The reality is that the unexpected plunge of real estate in Florida around 2009 sparked a nationwide real estate crisis. This, in turn, was one of the major flames to ignite our nation’s most recent recession. So it would appear only appropriate that the real estate industry suffer long after the recovery of every other aspect of our nation’s economy. The cause of our recession’s drought would inherently outlast the seemingly stable, progressing aspects of our pre-recession economy. Therefore, despite the various other regions of America’s economy now flourishing and returning to full vigilance, the market for selling and buying homes is supposed to linger in the arid economic desert until all signs of a healthy economy have been brought to light.

Which brings us to our next question: how much longer until the real estate market stabilizes as well? The answer, to the great enthrallment of homeowners still squatting in a vacant market, is not much longer. In fact, we might not have to wait at all. The economy is healthy, banks are recovering, jobs have been made, and homes are once more looking to be purchased.

Actually, little statistical evidence shows that the housing market is back on track. But for those hoping to get a head start, that doesn’t quite matter. Instead, the significant change has been the mood of potential buyers and sellers. That’s right: the attitude toward the housing market is changing, which is all the foreshadowing necessary to predict an upswing in the market for real estate. Think for a moment: with the economy stabilizing and the nations markets growing once more, people are anticipating that the housing market is going to bounce back as well. And rightly so. It’s a fact that it will only be a matter of time before the real estate industry recovers, and for potential home buyers looking to get the best deal on a selling home, now is the last chance to buy cheap.

But this isn’t just the biased perspective of a real estate blogger throwing out ideas. The Vice President and Chief Economist of Fannie Mae, Doug Duncan, claims that “conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes.” Duncan’s speculation comes from his understanding that “Americans’ rental price expectations for the next year continue to rise, reaching their record high level.” From these projections, Duncan predicts that some of America’s home renters might find home ownership as a more compelling option due to the rising rent prices.

Fannie Mae conducts a real estate survey every month, and the vibe emanating from the respondents are suggesting some interesting things. To start, the percent of respondents who think that it is a good time to buy has reach a high of 73%. To accompany this compelling statistic, the number of respondents who claimed it is a good time to sell also rose. This coupling suggests the market is ready to expand, as buyers and sellers come closer to reaching an agreement on the negotiated and offered prices. With more people looking to sell and more looking to buy, the market automatically grows. From there it’s only a matter of processing statistics to show that home sales are finally recovering.

Perhaps the dramatic increase of respondents looking to buy is an effect of projected rising home sales. In fact, regarding respondents’ expectations of home price increases over the next twelve months, the highest amount of respondents from this entire year claimed home prices would climb. Also, coinciding with Vice President Doug Duncan’s understanding, almost 50% of respondents are anticipating rental prices to go up.

For further encouragement regarding the real estate market, 66% of the respondents of Fannie Mae’s survey claimed that, if they were to move within the next year, they would buy a home. This is a strikingly encouraging prospect (assuming the opinions of Fannie Mae’s respondents are reflective of the overall population), and owners with homes on the market can certainly look forward to a steadily growing pool of potential home buyers.

All in all, Fannie Mae’s survey shows us not that the market for home real estate is already recovering, but rather that the opinions and attitudes of the public are gradually shifting in the favor of the real estate market. Rising renting costs are causing people to shift their interest back to home ownership. Low prices for homes, likely only to rise over the next years, are also encouraging prospects for potential home buyers. And the overall stabilization of the economy is assuring potential home owners that the value of their purchase will not plummet the moment after they purchase their new home. So while the statistics are showing very little in the means of a growing market for the real estate industry, it is clear that America is ready to trust home ownership once more. And because of this, the market for real estate will begin steadily restoring itself.

PS – Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-219-3970

This partnership has produced the absolute best portfolio of Class A Student rental housing in Aggieland (College Station TX) AND some of the Best Real Estate investment opportunities on the planet!

Aggies, Check out www.aggieleasing.com

Investors, Check out some of these cash flow scenarios: www.barrackstownhomes.com

Call us anytime on our new hotline at 888-567-5757 or Text us at 313-Gig-Em-Ag

Thanks & Gig-Em’

January 2010 compared to January 2009 is only up 2% in sales.  Being up 2% in sales is great, but remember we are comparing it to a year where we were down 24% from the previous year.  Thankfully, we have all learned to cut back on our expenses and have learned to live “within our means” and “within our market”. January 2010 was not a record month but we are also thankful we didn’t have another “Down” month. We started off the year POSITIVE! 

When 2009 started we had less inventory – properties available to sell. We started the year off 4.6% less than 2008. Starting 2010 we are way up. We have 17% more inventory this January than we did in 2009, but there were fewer new homes put on the market this January than in 2008 or 2009. So, there are more homes on the market available but fewer new ones on the market… so more homes are staying on the market longer. There are over 100 more houses available to choose from than in 2009 so if someone is looking – NOW IS THE TIME!

Note that the information above is the Bryan College Station total market – it is NOT what is happening at Century 21 Beal. Century 21 Beal has increased market share in both sales and new listings compared to 2009 and we are off to a GREAT year!  Want to see our Bryan College Station Real Estate Market Share numbers and what other companies around town are doing? Click on the link!

