Early November Update

During the fall and winter seasons, the real estate market typically slows down.

Historically, the worst time of the year to sell real estate is from Thanksgiving through Christmas – and yet many sellers are extra motivated to sell at the end of the year.

In addition, while many Buyers are salivating at the reduced prices from just a few short months ago, today’s consumers are being rewarded for their patience. Slowing sales and growing inventory mean sellers increasingly are offering an array of come-ons and “incentives” to potential buyers.

Buyer Survey Question by Househunt:

What is your number one incentive when buying a home?

Closing costs paid 77%
Free upgrades 9%
Free property inspection 6%
Free appliances 3%
Flooring credits 2%
Paid trip/vacation 2%
Landscaping credits 1%

Such an atmosphere differs considerably from just two or three years ago, when buyers competed with multiple offers, were outbid, and sellers declined to make concessions they now readily make.

Unlike homes, land has fewer seller bonuses to offer but with some of the amazing, unique, never-before-on-the-market parcels coming on the market now and in 2008, land Buyer’s are in a very sweet position.

People wanting elbowroom, forestry lands, or pristine fishing grounds are silently going west and taking their investment dollars with them. More significantly, our west-end offers a place to grow trees for personal, profitable, or environmental reasons.

For strictly environmental buyers, west-end timberland mitigates their carbon footprint – (a carbon footprint is a calculation of the CO2 fossil fuel emissions each person is responsible for, directly like transportation and energy consumption, or indirectly because of the manufacture and breakdown of products he or she uses.) In other words, buying a forest counteracts more of your energy consuming sin than driving a hybrid Prius.

As for outdoor enthusiasts, well, there isn’t enough me-and-only-me space in the country to still your soul the way 40, 80, 100 or 200 acres can – open space is where solitude reigns. Several pristine hunting and fishing grounds are on the market for the first time ever.

Exceptional, divine, private, tree-filled large parcels can be yours on the west end. And bigger ones are coming in 2008. Nothing tastes sweeter than the fresh air of wide-open spaces. Call me at 360.565.2020 or email jace@jacerealestate.com.

Jace