When is the Best Time to Sell a Home

Often when GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professionals are asked, when is the best time of year to sell a home, a seller's largest asset. The consumer may be thinking the answer an easy one - spring of course.

However, there are a few thoughts, which support another theory.It is true that many buyers begin looking in spring for a suitable home for their moves - especially when there are school-age children involved. But, one thing to remember, in springtime, EVERY seller thinks that spring is the time to sell. This generally brings MORE sellers to the marketplace, which means MORE COMPETITION.

When there are more sellers on the market, the pricing of your home becomes a critical issue. It is paramount to tighten price to remain competitive within the marketplace. Therefore an advantage can occur during the quieter winter months when less seller competition is in place.

One GreatWest GMAC Real Estate professional reminisced - she actually purchased her own home on Christmas Eve, and counted it as a wonderful holiday present for her family! Real estate buying and selling is very much a year round activity!

Written for GreatWest GMAC
by: Myrl Jeffcoat

Website Identifies Neighborhood Felons

GreatWest GMAC Real Estate Professionals are often queried by buyers as to crime in the neighborhoods they hope to buy homes in.

In addition to the Megan's List website, there is also another important web resource. It's http://www.felonspy.com/ - Just enter an address and up pops a neighborhood map flagged with names, age of the felons and the crimes committed.

Nearly all areas of the country are impacted to some degree. However for those homeowners interested in having this type of knowledge, this website could have importance to them.

Take a minute to check out a neighborhood, and then pass on the link to people that may have an interest.

Written for GreatWest GMAC
by: Myrl Jeffcoat

California's homebuilders sell 3,019 houses, condos in May

The California Building Industry Association just posted its May sales report.

Sales were up from previous months as the traditional summer buying season began. But still, as usual, it was less than last year.

The report has this link to sales in individual metro areas.

Builders in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba Counties reported 346 sales in May - 11.4 percent of the state's total.

Regionally, that was up from 290 sales in April - and down from 505 sales in May 2008.

Source: Sacbee