What is Value?

I wrote this article a few years back but thought it was worth repeating.

What Is Value?   

Value depends on where it is in a real estate transaction. 

Assessed Value is based upon historical sales data and doesn’t always represent current market value. Assessments are for towns to try to fairly assess taxes in an equitable manner among property owners. Periodic re-evaluations update assessed valuations. Assessments aren’t always up to date nor a reliable comparison as to what “Fair Market Value” is or should be. Compare it to car excise tax valuations; usually less than “Book Value.” Is that all your car is worth on the market? Could you sell your car for more than "Book Value?"

Appraised Value is also based upon historical data. Appraisers protect the interest of the lender and are more conservative in the value they place on a property. 

Market Value is created by the Buyer and Seller.  It’s what a Buyer is ready, willing and able to pay and a Seller agrees to accept.  A negotiated value, which changes relative to market conditions and supply & demand of homes.  A home is worth what a Buyer is willing to pay and a Seller is willing to sell.  

Home IS Where your Heart is!

I am ready to help you get your best value buying or selling a home. 

Contact me for a Free Market Analysis and information on how I can help you with buying a home. 

I am licensed in MA and NH. I am also certified in Loss Mitigation. I can guide you through the process to determine if a Short Sale could be an option for you.

10 Cities Where List Prices Are Rising the Most

REALTOR MAG DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2011

Which cities are seeing median list prices increase the most? Nationally, median list prices have risen 1.60 percent to $190,000, according to year-over-year listing data from September 2011 byRealtor.com, based on 146 markets.

Yet, in some cities, median list prices in that time frame have risen more than 20 percent. Florida cities, in particular, are continuing to see some of the largest rebounds in list prices. 

Here are the 10 cities that have seen the largest percentage increases in median list prices based on year-over-year data from September: 

1. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla. 

Year-over-year median list price increase: 34.46% 

Median list price: $215,000

2. Miami, Fla. 

Year-over-year median list price increase: 25.63% 

Median list price: $250,000

3. Naples, Fla.

Year-over-year median list price increase: 23.41% 

Median list price: $369,000

4. Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.

Year-over-year median list price increase: 16.53%

Median list price: $233,000

5. Punta Gorda, Fla.

Year-over-year median list price increase: 14.07%

Median list price: $169,000

6. Shreveport-Bossier City, La. 

Year-over-year median list price increase: 12.22% 

Median list price: $176,750

7. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.

Year-over-year median list price increase: 11.93% 

Median list price: $129,500

8. Fort Wayne, Ind. 

Year-over-year median list price increase: 11.77%

Median list price: $112,000

9. Daytona Beach, Fla.

Year-over-year median list price increase: 11.32% 

Median list price: $178,000

10. Boise City, Idaho 

Year-over-year median list price increase: 10.58% 

Median list price: $150,000

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Daily News

Selling your home in the Winter? Tips to help it Sell Faster!

Great article written by Stacey Alcorn, owner of RE/Max Prestige.
I had to share this one... sometimes it's the simple things that get forgotten.

Staging your home doesn't have to cost tons of money, it can be as simple as leaving lights on!

If you would like a free, no obligation Market analysis, to see what you could sell your home for, feel free to contact me.

I am proud to be an Agent for the Cure!

List or sell a home with me and I will donate a portion of my commission to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® 

Click here for full article.

Selling Your Home? Why Wait Until Spring?

... it is that time of year where temperatures drop and the landscape turns into hues winter white. Is the winter time a good time to sell a home? Yes! 

In fact buyers that are shopping now are generally serious shoppers who want to make a move by year end. However, you must be prepared as a home seller to put your best foot forward when it comes to preparing for the showing.  

Here are some quick and easy tips to get your property sold through the winter months:

1. Shovel, sand, and salt: Make sure it's easy for people to come and go from the house. ... It's also a good idea to shovel a path around the perimeter of the home. Most buyers will want to walk around the outside of the home to get an idea of the property landscape... 

2. Lights On Means Come See Me: With the time change this weekend, nightfall comes at 4 p.m. Many home buyers use the hours right after work to go drive by homes that look appealing online. Does your home look inviting to people who drive by? You can increase your chances of getting a showing by making sure the lights are on though out the home. Set up timers so that your lights pop on at 4 p.m.  That way the house looks warm and inviting even before you get home.

3. Heats On- Stay a While: Keep the house warm for potential showings. You never know when you will get a last minute showing request, so keep the property warm. By doing so it encourages potential buyers to stay and look around for a while. As it gets really cold, you'll find that potential buyers really take their time to linger and look around. The longer they look, the more they begin to picture their new life in their new home...your home.

4. Holiday Decorations Can Show Pride of Ownership: Tasteful holiday decorations throughout the home can show a potential buyer that you take pride in your home. Keep it low key. ... A wreath on the front door is ok too. You want holiday decorations that will enable the potential buyer to start picturing their own holidays in the home, not ones that take their attention away from viewing the property...

It's surprising that some sellers wait until spring to put their home on the market.  

Inventory is low in the winter which means there's a huge opportunity to get noticed buy potential buyers...

Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:41am

Stacey Alcorn