Part 2 of Why it Makes Sense to Keep House Hunting During The Holidays!

Recently I started a blog about how traditionally real estate history has often advised buyers and sellers that once Thanksgiving comes around, they might as well pack it in, hunker down and wait till after the new year to get serious about getting their transactions closed. Today's blog further discusses some benefits to keeping up with the house hunt right now while the holiday season is in full swing:

Sellers are more motivated!

Though there are fewer buyers and sellers out there right now, those who are active tend to be highly, highly motivated.
The sellers who are willing to clear the whole family out of the house when everyone else is having holiday gatherings because they are very motivated to get their homes sold – and ready to entertain your offer to make that happen! This isn't just talk. I am very busy right now, and got two homes under contract so far this week and the week's not over get!

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Part 1: Why It Makes Sense To Keep House Hunting Through the Holidays

Traditionally real estate history has often advised buyers and sellers that once Thanksgiving comes around, they might as well pack it in, hunker down and wait till after the new year to get serious about getting their transactions closed. But there are some benefits to keeping up with the house hunt right now while the holiday season is in full swing:

Lower dream home competition.

Conventional real estate wisdom says the spring and summer months as the best months of the year for real estate sales, because families with children prefer to move into their new homes before September and the bad weather and holiday festivities keep house hunting to a minimum, during the winter.
So, if you do kick your house hunt into high gear right now, you’ll face fewer competitors. And that means fewer multiple offers and a lower likelihood of being outbid and getting a better price.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Part 4: Is the Housing Market Better Than 4 Years Ago?

Delinquencies have slowed, even though foreclosures remain high.

As the job market picks up, fewer people are falling behind on their mortgages.  7.40% of mortgages were delinquent in September 2012, which is down from 8.61% in January 2009. Although delinquencies have fallen, foreclosures have increased. This may be due to the foreclosure stage is the later part of a long process and therefore lags the improvement in home prices and the delinquency rate. The share of mortgages in the foreclosure process has risen to 3.87% in September 2012 from 2.43% in January 2009. Most of this increase is due to foreclosures backing up in “judicial” states such as Florida and New York, which have a much longer legal foreclosure process. The share of homes in foreclosure is now almost three times higher in “judicial” states than in “non-judicial” states.
 Even if the housing market is in better shape than it was four years ago, Obama can’t take much credit for it. Although mortgage rates are lower, credit for that goes to the weak economy and the Federal Reserve. The declines in inventories and vacancies are mostly because new construction plunged after 2007 and has remained far below normal levels – so few new homes have been built. It is also because there are fewer foreclosed and other distressed homes for sale. And the biggest hangover from the housing crisis – homes stuck in the foreclosure process – is governed more by states than by the feds.
Obama’s main contributions to the housing recovery were the 2009 stimulus, which prevented a worse recession which ultimately boosted housing demand, and the ongoing push to make refinancing more widely available, which has given the economy further modest stimulus. But there’s little that the Administration did – or could have done – to influence home prices and construction.
Even though the housing market may be in better shape than it was four years ago, it’s still far from normal. Trulia’s Housing Barometer shows that “normal” is still years away – and huge housing policy questions, like the future of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae, are unanswered. Other big challenges remain: mortgage credit is still tight, and four million foreclosures since the start of the housing crisis have left families with wrecked credit, lost homes and personal suffering. Thus, the housing market is nothing to cheer loudly about. But overall, is it better off than four years ago? Surprisingly, yes.

 Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,

Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Part 3: Is The Housing Market Better Off Than 4 Years Ago?

Vacancies and inventory are getting back to normal.

Four years ago there were too many vacant homes and too much inventory due to the surplus of new homes that were built but not sold during the bubble and the lack of buyers during the recession. Since 2009, this abundance of available, vacant homes has been absorbed, as fewer newly constructed homes have come onto the market in 2009-2012 and fewer bank owned are waiting to be sold. The inventory of homes for sale has fallen by 38% from January 2009 to October 2012, according to Housing Tracker, which is a return to normal levels. And the National Association of Realtors reports that the “months of supply” of existing homes fell from 9.5 in January 2009 to 5.9 in September 2012 – with 6 considered normal. Vacancies, too, are much closer to normal.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, Lake Hartwell Real Estate,

Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Part 2: Is The Housing Market Better Off Than 4 Years Ago?

Being able to afford a home has improved. Although prices are nearly back to their January 2009 level, affordability has improved because mortgage rates have fallen. The typical mortgage rate on a 30-year fixed-rate loan dropped from 5.05% in January 2009 to 3.38% in October 2012 (Freddie Mac). That drop in mortgage rates reduced the monthly mortgage payment on a $200,000 loan by 18%. For those who can afford the down payment and can qualify for a mortgage, homeownership is significantly more affordable today than 4 years ago.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Part 1: Is The Housing Market Better Today Than 4 Years Ago?

