by Bill Ness on January 2, 2012
During the winter months, many concerned home sellers opt to pull their homes off the market with plans to try again in the spring. There are many reasons behind this decision. Perhaps the sellers have been told that no one is house-hunting this time of year, winter won’t bring a good sale price, it’s too hard to sell a home during the holidays, or that their homes simply won’t show well in the winter. However, all of these well-intentioned bits of advice could make you miss out on a potential sale and unnecessarily push your plans back by several months.
by Bill Ness on December 23, 2011
When searching for their ideal retirement homes, active adults can choose from many different home styles. Some popular options include condos, townhomes, attached villas and single-family homes. Retirees who decide to relocate to a community with manufactured homes may also have the option of leasing the land instead of buying their own lot.
by Bill Ness on September 16, 2011
With the recent housing market turmoil, many potential homebuyers have begun to wonder if short sales are a good way to make the most of the current buyers’ market. While a short sale can sometimes lead to a great deal, the process is far from simple. It’s also less likely to be an option in active adult communities, where short sales are often harder to find.
by Susan Quilty on July 25, 2011
For retirees—or those who have retirement in sight—now is a great time to buy a retirement home. Prices are down in most communities and there are many fabulous homes on the market. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should run out and buy without a plan. Just a few simple tips will help you find a great deal and make the most of this buyers’ market.
by Susan Quilty on November 24, 2010
South Florida has been a popular retirement spot for decades. The sunny beaches, spectacular golf courses, fantastic attractions and resort-style communities draw active adult retirees year after year. However, as in other parts of the country, South Florida’s housing market has been hit hard. As the economy begins to slowly rebound, is South Florida real estate showing signs of life?
by Susan Quilty on October 25, 2010
Homebuyers over the age of 50 have different needs than younger people who are buying their first homes. They may also be coping with the emotional difficulties that come with selling a long-held family home. A Realtor who holds a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation is specifically trained to understand the needs of older clients and offer them appropriate guidance throughout the buying or selling process.
by Bill Ness on January 15, 2008
A recent article in the Chicago Tribune made some predictions for the housing market in 2008. They are telling us to expect more of the same. Fortunately, the Chicago market seemed to have been spared from the worst of the housing slump. According to the most recent report from the Illinois Association of Realtors, housing prices in the Chicago metro area were up 0.8 percent from a year ago to a median price of $247,000. Unfortunately, the rest of the state didn’t fare as well, reporting a 3 percent decline in home prices.
by Bill Ness on January 14, 2008
Let’s face it, the media isn’t exactly painting a rosy picture of the real estate market right now and that is scaring a lot of people. While some real estate professionals might argue that now is a great time to buy because prices have corrected and there are some great deals in the market, others argue that prices could shift even further, and they could find themselves buying a home that might go down further in value. After all, many of the people who listened to the so called “real estate experts” who told them to buy in the spring of 2007 when prices were a steal, are not too pleased that the home they bought less than a year ago is not worth what they paid for it.
by Bill Ness on December 4, 2007
The most recent S&P/Case-Shillerآ® U.S. National Home Price Index released on Tuesday shows a record annual decline in the 3rd quarter of 2007. The Index shows an overall decline of 4.5 percent in the last year. Chicago fared better than most of the country with a decline of only 2.5 percent. The news is not surprising to many who have been following the real estate market.
Is there a bright spot in the real estate doom and gloom stories of late? That depends who you ask. The Index calculates real estate values in 20 different regions of the country, but there are certain segments that are excluded from the calculations.
