Archive for July, 2007
Market Statistics for Wasilla, Palmer and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough July 16th, 2007
Here is the Monday Morning Market Memo…coming to you on a Monday evening. We went camping this weekend and just got back around noon today. I’m lucky to even get this out while it’s still Monday.
The big news this week is…the Total Active Inventory went DOWN !. By a total of one house. We listed more than we pended but quite a few houses came off the market this week by cancellations, and expireds as well.
| Average Price | DOM | ||
| New | 59 | $266,499 | |
| Total Active | 854 | $304,731 | 102 |
| Pending | 48 | $252,507 | 97 |
| Closed | 27 | $230,032 | 89 |
Otherwise, everything is still remaining pretty steady. The total pendings is up a little but not much. The market is still moving with buyers obviously having the upper hand.
Looking at our personal inventory of listings, we had 4 houses pend last week. They all pended at close to their asking price. We are now doing inspections, and appraisals on these houses. So we are plenty busy.
I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about our new consulting options. I had a call this week with someone exclaiming about how high another Realtor’s commission was. We charge high commission too, if that is what you choose to pay. With us, it’s your choice, you can choose the level of service that you need and want to pay for. Just give me a call if you would like some options in real estate.
My number is 232–7900 or email me.
Do You Want Someone To Sell You? or Consult With You? July 13th, 2007
For years I have tried to think of ways to give people more options on how to accomplish their real estate goals. I have experimented with different approaches over this time but only recently discovered ACRE.
ACRE, (Accredited Consultant in Real Estate), is a new organization of Realtors whose goal is to provide a more transparent relationship between the consumer and Realtor. Take a look at the Consulting Times so that you can understand more about this new real estate model.
It was started by a group of Realtors that included Mollie Wasserman who wrote the book, Ripping the Roof Off Real Estate.
It seemed to fit the way I want to work and so I signed up and now am the only Accredited Consultant in Real Estate in Alaska.
My brother Jay and I have been discussing our fee schedules and now can give options to our clients. There are many different scenarios where you might need a real estate consultant rather than a full blown commissioned Realtor.
For example, perhaps you want to market your home yourself but just need some coaching along the way?we can help.
Or maybe you and a co-worker have already agreed on the basic terms of a sale but would like some guidance to put together a good contract?we can help.
Perhaps you are interested in a home that is for sale buy owner and would like some assurance that the asking price is reasonable?we can help.
If you want your house on the MLS and help in negotiation and management of a transaction, but can handle the rest yourself?we can help.
In fact, we can provide a full blown marketing package with price research, MLS, representation, and transaction management on a consulting basis that will still cost much less than a normal commission structure.
Jay and I have over over 26 years of combined real estate experience in the Matanuska Valley. We know how it works and do this full time.
You will NOT hear any canned sales lines from us. We don?t spend our time practicing sales scripts and role playing them on each other so that we can manipulate you into doing what we want you to do. We do not pressure or manipulate you to do anything.
We feel that our role is to LISTEN to you, and then to try to help you meet the need that you have.
In other words?we ?CONSULT WITH YOU, NOT SELL YOU?.
Give us a call at 907 373?0999 or drop us an email in you are interested in hearing more.
Mat-Su Businesses July 12th, 2007
I thought I?d begin a new category about good businesses in the Matanuska Valley. I plan to only mention businesses that I use and like. This list will grow over time as I think of people I miss and add them. I also plan to post a special page about them as I have time.
Allstate Insurance, We have used Cindy Heal?s Office, ( 746?0505), and Stan Tebow?s Office, (746?6970). They are both located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway
Joe Meyer, Finish Carpenter, Remodeler. When I can get him, I hire him for fix up work in houses.
Neil?s Lock and Safe, 373?0961 Locksmith services and Neil also sells gun safes.
Rock Ridge Services, 357?1556, Full service landscaping. They can handle it all. I believe they also do snow removal in the winter.
Schuetter Trucking and Excavating. 746?4133. If I need any digging done, or topsoil hauled, I call Schuetter Trucking.
Diversified Tire, 376?2700. I have been bringing my car to Dave and Judy Snyder since they started with a one man one woman shop. They do all kinds of tire work and also mechanic work.
Lazy Mountain Enterprises. 745?3068. I take my cars to him for repairs. He is honest and fair.
Mr Lube. 373-4645. I get my oil changes and sometimes some minor repair done here.
Slacks Sugar Shack, Great Bakery in Palmer. Nedra Slack makes the bread I deliver every Thanksgiving.
That doesn?t mean there aren?t other good businesses in the valley, it just means that I have used these businesses and like them. If I?ve used your business and didn?t include you drop me an email.
