MSN recently published an article that lists the nine best, livable cities.  The criteria used to determine the “top nine” include:  affordable and appreciating housing, low unemployment, short commute times and availability of entertainment. 

In the final report, the Harrisburg-Carlisle area ranked #3 out of 9.  We know that Central PA is a great place to live and work and now the rest of the world will know as well.

To read the article in its entirety, please visit http://realestate.msn.com/Buying/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=3863709>1=9226

Rock on Harrisburg! 

Tips to sell your home in today’s market.

Tip #1 - Be realistic about the list price.  With all the inventory available, buyers are looking for a deal so make sure your asking price is right from the start.  If you really want to generate a buzz, set your asking price at 10% below the price of similar homes in the immediate area.  By doing so, you may receive multiple offers.

Tip #2 - It’s been said that selling a home today is a beauty contest in a price war.  To bring out the inner beauty of your home, consider hiring a home stager.  Home stagers will help deal with the clutter, rearrange furniture to create interesting focal points and giving new meaning to unused or under-utilized rooms.

Tip #3 - Offer cash!  The word “cash” always catches the eye.  Make your home more affordable by offering closing cost assistance.  First time buyers are typically looking for financial assistance and by offering $3000 towards closing costs it may make a difference between selling your house versus your neighbor’s house down the street. 

Happy selling!  

The following data is pulled from the Central Penn Multi-List Service. It’s proof that homes are selling in Central Pennsylvania at all price points. Naturally, the list price comes in to play so the data is segregated by the actual selling price (not list price).

Selling Price                   Units Sold               Avg. Days on Market                 Active Listings

$199,999 and below         1,011                                44                                           2,023

$200,000 - $299,999         298                                  93                                           1,088

$300,000 - $399,999         102                                  94                                              488

$400,00 and above             60                                  111                                             504

Note to Sellers: If the market value of your home is hovering around $200,000, it is in your best interest (if you want a fast sale) to price your home under $199,999. Homes are selling fast in the $199,999 and under category.

Note to Buyers: The same information applies to you. If you are looking to buy in the $199,999 range and under, be prepared to make an offer on a home that you really like. If you hesitate or take a week or so to get pre-approved, the home may be under contract and no longer available.

Today’s trend is to bring your indoor setting outdoors. Let me explain…everyone is looking for more living space and one great way to do that economically is to create a comfortable living space outdoors.  Think of your living room or family room.  You have furniture, lighting, and accessories.  For your outdoor living space, you will want the same elements. 

If your patio is directly off your den or family room, consider tying to the two spaces together.  For example, if your family room is primarily decorated in blue and brown then use blue and brown in your outdoor space as well.  Find comfortable and durable resin furniture (brown) and accessorize with blue pillows and blue flowers.  This will visually extend the inside room and make it appear larger. 

Also, don’t forget the grill.  Is your grill clean?  Think of the message you are sending when buyers see a dirty grill.  If your grill is sparkling clean then they will think the same of your home.  What is the condition of your grill cover?  If it is tattered and worn then it’s time to get rid of it.  If you know in advance that your home is being shown that day then remove the grill cover and let your sparkling clean grill shine to all the buyers to tour your home.

Starting in May, the U.S. Treasury Department will begin mailing tax rebate checks to eligible tax payers.  If your home is currently on the market, I have several suggestions to consider as to how to spend your rebate.

1.   Give it to the buyer

What a nice cash bonus for potential home buyers!  It may even be enough to coax them into escrow.

2.  Improve your curb appeal

First impressions do matter!  A little bit of money and sweat equity can go a long way to improving your curb appeal - freshen the mulch, plant colorful flowers, weed the flower beds, and trim overgrown bushes and trees.

3.  Professionally stage your home

Hire a professional stager so the interior of your home makes a positive impression as potential buyers tour your home.  The money invested will be repaid by shorter time on the market and/or a higher sales price.

4.  Buy a home warranty for the buyer

Including a home warranty with the sale of your home helps ease the buyer’s mind.  When it comes down to making an offer on a home, sometimes this extra protection is enough to win a potential buyer over.

5.  Buy a home inspection

This will help you get your home into the best competitive shape for the market.  In addition, it will give you advance notice of what needs to be fixed prior to settlement such as building code violations.

According to research conducted by The Patriot-News, the midstate’s economy is doing pretty well. In fact, better than the national average. Two key indicatores are:

Unemployment Rate Foreclosures

Harrisburg Area 4.1% Up 7% in 2007

Lebanon County 3.9%

York County 4.3%

National 4.9% Up 75% over previous year

Overall, Central Pennsylvania did not experience skyrocketing home prices or new build growth like other areas of the country. Therefore, we are not suffering from the “pounding” that other areas of the country are currently trying to endure. Living in the midstate is a great thing!

The top three benefits of staging your home include:

1) Studies have shown that staged homes usually sell for more money than unstaged homes. Often the additional gain is many times what the cost of the staging was.

2) Staged homes usually sell much more quickly than unstaged homes. If you are being transferred, have an estate sale, doing a 1031 exchange, or want to sell quickly for any reason, staging will usually help.

3) More satisfied buyers mean less chance of a deal falling through.

Can anyone recommend a home stager in Central Pennsylvania?

Sometimes stagers will also help reduce the negative impact of some challenge the house may have. For example, if there is traffic noise from a nearby busy street, they might put a fountain in the yard to create a more pleasant atmosphere. One may think that buyers make logical decisions, but often emotions guide buyers to what just “feels right”. Creating a warm, inviting and attractive atmosphere can make a huge difference to the seller of a home (and put more money in their pocket).