Spring into Summer: Housing Prices Heat Up in New City NY

Spring into Summer: Housing Prices Heat Up in New City

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

When I update New City readers about the latest news in housing prices, it’s usually not as ‘latest’ as I’d like. The reason is that there is a delay in most of the truly reliable indexes that measure housing prices. The big indexes are national (New City housing prices are another matter), and they have a built-in two-month delay. Spring into Summer: Housing Prices Heat Up in New City

We can look at trends and directions, but if there is a change afoot, we won’t be sure of that for about 60 days. Spring into Summer: Housing Prices Heat Up in New City

Last week, The Wall Street Journal found a way to present unusually fresh numbers. Reporter Nick Timiraos ignored the S&P/Case-Shiller Index, which reported statistics from back in March, and leapfrogged into April with the first solid news about our much-anticipated spring selling season. Spring into Summer: Housing Prices Heat Up in New City

It shows a startling 2.7% one-month increase: the largest March-to-April gain in any of the 17 years since the series was first reported.

“The monthly gain blew away all past Aprils,” said an economist at Credit Suisse. The basis of the reports comes from last Wednesday’s release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer-price index, which measures prices in the whole economy (at least as seen by manufacturers and wholesalers). It’s a backdoor way to gauge housing prices when you examine prices received by real estate agents. Spring into Summer: Housing Prices Heat Up in New City

The numbers showed a 9.1% gain over housing prices from a year ago…and remember, big price rises were already happening by then. The takeaway, per the Journal, “Don’t be surprised to see continued increases in prices and sales in the next batch of housing reports.”

Professors Case and Shiller are certainly standing by to give us those. And in case you would like a more locally focused update on our recent New City housing prices, I’m standing by, too — why not give me a call today? Marcella 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com or click here to see what’s happening in the market in New City NY! Spring into Summer: Housing Prices Heat Up in New City

Brushing Up on the Key Factor for Getting a Loan

Brushing Up on the Key Factor for Getting a Loan

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

Whether Pearl River residents are looking for a home equity line of credit, a refi, or a new mortgage, when it comes to getting a loan, everyone knows that it’s the credit score that ultimately determines the outcome. Yet when it comes to a working knowledge of what major factors affect your score, a new survey shows that many of us are less certain than we should be.

The Consumer Federation of America is a nonprofit outfit that from time to time releases reports designed to improve that situation. Their latest is a sort of report card on how much average adults understand about credit scoring — the key factor in getting a loan of any kind.

On the plus side of the report card, CFA says that people who have obtained one or more of their own credit scores within the past year are significantly better-informed than those who have not. No surprise there. Those people tend to know that there are three large credit bureaus (although how anyone who watches TV doesn’t already know that is a mystery to me).

On the minus side, more men than women misunderstand how age and marital status affect their credit scores (those factors have no effect). Men, on the other hand, “are more skeptical than women about the value of credit repair agencies.” CFA doesn’t go into why that is, but I’d like to think that it’s because they understand that a more straightforward way to repair your credit is to pay all bills on time.

Sandwiched in among the charts and graphs are various bits of good advice for any Pearl River resident getting a loan.  A few bear repeating:

1.     Avoid maxing out credit cards; try not to even get close

2.     Pay down debt instead of just moving it from account to account

3.     Keep track of your credit from time to time, even if you’re not planning on getting a loan right away

If you are planning to become a Pearl River buyer or seller in the near future, I’m here to help you make the most it. Call me anytime. Marcella 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com & I’ll put you in touch with some really good people who will give you sound advice! Click here to check out some listings in the Pearl River area!

New City Luxury Home Listings & Springtime Romance

New City Luxury Home Listings & Springtime Romance

marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

Ah, spring is truly in the air…the traditional time when people can fall in love at first sight!

I’ll try not to dampen those springtime spirits too much, but for anyone currently looking into the New City luxury home listings, some advice may be in order:

Online love at first sight is a really bad idea.

