Whether you can’t, or won’t, reduce your price, we understand that it is frustrating to sit in this market without action.  The best way to generate action is to reduce your price to be the best priced property on the market for what you are offering.  Having said that, here are a few options available to you other than a price reduction.    

For some Sellers a lease/option can help you achieve your goal.  A lease option is in actuality a lease agreement, and an option to purchase agreement, that are tied together by language in the agreements.  A lease/option provides you with cash flow from the option consideration and monthly lease payments while you wait to see if the option will be exercised.  Since the price paid at the time the option is exercised is agreed to at the time the option agreement is signed, it is usually a higher than market price.  This is because of the extended term of the option period, typically 12-24 months, and the anticipated increase in market value at the end of the term.    

Lease/options can be a risk for both parties since nobody really knows what prices will do, but it gives the Seller cash and cash flow, and buys time for the market to change.  The Buyer can get in to the home knowing that they have the opportunity to buy it in the future.  This works well if they, too, are waiting to sell, repair credit, or any number of reasons that are holding them back from a normal purchase in today’s wonderful Buyer’s market.  The fact that Sellers today are considering lease/options is another sign that it is, indeed, a Buyer’s market.  

If you know where you want to go after you sell, look in that market for somebody that is looking to move to our community.  A simple ad in their local paper might produce a Buyer that can’t sell their home.  So what do the two of you do?  Trade your homes!  You might advertise your willingness to do so in your local Carson Valley advertising.  We’ve found that people looking to move to the Carson Valley look here in preparation for their move.  A needle in the haystack?  Yes, but with the right intention you just might beat the odds.  

Our Advice:  There are a number of other options, each with its own inherent risk factors, and one should be careful when considering such an option.  These include selling with a Contract of Sale, All Inclusive Trust Deed, or simply renting your home until the market recovers sufficiently to allow you to accomplish your next real estate objectives.  Auctions have a certain intriguing appeal, but have not proven very successful from our observation unless it is involves a distressed property, or a very unique and expensive property.  Be flexible and maintain a bigger perspective when weighing your options.  Remember, it is only money.  Don’t let yourself get so affected by this market that you lose your health or family … money can be replaced. 

Experience is Priceless!  Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, www.carsonvalleyland.com , 775-781-5472.    

Easily search the entire Northern Nevada MLS  or email Lisa and Jim with questions or for additional information.

This market isn’t for everybody, however it is a time of opportunity for many. With good credit scores and/or ready cash, it is a good time to buy Carson Valley real estate, Search Carson Valley Real Estate.

So who should buy now? If you are a nervous investor, it’s a good time. It’s kind of like voting early and not having to listen to the political ads anymore. If you buy a property that you want, you can stop listening to the doom and gloom media bombardment. You can be comfortable with your investment and know that whatever happens, you have it. Unlike stocks that leave you with a certificate when their value diminishes, you will always have your real property. Buy quality at a good price and relax. It may go down before it goes up, but you’ve made a decision and can get on with your life.

If you are a first time home Buyer, count your blessings that the market has checked. Today’s prices are much less than what you would have paid a year or two ago. In fact, you likely would have been priced out of the Carson Valley at that time. Are you going to wait and try to time the market drop, or are you going to buy now and start enjoying the many benefits of home ownership? Remember, you aren’t making a one year investment – home ownership should be considered with a longer hold perspective. Consider that in Douglas County 48.9% of the people lived in the same house in 1995 and 2000 – just about half the people didn’t move in five years!If you are looking to move up or down in the market you are really moving “sideways”, the homes you are selling and buying are relatively priced.

If you are moving up – do it before the prices rise and you will enjoy greater appreciation when they do with the more expensive property. Moving down? Do it before the prices rise and you’ll enjoy a lower loan amount and, possibly, rate, for the term of the loan. Don’t put your life on hold until “someone” says it is time to act – control your own life and real estate happiness by taking action now. Your buy and sell prices are even in their respective market segment.

If you are a savvy investor, this is a wonderful time to make your intentions known to your agent. Opportunities now appear on a regular basis. If your active agent knows your investment objectives, i.e.- a place for your child(ren), appreciation over five years, change portfolio location, etc., you have a much better chance of successfully achieving them in the next six months, or so. Be ready to act and stay open minded.

Our Advice: If you have a credit score below 720 it is probably in your best interest to work on increasing your score before you buy. If you don’t you will likely pay a higher interest rate and could very well get the run around when it comes time to fund your loan. When the market was soaring people looked past these negatives figuring that their anticipated appreciation would offset the higher costs of the loan. Today one can’t count on short term appreciation – plan on holding. Get yourself ready to act. When the market turns it will be like a dam breaking and you will have a lot of competition for the quality offerings that you don’t have today.Timing the falling market to catch it at the bottom is like the proverbial “catching a falling knife” … it is hard to do. If you know you want to live/invest here, and have confidence in the Carson Valley community, then you can buy with confidence … now.

Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com , visit our websites at www.carsonvalleyland.com or www.carsonvalleyremax.com call anytime at 775-781-5472.