Understanding the Buyer

Understanding the Buyer

As the seller, you can control three factors that will affect the sale of your home:

* The home's condition
* Asking price
* Marketing strategy

However, it's important to note that there are numerous other factors that influence a buyer, and you need to understand these consumer trends when you enter the sellers' market. The more your home matches these qualifications, the more competitive it will be in the marketplace. Your real estate agent can advise you on how to best position and market your home to overcome any perceived downsides.

Location
Unfortunately, the most influential factor in determining your home's appeal to buyers is something you can't control: its location. According to the National Association of REALTORS(r), neighborhood quality is the No. 1 reason buyers choose certain homes. The second most influential factor is commute times to work and school.

Size
While some buyers want to simplify their lives and downsize to a smaller home, home sizes in general have continued to increase over the decades, nearly doubling in size since the 1950s. Smaller homes typically appeal to first-time home buyers and "empty nesters," or couples whose children have grown up and moved out.

Amenities
Preferences in floor plans and amenities go in and out of fashion, and your real estate agent can inform you of the "hot ticket" items that are selling homes in your market. If your home lacks certain features, you can renovate to increase its appeal, but be forewarned: That's not always the right move. Using market conditions and activity in your neighborhood as a gauge, your agent can help you determine whether the investment is likely to help or hinder your profit margin and time on the market.

Get more tips for Sellers and Buyers at ElkRiverHomes.com

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

Twin Cities Market Activity Report - WE 3/15

Twin Cities Market Activity Report - WE 3/15
provided by MAAR

The $6,500 tax credit for move-up buyers appears to be stimulating some sellers to place their homes on the market in an attempt to sell them before the credit expires. For the week ending March 6, there were 2,279 new listings, an increase of 24.6 percent from a year ago.

Every price range is seeing increased listing activity except for the two ends of the price spectrum: below $120,000 and above $1 million. For the same reporting week, there were 809 accepted offers, which is a decline of 6.9 percent from a year ago. Over the last three months, pending sales have been just 2.0 percent higher than during the same period a year ago.

As a result of the strong new listings and flat pending sales, the inventory of available homes is rising faster this spring than it did last year. While there are still 8.2 percent fewer homes for sale right now than there were a year ago, that's a much smaller year-over-year decline than we've seen over the last two years.

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

The Twin Cities Monthly Skinny - March

The Twin Cities Monthly Skinny for March is here! Get the latest update on where the Twin Cities Real Estate market has been and where it is going.



If you are looking in the Elk River, Otsego, Big Lake or Rogers areas to buy or sell a home contact me so we can discuss your situation. Or you can visit ElkRiverHomes.com for more information.

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

Twin Cities Housing Supply Outlooking

Twin Cities Housing Supply Outlook - March
provided by MAAR

Sales growth is strongest now in the townhouse segment. Over the last 12 months the number of sales has increased by 24.4 percent, compared to increases of 14.8 percent and 11.8 percent for single-family and condo homes, respectively. All of that townhouse sales growth can be found in the price segments below $150,000.

Below $120,000 there is only 3.1 months of supply, down from the mark of 6.1 a year ago. Above $1 million there is 32.8 months of supply, up from the mark of 24.8 from a year ago.

Sales in the higher price ranges continue to slow. The market drivers of activity in the lower price ranges (low rates, tax credits) are having little to no effect in the upper bracket segments.

Get the latest housing information for Elk River, Otsego, Big Lake, and Rogers by visiting my website at ElkRiverHomes.com

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

FHFA Extends Refinance Program by One Year

Are you upside down with your home or condo in Elk River, Otsego, Big Lake?

FHFA Extends Refinance Program By One Year

Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Ed DeMarco today announced the extension of the Home Affordable Refinance Program, (HARP), a refinancing program administered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to June 30, 2011. The program is a key component of the Administration’s Making Home Affordable Program announced last February. The HARP program expands access to refinancing for qualified individuals and families whose homes have lost value. The program was set to expire on June 10 of this year. MORE

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

Twin Cities Market Activity Report - WE 3/8

Twin Cities Market Activity Report - WE 3/8
provided by MAAR

Warming weather, affordability and approaching deadlines are
activating the housing market. With less than 60 days left until the home buyer tax credit expires, buyers and sellers appear to be kicking it into a new gear. There were 1,715 new listings for the week ending February 27, an increase of 5.3 percent from a year ago and the fourth consecutive week of year-over-year increase. The $6,500 tax credit for move-up buyers appears to be stimulating some sellers to place their homes on the market in an attempt to sell them before the credit expires.

For the same reporting week, there were 868 accepted offers, which is a bump of 13.9 percent from a year ago. After several months of relatively flat home buying, the last two weeks have seen a jump as the credit deadline nears.

Days on Market continues to decrease, landing at 142 days in February. That was a 9.7 percent decrease from a year ago. The Percent of Original Price Received at Sale stood at 92.3 percent in February, a 3.4 percent increase over the year prior.

If you are looking for that new home or looking to sell your home contact me or visit ElkRiverHomes.com for the latest listings.

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com