Those New City luxury home listings can indeed be truly alluring, and using your computer (or iPad, or smartphone) to winnow through the current crop of terrific New City luxury home listings is a supremely practical approach.

New City Luxury Home Listings & Springtime Romance

But do remember that any warm glow you experience after checking out a particularly fetching online tour is best held in check until after you have paid an in-person visit. Then the love affair is more likely to be the real thing. New City Luxury Home Listings & Springtime Romance

Especially when it comes to the luxury home listings, they have been created by talented professional stagers and photographers (not to mention musicians, when a video is part of the presentation). We work with them to create an immersive online experience, which is all to the good. New City Luxury Home Listings & Springtime Romance

The only drawback comes if we do such a good job that New City luxury home prospects fall head over heels.  If reality can’t possibly match the romance of their mind’s eye abstraction, well…just ask a teenager’s parents about what the falling out of love experience is like! Until you have contacted me and we’ve made a real life, in-the-flesh house tour, what we are dealing with is — let’s face it — puppy love.

New City Luxury Home Listings & Springtime Romance

Seasoned buyers know that stunning photos can’t begin to reveal all the details that make for ‘the real thing.’ Does the kitchen fit a family’s cooking style? Is that gorgeous landscaping a good setting for kids and pets? Is the neighborhood right for a particular family?

New City Luxury Home Listings & Springtime Romance

If your own home belongs among our eye-catching New City luxury home listings, you probably also know that prospective buyers will be genuinely impressed when they visit in person. If that’s the case, I hope you’ll be contacting me soon for a complimentary consultation. You can call me, Marcella, anytime on 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com. Click here to see what’s on the market in your area!

Pre-Inspection Reports Help New City Listings Stand Out

Pre-Inspection Reports Help New City Listings Stand Out

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

If you are readying your home for sale this spring or summer, one of my favorite tactics to set your property apart from other New City listings is to order a pre-inspection. If you’re not familiar with the term, a pre-inspection is a less detailed, less expensive visual inspection designed to report major conditions certain to be noted in the final. Why add this extra expense? Won’t buyers ultimately get their own inspection? Pre-Inspection Reports Help New City Listings Stand Out

Yes, they will. But the purpose is not to replace a final inspection — it’s to attract more offers and hasten a final sale by minimizing re-negotiation. Pre-Inspection Reports Help New City Listings Stand Out

 Picture yourself as a prospective buyer. New City listings which headline the availability of a pre-inspection report automatically seem to be offered by someone who is proud of their property’s condition and unafraid of what the final inspection will reveal. To skittish prospective buyers, it serves to lessen the "fear of the unknown" that can make buyers hesitate before writing an offer. If there were a formula, it would look something like:

Eliminating objections = Attracting more offers

Pre-Inspection Reports Help New City Listings Stand Out

 

Pre-inspected listings let you document major conditions that have either been addressed or left for the future owner to remediate as he or she sees fit. By noting how your asking price includes precise dollar allowances for named conditions, you display openness and conviction in the basis for your pricing. Local listings written after a pre-inspection are a lot more likely minimize last-minute re-negotiation: if you have ever been asked at the last minute to knock off $20k from an accepted offer, you know the value of that. Pre-Inspection Reports Help New City Listings Stand Out

It is worth noting that any serious defects that a pre-inspection identify must be disclosed, for better or for worse. But fear of a major discovery shouldn’t dissuade you: any major defect will certainly be discovered by the buyer’s inspector. The old saying applies: knowledge IS power. Pre-Inspection Reports Help New City Listings Stand Out

If you plan to add your own property to the New City listings any time this year, my job is to see that it brings you top dollar. Contact me today to talk over the way we will get that done! Call me, Marcella, on 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com or just click here to check out other New City lisings!

