April Newsletter

April 2012 Newsletter                   Here’s What’s Happening in Our Neighborhood:

ACTIVE: 4970 Redfield Dr—An Eaton Williamsburg, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, granite & ss kitchen, unfinished basement. Listed at $499,900. On the market for 148 days.

PENDING: ANOTHER GUTNER TEAM SALE!!!  On the market with someone else last year for $493,000 for 391 days.  We listed and sold in 1 day!  Haverford model on corner lot.  Listed for $489,900.  See it at www.gutner.com!!.

5008 Davis Dr—An Eaton Federal with extended sitting room and two huge closets, backs to preserved wooded area, 2 zone heating. Originally $520, then $515, now $500,000. On the market for 153 days.

SETTLED:  4983 Mead Dr—An Eaton model with 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, finished basement. Reduced to $509,900.  Settled at $485,000. On the market 259 days.

5065 Grundy Way—a Waterford w/1st floor master, 3-car garage, fin. basement w/media room. Originally $589,000. Last priced at $564,900 and sold for $557,500 in 263 days.

In Oakleigh Farms: (all on acre+, but older)

PENDING: 4690 Twinbrook Cir.— 5 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths, gourmet kitchen, finished basement with media room, deck and large paver patio. Started at $812,900. Reduced to $769,900. On the market for 121 days.

3795 S Mallard Ln—on cul-de-sac, nearly 2 acres, private backyard with view of woods, stocked fishing pond, 1745 stone barn. $625,000. On the market for 24 days.

4630 Twinbrook Cir. - 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, hardwoods, ceramic tile, hot tub, finished basement, fireplace, sprinklers, electronic fence.  Started at $799,900.  Reduced to $724,998 Last priced at $669,000.  On the market 880 days.

What buyers are looking for in 2012

You would think that buyers would be thrilled with lower prices AND GREAT rates but they want MORE.  Those great ingredients don’t necessarily translate into confidence that prices won’t continue to drop.  They want three things and three things only:

A good value.  Condition.  Location.

You can thank HGTV and House hunters for some of this.  Buyers are watching other buyers from around the world pick the house that is in great condition, at the lowest price and the best location.  MOST buyers do not want to deal with contractors so even if you price your home without granite and updated bathrooms, they’ll pass it up if they can, or they’ll kill you with price if they have to do the work.  Everyone is afraid they might lose their jobs.  They’re looking for a place to settle down where the mortgage, taxes, utilities and upkeep won’t kill them. They want something where the mortgage, taxes, utilities and upkeep won’t kill them.  They are looking for PRICE, CONDITION, LOCATION.  You can’t change your location—but you have total control over your price and your condition.