Char and Jim's Blog

Traveling around town today trying to preview a few homes at Open houses, I found very few signs.  I don't like putting up those signs either but I will say this fellow Realtors and home owners, if you're going to do an Open House, have plenty of signs up.  Commit to the Open House by a sign ride...

Although the Internet is a great tool for searching for homes in your price range, Open houses are still one of the easiest ways to get out there and view properties.  Of course as Realtors we would prefer you call us to make appointments to preview properties, but many buyers aren't ready to com...

According to our Northern Ohio Multiple Listing Service, which does not include the for sale by owners, there are currently 546 active listings in Parma.  The list prices range from 27000 to 375000. Average number of days on the market it 97.  Average list price is 126867.  Between August 21 and ...

Less than 10% percent of the homes in this market seem to be selling in any given month. There are 347 active listings in Strongsville this morning.  27 homes went into pending between August 20 and September 20.  (7%).  The prices range from 69900 to 699900.  Average asking price is 236880. Aver...

Sometimes I feel a little bit sorry for my buyers who are watching the reo market.  We both have to work smarter and faster.  I can't preview all the reo properties out there.  I really need you to do some drive bys for the properties that you think interest you.  This segment of the market can m...

Buyers work with their agents many times without the agent having ever been to their homes. Recently a client suggested that I pay a visit to his home, not so much for the listing aspect but for the insight I might gain in helping him find a home.  Great idea, instead of meeting at the office to ...

First time out with a new client (buyer), we only had one property to see after our first meeting.  The particular house we were going to see has been on the market over a year and is occupied. The issue I'm talking about is a rough hurdle for sellers and their listing agents and I know that but ...

Running with buyers without a pre qualification  letter is really tough.  First of all it takes so little time for you, as a buyer, to contact a good lender by phone and have a pre-qualification letter faxed to your agent.  ( 20-30 minutes of your time and you make your agent happy and have prepa...

Heh sellers!  I know there are alot of sellers in my neck of the woods whose homes still don't look like they are moving.  Do you know that when I bring buyers thru your home they ask" how long do you think it will take them to move?"  and they mean it because you haven't started to pack.  Some o...

I had an interesting phone conversation today,  I'm sure you can figure out where I'm going with this. Let me add that I have great sellers, they have worked hard to stage their homes, keep their properties immaculate and are accommodating on impromptu showings! Do they like lowering their prices...