Real Estate Information

     Some good articles are actually being published by the national media sources, which in its own right is good news.  In an article today by Yahoo Finance "8 Signs of Hope for the Economy" is a good barometer of what the media is starting to write and notice that we could actually be on a path to a strong recovery.

If this gives you a sudden confidence and you are now thinking of selling your home, send me a quick email to receive your free report on "How To Sell Your Home for Top Dollar with or without an Agent".

     In a recent article of the Wall Street Journal they say it is a good time to buy a house.  The word is finally reaching the media, although it has been a good time a buy a house for the past few months.  Check it out below.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB124010083844932175-lMyQjAxMDI5NDEwOTExMDkwWj.html

Click to see the latest and greatest homes on the market as they hit the market.  http://www.CTHomeHunter.com

Below is the latest article I wrote that was picked up by 23 online publications so far.  Comment below, thanks for checking in.

Dan

 You can also check it out at Ezine Articles online:  http://ezinearticles.com/?id=2245191

Real Estate Buying Power – Working with a Top Shelf Agent

Volume 3

Issue 1

                Today’s real estate buyers are much more educated and savvy when looking at and buying real estate.  With over 80% of today’s buyers using the internet in some capacity to search for homes, according to the recent study done by the National Association of Realtors, today’s buyers require an agent that they can rely on and trust will be able to do the multiple tasks involved in the purchase of a home, and of course, in a timely manner with being able to communicate at anytime.  But that is only the logistical and fundamental aspect of the transaction.  Today it is imperative for a buyer to work with an innovative agent that is technology and market savvy, an agent with proven systems in place and the stats and facts to back it up.  With our local market of Fairfield County moving sideways in most towns at this point there are good deals out there and still some very bad ones.  Your agent needs to be able to decipher and weed out the bad deals and make the good deal happen.  Not always does a good one come right out of the pages and knock you across the head, your agent needs to be on top of his/her game and have the technology working for them to be able to seek out and deliver your goal of finding the perfect home along with the perfect deal in place.

                With finding the perfect situation also comes the final terms & conditions and the negotiating process behind the great deal.  Today’s agent needs to have a remarkable sense of professionalism and have the negotiating skills and formal training of a fine-tuned Fortune 500 salesman.  They need to be using the most up to date technological tools with a proven business plan in place.  If you find yourself feeling like you’re doing most of the work yourself or having trouble communicating with your real estate agent than it may be time to consider interviewing other agents, in my findings in the Southwestern section of  Connecticut there seems to be only about 5-7% of the agents that can fit most of the qualities spoken above.  Real estate can be an unbelievable investment vehicle but only if the person driving the car can do the navigation as well.  Anyone can drive a car, especially with it being fairly easy to obtain a real estate license, but only a select few can navigate through the trenches successfully.  Many get into the business for a fun hobby to earn a few extra bucks, this is the biggest pitfall of all time.  Do not put the fate of your biggest and most personal investment into the hands of an amateur.

Author:  Dan Firda

Dan Firda  is an agent with RE/MAX covering Fairfield and the surrounding areas.  Dan has been ranked among the top agents in the state and recently received the recognition of Connecticut’s Top 100 Agents award for 2008.  For more information check his sites:   www.CTListingExpert.com, www.CTHomeHunter.com and www.YourCTHomeValue.com.

     The savvy buyers today are requiring value in their purchase, there is not way around it.  Go online and take a look at all the homes priced from 500k - 700K especially under 600K www.cthomehunter.com and than take a look at this one and compare www.61Millbrook.com.  Oh and by the way it is a new construction with a one year warranty.

61 Millbrook Terr., Monroe

     Now more than ever, when looking for a real estate agent it is absolutely imperative that you interview agents before you sign up with one.  The business is becoming much more professional and it is about time.

The video below that I created yesterday really dives into professionalism and the reasons why having successful systems and a solid business plan in place is the direction to go.

Discover why it is imperative to work with a true real estate professional and what are the differences between agents in today's world. WHY the agent you used 4 years ago during the real estate boom may not be your best bet now.

To be the first to see all the new listings as they hit the market and sometimes before they even go live on the market go to http://www.CTHomeHunter.comand opt in for the free service you won't be disappointed.

