by John Armstrong
 
Should I list my home during the holidays is probably the question I am asked the most by seller during this part of the year.  My answer is always a very firm...maybe. The 2 factors that need to be taken into account are 1- How's the market? and 2-What's your motivation?
 

"How's the market" is the easier question to answer to answer.  Look specifically at your price range. How many homes are on the market in your price range? How many homes sold during the previous 30 day period. This will tell you your chance of selling, assuming you are priced correctly.


"What's your motivation? "  is a little tougher question. Are you moving because you want to? Are you moving because you need to? Are you relocating? Are you trying to maximize your value? Is this a divorce? Did someone die?

In the Bloomington-Normal Real Estate market things don't "shut down" for the holidays. The relocation buyers are still buying in December because theym ...

Chase announced it will donate at least 100 homes it owns to wounded military veterans as part of a program operated by a national nonprofit group known as Operation Homefront. 
Eligible military families must be on active duty, not currently own a home, and be financially capable of taking on home ownership. Spouses of military members killed in action will also be considered for the program. 
"These individuals have made tremendous sacrifices for our nation, and as they move back into civilian life in a tough economic environment, we hope that a mortgage-free home will make that transition a little easier," Frank Bisignano, JPMorgan Chase Chief Administrative Officer and CEO of Mortgage Banking, said in a statement. 
Military families can apply for the Homes on the Homefront program atwww.OperationHomefront.net/HomesOnTheHomefront.
The announcement comes months after Chase has taken steps to develop a foreclosure prevention and assistance program for military vets.s ...

Of course, I'm not talking about YOUR house not selling.  I'm talking about someone we all know. It's been mathematically proven from a study at ISU 9 out of 10 of us know SOMEONE whose house didn't sell recently (ok I made that statistic up) lets call him Billy Bloomington.
 
Reason #1  Billy's price was too high too high. I know it's easy to drive around Bloomington and see houses with sold signs and say "If they got $175k for that then I can get $200k for my house".  That's why you should talk to a Real Estate Professional (I'm partial to John Armstrong).  A great Realtor is a student of the business and has a feel for the Bloomington Real Estate market
   
In Bloomington-Normal we had a great year in 2013 and yes prices went up in some price ranges more than others.  I felt from March 1st to July 15th the BloNo market shot up as much as 5% because our inventory in Bloomington-Normal fell to historic lows while buyer activity was up 1m ...

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
How important are great online pictures?  I see crazy pictures online all time.  Take 2 minutes to think about 96% of all buyers find their home online.  I know the Bloomington Normal Real Estate market is a lot smaller than most but even in Bloomington people are finding the home they buy online.
 
 What buyers see on the internet determines what they look at in person.  Professional photography gives home sellers that edge they need for their marketing. 
 
                                                          

  On left is an example of laziness. Take 5 mi; ...

 
 
How's the Under $50K Market in Bloomington-Normal?
 
If you've been shopping for a home for sale in Bloomington-Normal under $50,000 this blog is not news to you. The $50K market has been selling like crazy to investors. I believe it's only going to get in Hotter!!!!
 
Key Stats On Homes listed in Bloomington-Normal for sale since Jan 1 2013 under $50K
 

57 Houses listed since Jan. 1 2013, for sale under $50K since Jan. 1 2013 in Bloomington-Normal
8 are currently for sale
1 listed for sale is a short sale with an offer currently, 7 houses are available
46 have closed
3 are currently pending
37 Median Days is how long they took to sell

 
4 under $50,000 homes were listed in the past 30 days in BloNo 3 of 4 are currently under contract. Remember Real Estate in Bloomington-Normal is no different than any other bought and sold commodity, laws of supply and demand apply.  
 
The under $50,000 Real Estate market in Bloomi; ...