What Features Do Home Buyers Think Are HOT and What Are NOT ?

As a real estate agent, I am often asked by potential home sellers what they can do to increase the value of their home before putting it on the market. Here's what a recent survey about real estate trends by Redfin revealed are some of the most popular home features attracting buyers- and what are repelling them!

Real estate professionals identified the following as the most HOT features for home buyers:

• Open floor plans
• Granite in kitchens or bathrooms
• Large closets
• Move-in ready condition
• Wood floors
• Close proximity to public transportation
• Upgraded windows
• Two-story floor plan with a bedroom on the main floor
• Energy saving appliances

Here are some features that are NOT appealing to buyers are:

• Noisy street and neighborhood
• Wallpaper
• Dated interior features
• Popcorn ceilings
• Limited parking
• Small bathrooms and kitchens
• Dark interior with minimal natural light
• Low ceilings
• Limited storage
• Carpet

Take a look around your home and see if you can increase the features that buyers think are HOT and minimize the features they think are NOT.

Source: "Real Estate Trends: Redfin Agents Tell Us What's Hot and What's Not" Redfin Blog (May 13.2014)

California Realtor Association Survey: Sellers are excited about the market again!

A recent survey by the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) shows that home sellers are more optimistic about the real estate market again. Some of their conclusions are:

• More sellers are repurchasing a home after selling compared to 2012. 
• More sellers who did not previously repurchase are planning to purchase another home in the future. 
• More sellers believe home prices are rising compared to 2012. 
• Reasons for selling have changed since 2012 when financial hardships were the major reason. 
• Trading up, low interest rates and cashing out are the main reasons. 
• More sellers are receiving multiple offers than in 2012. 
• Bidding wars are more common averaging overall 2.2 offers over asking price. 
• Social media is playing a bigger role in the selling process.

 All these activities indicate a significant improvement in how sellers perceive the market these days.

Click here for article.

Real Estate Market Update for Donner Lake - 4th Quarter 2013

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Another New Year is upon us and reflecting on the past year I see the Truckee housing market has continued to be strong with prices continuing to increase through 2013.  The median sales price in Truckee for the fourth quarter of 2013 was up 26% over 2012. The number of sales was down 14% over 2012 due to the persistent shortage of homes for sale in our area resulting in higher prices and shorter days on the market. Days on the market decreased in the fourth quarter of 2013 28% from 2012.

Currently there are 24 homes on the market with a price range of $349,000 to $4,900,000. There are 5 homes in escrow listed between $369,000 and $1,449,000. There were 13 sales during the fourth quarter with prices ranging from $249,000 to $1,700,000. There are 6 condos on the market, no condos in escrow and 1 sold in the fourth quarter. One lot is in escrow, 1 lot sold and 23 lots are on the market.

I am here to help you and to serve your real estate needs. You can always expect the highest level of service and attention to detail from me.

If you have been thinking of selling - now is a GREAT time!

The inventory is low and there are buyers looking!

Call me today for a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS of your property!