Saturday, September 27, 2008

Home Trends in Chattanoog, TN

Chattanooga has not been as negatively impacted by the housing crisis as some communities. A visit to on-line trulia real estate search provides a wealth of information on trends of home listing prices and median sales prices in Chattanooga, TN.

Current information is available and reveals the following: The average listing price of a home in Chattanooga as of 9/17 was $269,337. The median sales prices of a home was $109,975. There were 1,381 homes for sale, and 1,511 that were sold as of this date. From June 08 through August 08, the average sales price of a home went down -.04%. Volkswagen is brining in more employees each week, and they will all need homes.

Buyers are available to look at sellers' homes, and sellers continue to be mobile and need to sell their homes.

Call me today for assistance. I promise to represent your personal needs in an assertice manner.

Ten Ways to Make Your Home More Safe

Homeowners want their home to be a safe place but often are not sure of ways to provide greater safety for themselves, their family, and friends. A wise homeowner will look around their home with an eye to safety and protection from disaster. According to www.72hours.org, there are ten SIMPLE STEPS a homeowner can take to make his/her home more safe and secure. They are:
1) Install a working smoke detector.
2) Move beds away from windows.
3) Move mirrors and heavy objects away from where people sit.
4) Keep hallways and exits clear.
5) Store heavy items on the lowest shelves.
6) Keep a fire extinguisher readily accessible on each floor.
7) Store flammable and reactive chemical securely and separately from each other.
8) Secure pictures and wall hangings.
9) Be sure your home number is visible from the street so emergency responders can see it.
10) Ensure window safety bars have an emergency release.

Taking the time to follow these simple steps can help protect you and your loved ones and your home. Be alert to potential hazards and make your home a safer place to enjoy.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Complicated Thought Patterns of Buyers & Sellers

In this time of uncertainty in the financial industry and housing markets, undertand how buyers and sellers think is important. According to Wendy Cole in the September 2008 issue of Realtor magazine, buyers and sellers can appear whimsical and irrational in some of their decision making.

How do we determine what buyers and sellers really want?

According to Cole, "the potential for misunderstanding and mistrust is enormous." Perceptions of what the other person is thinking can be off. Cole notes a professor of behavioral economics at Carnegie Mellon has stated that buyers have an attachment and feel they "own" the home once they have made an offer. This realization should help calm sellers' anxiousness about a buyer's commitment, even in times of uncertainty.

But buyers can be overconfident about whay they know according to Jason Zweig, colulmnist for The Wall Street Journal. According to Zweig, most buyers don't have an answer to the question of "When is the right time to buy?" if asked; but they may be convinced prices will drop further. People fear losing money, and that's rational. Sellers, on the other hand, may become more distressed about a fall in the value of their home than they are in a drop in the value of their stock.

Warning buyers and sellers about what to expect (i.e., a wall of paperwork at closing) can be a smart move to keep perceptions on track. Rather than being frightened off, consumers appreciate honesty in sales people. And that's why this Realtor is determined to keep communication open and honest with her customers and clients. You can bet on it!

Monday, September 1, 2008

The Positivies of a Split-Level Home

Split level homes initially became popular as a new style that some thought were modeled after Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. Split floor plans have a spacious feel, yet make the most of square footage. They often provide greater affordability per square foot while offering a compact feel. The open floor plan often appeals to younger buyers and can provide the space needed for a growing family. Many split levels take full advantage of light on both levels. They offer a short flight of stairs to enter via the front door to the main level which often has more than onen bedroom and bath on a main level. They can provide an open floor plan with a warm impression on entry.

Check out the split level style when looking for a home with good square footage and a family-friendly style. It may be just the style you need and want!

I invite you to let me show you the lovely split-level I have to offer in an established neighborhood with mature shrubs and a clear brook near the new VW plant and Hamilton Place.