Fall is a time of change...

Hello Everyone!

I hope this time of year is finding everyone well – gosh I can’t believe we are in October already! Fall is a beautiful time of year and brings about many changes. I wanted to drop you an email to let you know I have made a change. I am now with Keller Williams Coeur D’Alene Realty. J Keller Williams is a great company. Voted the "Most Innovative Real Estate Company" by Inman News, Keller Williams® Realty takes a different approach, one that is built on personal touches, a professional approach and positive results. I am very excited about my switch!

Thank you all for your continued support, friendship, and business.

Please feel free to contact me for all your North Idaho Real Estate needs!

SARA LAMSON
Keller Williams Coeur D'Alene Realty
http://www.BuyAndSellNorthIdaho.com

May Market Update

Hello everyone!

Summer is here! Ironman is just around the corner as well as Hoopfest and many other wonderful events! It is a great time to check out North Idaho!

Here are the stats from the month of May:

Year to date figures for 2006 show the highest percentage of sales in the $200-249,999 range, with approx. 19.6% of sales falling in that range.

Overall sold volume reported to the Coeur D'Alene MLS increased by 3% from end of May 2005 to end of April 2006. Vacant Land volume as reported to Coeur D'Alene MLS decreased by 23%; investment sales volume as reported to Coeur D'Alene MLS increased by 23%. Overall residential sales volume increased by 9%.

Inventory levels for the number of active listings over the last 12 months shows an increase of 113% for all listing types from May 2005-May 2006. There is a 28.5% increase in inventory levels for all listing types from April 2006 to May 2006.

Residential Inventory shows a 25% increase from April 2006 to May 2006. There is a 122% increase in residential inventory levels from May 2005 to May 2006.

The overall residential average price total includes all residential listings in all areas, comparing previous year with current year. The average price was $201,685 in 2005. The average price for 2006 is $262,922 showing a 30.4% increase. Again this is all residential in all areas.

Let me know if I can help with your North Idaho Real Estate needs!http://www.BuyAndSellNorthIdaho.com

April Market Update

Hello everyone!

We are nearing our summer selling season here in Idaho and here are some of the stats from the month of April:

Year to date figures for 2006 show the highest percentage of sales in the $200-249,999 range, with approach. 19.8% of sales falling in that range.

Overall sold volume reported to the Coeur D'Alene MLS increased by 6% from end of April 2005 to end of April 2006. Vacant Land volume as reported to Coeur D'Alene MLS decreased by 30%; investment sales volume as reported to Coeur D'Alene MLS increased by 48%. Overall residential sales volume increased by 13.5%

Inventory levels for the number of active listings over the last 18 months shows an increase of 68% for all listing types from April 2005-April 2006. There is a 10% increase in inventory levels for all listing types from March 2006 to April 2006.

Residential Inventory shows a 12.6% increase from March 2006 to April 2006. There is a 83% increase in residential inventory levels from April 2005 to April 2006.

The overall residential average price total includes all residential listings in all areas, comparing previous year with current year. The average price was $195,520 in 2005. The average price for 2006 is $260,598 showing a 33.3% increase. Again this is all residential in all areas.

Let me know if I can help with your North Idaho Real Estate needs!

http://www.BuyAndSellNorthIdaho.com

Cd'A ranks 4th as hottest small city

The Lake City is again in the national spotlight, with Inc. magazine ranking it No. 4 on its list of the Hottest Small Cities along with a cover story on Buck Knives in its May "2006 Boomtowns" issue.

Click here to view:
http://www.inc.com/bestcities/best.html?size=3&year=2006

Coeur D'Alene ranked No. 5 overall - click here to view:
http://www.inc.com/bestcities/best.html?size=0&year=2006

Click here to view the Buck Knives article:
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060501/buck-stopped-here.html

April Market Update

With spring upon us we are starting to see increased activity in the housing market. More and more inventory is becoming available daily and now would be a perfect time to take advantage of the number of homes to choose from if you are in a position to buy.

Already I am seeing more activity in the market. The average home price for March was $244,090 and the median price was $195,597. 2005 appreciation was 29.88%. 2006 predicted slower appreciation, but definitely on an upward cycle. According to the latest housing price forcast from Fiserv Lending Solutions, The Coeur d'Alene area is # 2 amoung 379 Markets and prices will continue to rise 12.8% from 2005.

