Friday, February 19, 2010

Does The Thought of Selling Your Home in Today's Market Scare You?

If the thought of selling your home in today's

market makes you break out in a cold sweat, 

then consider these local market numbers for

some perspective.


The Average Seller in 2009 received 92.2% of their list price.
The Average Seller in 2010 received 95.6% of their list price.

In January of 2009 there was 13.2 Months of Inventory on the Market.
In January of 2010 there was 6.7 Months of Inventory on the Market.

If you want to find out how to give yourself a competitive edge in today's market, please call for a private consultation and Market Analysis for your neighborhood. 

Would you like to know if you qualify for the tax credit for a first time home buyer OR a repeat buyer?  Visit our website at www.debbiewhitehomes.com for answers to your questions.

Not really interested in selling your home but would like to keep tabs on what is selling in your neighborhood?  Visit www.debbiewhitehomes.com and sign up for a private Market Snapshot of activity in your neighborhood delivered to the privacy of your email.

Other questions?  Please call me at 816-246-7500 or email me at debbie@debbiewhitehomes.com.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Is Our Local Market Favoring Buyers or Sellers?

Who exactly has the edge in our local market?  Buyers or Sellers?

The supply calculation is determined by taking the Inventory (number of homes on the market) and dividing it by the 12 Month Average of the Number of Sales.  A balanced market, in general, is a 5 to 6 months supply of homes on the market.  If the supply exceeds 6 months, the market can favor buyers.  If the supply is less than 6 months the market can favor sellers.  The supply for new and used homes in the Kansas City Region is 6.7 months of supply. This number slightly favors buyers in our area.  As we teter at around 6 months of inventory we are experiencing a more balanced market for buyers and sellers.  That's the good news!

Other market factors will affect our market in the coming months due to the changes in FHA financing and anticipation of rising interest rates later in the year.

Spring is around the corner and regardless of the market, is consistently and historically a GREAT time to list your home and to buy a home.

If you would like information on what your neighborhood sales activity has been or would like personal, caring representation on the purchase of a home, call us at 816-985-3444 or visit our website!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

What Do You Need To Know About Deck Safety Before Buying A Home?

Deck safety is extremely important!


When you are purchasing a home your home inspector will inspect it thoroughly. They will check the railings and bannisters for stability. The railings should be at least 36 inches high and rails should be no more than 4 inches apart. They will check under the deck to check the ledger boards, support posts and joist hangers.  The inspector will also be on the lookout for wood rot.

If you have a deck on your own house, it's a good idea to have it inspected annually to make sure it's structurally sound.

If you have any questions about real estate and need capable and trustworthy representation, please call me at 816-985-3444.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

60 Minute Home Inspection

A quick and easy 60 Minute Home Inspection! The weather is cold and snowy. This simple inspection is a great indoor safety check this time of year.

Ensure your home is safe and sound in less than an hour:

___ Check water heater for leaks and rust.
___ Check the pressure on fire extinguishers.
___ Test smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector batteries.
___ Inspect faucets, sinks, and pipes for leaks.
___ Test ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles.

Visit www.houselogic.com, a great resource for everything you need to know to protect, maintain and enhance the value of your home.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

It Takes 21 Days To Form A Habit

I received a great tip yesterday that I want to share from one of my favorite trainers and coach, Mr. Rick DeLuca.

He provided a tip on a great website called habitforge.com. This website lets you set up your goal or goals with a daily reminder for consistency. It takes 21 days to form a habit. Once you've set up your account, which is FREE by the way, you enter your goal. Habitforge.com will send you a daily email for 21 days asking you, "Were you successful yesterday at _________________?"

Do that one thing you've committed to doing. Skip a day before succeeding for 21 days straight, and they will start you back at day one. Succeed for 21 days in a row, and you can enter monitoring mode. But by that point the action should seem second nature.

I can't wait to get started!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

I Work Differently From Other Agents...

I work differently from other real estate agents. I believe that you deserve to have the ability to shop freely.

You need me...
If you want to get in the house-I have the key.
If you want to be sure the price is fair-I know the market.
If you want to negotiate the best terms-I have the experience.
If you want to write the offer-I have the license.
If you want to navigate through the 'minefield' of escrow-that is my home turf.

But...You DON'T need me to shop for a home.

No one knows better than YOU the features in a home that match your needs or where you want to raise your family.

As a Preferred Buyer, you will receive access to ALL of the available listings that match your personal search criteria from ALL of the real estate companies with the ability to search any area you choose-on your own...FREE!

I will always be available for you if you want information or advice-in fact, I'm never more than a "click" or phone call away and I will continue to give you the full service you expect from a professional, experienced real estate agent.

There is no obligation, all I ask is that when the time comes that you are ready to buy, you reciprocate this offer and allow me help you buy your home!

Click below and let me help you get started.



Looking for more real estate information? Visit www.debbiewhitehomes.com

Monday, February 1, 2010