Clearly the country has been inundated with negative reports about the future of our economy.  Yes, times have changed but there are still many things doing well and for which we can be grateful as we go into this holiday season.  Here are just a few:

Holiday Bargains.  We are all pinching pennies right now and finding new ways to be creative with our money.  Look at store fliers and you’ll notice retailers doing just about anything they can to get your holiday dollars.  They are more motivated than ever to stay afloat and that means cutting prices like crazy.  Do your research ahead of time and you’ll be sure to keep those extra dollars in your wallet, not their cash registers.

Falling Gas Prices.  Gas that was once over $4.00 a gallon has now dropped below $2.00 in our area.  This is definitely something to be happy about!

Low Interest Rates.  In my fifty plus years in real estate, I have seen interest rates as high as 17%.  As I write this column, the prime rate is at 4.0 percent.  This is the perfect time to buy a home.  Even though mortgage rates have crept up a bit, you can still get a loan in the 6.5 percent range.  Owning a home is the safest investment of your money you can have.

First-Time Home Buyers.  In addition to low interest rates, first-time homebuyers who have good credit scores and a decent down payment should be ecstatic with the current market.  Prices are reasonable and there are a plethora of houses for sale in many price ranges and areas.  If you close on your first home prior to July 1, 2009, you could be eligible for a $7,500 tax credit.  Call Don Kingsley Real Estate to start your search.

There is good news out there and we don’t have to look far to find it.  Buying and selling homes will always be a necessity for one reason or another.  If you are in need of real estate guidance, please feel free to call and I will be happy to share my knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.  If you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com.

There is a story told when you review various real estate advertisements. Some of the homes reappear many times and are eventually tagged with a Price Reduced rider!

There are a number of reasons why a home lingers on the market.  A few are listed below:

· The price is too high.  One of the biggest mistakes that sellers make is to price their home on the high side expecting to have room to play games with a potential buyer.  There is real competition out there!  It is a fact that the longer a home is on the market; the more it depreciates in the minds of prospective buyers.  The home quickly becomes shopworn and buyers become suspicious. 

· The home is not receiving maximum exposure.  Today over 84% of potential buyers visit realtor.com prior to their actual home inspection.  If your Broker is not connected with realtor.com (with millions of inquiries a day) you are missing a lot of potential buyers.  To qualify, a Broker must become a dues paying member of the National Association of REALTORS®.  (Don Kingsley Real Estate and Prudential First Properties and are the only two REALTORS® in Oneida and we use realtor.com)

· You have not staged your home to sell.  Today buyers want a home in pristine condition inside and out.  First impressions are extremely important!  If you want to know where your money is best-spent check with Don Kingsley Real Estate.   We will show you where to spend a dollar in improvements and get three or four back in return.

· You hire a friend that is part time and lacks experience.  It is very hard to fire a friend! You need a REALTOR® who has survived during past difficult times and knows how to handle this type of market.  All of our agents are experienced Associate Brokers and you can’t get an Associate Broker’s or a Broker’s license without the proper number of transactions and at least two years of experience. (And, of course, you have to pass the Broker’s test for New York State.)

If you would like to have your house SOLD and not just listed for sale, contact a REALTOR® from Don Kingsley Real Estate.  If you are in need of real estate guidance, please feel free to call me and I will be happy to share my knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.  If you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com.