We need each other to survive

Lots of homes on the market these days and a lot of people out there looking. As more for sale signs go up, it becomes more important for sellers to set their homes apart from everyone else's home. The best way to do it is with price. This past weekend's Real Estate section in the Washington Post had a very good article that everyone who is selling now or in the future should read. Here it is if you didn't get a chance to see it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/28/AR2006072800764.html

If you're buying a home soon, remember my house buying mantra "if you like the house, make an offer." Even if your offer is less than list, always make it. Be sure it's a reasonable offer though. If the house is listed at $800,000 and you can only pay $400,000 it's probably not reasonable to expect a seller to come down $400,000 on price. But if the house is $600,000 and you offer $540,000, that's more reasonable and it gives you a chance to negoiate. Buyers and sellers need each other so you want to at least make an effort to come to a meeting of the minds.

Hope the open house list on Friday was helpful. Of course you know that open houses don't give you the complete view of what's on the market, that only a fraction of the houses that are for sale are open on any given weekend. Open houses give you a small sample of what's available but it's a good way to get to know a neighborhood.

Busy week ahead so I'm going to get started on my day. Enjoy the rest of yours..