Share Your Property Information with One Click

InfoTube.net has provided a direct “Share” link on every home listing.  The “Share” link automatically feeds your property listing to all major sharing websites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.  If you use social networking or RSS feed websites, simply select where you want your property listing posted and click.  It’s that easy.  (The Share Link can be located under the “Email Seller” link on every home listing.)

Sellers and Buyers Communicate, Learn and Get Advise

InfoTube.net for Real Estate has an Offical Facebook and Twitter page where you can post pictures, questions, idea’s or funny real estate stuff you want to share.  Become a Fan and Contributor Today. 

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com!!  If you haven’t placed a FREE property listing on InfoTube.net, please do so Today.  Without InfoTube.net you miss buyers, exposure and the free assistance that is available to you.  InfoTube.net, combined with the MLS, provides a one-two punch for a knock out home sale!!!

The percentage of investors shopping for property also jumps higher when it comes to foreclosed property.   42 percent of foreclosure buyers are purchasing for an investment.   57.6 percent of foreclosure shoppers plan to live in the home they buy.

The survey also shows that 23.6 percent of investors and buyers believe that home prices are already as low as they will go.  Nearly 20 percent feel a sense of urgency when searching for a bargain. 

Another factor motivating home buyer’s off the sidelines is the real threat of rising interest rates.  Wall Street guru’s, who agree on very little, warn that lending rates will rise in the near future.   With real estate prices at their lowest levels, buyers risk much more in waiting to purchase, than they do by locking in record low rates on their loan.

Why6Percent Prediction:  We believe the leading indicator of an interest rate hike will be  falling unemployment claims.  When unemployment claim filings fall below 500,000 per month, a rate hike is likely!

Realtors Prediction:  Home sales will jump by over 13 percent in the next 6 months.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com, your home selling resource center.   If you are selling, buyer’s are buying.  So, don’t miss the Boat.  If they can’t find your property, they can’t buy it.  Call us at 1-800-381-9496 today.  Our MLS and Realtor.com marketing package reaches 10 million home buyers each and every month!!!

Great news for home buyers, sellers and owners, alike.  The homebuyer tax credit has been expanded to include step up buyers, who have owned a home for 5 years.  It also extends the tax credit through the end of 2010.  

GREAT NEWS! 

It appears that Senate Democrats have recognized the tremendous value of the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit and odds are it will be renewed soon. At this time, it is believed that the credit will allow anyone purchasing a home, by April 30, 2010, to participate and receive the full credit available.

The credit will continue until the end of 2010, but the amount of tax credit will drop by 2 percent every 90 days.  The graduated benefit should help the housing market recover into and through the 2010 summer selling season.

Here is the text of the story as reported in Bloomberg News today:
Senate Democrats on Board with Credit Extension

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) says Senate Democrats have agreed to extend the first-time home buyer tax credit.  The latest version extends the program to home sales signed not closed by April 30. Purchasers would have another 60 days to close the sale.  The credit will also be expanded to include so-called step-up buyers who have lived in their current home for at least five years.

The credit would be cut slightly to a $7,290 cap.  Income eligibility for first-time home buyers would stay the same, but it would rise for step-up buyers to $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.

Toxic, sulfur laden sheetrock, Made in China, is making people sick, causing electrical wiring to go crazy and is corroding copper, wire and stainless steel in American homes.   The problem has affected thousands of homes in 20 states, yet, the US court system is powerless to hold Chinese manufacturers (most of which are owned by the Chinese government) responsible for problems caused by their products.

To learn how to spot a problem in your home, follow ongoing litigation, read about disclosure requirements and implications for homeowners insurance… CLICK HERE

Thank you for visiting Why 6 Percent.  We are here to help sellers and buyers connect, while saving thousands of dollars in commissions and fee’s.  Check out our program online or call our toll free number 1-800-681-9496 for questions and details!!  Have a Great Weekend and Happy Home Selling and Buying!!!

Country legend Alan Jackson has put his $38 million dollar dream estate up for sale.  This property is incredible, no matter what your taste’s are.

If you love real estate, you will love an inside look at the Jackson family compound.  Click Here for your Personal Tour!!

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com your flat fee MLS listing connection.  We have a network of brokers across the country who will place your property on the MLS for all to see. 

June 2009 New Home Sales are Near a 27 Year Low

This chart from M Hanson Advisors shows that 36,000 new home sales were sold in June of 2009, the lowest level since the recession of 1982.   This figure looks even worse when we consider that there are nearly twice as many households now.

How Many Months did it Take to Find Buyers in 2009?

It took an average of 12 months to sell a new home in June 2009.  Notice that the number of days on the market has been rising since 2006 and is still in an upward trend.  Certainly not a bullish sign.  Thanks to Haver Analytics and ritholtz.com/blog for this chart.

Is Demand Back??  No, Builders Were Forced to Cut Prices in Order to Move Inventory.

Source: M Hanson Advisors

1 Year Snap Shot of New Home Sales versus Prices

The chart from M Hanson Advisors reveals that from June 2008 to June 2009, 20 percent fewer homes were sold…and at much lower prices.  

Even though recent news headlines conclude that the housing market appears to be improving, the charts tell a different story.  We were hoping for better news, but the bears take this round, too. 

Thank you for visting Why 6 Percent.  We can help you market and sell your property.  Need an MLS listing? Call 1-800-381-9496.  Need a Free webpage, with photos, about your property? Click Here.  Need to maximize your internet presence?  Click Here. 

The languishing real estate market has resulted in a glut of vacant property.  Some of the homes are vacant due to loan foreclosure, but that is not the topic today.