Inventory levels for the number of active listings over the last 18 months shows an increase of 55% for all listing types from Mar 2005 to Mar 2006 .There is a 3% increase in inventory levels for all listing types from Feb 2006 to Mar 2006. Residential inventory shows a 4% increase from Feb 2006 to Mar 2006. There is a 75% increase in residential inventory levels from Mar 2005 to Mar 2006.

Again things are picking up; however, it's not last Spring when one could stick a For Sale sign in the ground and get multiple offers within a day. Fair market value means that your house is priced from a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) using at least 3 comparable properties SOLD within the past 3 months- ideally. An over priced home is not selling. Also keep in mind Days On Market are increasing and you are not seeing that quick turn-around like last year.

If you are new to the area, Coeur d' Alene is definitely a place for people who love to play in the outdoors. With city beaches, parks, boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, golf, skiing and just about any other outdoor activity you can think of Coeur d' Alene has everything a person could want in a community. It's a wonderful place to live and raise your family.

CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NORTH IDAHO!

How To Sell A Home That Didn't Sell

If your home has just come off the market and hasn't sold, don't be discouraged. The reason it didn't sell may have nothing to do with your home. Your home may have been one of the more desirable properties for sale. If your listing has expired and you still wish to sell, take a moment to review your situation.

Selling your home can be very inconvenient, but make the commitment to do what it takes to get your home sold the next time. With the right agent and your cooperation, your home will sell.
Why didn't your home sell? Honestly assess your listing history. Your home probably did not sell for one of the four most common reasons:

Availability
Is your home easy to show? Your home must be easily accessible, if you don’t have a lock box, consider installing one. Be flexible, and allow showing times that are convenient to buyers and their agents. Do not follow the buyer and their agent around the house; go for a walk, or at the very least, step outside. The showing agent is compensated only after they sell your home – they are motivated to get paid. Buyers need the freedom to voice objections and only then, can their agent solve the issues raised. Allow the buyer and their agent the “freedom” to discuss your home, without worrying about hurting your feelings.

Make a good first impression
Make the Buyer fall in love with your home. Typically a buyer’s decision to purchase a home is based on emotion, not logic. A house in move-in condition invites a sale. Consider: fixing all the readily apparent defects that a buyer will discover during their first ten to fifteen-minute walk thru. Keep it clean for all showings, declutter, brighten up (open the curtains, turn on the lights). Enhance the curb appeal. Most buyers make up their mind in 2 minutes whether or not they like a home. Discuss with your agent about taking care of other repairs and improvements such as paint, flooring, etc. Because a buyer envisions only their inflated idea of the cost of the improvement, offering an allowance to your prospective buyers, is not always as desired as having the work completed. A house that makes a good first impression, sells for the best price because it outshines the competition.

Pricing
The proper price depends on current market conditions, competition, location and the condition of your home. If your home doesn't compare favorably with others in the same price range, buyers and their agents won’t give your home serious consideration. Ask your Realtor to provide you with a current market analysis (a summary of comparable homes: recently sold, for sale, in escrow and expired).

Marketing
The first step in your marketing plan involves finding an agent who will best represent you. When interviewing agents, ask each to demonstrate how they marketed other similar homes and discuss a specific marketing plan tailored to your home. Compare, too, how much money each spends on marketing? Ask them how they advertise (newspaper, internet, call capture hotline, etc.). Your Listing Agent, not only needs to spend money, but also must spend it effectively. Not all agents are “created equal”. To sell your home for top dollar in any market, you must have an agent who uses an innovative marketing approach. Eliminate any real estate agent using tired, traditional methods to sell your home because they don't work in today's market!

BUYERS ARE OUT THERE ...AND WITH THE RIGHT AGENT, THEY WILL COME IN DROVES. Before You Put Your Home Back on the Market, remember:
1. Honest communication is vital between you and your agent.
2. Price your home according to market conditions, competition and the condition of your house.
3. Be sure your house is in show condition, some agents, offer assistance in staging your home for sale.
4. Have an innovative marketing plan firmly set in place.

Tips for Preparing Your Home for Sale

Detach your emotions
Remember, you are about to sell this house and the goal is to create a space in which as many people as possible will be able to envision as their potential home. To properly prepare your home for sale you will have to pack away many of your personal items, including photos, souvenirs and other mementos.

