January 2016 Market Update...

I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying the New Year! Real estate is off to a busy start with many new properties entering the market.  Buyers are also making a strong showing creating a valuable time for sellers to get in on the market’s action.    

Did you know that the listing inventory really starts to saturate in April?  The beginning of spring is when most sellers “assume” it is best to enter their home on the market.  Sellers want their yard to look good, the flowers to be blooming and conclude that most buyers move in the spring and summer months.  BUT, the reality is that buyer traffic starts to pick up right after the first of the year!  Each year we begin to see buyers growing excited about purchasing a home after the holidays have concluded.  So what are you waiting for?  Take full advantage of this season by placing your house on the market now… buyer activity up and less competition! 

Did you know in 2015, 67% of homes sold did so within the first 60 days on the market?  So why do some homes sell faster than others?

There are three elements which are very important to your homes placement- we call it the “3 P’s of selling”!

PACKAGING –

This is the condition of your home and property. Take a tour of your home, looking at it as a new buyer would and fix or repair any problems you see. However, keep in mind, improvements made to the property should be done for enjoyment, not resale (an item cannot be added to the home, used and then the buyer expected to pay original cost.)  In accordance, maintenance preserves value… it does not create value.

PROMOTION –

Marketing is very important in order to secure buyers who not only want to tour your property but ultimately write an offer. You can count on Jose Medina & Associates to do our very best to market your property in as many venues as possible… MyStarkCountyHome.com, MySummitCountyHome.com, Homes.com, HarmonHomes.com, Craigslist.com, Trulia.com, Realtor.com, Yahoo Real Estate, RE/MAX.com & Zillow.com are just some of the websites we post your listing. Your home is listed on numerous other websites and will often be advertised on the back cover of the Real Estate section in The Repository. We also use a text lead system for your property.  We do marketing directly to real estate agents to get your home out to the agents that have active buyers.  I may not be the agent that brings the buyer into the house, but I am the reason they want to look at it. We are always looking for more creative ways to get your home exposed to the right buyer.

PRICE – By properly setting the price you will create value in the buyer’s mind and stay in front on the market by being more aggressive instead of chasing it down. Keep in mind that the market determines the value of every home and it all depends on what a buyer is willing to pay.

Ultimately, the seller (YOU) are in control of 2 out of the 3 factors that determine if your home will sell. Keep in mind that every home is in a pricing war and beauty contest with all other homes.

If you have any questions about any of this information, please feel free to call me.

Your Realtor,

Jose Medina

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...

Merriest Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank YOU for making 2015 our best year yet!  See you in 2016!!!

Top Reasons To Sell Your Home During the Holidays...

1. SERIOUS BUYERS… Folks that are actively looking at homes during the holidays are doing so as a high priority!

2. LESS COMPETITION…Buyers have fewer homes to choose from during the Holidays. 

 3. The SUPPLY of listings will dramatically increase over January and February meaning there will be less demand for your particular home!

4. HOMES SHOW BETTER when decorated for the Holidays!

5. Buyers tend to make more emotional CONNECTION over the Holidays and are more likely to fall in love with your home!  Who doesn’t want a new home for the holidays!?!

6. Some people must buy before the end of the year for TAX REASONS! We see more cash transactions at this time of the year over any other!

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transferees cannot wait until spring to buy, make sure your home is on the market now as an OPTION!

9. You can be on the market, but with the FREEDOM to restrict showings during the days leading up to the Holidays!

10. You can sell now for MORE MONEY and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year!  Buyers tend to be cooperative because they understand sellers may not want to move so close to the holidays.

11. Selling NOW may provide you the opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the spring, when many more homes are on the market for less money! This will allow you to SELL HIGH and purchase the perfect home for you!

Questions...give us a call (330) 649-5540

You're Invited - Our 8th Annual Client and Community Party...

Our 8th Annual Client and Community Party...

Free viewing of the Frozen!!!

November 29th at 2PM @ Canton Palace Theatre 

Doors open at 1:15Pm

Great giveaways including and XBOX One, Kindle Fire HD, and Cavs Tickets! 

Bring your kids, Grandkids, neighbors...open to all! 

No RSVP Required!

Market Update Report for November...

       As holiday festivities quickly approach, a wide spread leading concern for most sellers is the “slowing” market condition.  Do I keep my home on the market and chance the season, or take it off until the spring?  I engage this dilemma on a daily basis this time of year and would like to speak some truths that may help make your decision a bit easier to consider.  Yes, the amount of actual showings will drop off over the next few months.  The three motivating reasons:  1) There are less overall sales during the holiday months.  2) “Lookers” tend to be distracted with other seasonal demands.  3)  There is an increased focus and motivation in buyers so they tend to view less homes.  Experience would reveal if someone is looking at homes in November, December, and January, they are typically motivated to buy!  Expect one showing every 2 weeks for most listings. (Although this can vary greatly based on area and pricing).

A key factor to regard is that there are fewer homes on the market these months, which equates to LESS COMPETITION.  Less motivated sellers take their homes off the market and return in the spring. They are missing the “motivated” buyer that needs to purchase within the next 90 days.  As always, the same holds true over the “holiday months” as it did for the spring and summer months; homes that are priced aggressively, marketed properly and show the best… will sell.  If any one of those 3 are out of line, you will not have a chance to sell in today’s market.

 Please feel free to give me a call to discuss your best option! 

Your Realtor,

Jose Medina

September Market Update...

It’s the time of the year we awake to crisp mornings and autumn beginnings.  With this change of season, we are seeing an increase in activity as the market “wakes” up as well.  Over the last two weeks, buyers have emerged in numbers.  Like the changing of Ohio weather, the market moves and prices adjust constantly.   It’s our job to calibrate to the flow of the market.  Physical showings are the best indicator regarding homes priced according to the market demand versus chasing the market.      

With this in mind, autumn is one of the best times of the year to have your home on the market for a number of reasons…

1) There is less competition compared to spring and summer markets.

2) Buyers are more motivated than earlier in the year.  If they missed the chance to buy over the summer, they are most likely looking to make a move before the weather changes and the holiday hoopla begins. 

3) Interest rates are still amazingly low!

  So if you are considering an adjustment in price, now is a great time to make your home as compelling as possible.  I hope this information helps and as always, we are here to answer any questions or concerns. 

Your Realtor,

 Jose Medina

Why Waiting to Sell May Not Be Your Best Option...

It's currently a great time to sell your home in a high demand / low supply market.  Buyers are plenty and homeowners are benefiting.  However, if you're considering waiting to place your home on the market, you may find that there is more competition coming your way in the form of newly constructed homes. This may put an end to the limited inventory and change the current of the market for home sellers in big ways.     

According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the forecast for new housing starts and sales will increase significantly over the next two years:

• NAR is forecasting 1.1 million new housing starts in 2015, jumping to 1.4 million in 2016.
• New home sales are projected to increase from the 437,000 in 2014 to 570,000 this year and 720,000 in 2016.

Bottom line - New construction is on the rise and  NOW may be your best time to sell!

We would love to help with your real estate needs!  Please give us a call at (330) 649-5540.