According to the National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, the US Housing Market will get a shot in the arm in 2012 with home sales expected to rise 7-12% from 2011. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said we’re seeing the continuation of an uneven but higher sales pattern. “The spring home buying season looks bright because of an elevated level of contract offers so far this year,” he said. “If activity is sustained near present levels, existing-home sales will see their best performance in five years. Based on all of the factors in the current market, that’s what we’re expecting with sales rising 7 to 10 percent in 2012.” Locally, our housing market has seen inventories cut in half and an increase in home sales of 20% for the entire RANWW MLS as of April 17th, 2012.  We are seeing the market of 2007 again and it is long overdue!

Are squeaky floors holding you back from selling your house? Do you want to avoid paying a contractor to fix them? Check out this helpful article from the Wall Street Journal.   Posted by: The Home Team

I was just reading a helpful article on USA Today which offered five tips for selling your home in the winter time. Simple yet effective actions will help you to sell your home even during this slow season. From keeping up on needed maintenance, staging your home to look especially warm and inviting and keeping your sidewalk neatly shoveled, to making sure the lighting in your home makes your rooms look bright and cheery and decorating tastefully for the holidays. And nothing can beat the smell of fresh baked cookies when a potential buyer walks through your door for the first time!   Posted by: The Home Team

A Wall Street Journal article written on August 3rd begins, "The number of homes listed for sale declined sharply in a number of U.S. cities during the second quarter, offering glimmers of hope that some housing markets are starting to recover." To read the full article click here. Posted by: The Home Team  

Mike Aubrey is a real estate agent who currently has a show on HGTV called "Real Estate Intervention". He brings sellers face-to-face with the realities of the market and, with that foundation, then proceeds to teach them how to sell in the current market. CNN recently interviewed him and what he had to say was very upbeat and whether you are trying to sell or buy you will be encouraged. To watch the interview click here.   Posted by: The Home Team