Clean and reorganize
Clean your home from top to bottom and make sure all appliances are spotless. Reorganize the closets and pack away some of your belongings. Storage room is a priority for buyers and a full closet does a poor job of showcasing the amount of storage room available. If you’re using a spare room for storage, pack away the clutter and ensure the space is properly furnished. .

Furnish empty properties and rooms
People buy homes not houses. Empty rooms make it hard for buyers to get a good sense of the space. Large rooms look cavernous and small rooms look even smaller when empty. Oddly shaped rooms make it especially hard for buyers to visualize how to arrange the room. Staging your empty property with the right furniture is key to ensuring that buyers will be able to visualize living in the space.

Brighten and lighten
Light-filled rooms are always appealing. Open blinds and make sure your windows are sparkling clean. If there are no windows in the room, make sure the lighting is adequate and keep all the lights on when showing the property, even during the day. A fresh coat of neutral coloured paint goes a long way to brighten up the space.

Spark your buyer’s imagination
Set the dinner table for a formal dinner, light the fireplace on a cold day, and add some fresh flowers to your décor. Creating the proper atmosphere helps buyers envision themselves living in your home.

Fix minor repairs
Buyers prefer to see a home in move-in condition, even small things such as a dripping faucet can detract from the value of your home.

Don’t be too unique
Keep your décor simple and modern with neutral wall colours. Unusual accessories and strong wall colours will limit your pool of buyers. This is also true for renovations. The right renovations can often boost the price of a home but be careful not to do it with too much flair. Your unique style may set you apart but it will also shrink your potential pool of buyers. Remember to keep it simple and modern.

Keep your neighbourhood in mind when renovating
Actual returns on renovations depend not only on the renovations itself but also on how your home compares to your neighbours’. If your home is already above market value for your neighbourhood, your renovation may not yield a higher return. Buyers looking at moderately priced homes won’t be able to pay a premium for luxury finishes. Ask your Realtor to give you an assessment of homes in your area before embarking on costly renovations.

Improve security
Household security is a sought after feature in homes and simple measures such as adding window locks and motion sensor lights outside can boost the attractiveness of your property. In densely populated urban areas, simple additions such as blinds and shutters are good additions to provide privacy.

Leaving Town? Securing Your Home While You're Gone

It's only March, but not too soon to start thinking about your summer vacation plans. For many people that means relaxing, fun-filled trips away from everyday routines. But it can also mean being gone from your home for an extended period of time, which has one reader asking, "What are recommendations for the best way to safely and efficiently close down a home for several months at a time?"

Even if you live in a gated community, leaving your home vacant for an extended period of time can be a huge risk, a costly lesson and an emotional heartache. So the best way to close down a home is to make it look like it is being lived in daily, even though you're away.

Here are some security tips compiled from insurance companies, homeowners and law enforcement agencies.

1. Stop all deliveries such as mail and newspapers -- this is a very simple thing to do, but it is frequently overlooked by homeowners. When they're gone papers pile up indicating that no one has been home for a while.

2. Set indoor and outdoor lights and even TVs on timers to come on and light up rooms of your home and exterior surroundings. Nothing says nobody is home like a dark house. A television or radio that's set to come on periodically makes anyone lurking around think that someone is home.

3. Turn down the telephone ringer on your phone and the volume on your answering machine.

4. Unplug automatic garage door openers. Burglars can sometimes figure out the code and gain easy access to your home. Also lock any doors from the garage that give access to the house.
Do not close all the blinds, shutters or curtains; leaving them partially open gives an everyday-lived-in look.

5. If you have a willing neighbor, ask him to occasionally park in your driveway. Burglars will often survey a home at different times and on different days to study traffic patterns.

6. Keep your landscaped trimmed back. Overgrown trees and shrubs are not only a fire hazard but also a great hiding spot for burglars. While you're gone have a gardener maintain the landscape.

7. Install extra safety fastening devices on sliding doors, windows and other openings.

8. Use your security system. If you don't have one, buy one. A good security alarm system that is connected to a dispatch center usually will qualify you for a discount on your homeowner's insurance.