The answer to this question is "yes"! Even though the housing market may be in better shape than it was four years ago, it’s still far from normal. The experts say, it is projected that “normal” is still years away – and huge housing policy questions, like the future of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are not clear at this time. Other big challenges remain: mortgage credit is still tight, and four million foreclosures since the start of the housing crisis have left families with wrecked credit, lost homes and personal suffering. Thus, the housing market is nothing t

o cheer loudly about. But overall, is it better off than four years ago? Gladly I can tell you, yes.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,

Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Last week I started a blog entitled The 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home. Today's blog is the 12th and final item you can do to get your home ready for winter.
Step 12___ Trim trees: Overhanging trees drop debris on your roof, scrape and damage shingles, allow for growth of mildew, and, worst of all, have the potential for severe damage if they snap during a wind storm. Consider having a professional tree service inspect overhanging trees, and safely cut them back as needed.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,

Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Step 11 of The 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home

Last week I started a blog entitles The 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home. Today's blog is the 10th thing you can do for your home.
Step 10___ Close foundation vents: You probably opened your foundation vents for the summer to allow any accumulated crawl space moisture to escape. This is the time of year to close them up again for winter freeze protection. It's also a great idea to install exterior faucet covers which prevent leaky hose bibs next spring.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist

Step 10 of The 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home

Last week I started a blog entitled The 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home. Today is the 10th item you can do at your home.
Step 10___ Handle yard chores: Many plants require pruning this time of year, summer flowers need pulled out and lawns should be fertilized with a fall/winter fertilizer to feed them through the winter and get them ready for a fast green-up when spring returns. Afterwards, clean up all your yard tools and put them away for the season.

Serving you with Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

OPEN HOUSE - 111 Soren Lane - Sun 11/11/12 - 2:00-4:00PM

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is in MOVE-IN condition and shows like practically new.  The Seller has re-painted the entire interior with decorator chosen colors, NEW landscaping in the front of the home Sept 2012, planted Love Grass in the back for easy maintenance, and finished the dry wall in the garage.  All rooms have ceiling fans, and the living room has a pretty corner  fireplace.  The cheery  kitchen is large, and opens to a patio in the rear. The air conditioning unit had a new coil replaced in 2009.  This is a very convenient location to everything and is in TL Hanna Schools!

To get directions to this open house, get more information and see a visual tour of this property, visit www.CallNancyLamar.com and click on the Open House Tab on the left of the home page.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Step 9 of The 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home

Last week I started a blog entitled The 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home. Today's blog is the 9th thing you can do for your home.
Step 9___ Check weatherstripping: Gaps around doors and windows waste expensive heated air and create chilling interior drafts. Check and replace or adjust weatherstripping and door sills to create an airtight seal. Everything you need can be found at home centers, hardware stores and many other retailers.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Step 8 of the 12 Steps to Winterize Your Home

Last week I started a blog on the 12 steps to winterize your home and each day blog on a new thing to do. Today's blog is the 8th thing you can do for your home.
Step 8___ Seal masonry surfaces: Apply a sealer to concrete driveways and walkways, brick patios and other exterior masonry. Masonry sealers prevent water from penetrating into cracks and crevices where it can freeze and cause serious damage. You can find sealers at home centers, paint stores and masonry supply retailers. Once you have your supplies, just apply them with a brush, roller or sprayer.

Serving You with Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

12 Steps to Winterize Your Home

Last week I started a blog on the 12 Steps to Winerize your home. Today's blog is the 7th thing you can do to your home. These are the things you can do to the exterior of your home.
Step 7___ Check the roof: A roof that leaks can not only do significant structural damage, it also wets insulation, which causes a drop in the insulation's ability to resist heat loss. Examine roofing shingles and flashings, and repair or replace them as needed. It's much easier and safer to take care of these problems now than during winter's ice and rain.

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate, and Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

A Great Little Restaurant for Delicious German or American Food

On Friday evening we visited a charming little restaurant in Georgia just a block from the lake with our friends. It was a charming setting in the woods and seemed like it was out in the middle of no where. Once we checked out the Veterans Christmas Tree where customers can hang pictures of their current and past Vets on the welcoming front porch, we entered and were greeted by the Owner, Martina. We had delicious german food in a lovely room with a stone fireplace. There's a covered porch which is open for dining in the warmer weather. Frohmullers Grill is open Thursday through Saturday evenings from 5:30-9:30 at 3288 Rock Springs Rd in Hart County just before the Rock Springs Ramp on Lake Hartwell. For more information, you can follow them on facebook or visit their website. I recommend this place and we will go back!

Serving Anderson SC Real Estate, Clemson Real Estate & Lake Hartwell Real Estate,
Nancy Lamar, REALTOR
Fine Home Specialist
www.CallNancyLamar.com

Waterfront Home for Sale In Upscale Subdivision on Lake Hartwell!

Price: 385000 | Address: 611 Wharf Court | Beds: 4 | Baths: 3 | Sqft: 0 | LotSize: 0.93:

You will love this newer waterfront, open floor plan home in this upscale neighborhood close to I-85 and its easy access to town and yet in a nature conservatory. This 4 bedroom, 3 full bath home has large room sizes, both a living room and lower level den and office. It has a large deck made of a composite material with a retractable awning in addition to another covered patio over looking the lake. The Seller spent over $55,000 in new landscaping, irrigation systems in the back and front yards, and a new concrete cart path from the driveway to the lake. The HUGE garage has extra large and wide garage doors and will easily fit 2 large vehicles and a golf cart with room for lots more! The cheery Master Bedroom opens to the deck and has French doors leading into the Master Bath and includes dual lav sinks, a jetted tub, walk-in shower and closet and separate water closet room.  ONLY $385,000 & USDA Approved Area!

http://www.callnancylamar.com/ to see more pictures & information on this beautiful home!