Selling between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Disaster Movies and Central Park

Sellers who have their homes on the market between Thanksgiving and Christmas typically need to move, which makes this a triple threat season to buy. Interest rates are low, for one.  In addition, sellers who need to move have their homes priced well.  Lastly, not only is there a first time home buyer credit, but now a second time buyer credit as well.

Hey, have you heard the world is supposed to end in 2012?  That gives us 2 years to go!  Here’s a list Austin is not on…of the worst places to live if you are in a disaster movie, click here.

Last week I went on a tour of a new subdivision being built in South Austin, called Central Park. Located off of Stassney Lane, this 42 unit subdivision offers 6 floor plans, of which one plan is a 1-story.  Base prices start at $188,999 and go to $236,999.  Here’s a peak

Tis the Season to Sell

When I teach my Selling a Home class, I ask my students to explain to the difference between a ‘house’ and a ‘home’.  Most of them don’t consider the difference in those terms before I ask the question, but once posed, I start seeing light bulbs going on, and the tone becomes set to teach the class.

Sometimes, its easier for people to list a home during the holiday season.  People tend to shy away from it because they don’t want to move, but forget they are only marketing the house for sale.  Nobody said anything about moving.  There are lots of ways I can keep someone home for the holidays – not to mention, most buyers need a loan, which takes time.

People often find it easier is keeping their house cleaner in the holiday season.   This is a social time of year and with friends and family visiting, so you tend to keep up with the household choirs.  The house also tends to be naturally staged, from holiday decorations, to baking treats. Even the yard becomes low maintenance.

Those four walls generate the feeling of home this time of year, more than any other.  So, its not a bad time to market your property, after all it’s a home people are looking for, not a house.

Little Things Mean A Lot

How are you? Maybe a little tired? Tis the season isn’t it? For most, the holiday season adds an extra page to our to-do list. It’s amazing how much we can get done this time of year. It makes me wonder how much I could do all year, with that little extra effort.

I went on a listing appointment this week, where all I needed to do was point out the little things that needed to be done. Replacing burnt light bulbs, lampshades, throw rugs, drawer pulls and handles can give a house a mini face lift.  That little extra effort can help to make a great first impression to a buyer. When you do have some free time, here are a few things you light want to add to your list of things to do:

Zilker Tree Holiday Festival

Ballet Austin: The Nutcracker at the Long Center

Ice Skating at Whole Foods