9. Put a "beware of dog" sign on your fence; even if you don't have a dog, this can be a good deterrent.

10. Never leave a key under the mat, in a nearby planter, etc. -- or any other common, well-known hiding places. Many burglars don't have to force entry into a home; instead they enter through open/unlocked doors and windows or even with a key, if it's left out for them!

The vital element to keeping your home burglar proof is making it as difficult as possible to break into. Burglars look for easy targets -- leaving a home unattended for a long period of time can put your house in the easy-target category. However, if you take precautions to secure your home before you leave, you'll have greater success keeping a burglar out of your house.

Coeur D'Alene Market Update

Here is an interesting article through MSN. Make sure you click on the link to show Akron, OH through Los Angeles Sales. Coeur D’Alene ranks #8.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/Homebuyingguide/P85323.asp?GT1=7925

If you are looking to buy or sell, make sure you give me a call!

Buyer Responsibilities

We hear a lot of talk about real estate agents--what they should and shouldn't do and say, whether they represent buyers or sellers--but we don't hear too much about buyer responsibilities.

A successful real estate transaction requires cooperation from everyone associated with the sale. There are things you can do to help your agent, which in the long run gets you to closing faster and with fewer bumps along the way.

Get pre-approved by a lending institution.
You won't waste your time or the agent's looking at houses out of your price range.
If you find a house you like, you'll feel confident making an offer. If you have written proof, your agent can present it with your offer, making a powerful statement that you can truly buy the home. You'll have a better idea how much to expect in closing costs.

Think seriously about your needs and wants.
It's sometimes difficult to find the ideal home. Evaluate your needs and wants to determine which items are most important to you. Convey that information to the agent.

Be honest with the agent.
How much personal information you give a real estate agent depends on your relationship with him/her, but no matter what the relationship is... be honest. Find an agent you like and stick with them!

Don't ask your agent to do anything illegal.
That includes obvious tasks that might relate to fraud or deception. It also includes fair housing issues. Your agent must comply with fair housing laws.

Cooperate with the agent.
Don't judge listings by looking at MLS sheets. Sure, choose some of the houses you want to see, but let your agent make choices, too.

Don't refuse to keep a listing appointment just because you don't like the exterior.
It's rude to drive away and it creates hard feelings. You don't have to spend a lot of time in the house, but do a walk-through.

Don't blindly follow an agent's directives, but do cooperate.
If contracts must be signed, don't let them linger. Your verbal acceptance of a counter offer might be discarded if you take your time to sign.

Attend your home inspection and pest inspection if possible.
You should be there to see and hear things firsthand.

Gather all paperwork needed to process your loan.
Meet with the loan officer as required.

Work with your agent to make sure everything's ready for closing (switching utilities, obtaining insurance binders, etc.)

Closings don't just happen. They happen because at least one person is following through. The road to closing is a lot smoother if everyone involved cooperates.

20 Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home

Make your home more appealing for potential buyers with these quick and easy tips:

1. Trim bushes so they don’t block windows and cut down on light.

2. Buy a new doormat.

3. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.

4. Put new doorknobs on your doors.

5. Put a fresh coating on your driveway.

6. Edge the grass around walks and trees.

7. Keep your garden tools out of site.

8. Be sure kids put away their toys.

9. Buy a new mailbox.

10. Upgrade the outside lighting.

11. Use warm, incandescent light bulbs for a homey feel.

12. Polish or replace your house numbers.

13. Clean your gutters.

14. Put out potpourri or burn scented candles (fruit/spice scents).

15. Buy new pillows for the sofa.

16. Buy a flowering plant and put it in a window you pass by frequently.

17. Make a centerpiece for your table with fruit or artificial flowers.

18. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.

19. Buy new towels.

20. Put a seasonal wreath on your door.

Does Moving Up Make Sense?

Answer these questions to help you decide whether moving up makes sense:

How much equity do you have in your home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of paying a mortgage, but if you’ve owned your home for a number of years, you may have significant unrealized gains.

Has your income increased enough to cover the extra mortgage costs and the costs of moving?

Does your neighborhood still meet your needs? For example, if you’ve had children, the quality of the schools may be more of a concern now than when you first purchased.

Can you add on or remodel? If you have a large yard, there might be room to expand your home. If not, your options may be limited. Also, do you want to undertake the headaches of remodeling?

How is the home market? If it’s good, you may get top dollar for your home.

How are interest rates? A low rate not only helps you buy more home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.

