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NAME THAT FORM
One of the most noticeable changes in the Real Estate Industry has been the proliferation of forms and standard agreements and addenda over the years. When I entered the real estate business, back in 1982, we could have listed your house with a one sided, 8 ½” x 11” document and sold it using a two sided, 8 ½” x 11” document. My clients frequently laugh when I share this story.
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Real Estate Remorse
It is commonly acknowledged that buying or selling a home is, for most people, the largest financial transaction that they will likely encounter in their lifetime. As such, it is only reasonable to expect that you will experience a wide range of emotions when going through the transaction process itself.
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ASSESSMENT vs. APPRAISAL
Many people interchange the terms “Appraised” and “Assessed”. While there are similarities to these valuations, there are also very distinct differences.
“Appraisal” is a “valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person”. Real estate appraisals are conducted by licensed and certified real estate appraisers. Real estate appraisers are either Certified Residential or Certified General Appraisers. Federal guidelines outline appraisal process and technique. The overriding guideline is known as USPAP – Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
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MILLENNIALS MATTER!
Much has been written about Millennials – – the group of young adults born between 1981 and 1997 who have now surpassed Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living generation. Millennials are affecting the national economy in a big way.
When it comes to real estate, Millennials have been slow to use their numbers to influence the housing market. In fact, Millennials have not, until recently, been entering the housing market in any significant way. I have attributed this in the past to four specific reasons.
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SCHOOL IS IN
Each year, dozens and dozens of individuals and families relocate into the Greater Carlisle Area. Although many of these families are affiliated with the United States Army War College, just as many others are transferees who are newly employed due to the nice diversification of businesses, industries and institutions that support our strong local economy.
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ALL REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL
There is an old adage that says “All politics are local.” Well, in many ways, the same holds true for Real Estate. All Real Estate is local.
Each month, I hope to bring you some insight into local trends within the Real Estate market. In addition, I hope to have the opportunity to provide some explanation and dispel some misconceptions about Real Estate related items and issues. I frequently refer to the “local market” as the “micro-market”. The market to which I refer is that of the Greater Carlisle Area – – much the same footprint as The Cumberland Valley Business Journal itself. In many subtle and even not too subtle ways, the Carlisle market differs from the East Shore and West Shore markets as well as those of our nearby friends in York, Adams and Perry counties.
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2016 IN THE REAR VIEW
Before we take a look at our 2016 business year, please allow me to extend my best wishes for a Happy New Year! I truly wish all of our clients, customers and associates a 2017 blessed with much health and happiness.
Calendar year 2016 was another successful and profitable year for Wolfe & Company Realtors. We celebrated our 30th Anniversary and opened our new appraisal division. Our settled transactions were on a par with 2015 – – which was the best year we had enjoyed since back in 2006.
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Home appraisals and property owner expectations
Last month, I talked about appraisers and appraisals. In this blog, I will touch briefly on the “perception difference” between appraisers and property owners as well as some DO’S and DON’TS when preparing your house for its sale and appraisal.
According to the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, the average appraisal last month was only 1.15% lower than the expectation of the homeowner – – or, in many cases, the sale price established in the pending sale contract. PAR indicates that this is the fourth consecutive month where the gap between the appraisal and the expectation has decreased.
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NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY (Honestly!)
I have recently read several industry related articles indicating that the next several months are the best time for a Buyer to purchase a new home. After giving it some thought, it makes perfect sense.
Most everyone assumes that the Spring-Summer period is the best time for residential real estate. More Sellers put their property on the market during that time, for sure. This increased inventory attracts more Buyers – – many of whom end up competing for the same property. This, in turn, actually drives prices up and forces Buyers to perhaps pay more for the property that they wish to purchase.
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WHAT IS AN APPRAISER?
APPRAISER. This is probable the most misused, misunderstood and abused term in the real estate world. So, let’s set the record straight.
I have mentioned many times before that there are two types of Real Estate Licensees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – – Licensed Salesperson and Licensed Broker. Licensed sales persons cannot perform appraisals and only a small handful of Brokers are permitted to do appraisals on a limited scope. Remember, too, that the term “Realtor” deals with the trade organization that advocates for Real Estate Licensees and has nothing whatsoever to do with one’s license status.