After a long cold winter, it seems like there has been a crack in the ice in Plainfield real estate lately. I'm not sure what gave, but it seems like things are starting to pick up. Obviously the Stimulus Package hasn't done anything to brighten the outlook of the 2009 economy or real estate situation, so I'm not sure what to attribute the increase in activity to... other than maybe the promise of Spring?
How is the market in your area? What kind of transactions are you doing in your market? Are you working more with buyers or sellers? I'm just wondering what's going on out there outside my little bubble here in Plainfield :)
Julie - Until the ice storm ripped through Louisville, activity was really picking up. I attribute this to 1) the message finally getting through to buyers that rates / prices were low, 2) pent-up frustration and the promise that a new year always brings, 3) the $7500 tax credit.
I have noticed a tremendous increase in traffic at my open houses. Now that the holidays are over and Super Bowl in a memory, there's no excuse for people not to get out and get motivated.
Hi Julie - up here in Rapid City we are seeing lots of activity. Some agents in our office did some open houses this weekend and saw some 20 couples come through (each!). Other agents I've talked to have also indicated that the showing activity has been way up...Another agent in my office will be closing on 4 or 5 deals here in February. I've got 2 closing the end of the month. They are out there! After a slow January, it's encouraging and exciting. I think the low rates coupled with the election being over and the new President in have all helped people get back to business.
Hi Julie,
My market is the same as John's above. And no, I haven't seen any change at this point. Our sales are still pretty much driven by foreclosure and REO's. Some a little more than others, depending on the city and price range.
All the work of January is really paying off. Spring will be really fun - I hope we get good weather so that showing isn't so difficult. Hate showing in the rain!
Here in the San Francisco bay area I think buyers are finally getting off the fence I've noticed at open houses (yes we do open houses) that there are some serious buyers and why not great time to buy
Our market in Sacramento has been picking up for the past few months...it seems like the Spring market has already hit! It's wonderful; we are seeing multiple offers within days of a new listing coming on the market However, it's getting much tougher on the buyers.
Julie- My personal business has picked up as well in what is usually a very slow time for me. But it's too soon and too limted a sample (just me) to call it a trend yet. But maaaaybe...
We have a ton of buyer activity right now and homes especially under $300K are moving fast. Multiple offers frequently. 99.9% seem to be interested in a foreclosure or a smoking deal. We have been showing several different sets of buyer the last couple of weeks. However not many under contract yet. ~Rita
Business is defintely picking up in the Seattle/Puget Sound market! I am getting more buyers who are realizing what an excellent market it is for them. My office is getting both more listings and more sales. Even the MLS is reporting a sharp increase of closed sales in January compared to December. I expect that it will be even better this month. Hallelujah!
We had a noticeable increase and now it has dropped off.