Expert Advice from Amy & Kyle Bergquist at Keller Williams Legacy Partners
Should the threat of rising sea levels factor into the real estate decisions of home buyer or home owners? We hear frequent debate about whether the globe is warming, and if so, whether or not our civilizations and lifestyles are the cause. We also hear about large chunks of ice that break off into the ocean. But we do not hear much about specific consequences of rising sea levels in the news. Satellite images show
The summer is essentially over, so we’re closing the books on the spring/summer real estate market. How did we compare to last year? As always, data came from the CT Multiple Listing Service for single family homes only and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed… My observations… 1. Aggregating the towns, closings this year were just about even with June through August 2008, up just 1.1%. Some towns saw wild fluctuations though. South Windsor, Vernon,
Uh, not necessarily. I work with a lot of first time buyers. This year seems to be particularly busy because some markets in our area are experiencing depressed pricing compared to recent years and people are trying to take advantage of the $8,000 government tax credit. If people have stable employment and are mentally, financially, and emotionally ready, this is turning out to be a good year for them to buy. The issue becomes that
I’ve been working with a lot of first time buyers this year. Many of them have been motivated by the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit that the government is offering. A good number of them have already closed on a property and are set to receive their refund next year when they submit their Federal Income Taxes. Some of my buyers are still looking though. They are waiting for the right house. Or they
The real estate appraisal business has been under increased scrutiny in the wake of the national housing bust. An article in today’s Wall Street Journal highlights the current challenges in securing an independent, yet accurate, property valuation. Appraisals are an important part of a real estate purchase, helping to make sure that the negotiated purchase price is in line with recent comparable sales. Mortgage underwriters require an appraisal so that they can feel comfortable that