Things are Picking Up!

Our mantra – it’s a Buyers’ Market is coming true! The Buyers are finally starting to get in the game. Rates are now dipping below 5% for 30 year fixed with no points. Inventory, while still high, is slacking off a bit. We’re seeing fewer new listings come on the market while dozens of older listings are expiring.

There is a myth that Winter is a bad time to sell. The truth is – This is when the truly motivated buyers are out there! Add to that the misconception that “nothing is selling” and the frustration of those who have been trying, but with no success (often because of price) and the inventory is not replenishing itself in the same numbers. Less supply plus greater demand due to mortgage rates, 1st time buyer credits, and lower prices, and we may just have an active winter/early Spring!

There are some great homes available in the Farmington Valley right now at much more reasonable prices. Put it on your to-do list for this year to buy real estate!

Visit my website to get a Market Snapshot of what is happening in your neighborhood! Then give me a call.

http://www.cathyfischer.yourkwagent.com

Happy New Year

Best wishes to everyone for a Happy Healthy and Successful 2009! Between floods, earthquakes, wild fires and the economy, I’m grateful we’re headed into a New Year!

With that said, if you or someone you know is interested in real estate in the Hartford, CT area, please let me know. I’d be happy to help!

What Happened to Winter??

Just as I was getting used to the freezing cold … and by freezing I mean 12 degrees two days ago … it’s 59 out today!! No wonder I can’t shake my cold. All that said, it’s nice not to have to bundle up today, but I could do without the RAIN!! Other than that, life is great. The phones are starting to ring with buyers responding to the low interest rates and end of year “I wanted a house THIS year” mindset. Let’s hope the ball keeps rolling!

A Sad Note

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mine was relatively quiet with a bit of sadness thrown in … we had to put our 10 year old Golden Retriever, Chewy, to sleep on the Wednesday before.  He was suffering from severe arthritis and a large tumor that was keeping him from enjoying life any longer.  The staff at our local vet were gentle and caring, even on what was probably one of their busiest days of the year.  So many thanks to them. My son Paul and I, with many tears, held Chewy in his final moments. I know that we will miss Chewy, but I also feel sure that we did the best we could for him.   Bye Chewy ….

Just Back from South Carolina

Real Estate Multi-Tasking

I just spent a wonderful week in Charleston, South Carolina and on Kiawah Island, a resort community about 45 minutes south. I couldn’t help but stop to take this picture of a sign just outside the gates of the community. My first reaction was, “Wow things are tough all over!” But then I realized it was more likely the landowners’ reaction to too many realtors and developers after them to sell their farmland. 

I spoke with a friend of mine who also happens to be a realtor in Charleston about the conditions of their market right now. He told me that they are still getting lots of showings of their listings, but few nibbles, so prices are adjusting there too.  Because of the recent boom in building in the area, re-sales are faced with tough price competition from the new construction.  The big trend downtown is in re-habbing properties as the city expands. With 500 square foot condos selling for over $350,000, it seems like a good investment.

A Busy Week

The weather this week has been anything, but November-like. Today the temperature is reaching up into the 60’s. It’s difficult to think that Thanksgiving is just a short few weeks away. With that said, I’ve been hard at work setting up a new feature for my clients … Market Snapshot. This is a terrific resource for both Buyers and Sellers because it will give you the real scoop on what is going on in YOUR real estate market.  Free to anyone who subscribes, this automatically generated email report includes current data from the MLS on listings, sales, trends, and community data and school reports.  The best part is, you can control it yourself. You enter the data and determine the timing of your reports. I’ve entered the link below, but if you have problems opening it, just shoot me an email and I will be happy to send you the report set up myself.

http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?SKE1KR8PWYOF

Time to Get Out and Vote!

It’s Election Day Your Vote Counts

Why vote? First and foremost, voting is a civil right, hard-won for women, minorities, and other citizens, and the foundation of our democracy.

Secondly, millions of people around the world have no say in who governs them, so don’t squander your own power.

And thirdly, every single vote really does count. Voting can be inspirational, fun, and educational too. It empowers you to make a difference in the world!

Oh by the way, if you know someone who is thinkiing of buying or selling a home in the greater Hartford area, please email me with their name and contact information. I will get in touch with them right away and give them the highest level of service.

Encouragement from Brian Buffini

 I work with a business coach through Buffini and Company. The founder, Brian Buffini, immigrated here from Ireland about 25 years ago with less than $100 in his pocket. He then developed a successful career for himself in San Diego, California as a realtor. In the last 12 years, he has grown his business coaching company to be the largest and most successful in North America. I think he knows what he’s doing. He’s been quoted as saying, “the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary.”  He had warned the realtors and lenders under his tutelage about the impending shift in the market several years ago, urging us to be ready. Now he is offering new insights to us, and encouragement. I wanted to share this message from his website.

Lately people have been sending me a lot of emails and notes asking me if I think there’s another Great Depression coming, whether or not real estate will lose another huge portion of its value and where do I think all of this is going to stop.

Well I’ve never shied away from giving my perspective on such matters and I think something we should all note is the attitude of the man who is considered the greatest investor of all time – Warren Buffet. As I mentioned before he has purchased $8B in preferred stock. Even more dramatic is that $5B of it went to a financial company (Goldman Sachs).

Not only is he not running scared, he’s running strong with this market – taking ground and improving his position. We all know there are some tough times ahead, and so does Warren. But he demonstrated his ultimate faith in the economy, in the markets and in the fact that now is the time to gain ground and not pull back.

Well done, Mr. Buffet, you’re a good role model for all of us.

Once again, the message is ….It’s a Buyers Market!  Great opportunities! Take advantage of them. The smartest people are!

What is the FDIC?

These are four letters you’ve been hearing a lot about lately. In the news. Around the dinner table. Even in talk around the water cooler. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – or FDIC – has never been so popular. But what exactly is it? And what does it mean to you? To put it simply, it’s an independent agency of the United States government created to protect depositors in the event that a bank fails and can’t return their money.

But FDIC insurance doesn’t come free. In fact, the FDIC will soon be charging banks 13 cents for every $100 on deposit for this service.  In the end, it costs each of us as savers.

With 15 banks going under this year alone in the United States, the FDIC has become an important piece of “fine print” to look for.  New legislation passed on October 3rd, is increasing FDIC insurance limits from $100,000 to $250,000. So take a deep breath. And be sure to read the fine print!

Courtesy of ING Direct

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling a home, or would like information about the Hartford/Farmington Valley area of Connecticut just let me know. I’d be glad to help!

Welcome to my blog!

 

It’s a Buyers’ Market. Are you ready to Buy?? Great prices, lots of inventory and low rates. Just like the stock market, smart advice is buy low, sell high.  It’s time to take advantage of the current market before things turn around! There are some terrific bargains out there. Add to that the $7500 tax credit available for first time home buyers and it’s a no-brainer.

In the words of Brian Buffini, “I’m not asking you to be Pollyanna or to ignore the circumstances but to embrace 100 years of empirical data which shows without question that if you hold real estate long enough you will see an increase in its value.”  It’s time to get informed. Be confident. The credit markets will sort themselves out. Banks need to loan money to make money. Like you and I need air to breathe.

Properties are at a deep discount and we’re having our ‘lowest prices in five years’ sale. Now is not the time to get depressed and act like someone just shot our dog!

There are deals to be made. If Warren Buffet’s buying right now, so should you. 

 

To learn more about the Central Connecticut/Farmington Valley real estate market visit my website

http://www.cathyfischer.yourkwagent.com