If you don’t think things are changing in the real estate housing market, well think again! It’s easy to get caught up in media reports the most recent real estate market statistics that point to improving sales conditions in the Richmond Metropolitan area and believe home sales are getting better. After all, it’s just more of the cautious optimism that’s been keeping us going for the last three or four years, right? On the other hand, recent activity indicates genuine change has arrived. Of course some areas will lag behind others as the market picks up, but Realtors can sense the new mood wafting across the plains.

Market activity has been on the increase since at least November 2011. Our individual numbers as well as every stat tracking real property transfers confirms it. Nevertheless, real estate professionals have been cautiously monitoring trends to see if conditions were actually improving, or if perhaps this was simply another market teaser. It is one thing to watch the numbers reportedly go up, but quite another to see actual behavioral change.

Just last weekend we called to schedule an appointment to visit a home in the west end of Richmond. There were so many appointments we could not be accommodated. It didn’t matter that we were willing to wait another day to see it because the seller received so many contracts on the first day they discontinued showings and agreed to work with one of the offers submitted the first day. WOW! You might say this is just one story, but it’s not. We are hearing about other interactions similar to this where multiple offers have been generated. But of course the good ones will always sell fast!

This may not be the norm, but it most assuredly points to distinctive change in the attitudes of people ready, willing and able to buy a home. With dwindling inventory, improved market conditions, historically affordable interest rates, I would not be surprised to see more interesting stories like this one that point to a changing real estate market for 2012.

 Ann & John VanderSyde, Associate Brokers – Virginia Properties, A long & Foster Company “2009, 2010 & 2011 Sales Team of the Year” (804) 287-4660   www.InSydeHomes.com  “HOME is a Lifestyle Choice!”

As a follow up to my blog post yesterday 9/8/2010 regarding “What is the wait in Richmond Real Estate” – regarding “low interest rates”, the Long & Foster Marketing Minute provides the following example:

“Let’s talk about the “missed opportunity” on the tax incentives. Let’s say first-time home buyer couple is looking at taking a 30-year loan on a $340,000 home, which was the average Long & Foster sale price in July. If they had purchased in early April, in time for the $8,000 credit, the interest rate probably would have been around 5.25 percent.

If that same couple bought today and locked in a rate around 4.5 percent, they would save more than $130 per month on the mortgage payment compared to the early-April purchase.

Even if they only live in the house for 10 years, they would save more than $16,000 in interest. These record-low interest rates mean buyers “match” the $8,000 they would have gotten in tax incentives if they live in the house just five years.”

Consider spreading the word and sharing the secret that the media seems to conveniently overlook. There is good news in the real estate market, and as professionals it is our responsibility to send the message in order to combat the lingering negativity in our marketplace.

Facts & figures courtesy of Jeff Detwiler, president and COO of Long & Foster Real Estate

The Richmond, Virginia metropolitan region of Long & Foster Real Estate met today for a Town-hall gathering. Several hundred local real estate agents, brokers and sponsors attended this special event which spent much of the morning commenting on the state of the company and the realities of real estate in our market sphere. The most important message I took away from all this is, of course, that with the amazingly low interest rates available to consumers today, and the apparent stabilization of real property in our area, it is perhaps the most affordable time in our history to purchase a home. So what is everyone waiting for?

Well, first, this premise presupposes that one has a relatively stable/secure job, ensuring enough confidence and providing proper financial wherewithal to make the next step into home ownership – or to make a move-up purchase. This is without a doubt a HUGE obstacle for anyone to see beyond, and if you’re risk adverse, it may not be manageable. But is the risk any greater today than four years ago when lenders were literally giving away mortgage loans while home prices continued to skyrocket through the heavens? Honestly, I just don’t get it!

Secondly, the media seems to have cornered all futures in real estate. I think it is too easy to pull the media card whenever our woes exceed rational justification, but you have to admit there are no headlines out there promoting the long-term benefits of the current interest rate. As a fellow realtor mentioned this morning, we should be shouting about the best kept secret in the real estate market – low interest rates are far better than any tax credit the government can offer. Just do the math! But hush; don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret. Maybe then the public, and possibly the media, will take note and make a step toward home ownership and a sound life’s-investment.

I can’t say what it will take to help people feel better about real estate, but my business tells me that the housing market continues to improve. Someone must be feeling better about things, because the difference between what is going on today over just a year ago is astounding, and our numbers/statistics reflect this notion.  The caveat to this observation is that we need to continue looking forward and forget about what’s in the rearview mirror. The years of 2005-2007 are thankfully gone. There is a new reality out there now for all of us to observe, just ask your REALTOR®. The honest truth is always plain to see!