Wasilla Real Estate News Monday Morning Market Memo 7/9/2007 July 9th, 2007
Here are the statistics for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough for this week. This includes only single family homes. It does not include condos, mobile homes, multi-family homes or land.
| Average Price | DOM | ||
| New | 40 | $247,770 | |
| Total Active | 855 | $306,416 | 102 |
| Pending | 28 | $244,918 | 71 |
| Closed | 23 | $243,935 | 86 |
The inventory grew by only 3 additional listings compared to last week’s Market Memo. That would be encouraging if we didn’t also see a fall off in pending and closed sales.
Our personal business has been booming with about as many pendings and closing as we can handle. I believe we are closing four this week, two last week and four the week before. Those are not all single family sales, but most of them are.
The market has been generally steady all summer with about the same amount of closings and pendings as we go along. Pendings and closings are on the low side this week, but they are not below average.
This house was shown 5 times in one day on July 5th. It has been shown about once a day on average since it was listed. It received two offers last week and is now pending. That is a good illustration of how a well-built house, presented well by the sellers, will attract buyers in this market.
The market is holding steady and houses priced right, and presented right, will sell.
Give me a call if you would like to hear more. 907 232–7900 is my cell.
Carnival of Real Estate #49 July 8th, 2007
There were about 40 entries for this week’s Carnival of Real Estate. That may be a normal amount for all I know but there was a lot of good writing to sort through. I feel a little inadequate after reading some of these great articles.
I sorted them into four categories: Real Estate Agents, Mortgages, Technology and Other.
Real Estate Agent Category… I had to give Broker Bryant first place. He had my whole family in stitches.
Lead Or Prospect, Are You Buying? by Broker Bryant at BrokerBryant.com
Market Your Home Like A Rock Star by Brian Miller of RealEstateEntropy.com
Top 100 Reasons To Use A Real Estate Agent by Michael Krotchie at michaelkrotchie.com
Salesperson or Consultant by Sandy Kaduce at northsoundpropertynews.blogspot.com
Mortgages
Just Because Compensation for a Loan Isn’t Disclosed Doesn’t Mean It’s Free by Dan Melson at searchlightcrusade.net
The 3.6 Million Dollar Mortgage by Tim Abbott at abettermortgage.typepad.com
Technology
How The I-Phone Can Revolutionize Real Estate by Oliver Muoto at vflyerblog.com
To Map or NOT to MAP – That is the question? from realtorgenius.com
Other Real Estate Related
5 Things Buyers Should Never See in Your Listings by Kimbely Wester on Active Rain
Building an audience: Using blogging, social networks, email newsletters and viral marketing instead of SEO by Brian Brady on Bloodhoundblog
Does Size Matter: How Small A House Are You Willing To Live In? from thedigeratilife.com
Housing and the age of Affluence from drhousingbubble.com
Transparent Honest Negotiating by Christopher Smith at EquityScout.com
I felt that everyone who contributed should be listed, so here are all the other blog posts. Some of these are likely as good or better than the ones I chose. It depends on your perspective.
Check them out:
Seven Ways to Tackle The Garage by Jennifer Steck at centraldenverblog.com
Motivated Seller, Come Back Next Year by Aaron Dickinson of Aaronsold.com
Home Pricing Strategies by Ben Kinney on Active Rain
These Ladies Mean Business by Dr. John Yacenda at renorealestatevoice.com
Why Real Estate Is Bubble Proof by Tonja Demoff at TonjaDemoff.com
Condo-Hotel Concept Is It Worth Checking Out? from Plus6.com
10 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Buying-Selling Real Estate by Ant at TheBeefJerkyBlog.com
Exploring A Slice Of Subprime Space by Niki Scevak at blog.fortiusone.com
Time To Buy Or To Buy Time by Matt Johnson at zillowblog.com
Why Build a Custom Home by Mark Donovan at homeadditionplus.com
Does a Bi-Weekly payment plan save me enough money to make it worthwhile? by John Barker at barkerblog.com
7 Steps To Buying A Home by Doug Trudeau at tucsonrealestateblogs.com
What Housing Derivatives Really Mean For You by Fritz Siebel at housingderivatives.typepad.com
Stocks Versus Real Estate Investments by David at ww-success.com
Almost Debt Free: How to Save for a Down Payment on a Home by John at queercents.com
Is George Washington Selling Your House by Toby Boyce at delawareohrealestate.com
Ask The Agents: Where Are The Good Neighborhoods? by Jay Thompson at pheonixrealestateguy.com
How Much Is Your Home Worth? by Andy of moneywalks.com
How Much Should Your Monthly Mortgage Be by Tushar at residentalien.blogspot.com
Why Redfin Will Succeed by Lani Anglin at realtorwives.blogspot.com
Real Estate Search Marketing, A VC’s Take by Cliff Jacobson at webhomeusablog.com
If You Were Designing The Real Estate Industry From Scratch, Would It Look More Like Coldwell Banker Or Redfin? by Kevin Boer at 3oceansrealestate.com
Inspire Me! 2 Tips and a Website by Shaun McLane at poshd.com
Marty Van Diest, Tele 907.232.7900 / marty[at]valleymarket[dot]com
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