Orange Real Estate

As Time Goes By: 2005 vs. 2009

Remember 2005? The real estate boom was fated to go on forever. But fate had other plans.

Four Columns Realty offers readers of Orange MA Real Estate 10 ways to understand what's hot and what's not in today's real estate market:

1. Trophy McMansions are so 2005. Letting the Jones keep up with themselves is 2009.

2. Buying a home to flip is so 2005. Buying a home to live in for years is 2009.

3. Overpaying for a ritzy address is so 2005. Finding bargain tech-friendly communities with improving schools is 2009.

4. Excessive extras are so 2005.  Simple comforts are 2009.

5. "No cash, no credit, no problem" is so 2005. Choosing a home you can afford is 2009.

6. "So what if we're buying high, the market will catch up" is so 2005. Buying smart is 2009.

7. "Let's inflate our asking price and see if there's still a sucker out there" is so 2005. Pricing a listing right on Day One is 2009.

8. Rooms full of wasted space are so 2005. Energy efficiency is 2009.

9. Multiple vacation homes are so 2005. Living where you can be happy staying home for vacation is 2009.

10. Smiling through it all is so 2005. Smiling through it all is 2009, too. Some things never change.

You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression

Deb and I watched the countdown of The 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes on HGTV a few nights ago. According to the show, the #1 mistake that home buyers and home sellers make is "failing to showcase your home and make small cosmetic changes".

That's it? Small cosmetic changes? Numero Uno?

Yep, those small cosmetic changes make a big difference. And that's just as true for sellers of Athol and Orange real estate as it is for sellers of homes featured on nationwide TV.

When you show your house, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That's a key point for real estate sellers to remember. It's also the title of a short report that real estate sellers can request from Four Columns Realty.

If you're interested in learning more about how to showcase your home, please contact Four Columns Realty.

Pricing Is King

 

On our companion site, Athol Real Estate, we celebrated Launch Day with a post entitled Under Contract in 11 Days.

Excerpt:

The takeaway for sellers: Only sellers who price their property competitively can succeed in today's real estate market.

The takeaway for buyers: If you see a home that's priced right, jump on it. Even in today's market, if it's a good deal, it may be gone soon.

Like in 11 days.

Read the Whole Thing.