HARRY'S COLUMN

 

 

INNOVATION COMES TO real estate

 

This week, we will be in San Francisco attending a conference titled, "real estate Connect: Innovation, Change, New Ideas". Sponsored by Inman News ("Where Real Estate and Technology Connect"). This meeting is just one of the various publications, meetings and internet resources that enable us to keep up with the fast-changing real estate profession. "What's the big deal about changes in real estate?", you might ask. "You list. You sell. You close. You go home. What changes?". Well, just as in every other profession or trade, the practitioners who keep up with the latest trends, tools and practices are the ones who can offer the best service to their clients. That's why we are committed to Professional Innovation as a means of serving you better.

 

This conference will be the first meeting exclusively focused on the marriage of Innovation and real estate. In subsequent issues of our newsletter, we will pass along to you the new ideas and concepts we discuss in this conference.

 

By the way, to illustrate how Innovation is changing every facet of our society, you might be interested in clicking on this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8 .

 

LOCAL real estate ACTIVITY IS BACK

 

Ever since March, our weekly column has emphasized that our economic indicators were saying, "Now is the time to buy". Well, in the past five days, we have seen the ultimate demonstration of that prediction becoming a reality. It has been a long time since I have been as profitably busy as I have been during the last week, and this week is just as busy. In the past 5 days, we have negotiated three accepted contracts, all with pre-approved mortgage loans. In two transactions, there were multiple offers involved. In one case, the buyers received full, list price: in another, our client received more than the listing price. Two of these Buyers were professionals relocating to the area. It's obvious that Colorado Springs is an attractive destination for professionals from all over the country and it's also obvious that local real estate activity is back.

 

It's interesting to note that Buyers are expressing more reluctance to consider foreclosures and short sales, primarily because lenders offering these listings are not responding in a timely manner. Not only are lenders slow to respond to the original offer, but they also tend to be negligent in meeting the various performance dates specified in the contract. As a result, we have had prospective Buyers tell us not to even consider showing them these listings.  

 

The $8000 tax credit is proving to be a worthwhile incentive to Buyers. And Sellers who price their homes correctly are getting offers much more quickly.

 

CYBERHOMES MARKET FORECASTS - A TREMENDOUS TOOL FOR OUR CLIENTS

 

After researching many companies that provide "Mega" data support on individual properties, we decided to affiliate with CyberHomes. Since announcing that affiliation, we have received rave reviews about the Market Forecasts that we have provided to our clients. These analyses of specific homes are typically 9 pages long and contain very detailed information about the property involved. Some of the information contained in these reports includes:

 

            Aerial view of the property

            Satellite map of the neighborhood

            General facts such as estimated value and assessed value

            12 month market forecasts of homes for sale in the neighborhood

            12 month distressed property predictions

            Your ZIP code median sales price vs. sales volume

            Neighborhood sales and lending facts (within ½ mile)

            housing market risk for your ZIP code

            Distressed homes in ZIP code vs state figures

            Unemployment rate in your ZIP code

            Buy/Sell indicators for your ZIP code

            Mortgage delinquency/ deterioration in your ZIP code

            Neighborhood foreclosures and bank-owned properties

            Recent sales activity in the area

            Forecasting number for homes for sale in the area

            Etc., etc., etc.,

 

We have arranged, for a limited time only, for our readers to receive an introductory, discounted price of $7.99 for these reports. If you would like to receive one of these market forecasts on your home, or on a home you might be interested in purchasing, please let us know and, upon receipt of the $7.99 fee, we will have it emailed to you. (Please note that these reports are available for homes throughout the nation, not just in Colorado Springs).

 

           

FINALLY .

 

I                                   I would like to thank all my readers for the referrals they have sent me. They are much appreciated.

 

And remember, I would be honored to serve as your broker for all of your residential real estate needs. If you know of anyone who is moving in or out of the Pikes Peak region, keep in mind that, with over 35 years of providing relocation services to clients throughout the country, I am uniquely qualified to assist them with the relocation process, including buying and/or selling their homes on both ends of their move.  

 

                                    Also, if you have any friends and/or business associates who might be interested in receiving our weekly newsletter, please send us their email addresses. We will be happy to add them to our mailing list.

 

And, don't forget to click on my recent podcast. There's a link at the top of this newsletter.

 

 

JOKE OF THE WEEK

 

After getting nailed by a Daisy Cutter, Osama made his way to the pearly gates. There, he is greeted by George Washington.

"How dare you attack the nation I helped establish" says Washington, and slaps Osama in the face.

Next, Patrick Henry walks up. "You wanted to end the Americans' liberty, so they gave you death!". Henry punches Osama on the nose.

James Madison comes up next, and says "This is why I allowed the Federal government to provide for the common defense!" and slaps him upside the head.

Osama is subject to similar attacks from James Monroe, and 68 other people from the surrounding crowd. Finally, Thomas Jefferson picks him up and "perp-walks" him back toward the gate where he is to be judged.

As Osama awaits his journey to his final very hot destination, he screams - "this is not what I was promised!"

An angel replies "I told you there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you...
What the hell did you think I said?