SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS

Wow, Spring has arrived, finally!  Everyone is loving the sunshine today and hopefully it will stay around for a while.  Missoula's real estate market is heating up too. There are great buyers out there shopping and we are taking about three new listings every single week and so the inventory is really good too.  We have some
really awesome listings now and coming up and so check them out at www.DianeBeck.com when you have a moment.  We are always looking for great ideas for  articles on tips for homeowners,  statistics on the real estate market, and anything that is helpful for the consumers.  Today's real estate market is ever changing and evolving and so is our business and how we market our properties.  We know we need tools like blogs, facebook, youtube and twitter and we want to learn the "new rules of marketing" and continue to do a great job for all of our clients.  We are innovative, forward thinking and every changing with our strategies and we invite you to let us know if you hear or see something that may be beneficial to us, here in Missoula, Montana.

HANG ON TO YOUR HAT

All signs indicate that the real estate market in Missoula (and around the country) is on the rebound.  Yes, there are some markets that will not see much recovery for a very long time, but Missoula is NOT one of them.  We have had more activity in the last two weeks on our listings than in the last two years and I feel that the tide is turning and as we move in to the Spring, hang on to your hat.   Sellers, you need to be priced competitively, strategically and better understand the buyers in this marketplace.   Buyers, you need to have your financing pre-approved, be prepared to be realistic and understand that every seller is not in a distressed situation.  Sellers AND Buyers....put yourself in the others shoes, understand the dynamics of your barganing position and be realistic.   Yes, there are bank owned properties (REO's) and there are short sales (they are NOT short timelines) but that is a small fraction of our market and we need to take them into consideration, but not let them "dictate our marketplace"  as it is a relatively low percentage of sales.  The first thing BOTH buyers and sellers need to know is that they need to work with a real estate professional that you TRUST and that has the experience and knowledge to assist you with one of the largest transactions you will ever make.  Check credentials, check references, do they work full time in the industry or do they have a part-time job in something else and do they clearly understand your specific needs?    It's critical that you have an understanding of the process, the potential pitfalls, and the possible unexpected things that can happen in any transaction.    Do your homework BEFORE you get started, it will pay off in the long run.
Buying or selling real estate is NOT an easy thing to do in this type of market, you will really appreciate the expertise of someone that knows what they are doing, in YOUR best interest!

SPRING RUSH

The Spring Rush is on and we are getting showings and phone calls on our listings  like crazy!  We have about 60 listings, in all price ranges and areas and we are getting calls on most everything.   Sellers, if you are thinking about selling, now is the time and buyers are beginning to make offers.  Homes that are priced right and look good are moving.  Those are the two keys to success in this market, along with an agent that markets your property to the masses, including social media.  The "new normal" is here and it's long over due.  My forecast is that we are going to be back to 2003/2004 levels, in number of sales and pricing.  The over inflated values are done and things will be back to where we were.  As we have begun this "new normal" really consider what you are getting for the money you are spending, when selling your home.  If you do not have a full time real estate professional that is engaged in their business, don't waste your time or money.  Make sure they have access to the best tools that can help you get your home sold.

SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS

Spring is finally right around the corner, today was a nice sunny day and there seems to be quite a few folks out hitting the open houses circuit.  It's too early to do any yard work and nice enough that everyone wants to get out of the house.  We are fortunate here in Western Montana that our real estate market did not take a big plunge like other markets, our prices are down a little, but the inventory is good and buyers have begun to realize that rates are not going to get much better, in fact, they have no where to go but up at this point.

Sellers, if you are going to sell, my suggestion is to spend the next couple of weeks getting ready.  The more you do now to prepare, the better it will be when you are ready to hit the market.  We are listing 2 - 3 properties per week and the better they look, the quicker they sell, as long as they are price right.

BACK TO BASICS

The term "back to basics" has been echoed through and through the real state community, but it really applies to all small businesses.  In today's "techno world" of blogging, facebook, twitter, and texting all sales professionals need to realize that we need to be face to face with our customers and talk to them on a regular basis.  With the economy turned upside down, everyone is trying to figure out the "new way of doing business" and I would submit to anyone that is selling any sort of service or product that you get back to the basics.  Handwritten thank you notes, phone calls, and the old stop by and say hello.  These things take time, but I would say that those that practice these skills on a regular basis will succeed into the future.    We need to "reach out and touch" our customers, friends and family.  We need to go back to the way things were when I started selling real estate 20 + years ago.  We need to understand our customers needs better and give them resources to help them with their experience.  We also need to understand all facets of our business, lending, title, inspection, insurance and so we can help guide them through the process, not just make a sale.  Those days are gone and are not coming back.