Today, we offer tips and suggestions to homeowners that are considering a move to their new location, before they sell their home.   

 Click Here to Learn about the legal issues and challenges that face owners of Vacant Property.

Thank you for visiting Why 6 Percent.com.  Add the power of the MLS to your for sale by owner strategy.  We can help you save money and sell your home faster.

Britney Spears new song is ”Opps I Reduced it Again”.  Britney bought her Beverly Hills Mansion in January 2007 for $7.1 million big ones.  She listed it for sale in September of 2008 for $7.9 million, hoping to do little more than break even after shelling out $426,000 to the 6 percent listing firm.   On June 2, 2009, Ms Spears dropped her asking price $1.4 million to $6.5 million.  Ouch, hit me baby one more time indeed.

Dan Marino.  Great guy.  Great quarterback.  But, the Florida hero is forced to come up with a new game plan if he plans to score the sale of his Weston, FL estate.   Dan and his wife listed their estate for $15.9 million in 2006.  In June 2009, the Marino house is still sitting on the market with thousands of others.   In June, Dan went back to the playbook and slashed the price down $2.4 million, bringing the asking price to only $13.5 million.  Always cool under pressure, Dan turned up the heat on all other competiting properties by throwing in $1.5 million in custom furnishings and a personally autographed football into the deal.  

Alex Rodriguez is under a lot of stress these days.  A-Rod, sexy baseball player and past boyfriend of Madonna, recently struck out in the real estate market.  A-Rod bought his Coral Gables, FL mansion in December of 2004 for a cool $12 million.   He listed it for sale in October of 2008 for $14,876,000 and slashed the price in June 2009 to $11 million…down $3,876,000.    A painful forced error for A-Rod.  Maybe cuddling up with his new cutie, Kate Hudson, will get him through the pain.  

Thank you for visiting Why 6 Percent.  Our program places your property in front of 9 million home shoppers each month.  For Only $399, showcase your home in front of the hot, white spotlight for 6 months or more.

What is Real Estate?  What is Personal Property? 

There is probably no other issue that causes as many conflicts between buyer and seller, than problems caused by confusion over personal property versus real estate.   Or, in layman’s terms, what stays and what goes with the sale.

Legally, real estate is defined as the land and anything attached to it.  Personal property is defined as everything else.  As a general rule of thumb, if something is attached to the property, and removing it would leave a hole, it should be considered real estate, and assumed to be a part of the sale. 

For example:

The windows in your home are assumed to be a part of the real estate, while the shades, blinds and drapes are probably personal property.  Kitchen counter-tops and built-in appliances are real estate, but a slide in range or refrigerator, which can be removed by unplugging, is considered personal property.

Other items usually considered to be real estate and a part of the sale are: Basketball goals, if they are attached to the house or are permanently cemented in place; outdoor lighting, structures and landscaping; garage door openers and the controls; storage buildings; shelving; mirrors that are screwed into the wall;  lighting fixtures, ceiling fans and chandeliers; installed carpeting and floor coverings;

Tip:  Remove ALL “real estate” that you want to exclude from the sale, before you show or list your home.  In other words, if your magnificent, crystal, dining chandelier is going with you to your new home, replace the fixture with a new one before you show.   If your kids insist on keeping the fort in the backyard, remove it now, to avoid a fight later.

The first thing you should do before deciding what goes or stays is to carefully read the sales contract.   It is to everyone’s advantage to clearly understand what is included in the purchase agreement.  Specifically, note the paragraph that includes items assumed to be real property.   Then, edit the list, excluding any  items that will not be transferred, if they are still on the premises.  And, add to the list, any personal property you wish to include (such as a riding mower or the blinds and drapes) as a part of the sale. 

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  We have helped thousands of owners successfully market their properties.  Who is Helping You?

Home Sellers need to carefully plan how to enjoy Thanksgiving, while making their property attractive to buyers.   Keep in mind that while you may have fewer showings during the Thanksgiving season, the people that are actively shopping for a home during the holidays are the most serious buyer’s.  You certainly want them to remember your home, not your blowup, gobbling lawn turkey.

Consider our tips for decorating and enjoying the season, without overwhelming prospective home shoppers.

Tips for Staging at Thanksgiving

• When decorating your entrance, think simple.  Add a pumpkin, gourds or a few strands of lights, but this is not the time you want to bring out the full display.  Keep the decor seasonal, but allow the character of your house to come through.

• Update worn out holiday accessories.   Accessorize at Thanksgiving with throw pillows, candles, tablecloths and place settings that bring peaceful, fall colors indoors.

• Use natural items to decorate your home.  Pumpkins, gourds, flowers and fruit make an attractive centerpiece, as long as they are not overdone.   Try to avoid plastic, sparkling or childish appearing decorations.  

• Never hide important architectural details, that may be a selling point to your buyer, behind contruction paper turkeys.

• Instead of entertaining at your house this year, consider going to the home of a friend or relative.  Restaurants also provide a great dining experience without the mess of cooking at home.

• If you do your Christmas shopping early, keep wrapped gifts neatly stacked in one closet or provide a special place to store them that is out of sight.

• Light a fire in your fireplace, or stage it to look good, even if it isn’t burning.  Try adding decorative logs or pillar candles to an unused fireplace.

• Although clutter busting is always extremely important when marketing a home, holiday decorations make anti-clutter a greater battle to overcome.   This year may be a good time to skip decorations, entirely.

It is possible to enjoy the holidays and successfully show your home.  Just remember that less is more, and if you add seasonal touches, do it sparingly.  

Thank you for visiting Why6percent.com, your flat fee MLS listing company.  Happy Thanksgiving!!