“Psychological factors are currently the biggest drag on the housing market, in addition to a disruption from tighter credit for subprime borrowers.”
— Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the National Association of Realtors
June 25, 2007
This statement issued three months ago by Yun is still true in Minnesota today. We have low interest rates and unemployment rates below the national average yet the housing market is flat. Areas of Anoka and Washington Counties including Blaine, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Forest Lake have been over developed. There are several new construction homes and developments sitting empty awaiting new home buyers for, in some cases, years. In this current real estate market situation, the basic economics of supply and demand applies. When prices are too high, demand will remain low.
Home sellers in Minnesota that have gotten the message have been able to sell their homes. Existing home inventories are still high but down a bit from earlier in the year. If your home is currently on the market and not selling, there is a 2-Step approach to getting SOLD:
— Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the National Association of Realtors
June 25, 2007
This statement issued three months ago by Yun is still true in Minnesota today. We have low interest rates and unemployment rates below the national average yet the housing market is flat. Areas of Anoka and Washington Counties including Blaine, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Forest Lake have been over developed. There are several new construction homes and developments sitting empty awaiting new home buyers for, in some cases, years. In this current real estate market situation, the basic economics of supply and demand applies. When prices are too high, demand will remain low.
Home sellers in Minnesota that have gotten the message have been able to sell their homes. Existing home inventories are still high but down a bit from earlier in the year. If your home is currently on the market and not selling, there is a 2-Step approach to getting SOLD:
Look at what needs to be done to get your home in tip-top condition. If you have been receiving feedback from showings about ugly counters, worn carpeting, gaudy paint, old roof, etc., take action! Buyers move on to the homes in move-in condition.- Check your pricing against what is on the market and what has SOLD. Don’t look at solds from last year! Look in the past 3 months and what is in pending. If nothing has sold, then others in your market are pricing their homes too high as well. Work with your Realtor to make certain your home is the “best deal” in the neighborhood.
If this seems too difficult because you do not want to “give your home away”, take it off of the market. I have heard several sellers make the “I’m not going to give away my home” statement. My questions to them are “when did you buy?” and “what did you pay?” Most often the answer is years ago and for substantially less than what they are asking for the home. But these homeowners felt the over inflated prices of the last few years were “money in the bank”. This is an unfortunate misconception that keeps people from moving on to their next home.
If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com
