kaulat

Sorry this is so long, but I feel like this e-mail I received from ZipRealty should be posted in its entirety (with some comments, naturally): Orange County Housing Report: Demand Suddenly Surges April 2, 2009 Coinciding with a drop in interest rates and a Wall Street rebound [wait, this is a "Wall Street rebound"?! How much is rent on your planet?] , demand for Orange County housing increased by 22% in just two weeks. Demand, the number of new pending sales over the past month, increased from 2,670 pending sales two weeks ago to 3,247 today, a 577 home increase. Last year’s high of 3,060 pending sales was reached on June 12. Orange County demand has not reached this level since September 2005, the beginning of the current downturn [2005 was the start of the downturn? That's news to me] . Last year there were 962 fewer pending sales, totaling 2,285, and two years ago there were 1,114 fewer, totaling 2,133. The active listing inventory shed 580 homes in the past two week, ...

Address: 2105 E Ocean Blvd, 90803 Asking Price: $599,900 Year Built: 1957 Size: 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,459 sq. ft. $/Sq. Ft.: $411 Purchase price: $485,000 Purchase date: 4/2004 MLS#: P672134 On Redfin: 78 days Down Payment: $120,000 Monthly Payment: $3,500 Income Requirement: $171,000 Description: Enjoy panoramic views of the Ocean, City & Bluff Park from the comfort of your living room, dining room and balconies. Rare top floor, corner unit with abundant windows making it light and airy. The foyer, original oak hardwood floors, crown molding and period tile are a few of the features creating the ambiance of gracious living. Both bedrooms are spacious and feature a full wall of closets and upper storage cabinets to maximize organization. West bedroom boasts access to a twenty foot balcony with incredible ocean and park views. The kitchen features ceramic tile counters, marble flooring, Jenn-Air oven and a generous breakfast room. Stroll along the beach, bike to Shoreline Village or fa...

I'm writing from the office tonight, the sun glaring in at me so strongly even my sunglasses don't help. Who cares? It's sunshine - and after a day of snow I am ready for sun! A dear friend stopped in with her husband and kids, just after eating at Johnny Angel's and before going for a walk on the pier. Village life....ah..... There are currently 127 - same as last week, the same number! - active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Four new ones came on this week, two as re-lists and two brand new ones. The new ones are in the $300,000 range. One of the re-lists is the gorgeous brick on Onondaga Street and the other is a marvelous ranch/contemporary home down West Lake Road, not too far from the village. Having spent a great deal of time there, I can tell you that lake views are possible from the kitchen and there are windows everywhere! It really is a lovely home in need of a family - or single person - or retired couple - to love...

Now, despite all the dire warnings from so many people, I believe in open houses and I sell through them. The open house is meant to attract people who want to look without making it a grand experience. The buyer doesn't have to call anyone, simply show up and walk through the front door. A friendly greeting to the agent is polite, signing in with a real name and number is expected, and then the buyer gets to see the house, usually in his or her own time. That's how I do it. First to come in usually are the neighbors. Often the owners say they don't want people "snooping." I see it as an opportunity for the people on the street to check out the house. If the seller has made it as beautiful as it can be, and everyone agrees it shows well - what's wrong with sharing it with friends and acquaintances? They have friends, too. If they like the house they will tell others and so on. Neighbors are good things! The real buyers come at the first open house,which is why...

Address: 327 Chestnut Ave #316, 90802 Asking Price: $249,000 Year Built: 1990 Size: 2 beds, 2 baths, 910 sq. ft. $/Sq. Ft.: $274 HOA Fee: $190 Purchase price: $160,000 Purchase date: 5/2003 MLS#: S564251 On Redfin: 46 days Down Payment: $52,000 Monthly Payment: $1,600 (assuming 5.5% 30-year fixed) Income Requirement: $74,000 Description: Very nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath with 2 separate balconies. Open floorplan. Pergo flooring and new paint. 3rd floor, so no one above you. Newer dual pane windows. Ready to Move-into. Lots of storage/closet space. 2 Car apaces in underground parking. Located in the heart of downtown entertainment area. 3 blocks to beach. Nice Views on a clear day! Close to Metro, freeways and seaport village. What's a "Car apace"? Whatever it is, this baby's got two of 'em! If you find crime and panhandlers entertaining, then yes, it is "located in the heart of downtown entertainment area." This guy is asking $89,000 more than he paid five yea...

Dec 19, 2008 - Listed $389,000 Apr 03, 2009 - Price Increased $430,000 Now that's how you sell an overpriced condo! Yep, if it hasn't sold in 108 days asking $389,000, YOU RAISE THAT FUCKING PRICE!

Don't forget to read to the end for the good part, but I need to set this up first. It's April and it's snowing out. Really, really snowing. The white stuff is going horizontal because of the wind. I showed two houses today and checked a couple more, and I'm glad to be back home at the computer. As are many people, I dare say. This week I took a seminar - along with an overflow crowd of Realtors from the area, on "Marketing and Technology - A Survival Guide." The room was packed - we rarely have as many people from the office in the same place, and yet there we (almost) all were way up at Carrier Circle at 9:00 in the morning! Because we need to know what's new, and how to get there. Our overall Syracuse market is still strong, and Skaneateles is getting stronger by the day, but who knows when the downturn will catch Central New York. If ever, but that's an editorial comment. In any case, we all could take Wednesday morning and early afternoon ...