It is all about relationships, trusting who you are going to do business with and understanding your choices, regardless of what you are buying, cars, homes, tires or a latte' and so it's time we embrace the new rules and it time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.  We need to share information, provide the best customer service and take care of those that support us (you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours)  as this is the "new way"  even though it has a lot of standard tools of the trade.  I think that facebook, twitter, and texting have really connected people at a whole new level and those need to be embraced too, they are not going away.  We just do not want to loose site of the basics.  

LIFE HAPPENS

Life happens to everyone and just wait a minute and something else will happen, right?  Marriage, divorce, new babies, losing a parent or loved one, job relocation, job loss and many more things that happen to everyone, all of the time. Seriously, not a day goes by that I don't receive a call from a homeowner with questions about what options they have in this market.  Today I told a couple that it is not about "getting the listing" or "selling them a new home" for me it is simply about sharing knowledge and information about their options.  This may not be the best time for them to sell and move, and it's my job to explain the market and give them a variety of choices to consider. Then it's up to them to decide what to do.  

Many homeowners are "underwater" and they may owe more for their home than it's worth in the current market.  There are a variety of reasons that this can happen and there are a variety of options that are available to help figure out what should be done.  The worst thing that can be done is nothing.  The quicker you take action and try and resolve the issues, the better off you are.  Regardless of what you hear or see in the national news, Missoula Montana's market is different from those around the country and even different than those around the state.  Do your "homework" and find out what options are available to you or someone that you know that may need some help.

FLIP THAT CALENDAR

Well, it appears as if January has come and gone and we need to flip the calendar once again.  I just have to say that it seems as though the real estate market is seeing a lot of activity for so early in the year.  Today, I had two listing appointments, and three market analysis appointments.  Many people are getting a "jump start" on getting their home on the market.  Others are discussing their options and want to know what they need to do to "get ready" to put their home on the market later his spring.  We do have some of our listings being shown too.  These are all good signs that our real estate market is beginning to see signs of life.  Interest rates are still great, inventory is strong, and it is a great time to buy!  

Our job is to help families analyze their options when it comes to housing.  We will meet with owners to answer questions, share ideas, and give a variety of choices that are currently available.  Selling and moving is not always the answer that we give.  We help owners explore the various directions that they can turn, depending on their current situation.  We also love to get the calls from sellers that are thinking about selling and need to know what they need to do to maximize their investment.  Sometimes the answers are very simple and cost effective, others take more money and time.   We will help determine the most "bang for the buck" if one is considering selling as an option.  Over the next few months I'll share some common questions and anwers that I get when it comes to home improvements.   I also have a great monthly newsletter full of helpful information for homeowners. Check it out:   http://realtytimes.com/147/DianeBeck

Have a great week and stay tuned for more
MAKE IT REAL...MISSOULA!

The "Good Old Day"s Are Gone

The real estate market began a steady incline in the mid 90's.  Fortunately in Missoula things didn't explode, it was a gradual incline (about 2% per year) and by the mid 2000's things were in full swing.  We were selling homes like crazy, everyone could get a loan, regardless of income, credit or proof  of a job.  The large lenders were providing stated income loans, no documentation loans, and other crazy products.  Values were increasing and so if you needed extra money for improvements, a new boat or a trip, all you needed to do was go down and get a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) also known as a second mortgage and do what ever you wanted.   Then things began to slip, slowly in late 2006 through 2007 and then it BURST in 2008, the stock market, the economy, and everything else!   Fast forward to 2011 and we see the fall out,  short sales and foreclosures due to job loss, stock market decline, and bad loans.  The good news is that Missoula has faired better than many other parts of the country like Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Michigan.   We are fortunate that we have weathered the worst part of the storm and seem to be rebounding, slowly but surely!  Stay tuned for weekly updates!