5 Ways to Speed Up The Sale of Your Home

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.

2. Get your house market-ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you’ll find a seller.

4. Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.

5. Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.

Top 10 Disadvantages of do-it-yourself Home Selling

1. RIGHT SELLING PRICE DIFFICULT TO ARRIVE AT
Besides not being in direct touch with current market trends, owners tend to see their home through prejudiced eyes, preventing an honest evaluation of their property.

2. PROCEDURE BASED ON TRAIL AND ERROR RATHER THAN EXPERIENCE
Extra work, confusion, costly mistakes are common results of not knowing how and in what order to handle all arrangements and details.

3. MEANS OF ADVERTISING ARE LIMITED AND EXPENSIVE
“For Sale By Owner” ads rarely get preferred placement in the newspaper and cost owners more because they do not get a discount for frequent placements. There are also no multiple listing or referral services for individuals; they must rely heavily on lawn signs to attract buyers. Then don't forget the most important marketing tool - the internet. Agents have access to more sites and online promotion than the average home owner.

4. NO SCREENING OF POTENTIAL BUYERS
“For Sale By Owner” ads and signs are open invitations to anyone to ask to see your house. Owners have no way to screen prospective buyers and are subject to drop-in-off-the-street lookers and a telephone ringing off the hook at all hours.

5. COMPLEXITIES OF FINANCING REQUIRE A PROFESSIONAL
Due to the complexities of financing, changing interest rates, points, terms, type of mortgages (FHA, VA, ARM, etc.) only a professional Realtor can achieve the highest return for you.

6. NEGOTIATIONS ON PRICE ARE ALWAYS TRICKY TO HANDLE
Without a skilled negotiator to help, buyer and seller frequently dicker unnecessarily, neither one knowing when to stand pat or when to conceded. Both are afraid of being cheated.

7. PAPERWORK IS A HEADACHE AND COSTLY TO DO YOURSELF
Mortgage arrangements, title search, legal advice, and a myriad of closing details are overwhelming and time-consuming for the average person. Taking days off work to handle everything may end up costing more than money supposedly saved by not hiring a Realtor in the first place.

8. BUYERS ARE WARY OF DEALING DIRECTLY WITH HOMEOWNERS
It is easier to speak frankly with a Realtor than to risk insulting the owner. Buyers need to feel that they are getting a fair deal on a very large investment and are hesitant to do business with a non-professional.

9. THE LONGER A HOME IS ON THE MARKET THE HARDER IT IS TO SELL
People wonder what is wrong with a house that doesn’t sell in a reasonable length of time and back away from even bothering to take a closer look. Time spent trying to sell your home by yourself can make it harder to sell for the Realtor you turn to in the end.

10. YOUR HOME IS WORTH TOO MUCH MONEY TO RISK
It makes sense to weigh your decision very carefully about how to sell it.

Best advice is…forget about selling your home yourself! If you are sick, you go to a doctor; if you need legal advice, you consult a lawyer. Does it not it seem logical to turn to a professional Realtor to help you sell your home? Do not be an UNREPRESENTED SELLER – contact me today - I won't just sell your home I will make sure it closes.

http://www.BuyAndSellNorthIdaho.com

Getting ready to buy a home? Read this first.

Buying a home will probably rank as one of the biggest personal investments one can make. Being organized and in control will contribute significantly to getting the best home deal possible with the least amount of stress. It's important to anticipate the steps required to successfully achieve your housing goal and to build a plan of action that gets you there.

Before you can build a plan of action, take the time to lay the groundwork for your decision-making process.

First, ask yourself how much can you afford to pay for a home. If you're not sure on the price range, find a lender and get preapproved. Preapproval will let you know how much you can afford so that you can look for homes in your price range. Getting pre-approved helps you to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with home buying. You know exactly what you qualify for and at what rate, you know how large your monthly mortgage payments will be, and you know how much you will have for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration of finding homes that you think are perfect, but are not in your price range.

Second, ask yourself where you want to live and what is the best location for you and/or your family. Things to consider:
*convenience for all family members
*proximity to work, school
*crime rate of neighborhood
*local transportation
*types of homes in neighborhood, for example condos, town homes, co-ops, newly constructed homes etc.

Third, when you are ready to buy make sure you choose an agent to work for you! Contact Sara for help in YOUR home buying process!