How To Set the Stage for Selling Your Pearl River Home

How To Set the Stage for Selling Your Pearl River Home

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

The Real Estate Staging Association is always telling the world that when you are selling your home, you can expect to spend 73% less time on the market if you use the services of a professional staging company. Although this is an outcome everyone aims for, the cost of full bore professional staging can be a budget-cruncher. How To Set the Stage for Selling Your Pearl River Home

A compromise solution is to combine a little personal elbow grease with some of the ‘inside’ tricks stagers use. When selling your home in town as quickly as possible is the goal, it’s worth following through with these staging pointers: How To Set the Stage for Selling Your Pearl River Home

Magic Act

Everyday living creates clutter — but to establish the look of a well maintained, move-in-ready home, the debris has to disappear. You don’t need to be David Copperfield or Houdini, but you will need a dedicated place to store all that stuff out of sight. No place on the property? Go ahead and rent some temporary storage space. How To Set the Stage for Selling Your Pearl River Home

Bland is Better

The Swiss are known for remaining neutral despite centuries of European strife. When it comes to selling your local home, avoiding controversy can serve you just as well. ‘Neutral’ means sticking to inoffensive color schemes. Stagers know that when it comes to matters of taste, extreme decorating styles tend to drive off some potential buyers. When it comes to selling your home, creams and beiges create the kind of clean look that’s more universally appealing. How To Set the Stage for Selling Your Pearl River Home

Consistency Wins

When the budget is tight, setting a theme throughout your home may seem beyond reach. So instead of replacing a lot of furniture, see if making subtle changes in home accessories and textiles can’t accomplish wonders. Selling your home in town quickly can hinge on such small touches as placing bunches of uniformly colored flowers with matching throws in several rooms. It can create the kind of uniform look that stagers strive to achieve. How To Set the Stage for Selling Your Pearl River Home

If this spring will find you selling your area home, don’t neglect your own version of staging. If you are just deciding on your choice for your selling team, give me a call: we can start with an in-home consultation! Call me, Marcella, anytime on 845 544 4026 or email your queries to riggsmarcella@gmail.com or click here to check out some other helpful tips on marcellariggs.com

Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

Each day, any number of tenants see the perfect New City house for sale, yet fail to go ahead and investigate further. Making the move from tenant to homeowner is, after all, one of life’s major decisions — so no matter how perfect such a find might be, making the leap can seem daunting.  Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

According to the Rental Protection Agency, by last week there were more than 107,000,000 renters in the US — a number that increases by 2,600 a day. In other words, if you are a little unsure about snapping up even the most perfect New City house for sale, you are hardly alone. Still, there is that nagging suspicion that homeownership brings substantial financial advantages to some people… Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

Fortunately, there are concrete indicators that when a New City house for sale looks like a good fit for your family, it will be a good fit for your financial future, too. As a rule, if you qualify for a mortgage, you stand to benefit from homeownership, too. Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

One of the main reasons people don’t take advantage of an otherwise ideal house for sale has to do with their credit history. Qualifying takes a credit rating that pencils out to merit a mortgage with beneficial terms. Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

If you have savings that are substantial enough to serve as a down payment (generally somewhere between the FHA’s 3.5% to as much as 20%), you have an important leg up. Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

Importantly, in the big picture, you need to gauge your overall financial stability. No one can see 100% into the future, but even if a New City house for sale is a great value and ideal for you, unless in your income has been steady for at least two years, you probably should wait (and most lenders would agree). Taking the Leap from Tenant to New City Homeowner

With good credit, savings for a down payment, and a steady income, you are likely to belong to the group which sees substantial long term benefits from homeownership. If you find a New City house for sale that seems well suited to your needs, here’s an undaunting first step: call me today to help get you pre-qualified! Call me, Marcella, on 845 544 4026 or email your questions to riggsmarcella@gmail.com or click here to see what’s available on the market today!

