may linger on the market for what seems like seasons?

Well, each case is different, but it almost always boils down to one of these 4 factors.

Price – A home that is priced right will attract buyer attention. A fair and reasonable asking price that is in keeping with market demands will pique consumer interest and ultimately make the property more appealing.

Condition – Unless they are searching for an investment property, mo! st buyers are looking for a structurally sound home that has been well-maintained. In addition, a home that “shows well” is likely to sell quicker. This means the home is clean, well-kept, updated and appealing to today’s buyer.

Location – The better the location, the more likely the property will demand buyer attention. This could mean a single-family home in a charming town with an exemplary school system. Or it could mean a wonderful apartment in a great section of the city.

Market – Whether it is a “buyer” or “seller’s” also influences how long a property is up for sale. When the advantage is with the buyers, you may need to make allowances, such as

 a lower asking price or favorable terms to help your property attract a bid. Your seller agent is your greatest resource during your home sale. He or she can further explain how these factors will influence your particular listing.

This article is from Carmen’s Life at Home January 2008 Newsletter and Century 21. To see the entire newsletter click here – Jan 08 life at home newsletter

“THE RIGHT HOME IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT”

October – 2007

From Carmen Miller

I wanted to thank all of you again for your support. In the last three weeks I have listed three homes in Lake Shore subdivision of Tega Cay and sold a home in Heron Harbor in Tega Cay.

Your support and referrals are making my success possible. I am LOVING my career! Please continue to keep me in mind as you come across friends, neighbors, or relatives who may be in need of a Real Estate Professional.

If you haven’t had a chance yet please visit my web site at www.carmensmiller.com. I have a virtual tour posted for my listings and Market Information you may find helpful

Don’t Forget

Moving day is typically a high-stress occasion. No matter how organized and prepared you are, there is always a chance for a few things to fall through the cracks. Here are seven things to remember on the day of the big move.

1. Keep all valuables in your possession. This includes important paperwork, collections, family photos, jewelry, heirlooms, checkbooks, wallet/purse and the like. You do not want to hand these over to movers if possible.

2. Charge your mobile phone and keep it with you. In addition, take along your address book. And before the movers depart, be sure to exchange contact information.

3. Remember to ask for a copy of the inventory from the movers. You should also note the condition of your property before they leave.

4. Take out cash for incidentals. You may need to fill the gas tank or need money for lunch on the road. If the move is taking place within one day, you will want to tip the movers if the job is completed to your satisfaction. A good rule of thumb is $20 per mover.

5. Final payment for the moving company is traditionally due upon completion of the move.

6. Don’t forget medications. Like your valuables, it is better to keep medications for you and your family members or pets with you.

7. Check the house before you leave. Turn off the lights and turn down the thermostat and hot water heater. Give each room a final once over. Lock all the windows and doors.

CENTURY 21® AND THE UPROMISE ADVANTAGE

Because I’m a part of Century 21® First Choice- a participating Upromise office- you can receive up to $3,000 in college savings when you buy or sell through me. No additional fees, no gimmicks. Please visit www.upromise.com for more details and information.

Click to Download the October 2007 Newsletter

“THE RIGHT HOME IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT”

August – 2007

From Carmen Miller

I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to Fort Mill and Tega Cay home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you.

In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

DON’T MAKE THESE COMMON MISTAKES….

There is an art and a science to selling a home. So if you’ve never done it before, there is a pretty good chance you’ll make a few mistakes. Here are three common missteps.

1. Pricing the Home. Of course you want capitalize on your investment and turn a profit, but setting the price too high can be a crucial error. Potential buyers may be put off and not even come to look. It could also cause the listing to linger on the market and as the weeks drag on the property can seem less and less appealing.

2. Being Inflexible. Some sellers say they positively won’t sell for less than “X.” But in the long run, is a few thousand dollars worth losing a buyer over? The accommodating seller has a better chance of seeing a deal through to closing. This can also mean being flexible on things like timing, closing dates and other negotiating points.

3. Sidestepping the Prep Work. No home is ready for show right off the bat. Some time and money should be put into getting the property ready for sale. Repairs need to be made. Carpets need to be cleaned. Rooms need painting. Rushing the home to market can cost you in the end. One of the best ways to avoid these pitfalls is to hire the right seller’s agent. A real estate professional has the expertise you need to dodge these selling blunders. Advice on market trends, negotiating tactics and staging the home, are just a few of the insights a Realtor® has to offer.

STAGING IS A MUST…..

If you have been following the home selling lingo you are familiar with Home Staging for resale. .What will staging do for the sale of your home? Is it really a benefit? .How expensive is it to hire a Home Stager? .How do I find someone to help me? Give me a call and I’ll be glad to help you with these and any other questions you have on selling your home quickly!

Click to Download the August 2007 Newsletter