Susan

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

Bryan/College Station Real Estate

Market Statistics

2009 was quite a year!   We started off 2009 with January about 24% behind the previous year. We were all concerned that Bryan/College Station might follow the rest of the nation into the recession. Then February came and we were even further behind. We didn’t know what to expect the rest of the year but it sure didn’t look good.

The first quarter was really poor and then April and May turned into months 20% & 27% behind 2008.

Then we started seeing the turn. June was only 2% behind. We were SO happy that we were seeing less of a loss. Compared to the rest of the world a little loss was a good thing. When October and November rolled around we were SOOOOO excited! We actually saw increases over the prior year.

Yes, 2009 ended 12% below 2008, but compared to the rest of the nation, we did just fine. We sold fewer homes, but we did not see a significant decline in sales prices – just fewer people moving. I’m still SO glad we live in Bryan/College Station!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Are you thinking about selling in 2010? It may take a little longer to sell depending on the market segment you are in, but we need to look at it earlier than normal. Call me and we can review a Market Timing Analysis so you know when you need to start the selling process and what you might want to do to make your home more saleable.

I have been very surprised that so few people know about the $6,500 tax credit. In the past the tax credits have been for First Time Home Buyers only, but now the Federal Government has expanded the tax credits to Repeat Home Buyers, too. Last month I sent out this recent article entitled If You Don’t Buy a House Now, You’re Stupid or Broke from Business Week but it was too good not to send it again. Yes, this title is a bit harsh, but hopefully it will cause us to stop and think. Mortgage rates are holding around 5%, which is one of the lowest rates in the last 40 years!  Not only do we have great low 30 year fixed interest rates, we have a possible $6,500 – $8,000 tax credit. What more do we need?

Have you ever been driving around a neighborhood and wanted to know how much a house is selling for but you didn’t want to “bother” the agent or they weren’t there when you called? WE HAVE THE ANSWER!!!   Call 979-764-2121 and enter the street number and you can HEAR information about that house.

Be sure to forward this email on to others you know and care about.

Share the knowledge that Bryan/College Station is NOT participating in a real estate recession!

And, we need your help – we need your referrals. CALL ME!

Susan Hilton

CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.

http://susanhilton.com

404 H University Drive East w College Station, Tx 77840
Phone: 979-764-2100 w Fax:815-328-0575

January – June 2009

How is the real estate market changing in Bryan College Station? June was great again this year!  Considering what has been going on in the rest of the country we had a remarkable number of sales in June!  Hope you were one of the MANY to take advantage of the slower real estate market and the $8,000 tax rebate this month.

Click here to view the embedded video.
 

Have you tried the new 979-764-2121 Instant Info Line?  Remember to store the number in your phone so anytime you are out driving you can hear information about ANY home for sale ANY TIME.

Is it time for YOU to take advantage of the real estate market? Is it time to move your retirement money from the uncertainty of stocks to the more stable real estate market in Bryan/College Station? Call me and I’ll tell you how you CAN use retirement money to purchase rental real estate NOW!

For more information on Superior Structures, The Barracks Townhomes, or any other College Station Real Estate, Please Contact Jeffrey Leatherwood at Leatherwood@century21.com Jeff@superiorstructuresbcs.com or vist www.BuyAggieland.com

To see a unit or to have any other questions answered, please contact Jeff Leatherwood at (979)255-2788 Leatherwood@Century21.com  Jeff@Barrackstownhomes.com or vist www.BuyAggieland.com

Click here to see floorplan.

Click here to see floorplan.

Property Tax Assessment

you do? Make sure that your tax value is decreasing, as well. Brazos County mails out estimates for the year 2009 in June. That’s four months away, you exclaim. Yes, plenty of time to investigate your property’s current market value and to prepare your tax appeal, I say.

Your case for a request to lower the property’s value is not simply based on your feelings about higher taxes. You’ve heard Benjamin Franklin say it – in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes. So don’t be shocked to find yourself in a recession and asked to pay higher property taxes this year.

There are several options when appealing your tax value. One is to hire representation. You could pay a licensed property tax consultant to analyze the tax records, perform an appraisal of your property, and represent you before the county appraisal district review board.

Another option is for you to do the research yourself and represent yourself at the hearing. As a property owner, you will still need an appraisal from an expert to enter evidence in your hearing. Kelly Seaton with Verdad Valuation Services
can provide you with that appraisal.

You may view your county tax information at the appraisal district, 1673 Briarcrest Drive. Request to see your complete record. Note the comparable properties on the record card. See why the tax district thinks your property is worth more.

When you file for your appeal, pay attention to the deadlines and remember to show up for your hearing! Take all of your documentation from the appraisal and your notes. You may want to practice your testimony ahead of the scheduled hearing. The burden of proof is on the property owner – you have to give facts as to why your property is not worth the assessed amount. Facts, not feelings.

If at any point in the process you have questions call your REALTOR for advice and information. Hopefully a bit of research and persistence will decrease your property tax value and possibly your monthly mortgage.

Kind regards,

Cindy Seaton, REALTOR

P.S. Some lenders may only credit your tax escrow for future increases(reserves the bank holds to pay your annual tax bill) and keep your monthly payments the same. Reserve the celebration until you know all the deets from your mortgage company.

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