Real Estate in the D.C.-Baltimore-Annapolis triangle, by Margaret Woda

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Who says the market is "bad" -

Carl Case, in a NEWSWEEK article, talks about the "inevitable downturn" with Daniel McGinn. Alex Tarquino says "JUST when it seemed that real estate funds couldn’t keep clobbering the market, they did it again." Marilyn Lewis reports for MSN that "Home sales cool dramatically and prices begin to fall..." William C. Wheaton reports in THE WASHINGTON POST that "signs point to continued slowing" in housing, and Les Christie, a CNN staff-writer, reports on the "Sharp home price pullback".

Everywhere you turn, the media forecasts are glim for housing and home sellers, in particular. I do not see this in my own real estate circles, however.

Homes in good condition and priced right continue to sell in less than 30 days, often with multiple contracts. Just this past week, a client I referred to another agent in Northern Virginia ended up paying over full price in a feverish bidding war for a detached home in Arlington, VA. - a well-priced home in model home condition that was listed with an experienced (30 years) RE/MAX agent. A recent listing of mine in Crofton, Maryland for a well-priced townhome, again in model home condition, had competing contracts last month and settles in a few days. I have a new listing for a condo in Upper Marlboro, and about a dozen agents have contacted me to show it - I fully expect at least one contract and probably more within the week.

I'm not suggesting that all sellers have the same positive experience in today's market - facts are facts, and there are plenty to support the theory of a declining housing market. We can't control some of the factors that impact housing prices and sales - the economy, politics, and the media for example - but home owners CAN AND SHOULD take control of factors that are within their control - property condition and price and, of course, the choice of real estate agent. Each of the real estate success stories that I cited have these three things in common.

Anyone who is thinking of selling their home can take heart in this. Don't get bogged down by the doomsday forecasters. Take control!

A word to buyers: This is a GREAT time to buy if you're prepared to take on some fix-up after settlement, because a lot of homes are not in good condition, and the owners know it. If YOU are represented by an experienced buyer-broker, you will be in a good position to take advantage of those situations. Of course, if you want a home in good condition that is priced right - you'll still have to pay top dollar for one of those.

Just my opinion... based on 33 years experience.

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Who says the market is "bad"

Crofton Maryland Real Estate

Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Margaret Woda

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

As long as you have an experienced and highly professional buyer broker such as Margaret Woda,you can't go wrong in buying a house- at anytime!!

Susan Cole
Crofton, MD

Anonymous said...

As long as you have an experienced and highly professional buyer broker such as Margaret Woda,you can't go wrong in buying a house- at anytime!!

Susan Cole
Crofton, MD

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Crofton, Maryland, United States
Helping home sellers, buyers and military personnel in the Annapolis/Baltimore/D.C. triangle is still my passion after thirty years in real estate. How can I help you?

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