I wasn't until recently that I got into listing homes.
For those of you that don't remember, I didn't start listing homes right away when I began my career in real estate. I felt I needed to be prepared to do so. Because of this, I didn't join the listing game until the market was full of inventory and things had slowed.
When things are slow, listing a home can be frustrating work. You find yourself trying to sound upbeat to the seller while banging your head against a wall and feeling like there must be something more you can do. You hate to not have good news. It's hard for the sellers to take too and you fear that some day they will make the dreaded call telling you to beat it.
I currently have two listings.
I don't have some great long list of homes I'm currently listing. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm all about slow growth in my career. I plan on being a top producer, but I like to take things slow in order to fully grasp each and every aspect of what it is I'm doing.
My two listings, one at 815 Park Point and one at 322 Teakwood Lane have been great homes to list. Two incredibly different home and two different styles of thinking on how to market them. I enjoy the differences between them both. One of the things I love most about real estate is the constant change to each and every day.
"For Sale" Signs.
Like most agents, I have my own "for sale" signs out front of the homes. Those signs are our way of announcing to the general public "hey look over here!" During the slow time when I took my first listing, it didn't say much more than, "hey look over here - I'm another house on the market that you don't want to buy because you're worried about the economy!"
There has been a shift in recent weeks. More interest, more questions, more emails, more phone calls. Agents from all over the country that I know are reporting an increase in inquiries and business. What interests me most though is the number of calls from signs I've been getting. People are out there, driving around - even on a Thursday - and stopping in front of the signs and calling for more information. The curiosity factor is increasing and I welcome it as do my sellers. An agent in my office made an offer and was up against four other offers the other day. People are buying houses and looking to move once again. Combine the better news appearing recently, the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, low interest rates, and the warm San Antonio spring weather and you have a recipe for a change in the market.
photo courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives
All content ©2008-2010 by Matt Stigliano unless otherwise noted.
Matt Stigliano, Realtor® Becker Properties | (210) 646-HOME | www.RErockstar.com
"Your all access pass to San Antonio real estate."
Hi Matt, It's good to see things picking up, isn't it?
Same here, Matt! My theory for over a year has been that there is a LOT of pent-up buying just waiting to be unleashed. Given the broad, significant increase in activity that we're now seeing, my gut is telling me that it's not just "spring fever." Damn, dude... I love that photo!
Shirley - Its always good. I'm just amazed at the increase in the "drive by and call" traffic. I've been seeing the email and phone traffic going up for awhile, but the interest in "for sale" signs is the most recent signal I've seen.
Randy - I've read a few AZ blogs lately that show good promise. You all need it a lot more than we do, so I wish you all the best in getting those homes sold and your area back on track as soon as possible. I (and I think many others) agree about the pent-up buying power. I've had interest for a long time, but it hasn't been solid interest. It seems now that more homes are finding buyers who are ready, willing, and able. I still wish they'd get the credit requirements to a better place. Lenders are loaning money, but they're still being overly cautious.
Hi Matt,
Here in Oakville sales were down 25 percent from March of last year. They were up from Jan and Feb. so things are very encouraging. The phones are starting to ring here also and there is new inventory coming on so the buyers, suffering from cabin fever are being enticed out.
Take care
Jenny - Seems everyone I've spoken to is seeing some better news lately. Even the national news has reported a few positive stories lately. While I don't know if that's the end to the troubles, just because of a few good stories, I definitely see a brighter future.
WE need to make the phones ring. If we don't....we can't make sales..