New City Housing Market Recovery Tempts Sellers

New City Housing Market Recovery Tempts Sellers

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

The New City housing market’s recovery is still establishing itself. It’s not exactly in its infancy, but I would say it has a way to go before we can call it ‘mature.’ The majority of predictions for the rest of 2013 remain widely positive, and the young housing recovery is being strongly supported by continuing low mortgage rates. New City Housing Market Recovery Tempts Sellers

This might easily lull prospective home sellers into assuming they will automatically have a simple selling process, but housing upturn or not, it’s no time to go to sleep. In short, it’s still a good idea for New City sellers to take as much care as ever before — especially when it comes to choosing a real estate professional to represent their property.   New City Housing Market Recovery Tempts Sellers

ASK. Don’t be afraid to ask every candidate for evidence that they have ample experience in selling New City housing similar to yours. Experience will shape the marketing and all the other decisions that will be brought to bear on your behalf. Your home’s sale is no time to depend on trial and error! New City Housing Market Recovery Tempts Sellers

 WATCH. From the moment you meet any candidate for your representative, look for the kind of confidence that will resonate with potential buyers. Housing choices are extremely important to every prospect. They are bound to feel more comfortable when the representation of their next home is in the hands of an obviously capable pro. If an agent doesn’t display those skills when you interview him or her, how likely are they to do so later on?

CHECK. If all else looks good, do check into the candidate’s community ties. A real estate professional who has solid connections within the local community will provide instant exposure where it does the most good. And a lively website is more evidence that you’re headed toward a solid choice. New City Housing Market Recovery Tempts Sellers

 Don’t fear to be inquisitive when locating the New City Realtor to sell your home; the questions you ask will serve a double purpose: telling him or her that you are a focused client. Looking for a place to start?  Let me interview first — I’ll demonstrate how I can make your listing shine this spring! Call me,, Marcella on 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com or check out the competition…houses for sale…in New City!

Click here to see everything that’s currently on the market in New City!

New City Real Estate Market Balancing Act: Rates vs. Rises

New City Real Estate Market Balancing Act: Rates vs. Rises

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

When the Wall Street Journal or Forbes run mortgage rate stories as their lead items, those of us who keep an eye on the New City real estate market pay close attention. I frequently share what they say here. But when even the non-financial outlets like USA TODAY and the cable TV news channels give top billing to real estate market news, it’s a real attention-grabber. New City Real Estate Market Balancing Act: Rates vs. Rises

That’s what happened last week. USA TODAY’s online headline focused on the 15-year fixed mortgage rate, “at a record low 2.61%.” The cable news channels talked about record low rates, too (although if you hit the ‘pause’ button long enough to read the TV graphics, you saw that the national average for 30-year loans was still a shade away from the actual record low).

 Never mind that; it’s still surprising that mortgage rates continue to linger at such tempting lows. New City Real Estate Market Balancing Act: Rates vs. Rises

The reason is hardly a secret: the Federal Reserve is holding rates down to energize the real estate market — a key element of the overall economy. Yet, with existing home sales notching up in the first quarter at the briskest pace in four years, you would have thought that mortgage rates would have been loosened up at least somewhat. And with new home sales doing their best since 2008… New City Real Estate Market Balancing Act: Rates vs. Rises

Of course, it doesn’t matter what anyone expects: the results of dipping mortgage rates is just plain good news for everyone in the New City real estate market: buyers and sellers alike. Those low mortgage rates act to offset the rising U.S. house price index. The result for buyers is a more valuable home without the expected increase in the monthly payment. What more of an inducement to enter the real estate market could there be? New City Real Estate Market Balancing Act: Rates vs. Rises

In short, if you’re considering whether it’s time to buy (or to sell your current home and trade up without busting the household budget), last week’s national and local market signs are even clearer than they have been recently. There are definitely opportunities out there! Why not give me a call for an up-to-the-moment New City real estate market evaluation? Marcella 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com or click here to take a peek at the New City market.

Three Questions to Ask New Neighbors When Relocating to New City

Marcellariggs.com

845 544 4026

riggsmarcellariggs@gmail.com

With more than 43 million people relocating throughout the U.S. every year, you don’t have to wait until you are surrounded by stacks of cartons to realize how important it is to make your next move the right one. If you’re buying a house in New City in the foreseeable future, it’s a particularly valuable idea to take the time to chat with some of your potential new neighbors. And while you’re at it, why not bring up a few relevant questions: Three Questions to Ask New Neighbors When Relocating to New City

Which schools are best? 

