<p>VeryHappy, It depends on the zip code. For example, the Northgate area of W.C. (94598) has more inventory and the homes tend to stay on the market longer. The home I put an offer in on was priced very well for the location, a short stroll from downtown’s first class shopping and restaurants, yet very rural in feel. There were also very few sales within walking distance of downtown during the last 3 years.</p>
<p>Interesting. I don’t know their exact address so I don’t know their zip code.</p>
<p>My next door neighbor’s house went on the market yesterday morning and today (28 hours later), they received a signed contract for full asking price. They are scheduled to close May 18th.</p>
<p>A friend of mine started as a realtor just a couple of years ago, and she is extremely successful, even in this economy. She works mostly in an area with good school systems, and people know her and trust her because she was very active in PTA and many other community activities. An example of turning volunteer hard work (and connections) into a paying job.</p>
<p>Well, despite a 30-40% downpayment, the church is having trouble getting any bank to commit to a mortgage after the Crystal Cathedral debacle. I would think that a 50+ y.o. Episcopal congregation would not be the kind of foreclosure risk that would make this undoable, but apparently I would be wrong. We’re giving it another couple of days, and then I have to get folks in to start doing the repairs/painting the church didn’t need done because of their planned remodeling work. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I did find some really great light fixtures at Rejuvenation Lighting in their Midcentury Modern collection. I’m thinking of Galaxy for the kitchen:
[Mid-Century</a> Modern Lighting](<a href=“http://www.rejuvenation.com/collections/Midcentury_Modern_Lighting.html]Mid-Century”>http://www.rejuvenation.com/collections/Midcentury_Modern_Lighting.html)</p>
<p>jshain, have you looked at Rossmoor? The houses there are very reasonable. Its far from Downtown, but that is a self contained sr. community.</p>
<p>I posted a few pages back about our buyer and a friend wanting to come over (to look around again) on the weekend…while we were still there…awkward…and wondering what was so important that he couldn’t wait until closing. </p>
<p>We close this Thursday. Today I got an email from our realtor saying the buyer, his realtor and his painter want to “visit the home” tomorrow (Tues) at noon. Are you kidding? We close on Thurs. Can’t they wait til then to bring in the painter?
We just painted the entire house a neutral beige color last Aug. for sale purposes !</p>
<p>So as not to upset the apple cart, I replied that he could come over but that we had fully vacated the house,cleaned all carpets,moved the lawn and did not intend to return so if any damages should occur while they are there, it’s their responsibility.</p>
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<p>I’m old enough for Rossmoor, artlover, but we wanted a single family home with a yard. The HOA’s at Rossmoor are also kind of steep. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m trying to get my folks to move there from their house in Moraga, but to no avail.</p>
<p>^^ Actually, I did visited several SFRs in Rossmoor, the SFRs have a small Yard and they were REO’s. Yes, the HOA’s are steep, but you get the benefits. In addition, the price of the house do compensate for the high HOA.</p>
<p>Its not for me, as they require owner occupancy and I am an investor.</p>
<p>splashmom, Wow… Is that in TN? A few months back I was offered 10 Single Family Houses in Memphis for less than $100K, and they were all rented,. Cash flow from the properties is fantastic. But I did not want to be bothered out of state.</p>
<p>I guess you must be in a different city, different location…</p>
<p>
Yes, we are in Middle Tennessee which is approximately 200 miles from Memphis. There are currently four houses in the neighborhood on the market, two of which are on either side of us and one across the street. DH and I joke that we’re running everyone off. The current sales prices of those four houses range from $275k - $320k. The one that sold in 28 hours is the cheapest of the four and that’s $36k more than they paid for it seven years ago when it was in foreclosure. It does seem that sales have picked up around here recently so I hope that’s indicative of the market in general. Fingers crossed for all of you who have houses on the market!</p>
<p>It’s interesting to hear that home sales have picked up in some (many?) parts of the country. Here in central, suburban CT the only sales are families buying larger houses cheap and selling their existing house at a bargain price. That strategy really works here, as the market for anything over $400K is essentially nil. For those who want a $675K home for $450K, this is the place! The Probate Court ordered a new Competitive Market Analysis for my Mom’s house. The first line of the Realtor’s report read “There are no comparable sales.” I’m hoping the recent enthusiasm in NYC suburbs works it’s way northeast … and soon!</p>
<p>NewHope, my mother lives in Fairfield County, and reports that houses in her neighborhood seem to be selling quite briskly. The prices don’t reek of fire sale, although I’m sure they are not at the high of several years ago. Much depends on when one purchased the house, I suppose.</p>
<p>Rural area of Maryland</p>
<p>^^ So what do suppose this house would sell for if located in Greenwich? 13 Rooms, very desirable neighborhood, $800K of recent upgrades!</p>
<p>[Moving</a> Out: Former UTC Executive’s House In Nod Road Area, Avon - Courant.com](<a href=“http://www.courant.com/business/real-estate/when-the-brown-family-bought-the-13-room-colonial-20120421,0,5596180.story]Moving”>http://www.courant.com/business/real-estate/when-the-brown-family-bought-the-13-room-colonial-20120421,0,5596180.story)</p>
<p>According to the latest Case-Schiller survey, the residential real estate market is still in the dumpster. Look for new lows within the next three years. </p>
<p>In other words, it ain’t over yet, folks.</p>
<p>[Home</a> prices hit new post-bubble lows - Apr. 24, 2012](<a href=“Home prices lowest since 2002 - Apr. 24, 2012”>Home prices lowest since 2002 - Apr. 24, 2012)</p>
<p>A 17% decline in year-over-year sales prices in Atlanta? It is good to see that home prices are rising in a few places.</p>
<p>The 10 days of indoor painting turned into 12. As the painter and realtor were discussing pushing it to 14, I asked what was taking so long. Why couldn’t he get the full crew here and finish it. My realtor patiently explained that he was working several jobs with several crews and juggling to get things done. I said “So, you are telling me he is working on places where someone complained louder than me? I can fix that.” The house was finished in twelve days, and my nomadic family was allowed to come home.</p>
<p>Yes, the house is all done in whatever beige color insides are done around here. It looks very nice. Some of the rooms look better than what I would have guessed. But if I were buying this house, I would repaint some of the rooms. So I can see the people wanting to bring in their painter so they can get it painted before they move in.</p>
<p>The plus side is, though the house looks nicer, it doesn’t make me want to stay.</p>
<p>“So, you are telling me he is working on places where someone complained louder than me? I can fix that.”</p>
<p>Love it. Love, love love it. And good for you. This stretching things out by doing a little bit on a whole bunch of jobs makes me nuts.</p>
<p>^^ I only allowed 2 days to paint the inside of my 2500~ vacant house. Acting as a general countractor, I hired 3 painters by the hour and they did a great job. Total 30 man hours. The outside took much longer.</p>