     I just was finally able to complete the 1st quarter sales figures of my team and we are very excited and proud to say we are way above the local market averages here in Northern Fairfield County.  Check out the video I created from car the other day and see how we outperform the averages of the local market and why it is imperative for you to choose a professional when it comes to buying or selling your biggest asset.

Contact me to receive your free report of 8 secrets for saving thousands when buying.

Until next time, Make it a Great Day!

Dan

Finally some good news reported by the press that I thought I would share.  This is from an article yesterday (March 23rd) from the Associated Press.

February existing home sales rise by 5.1 percent
Monday March 23, 10:24 am ET
By Alan Zibel, AP Real Estate Writer
 

Existing home sales rise 5.1 percent in February; prices plunge 15.5 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sales of existing homes rose from January to February in an unexpected boost for the slumping U.S housing market as buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures.
The National Association of Realtors said Monday that sales of existing homes grew 5.1 percent to an annual rate of 4.72 million last month, from 4.49 million units in January. It was the largest sales jump since July 2003.

To get a head start and see all the active listings for sale in CT in real time go to www.CTHomeHunter.com

     With the current economic slump why on earth would you consider upgrading to a newer or bigger or better home, and why would I speak and write about upgrading now.  When I speak on this topic that is usually the first question that comes up and its even before I get into my presentation, just happened again yesterday when I was speaking/presenting to the good folks at the annual Business Networking International meeting in Stratford.  Here is why in a nutshell, if you fit into the parameters that are portrayed that it may actually be a good fit for you and your family.  First, with selling your current home you will take a percentage loss from the peak of the market in 2006, but you will also get that same percentage of a discount on the home you are upgrading to.  For example if you sell your home for 300K and that is about 10% difference than if you sold in 2006 the upgraded home you buy that is of a higher price and value would also be the same 10% difference, making your overall transaction very beneficial and applicable.  Also, the kicker of the entire situation, your new purchase being an investment, when the market rebounds to its fullest extent over the next few years your upgraded home will increase at a percentage that equals a much higher value than of the home you sold because it indeed is an upgrade.

     Maybe a way of looking at the current environment with a silver lining as you could actually make out very well in the long run by upgrading now and also not to mention the newer, bigger and better home that you get to live in.

For a real time look at all the homes in CT updated instantly go to www.CTHomeHunter.com

       The Town of Fairfield has always been a desirable place to reside, but why has the real estate market gotten hot since the turn of the new year.  There is no way around seeing and hearing the news regarding the nations economy troubles and housing market slumps, but while no one can control the broad economy the real estate markets of our country are very localized and each have their own personality.  With the interest rates dropping to record lows, many folks have come to the realization that it really is an unbelievable time to buy with low borrowing rates and great home prices out there.  Fairfield has become hotter than other towns by no accident with its many amenities and conveniences such as the train stations and being on the coast along with the others areas such as the university area and Southport area.  Recent personal examples of my own, as an agent working with 3 separate individual buyers looking in Fairfield all requiring close proximity to a train station, two out of the three we have put offers on homes and have gotten into bidding wars (no kidding), both homes going for over the listed price.  Prior to finalizing on a price and winning the bid with one of my clients to two weeks earlier we were about to put an offer on a nice home that just came on the market, but got word from the listing broker that the sellers have already accepted an offer on day 5 on the market.  The following week we viewed a home the day it went on the market which happened to be a Thurs.  My clients decided they really liked they house and wanted to a second opinion from another family member, but the family member couldn't make it until that Sunday, well the house was put under contract the next day (Friday) day two of being on the market.  The following week is when we viewed another home that just came on the market that day and we put an offer in on the spot.  Sure enough another one came in as well and hence the bidding war.  So to finalize this post, Fairfield is hot right now and continues to get hotter with other instances I am hearing from other brokers and multiple bid situations.

To see a list of all the latest homes on the market in real time visit www.cthomehunter.com for hourly updates or to receive updates daily via email.

     The country's most notorious and famous gangster Al Capone who lived in a very subtle and "non-flashy" red brick home in Chicago located at 7233 S. Prairie over on the South Side will be going on the market.  Locals in the area beleive the home will be priced around 500K.

For real time access to homes with less baggage, just click www.CTHomeHunter.com