School quality affects more than just property values. Especially if you have your own kids, buying a house in New City is least disruptive when their new school is the best one available. You’ll make the soundest choice by comparing more than one parent’s opinion. Three Questions to Ask New Neighbors When Relocating to New City

Is there a neighborhood watch?

You will have already aimed for the safest area possible. Now, getting involved with an active neighborhood watch can further ensure your family’s safety. When buying a house, the presence of a neighborhood watch is a good indicator of some solid community spirit…and if there isn’t one, make sure the reason is that everyone already feels secure in the area. Three Questions to Ask New Neighbors When Relocating to New City

What events are available in New City?

Buying a house means buying a home base for all your family’s activities. By asking your neighbors which local events and activities they enjoy the most, you’ll get a glimpse of the scope and depth of the cultural life that’s going to surround you. As a side benefit, just inquiring shows you as someone who is sociable — and that you’ll be a good new neighbor to have! Three Questions to Ask New Neighbors When Relocating to New City

 The simple act of reaching out in this way lets you familiarize yourself with a new neighborhood faster, and ultimately leads to a better-informed long term real estate decision. Especially if the area is new to you and your family, buying a house in New City is actually a one-time opportunity to make a host of new friends. I have tons of information available for future residents. If you’re even considering buying a house in New City, don’t hesitate to call me today! Marcella 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com or click here to check out some interesting facts about New City in Rockland County NY

Supply of Pearl River Homes for Sale Struggles to Keep Pace !!!!

Supply of Pearl River Homes for Sale Struggles to Keep Pace

Marcellariggs.com

riggsmarcella@gmail.com

845 544 4026

So the market’s recovering, interest rates are low, and you think you’re finally ready to buy a home? Not so fast. Buyers across the country are running into a new roadblock: there don’t seem to be enough homes for sale. Supply of Pearl River Homes for Sale Struggles to Keep Pace

Anyone who has looked at entry- to mid-level homes for sale in Pearl River probably knows what I mean. Mortgage rates remain near historic lows, and as the prices of homes for sale continue to rise, fears that we could soon see a repetition of a real estate equity loss seem increasingly unlikely.  Supply of Pearl River Homes for Sale Struggles to Keep Pace

Why the lack of inventory? There are several reasons. Buyers may be ready to buy again, but some sellers are still not in a position to offer their Pearl River homes for sale. When the housing market collapsed seven years ago, some homeowners’ equity loss was such that they remain unable to sell. Prices may be on the rise, but some need more time to return to pre-crash values. Supply of Pearl River Homes for Sale Struggles to Keep Pace

Buyers always want to buy at the bottom, but sellers want to avoid selling there. Buyers are watching that bottom fade into the distance, but some sellers, pleased to watch their homes growing in value, are content to wait longer. Supply of Pearl River Homes for Sale Struggles to Keep Pace

NAR says that there were just 1.93 million existing homes for sale on the national market in March, down nearly 17% from the prior year. In a well-balanced market, what had been a six month’s supply fell to just 4.7 months’ worth.  Nationally, homes for sale now stay on the market for just 62 days, down from a median of 91 days only last year. Glenn Kelman, CEO of an online national real estate brokerage, put it succinctly: "Somebody rang a bell and said the boom is back, and nobody wants to be late to the party." Supply of Pearl River Homes for Sale Struggles to Keep Pace !!!!

Homeowners who have been thinking about selling are increasingly liking what they see in today’s market — including the prospects for trading up. Even those whose previous evaluations were unsatisfactory are finding it worth another look. If you would like to find out what your home is worth today, give me a call! Marcella 845 544 4026 or email me at riggsmarcella@gmail.com or click here to take a look at what’s on the market in Pearl River at the moment!