Coastal Bend MLS 2nd Quarter Statistics

Here is the 2st Quarter 2008 Coastal Bend MLS statistics. The following data is based on residential closed sales and the information comes from the Coastal Bend MLS from April 1, 2008 through June 31, 2008.

Data pulled: Sept. 25, 2009

CCAR Offering Facebook - Social Media Class in October

Did you know CCAR has a 2-hour Social Media Class for which you can earn two-hours of MCE Credit? Well we do. The course entitled, "Building On Line Relationships", provider #9923 was created last year.

The class, created, written and taught by Josh Ellington offers students the opportunity to learn about the benefits of social networking - how you can make it work for you - and social media including facebook, linked in and Twitter. In addition, the class covers how to use video with YouTube and blogging.

This month the Social Media classes will be taught on October 14 and 28. The cost is $25.00. To sign up for the class, please contact Josh Ellington at josh@ccaronline.com

Finding the right neighborhood

Picking a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and desires is an important part of the homebuying process. It can be challenging, though … there are so many things to consider.
For a lot of people, quality schools top the list of desirable neighborhood amenities. It may surprise you that being in an area with good schools is important even for people without children because good schools mean a higher resale value.

As unpleasant as it may be, the crime statistics of an area are important, too. Take your time and do your research on this one … there are plenty of resources out there, including local law enforcement resources, Web sites, even neighborhood Internet groups.
You may also want to consider transportation issues, such as how living in an area is going to affect your day-to-day errands, your commute, and the ease of access to public transportation and major thoroughfares.

Some people want to be in close proximity to healthcare facilities. Others find that having quick access to shopping centers or their favorite grocery store or restaurants is a top priority. Still others may value features such as public pools and parks, access to bike routes and jogging and walking trails.

The point is that everyone’s list will be different. The key is to find a neighborhood that scores well in areas you deem important. That’s a good place to focus your search efforts.
If you’re able to find everything you’re looking for in a neighborhood, good for you! However, if you’re like many people, you may have to make some sacrifices. A neighborhood you’re considering may score well on most of your checklist but not meet every single one of your criteria. That’s when you have to decide if one missing attribute can be offset by the presence of another.

Many Texas REALTORS® concentrate on becoming experts in specific neighborhoods or zip codes, so if you find an area you like, great representation may be close by.

Source (Texas Association of Realtors®)

My house won't sell

There are a variety of factors that contribute to a home languishing on the market, including price, condition, and location. Pricing the house too high is one of the top reasons homes fail to sell. When setting an asking price, it’s important to do your homework. Conduct market research and ask your REALTOR® for a comparative market analysis (CMA). As a homeowner, try to stay on top of market conditions. Is real estate in your neighborhood relatively hot? Visit some open houses and see what others are doing. What terms and conditions are other sellers offering buyers?

Most buyers want to walk into a home that is in model condition. Although it may be difficult, you should walk through your house as if you are a potential buyer, being very critical and asking whether you would purchase a home in this condition. It may be as simple as getting that stove to shine, or you may need to do a little more like adding a fresh coat of paint to your home’s exterior. Whatever the case, talk to your Texas REALTOR® about staging your home to sell.

The third big reason a house won’t sell in a good market is location. Such things as undesirable schools, a higher crime rate, a busy road, or noise pollution can mark a bad location. If your house is located poorly, you may have to compensate with a lower listing price. Favorable terms, such as owner financing or a lease with options, could also help sell your house. Your Texas REALTOR® can recommend a strategy for selling that will overcome a poor location.

Source (Texas Association of Realtors®)