For the past twelve years Lee McTeigue has been a licensed real estate professional for the Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, White Plains, Valhalla areas in New York. Lee says ”the market is currently cautiously optimistic.  Prices are realistic, interest rates are low and it's a good time buy.”   She is finding that Single family homes priced under $500,000 (first time home buyers) and upper range of $1. - $1.5M are what is moving the fastest in her market.

When asked what makes her successful Lee said “I am committed to my client's goals first and keeping the lines of communication open at all times. I am advising them of one of the biggest financial investments they will make in their life and I take that responsibility very seriously.”  It’s that kind of commitment that is the difference between a real estate sales person and a real estate professional.  Lee goes on to say “Sellers need to know that I work tirelessly to creatively market their property alongside my company's unparallel marketing strategy and internet presence.

I believe in an open and honest communication with sellers to keep them up to date on the latest trends in their local real estate market.  For my buyer’s, I research, negotiate, and provide step-by-step guidance through the whole process. “

Another advantage is that Lee lived in each of the communities she works in, so she knows the unique and intimate characteristics of each one.

Today’s real estate market is challenging and professionals like Lee are critical to providing the high level of expertise, knowledge and service home buyers and sellers expect.

 Visit Lee's Website 

Lee McTeigue, Sales Associate
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty
1946 Palmer Avenue
Larchmont, NY 10538

lee.mcteigue@jbfsir.com

Office: 914-834-0270
Direct: 914-833-5908
Mobile: 914-479-7561
Fax: 914-834-1877

Today's Realtor needs to think out of the box.  The days of taking on a new listing, placing a sign on the property and advertising a few print ads are long gone.  When it comes to homes that are in a higher price range, where the buyers are few, you must get more creative and resourceful.  When a house is not selling the answer is not always to lower the price, but in fact to up your game.

Get Creative! 

You need to research where the buyers are and not sit back and wait for them to come. Here is one example of a million dollar home that found its way to an out of state buyer who never physically visited the property.  As featured in USA Today, Josh Phoenix, of HD Estates used cutting edge technology and produced this video and strategically placed it online.

Get an Appraisal

Make sure the house is priced right.  "Whether the real estate market is hot, cold or some lukewarm level in between, it is a good idea to pay for an appraisal..." say's Carlos Montos of Calgary Real Estate.  A professional appraisal is a must!  Having a certified appraiser value of your home ranks up there with providing a home inspection.  You erase potential buyer's worry that they are paying too much along with avoiding trouble with obtaining the mortgage.

Target The Buyer

What type of professional, entrepreneur, executive or rock star could or would buy the home? Although you can't predict what type buyer, you need to consider the possibilities with marketing focused on these potential buyers.  What ever type buyer you think the home is ideal for, you need to figure a way to reach them.  An Investment Broker may not see the same marketing that a Neurosurgeon would so your marketing needs to be specific.

Article Marketing

Make article marketing top on your list as it is one of the most effective ways to promote your business.  Article marketing is a great way to acquire new clients as it instantly makes you an authority in your field. "The idea from the writer's point of view is that you can increase your exposure by having your content reproduced around the internet." says Yaro Starak, who has been testing article marketing for Ezine.  Yes, yes I know, your a Realtor not a writer. There are simple ways to get yourself an article.  You can start with using Realty Roosters Article Marketing - Question to Article System.  Simply answer a few questions and they will write and publish your article free.  This will create a huge impact on your target audience, where you will notice an increase of prospects aimed to your listing.  GET YOUR ARTICLE MADE HERE

Get Your Clients a Pre-Approval

It is detrimental not to have your home buyer's financing in place and ready to go.  With today's new lending standards it is quite difficult and somewhat time consuming to obtain a mortgage.  It would be devastating to a seller to sell a home to someone who in the end has to walk away from the table and waist months of precious selling time and blame you for arranging the sale.  GET A PRE-APPROVAL HERE

Bargain hunting is what’s on buyers minds these days and there are some very attractive properties on the market that will make buyers gush.  Many agree this is a favorable time to buy, for those who have paused their buying trigger. Fortunately, the time is now that you can get a lot of house for your money.   While other markets haven’t seen an up tick in activity, others have and gained momentum.  

Robert Paul of Douglas Elliman works the Armonk, Chappaqua, Bedford, & Pound Ridge areas of Northern Westchester NY.  Rob is well known for his proficient use of social media and marketing to keep his clients well informed.

“We can all relate when it comes to managing buyers and sellers expectations." Says Rob. "It helps to stay informed and up to date with the latest market information because it brings them down to earth.  There are some great deals to be made out there and some great houses.  One of my listings is a custom colonial across from a lake in Pound Ridge on over 3 acres that appraised for $2,000,000 five years ago and is now selling for $1,675,000. Some sellers are being more realistic when pricing their home."  View Listing

Buyers are beginning to see the light. It may be a buyers market, but only a savvy buyer can identify when their getting a lot of bang for their buck and don’t want to loose out on a great deal.

Some buyers are finding obtaining a mortgage is challenging, while those with substantial down payments and good credit are able to secure financing.  Savvy buyers have their mortgage in place and are finding their mortgage through more regional lenders.

It seems buyers and sellers are trying to find common ground and this is helping the housing recovery.

Robert Paul
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
438 Old Post Rd.
Bedford, NY 10506
Personal Cell: 914-325-5758
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Current conditions in the real estate market are challenging for buyers, sellers and the real estate agents that serve them. 

Tess Brannagan a licensed Real Estate Agent for Caldwell Banker, Katonah offers her insight on Today’s Real Estate Market.  Her expertise is with Residential, First-time home buyers, Buyers, Sellers and Rentals. 

 “The Sellers are avaricious and the buyers are opportunistic.  Both sides are confused which makes it so difficult to help them both.   Today’s Sellers need to be realistic, after all when they have to buy another place to live, they will be moving to the Buyers' side and will benefit from the lower prices as well, it’s all relative”.

Tess goes on to say “Most importantly, Buyers should always first sit with a trustworthy Mortgage Officer to determine what they can really afford.  Buyers should get all their mortgage information and know that pre-approvals of some Mortgage Companies can be worthless”.

Tess attributes her success to being goal oriented and by taking a real interest in helping her clients either buy or sell their home. “Many agents have left the business, while I have been able to weather the storm and still be there for my clients.  Eventually the market will come back and I want to be around when it does”.

Tess Brannagan has been a Real Estate Agent for 7 years serving the Westchester, Putnam and Duchess Counties.

tessbrannagan@aol.com 

http://www.tessbrannagan.com/

Mortgage applications are moving higher according to Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

The Mortgage Bankers Association survey shows mortgage applications increased 5.3 percent.

 “Purchase application volume jumped last week largely due to another sharp increase in applications for government loans. Borrowers were likely motivated to apply for loans before the scheduled increase in FHA insurance premiums,” said Michael Fratantoni, MBA’s Vice President of Research and Economics.

The refinance index increased 2.7 percent and the purchase index increased to its highest level in months at 10.0 percent.

“Refinance activity increased somewhat, as rates dropped to their lowest level in a month towards the end of the week” Fantantoni said.

The average rate on a 30-year home loan is down to 4.83 percent from 4.98 percent. The rate on a 15-year mortgage is 4.7 percent, down from a week ago when the rate was 4.17 percent.