February 18, 2010 at 02:35 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Square footage for homes on average is decreasing in size, according to Amy Hoak’s report from Market Watch. The average square foot print of a home has shrunk from 2,520 sq ft in 2008 to 2,480 sq ft in 2009, a clear trend that builders are responding to the demand for smaller more efficient homes. Click here to link out to the Builder Magazine Concept Home website.
February 17, 2010 at 09:58 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
I love this article from the Wall Street Journal because it reports what we have known in the market for some time. With the supply of distressed homes rising in our area there is no shortage of a low priced home. Many of these distressed homes need lots of work inside to bring them back to a “market ready” condition. So if you are competing with these homes why not make your home look the best? And that is the focus of this article. A seller needs to price the home competitively, but how do you compete with homes where the price seems to be in a free fall? Staging, painting and positioning your home so that it is compelling in price and appearance is a must in today’s market. I often will tell my clients that when a buyer schedules an appointment to see your home they are not coming to buy your home.(I often get puzzled looks when I say this.) The buyer is coming to cross your home off their list! Most buyers today will be looking at 30-40 homes before they make their offer. They generally have a list in mind of what they want in a home. If they walk through your home and the carpet is stained, or you have old wall paper up and the avocado colored toilets and sinks are functional but you prefer not to replace them, guess what? The buyer is moving on. In some cases you will have to do more work but let’s be honest for a moment; you don’t want to do the work because it is a hassle, so why would the buyer want to do the work? Today more than ever a seller’s home needs to be compelling. If you need assistance with this and you want to sell your home, I can help. Just give me a call and we can make sure your home IS the home the buyers want!
February 05, 2010 at 04:07 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
My trusted smart phone kicked the bucket the other day and I was forced rather quickly to think about another phone. Not wanting to switch carriers, I did decide to jump into the Apple world. Both of my sons have Apple laptops and brag how the “old man” needs to get with it. So, I bought the iPhone 3GS and started looking at some of the apps that my guys were always talking about. Here is a cool one I found for Real Estate; Sherwin Williams—you know the paint store, they have this cool app. So let’s say you are thinking about re-painting the living room, but your favorite couch is not in need of re-covering. Well take a picture with your iPhone of the couch and the app will give you the primary color and two secondary colors that you could use to accent the room with. even gives you the Sherwin Williams paint numbers so you could go to the store and get a sample! How cool is that? If you have an iPhone, the app is FREE.
Shorewest also has this really cool app for finding homes with a geo locator feature. Let’s say you’re having your favorite cuppa at Starbucks in Oconomowoc and you want to know all the available homes for sale around your location. If you have loaded the FREE iPhone app for Shorewest it is a snap. A couple quick taps on the phone and voila you have the latest inventory at your fingertips, literally! Click here to view and download the free Shorewest Iphone app.
February 02, 2010 at 12:01 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Well it might not be there in time for many home owners who find themselves “underwater” in their mortgage. As a heads up the new HAMP program or Home Affordability Modification Program, that Washington put in place, has a few changes that were recently implemented. The goal is to streamline the process. Click Here for more information on the HAMP changes.
In other news, a report recently released indicates that FHA is in good shape. Some people critical of the FHA were concerned that they are taking a bigger risk in the mortgage business with their dramatic increase in market share. This story makes the point that their share has risen from a 3% market share to a 30% market share almost overnight. A personal note: FHA has played a role in the real estate recovery; however the low down payments are very concerning. Yes FHA requires a higher credit score, however even with good credit if one of the two persons who are buying the housing loses a job (a possibility in this economy) or their income is adjusted slightly, does FHA think those borrowers wont default? These are difficult times for everyone. The sooner we move towards responsible lending and borrowing the better our recovery will be. If the borrowers continue to live on the edge we could face another round of difficulties.
February 01, 2010 at 04:46 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
This quick video gives some reasons why walking away from your home may not be a good idea. The financial impact of a foreclosure decision can negatively impact your credit for the next 5-7 years. Short sales are longer and can be more difficult routes, however the negative impact can be as little as 2 years on your credit. Take a look at the video and decide for yourself. If you find yourself in this situation feel free to call me and we can discuss your options.
Glenn Hanon
have to do more work but let’s be honest for a moment; you don’t want to do the work because it is a hassle, so why would the buyer want to do the work? Today more than ever a seller’s home needs to be compelling. If you need assistance with this and you want to sell your home, I can help. Just give me a call and we can make sure your home IS the home the buyers want!
My trusted smart phone kicked the bucket the other day and I was forced rather quickly to think about another phone. Not wanting to switch carriers, I did decide to jump into the Apple world. Both of my sons have Apple laptops and brag how the “old man” needs to get with it. So, I bought the iPhone 3GS and started looking at some of the apps that my guys were always talking about. Here is a cool one I found for Real Estate; Sherwin Williams—you know the paint store, they have this cool app. So let’s say you are thinking about re-painting the living room, but your favorite couch is not in need of re-covering. Well take a picture with your iPhone of the couch and the app will give you the primary color and two secondary colors that you could use to accent the room with. even gives you the Sherwin Williams paint numbers so you could go to the store and get a sample! How cool is that? If you have an iPhone, the app is FREE. 
In other news, a 
