You turn on the television and watch a news story about housing prices going down. Then you receive a flyer in the mail about a property around the corner that sold for a decent price. Next you read a newspaper article about the housing market on the upswing again.

It’s a little like being on a roller-coaster ride! Unfortunately the ride isn’t much fun if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home. In fact, it can be very confusing and frustrating. You just don’t know if “now” is the right time to make a move.

In reality, the housing market has been fluctuating for decades. Yet, people sell their homes every day for good prices, and just as many people get into their next dream homes affordably.
When you hear news of market fluctuations, there are two important things to consider.

First of all, a lot of media information about the housing market is national, or at least regional. But if the housing market is trending down or up nationally, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your LOCAL market is doing the same.

In fact, it’s entirely possible for housing prices to be rising in your neighborhood while they are falling nationally, and vice versa.

Secondly, if you’re selling a current property while buying another home, then the net affect of market fluctuations may cancel out.

Say, for example, that the local market is on the upswing. You’ll probably be able to sell your current home for a good price. However, the home you purchase will likely also be priced to
reflect the upswing. The same holds true when the market is down.

All that being said, there are some circumstances in which you need to consider market fluctuations when deciding whether or not to make a move. A good REALTOR will help.

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.

Shopping for a home doesn't have to be a stressful experience. In fact, with a little planning, you can make the entire process fun for everyone – even if there are kids involved. Here are some tips for doing just that:

 Get the whole family involved in deciding what kind of home you should consider. The more everyone, especially kids, feel a part of the process, the more likely they are      to adjust well to the idea of moving.

 Bring healthy, light snacks and drinks with you when viewing more than a couple of homes in a row. It's difficult to have fun when your energy level is low.

 Easy does it. Don't see too many properties at one time. Feeling burnt out after viewing the tenth home on a Saturday afternoon will impact your judgement. Your fatigue might cause you to pass on a property that is actually a good fit.

 Kids often enjoy the first viewing of a new home, but are generally less interested in the second and third visits. So when you're going back to take a closer look at a property before you submit an offer, consider   leaving your children with a babysitter.

 Look for a good fit, not for perfection. You probably have an idea in your head of your perfect home. There's nothing wrong with that! Just keep an open mind when you look at what's  available on the market.

 Work with a REALTOR® who can make the entire process of searching for and buying a home go smoothly for you.

Do you have a question about how to find your next dream home in today's market? Call us today!

As a homeowner, you probably have a string of minor repairs and other touch ups around your home that never quite get done:a closet door thats queaks and rattles a bit, a tear in a window screen, a faucet that drips occasionally. All of these may seem minor to you. Infact, you might have long since stopped noticing them. But a potential buyer viewing your home will notice. So, if you have a list of minor repairs and touch-ups you’ve been meaning to get done, now is the time. You don’t want any thing to get in the way of a buyer forming a good impression of your home. More ways to sell your home: Informed Home Buyer Seller July 2.pdf (555.17 kb)

As you tour a potential new home, you notice that the carpeting in the livingroom is stained. "Don't worry about that," says the homeowner, who senses your disapproval. "We're going to get the
carpeting professionally cleaned before we move."

Should you take their word for it?

Regardless of how honest a seller may seem, never rely on a verbal promise.

Will they move that abandoned car in the back yard? Will they fix the crack in the front steps? Is that expensive-looking ceiling fan included with the house?

Don't assume.Get it written into the offer.

You find a home that you're interested in buying. But you have concerns. Is it in a good state of repair? Will you be able to secure the right financing? Can you sell your current home in time?

Any of these issues can prevent you frommaking a prompt offer and, as a result, cause you to lose the opportunity.

The solution? Make a conditional offer.

A conditional offer means just that. You offer to purchase the home so long as certain conditions,which you specify,are satisfied. Here are the most common examples:

• "Subject to financing".You will buy the home if you're able to arrange for a suitable mortgage.

• "Subject to inspection". You will buy the home if it passes inspection by a qualified home inspector of your choice. If he or she finds that substantial repairs are required, you can either walk away from the deal or renegotiate.

• "Subject to selling my current home". You will buy the home if you can sell your own home within a set period of time.For example:45 days.A sellermight agree to this if your home is competitively priced.

• "Subject to the repair of ____ ". You will buy the home if the seller makes certain repairs, at his or her own expense. This can range from something relatively minor, such as fixing a crack in the foundation, to a major repair like
replacing the roof shingles.

A conditional offer will protect you.However, there is always the risk that the seller will say "No." If you're in a competitive situation, for example, and another buyer's offer is unconditional, you may lose the deal - even if your offer price is higher!

So you really need to use conditional offers strategically, in just the right way, under just the right circumstances.