A few years ago a client said he thought that house hunting was a lot like speed dating.

….and at the time I imagined opening the passenger door and pushing him out onto the street…end of that date!

Fortunately we kept on with the search and found a beautiful home for his family.  Looking back I chuckle at how accurate the speed dating analogy has become.

According to the National Association of Realtors  over 80% of home buyers begin their home search on the internet.  And based on comments I get about homes from – “ugly paint color”, “too much furniture”, “rooms look small” -this “speed date” was decided upon before they actually set foot onto the property.

Chances are, many potential buyers will not even look at a home that does not capture them at the internet stage of “dating”.

Get on your mark, get set….the average buyers tries to see several homes within a very limited time frame.  Make sure yours is easy to show and always “dressed for the date”.  Everyone understands a few toys on the family room floor or a basketball on the driveway.  However, buyers usually “fall in love” with a home within 30-45 seconds of walking through the front door and if they smell of smoke or dog, or a sink full of dirty dishes as their first impression- this date is over and they are moving on.

Finally, first time speed daters have the best luck- they are new to the process and open to meeting different people.  The more times they ”speed date” the more jaded they become.  This is true with buyers too.  Homes just coming onto the market are bustling with “daters” knocking on their doors.  The goal is too have the perfect match of condition and pricing so somebody will fall in love and make an offer. 

Newly listed properties only stay “fresh and entertaining” for about 2 weeks- then showings drop off dramatically.

Don’t like the analogy?  At first I wasn’t happy I didn’t like it - however now that I understand how to use it to the benefit of my buyers and sellers it can be a very delightful and enlightening experience.

If you need to spiff up for your speed dating in real estate and need some help- call me (513-300-4090) or send an email.

If you live in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area and have your property on the market or plan on putting your home up for sale- don’t miss “Super Sunday” on May 4th. 

There is a city wide push to have as many open houses as possible.  Most of the agents ( and I am assuming For Sale By Owners) will have their doors open to potential buyers. 

Super Sunday is a great opportunity to peruse homes in the area you have been thinking about – or just to see how you neighbor’s houses compare to your home.

If you are unsure about the current mortgage situation-or are not sure if you qualify for a mortgage, contact a reputable mortgage broker or mortgage company to obtain the details. Contact me (513-300-4090) if you need the name of a reliable lender.

Take advantage of the spring weather and take a peek at the “blossoming real estate market” in greater Cincinnati Ohio.

Click hereto see a list of Super Sunday Open Houses and start mapquesting your routes.

Data from Greater Cincinnati Multiple Listing Service

This week’s articles covering real estate in the Fairfield School District and the Lakota School District discussed the single family and condominium markets in the two largest school districts in Butler County. Today we are heading east to cover real estate in the Mason School District in Warren County.

Mason Ohio has been an example of somebody’s “Field of Dreams”…build it and they will come.

Anyone living in the area has watched as Mason experienced rapid population and developmental growth…often leaving drivers struggling to navigate around Fields Ertel or Mason Montgomery Road.  And while Mason doesn’t have as many single family homes listed as seen in the coverage on Lakota real estate stats, the list and sale prices for Mason are significantly higher.  The number of condominiums for sale are comparable to Fairfield’s-  however the sale prices are much higher in Mason.

If you are a Mason homeowner contemplating putting your single family property on the market, there is a wide spread in pricing available for sale.  Unlike Fairfield with a heavy concentration of homes between $200,000-$249,999, of the 391 active listings the highest number of homes  (41) are listed between $350,000-$399,999. The next largest concentration homes (35) is between $200,000-$249,999.

Not to surprising- if you want your property to be on the market of a long time (Days on Market) price it between $1,250,000-$1,499,999.  The 16 homes have an average of 240 days on market.

Good news for the high end market, there are only 2 active listings between $3,000,0000- $3,249,999.

The numbers in the condo market are interesting, the average list price is $183,847 however the highest number active listings (33) are between $120,000-$139,999.

Remember, the chart above is just a snapshot on a given day and the real estate market is always changing.  If you need more details about the “stats” for your neighborhood -give me a call @ 513-300-4090 or send an email.

Data from Greater Cincinnati Multiple Listing Service

There is a funny TV commercial touting that statistics can be made to say anything 90% of the time and 50%  of the people believe the numbers. (Sorry if I have the numbers wrong)

Data from Greater Cincinnati Multiple Listing Service

At first glance the numbers for home sales in the Lakota School District seem to be easy to understand.  However if you are a seller or a buyer, you need to have in-depth understanding of  the “numbers” behind the numbers.

For example Days on Market (DOM) is only accurate for the current listing contract.  So if the seller has re-listed the property several times, the DOM number does not accumulate over time.  The Greater Cincinnati Multiple Listing Service only reflects Days on Market for the current listing contract.  Your Realtor can provide you with a history on the property which includes accurate Days on Market as well as Original List Price as well as current List Price.

Of the 800 Active Single Family Listings, 545 of the properties are 4 bedrooms with an average list price of $331,285.  There are 107 condos listed and 78 of them are 2 bedrooms with an average list price of $115,994.

Thinking about putting your 3 bedroom house on the market?  You will be competing with 183 other listings.  The average list price is $252,367 and the average Days on Market is 124. 

Whether you are thinking about putting your home up for sale, a buyer looking to purchase a home or condo or a seller with a property on the market- you need to understand the real estate numbers!

How do you interpret the numbers?  Call or email if you need the details on your property.