“Statistics can be made …

“Statistics can be made to prove anything, even the truth”~author unkown
“98% of statistics are all made up”~author unkown
“114% of the people exagerate”~author unkown

In looking at the chart below there is no hiding the fact that prices have changed since early 2005. Does it paint a bleak picture or do you see a reason to be optimistic? Does it relate to any national statistics or media report you’ve heard? Is there enough information there for you to relate to your current housing situation whether buying or selling?

Those answers are all up to YOU. Don’t look for the media, the government or me for that matter give you the answers you want to hear. Personally, I try to present what you NEED to hear.There are too many factors that come in to play to ever come to a one sided conclusion as to what is happening in “the market”. There is a positive and negative conclusion to any statistic you read.

“The market” has changed. It will change tomorrow, and it will change next year. What price range you are selling in and what price range you are buying in and your location are the two biggest factors a buyer or seller has to consider. Then the timing of a move is critical, follwed by your back up plan or options. If plan A doesn’t work what’s your plan B-and you’d better have one or two back up plans!

Your REALTOR should educate you long before you ever list your home for sale, and your BUYERS AGENT should also be doing a lot of research for you before you ever get in the car to go look at houses. Buyers and sellers need to get a picture of “their market”, not “the market”. Do your research and hire a professional who can help you with research and reality. You’ll make a better purchase decision or have a more successful and less stressful listing transaction.

Condo and Townhome buyers (and SELLERS!) need to read this!

Attached is an article from the latest issue of the Virginia Association of REALTOS Commonwealth magazine. It is no secret that lending has gotten tighter the last few years. That being said, while the governement wants to appear as the superhero to rid the world of evil, sometimes the message is mixed! We occassionally have had [...]