Archive April 2012
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Homes for Sale in Cross Gates
Cross Gates Subdivision in Slidell, Louisiana is sought after by many for it's excellent school districts, custom homes, larger lots and mostly flood zone C
Click link below for a complete list of properties currently for sale in Cross Gates:
My website is updated daily so you won't miss a thing!
As always feel free to contact me to introduce yourself. Let's get acquainted and see how I can be of assistance to you!
I'm an active Buyers Agent as well as Listing Agent and the Broker/Owner of Smith Realty Group.
Happy House Hunting,
-Karin :)
How Much Should I Offer Below List Price?
The million dollar question! You've spend the last three weeks looking at homes, narrowing them down to two or three of your favorites and going on second viewings of your top three. You are now ready to make an offer on the one you want to call your own. This is when the million dollar question arises,"How much below list price should I offer?"
Let me start by mentioning real estate is local, the answer to this question is based on market trends for the local area in which you are shopping. This being said, I'm focusing my answer on our local market, Slidell, Louisiana and the Northshore.
Motivated sellers aren't listing their homes, going through the motions of keeping it in showroom condition and accepting the fact that 'strangers' are viewing their properties on a regular basis just for the fun of it. They are doing this because they have a motive... to sell their house. Therefore, they know in order to receive an acceptable offer, they have to have showings.
How do they get these 'showings' you say? For starters, by listing the property at an attractive price, a price in which an educated buyer will use to compare many properties listed in a particular price range to determine which property will give them the most bang for their buck!
Now, think back to the beginning stages of this process. You consulted with your buyers agent to discuss with them your mission. You had 'must haves,' 'nice to haves,' and 'absolutely must-not haves.' And.... you had a price range. Your agent went to work, searching for and selecting the cream of the crop, the properties that best met your criteria AND your price range. You viewed them all, compared them apples to apples and have now selected the property that most fits your needs AND your budget. This was not random, this was work and effort on your part to become an educated buyer, you weighed out your options and you made a decision.
Now, on the other side of the table there is a seller who through his agent did the same thing. There was a reason you selected this home ... in addition to the fact it suited your needs cosmetically ... it was also priced right!
So, back to our question... "How much should I offer below list price?"
For the past 4 years the median list price- vs - sold price in our area has hovered just at 96.4%. = 3.6% off of list price. This answers the question "How much can I realistically buy this house for?" How much you should offer, on the other hand, depends on whether or not there are other buyers eying the same property.
If you aren't risking a multiple offer situation and you you prefer to play the game just to see if seller will go lower, offering 6-7% below list price will usually get a response. Seller may go ahead and accept it because it is only a few percent less than they anticipated or you more than likely will end up with a counter offer from seller of 3-4% off of list price.
If, on the other hand, the house has shown multiple times in the last week, you may want to rethink your initial offer. Keep in mind another potential buyer may very well make their initial offer at 3-4% below and win the bid.
So, there you have it. You can usually expect seller to accept 3.6% off of list price in our market based on local market statistics.
As always, feel free to Contact Me to introduce yourself! Let's get acquainted and see how I can be of assistance to you!
I'm an active Buyers Agent as well as Listing Agent and the Broker/Owner of Smith Realty Group.
Happy House Hunting,
-Karin :)
4/23/12 - Waterfront Homes For Sale In Eden Isles
There are certain cues that remind us when a season has officially begun. The smell of crawfish boiling, our lawns turning green (and demanding our weekly attention) and the much anticipated arrival of the Jazz Fest schedule are sure indicators that spring has sprung in Louisiana! Additionally for me, I know it's officially springtime when waterfront buyers start contacting me to let me know they are ready for me to take them shopping!
What an exciting time for me: I love spring, I love shopping and I absolutely LOVE selling waterfront properties!
So, to kick this off correctly for 2012, I've added a new category for the "Kitchen Sink- Smith's Blog" WATERFRONT!
This week I'm featuring Eden Isles Subdivision.
Eden Isles Subdivision is located in Slidell, Louisiana. It is a residential waterfront community with easy access to the interstate 10 by car and just minutes away from Lake Pontchartrain by boat!
Imagine coming home after a long day at work and boarding your boat as it awaits you in your own backyard! There's nothing quite like a sunset cruise to ease the stress of the day! Pack a picnic, drop an anchor and have dinner on board. Or, if you'd prefer, head out to one of our awesome restaurants along the water for a quick bite!
Weekends will never be the same again when you can leave your car parked and spend the days with family and friends enjoying your own backyard oasis overlooking the water. Meanwhile, your boat is lifted and just waiting for you to jump on in!
Eden Isles - it's not just a community, it's a Lifestyle!
Ready to take a look at what's available and begin compiling your shopping list? Click below for all properties for sale in Eden Isles subdivision. My site is updated daily, so you won't miss a thing! Take a look, jot them down.. and give me a call. Spring has sprung and I stand ready to take you shopping!
All Homes for Sale in Eden Isles
Talk soon!
- Karin
Smith's Pick 4/21/12 ** Waterfront Home with Inground Swimming Pool in Gated Mariners Cove of Oak Harbor **
105 Lighthouse Point, Slidell, La. 70458
This one is a must see in sought after Mariners Cove of Oak Harbor.It's not often a home will become available for sale in this prestigious gated subdivision offering custom built waterfront homes on navigable canals leading to Lake Pontchartrain.
This 3600 square foot, 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home is listed at $545,000 / $151. per square foot!
It features a lovely in ground swimming pool overlooking the waterway, a chefs dream kitchen with beautiful granite stone and a large luxurious master suite with it's own private fireplace!
Click below to check it out and give me a call to schedule your tour!
105 Lighthouse Point, Slidell, La. 70458
This listing is courtesy of Gardner Realtors. Smith Realty Group would represent the buyer in this transaction and is offering this listing info as a courtesy to our buyer clients.
Navigable Waterfront with Inground Swimming Pool under $250K!
** Update 4/24/12 - Under Contract **
199 Moonraker, Slidell, La. 70458. Eden Isles Subdivision.
I'm super excited about this lovely home for sale in Eden Isles Subdivision! Those who know me certainly know my passion for selling waterfront properties. Today I'd like to introduce you to this Hot Property!
This home is located on a navigable canal leading to Lake Pontchartrain, it features an in ground swimming pool and is listed for $245,000! Yep, you read that right, Waterfront AND an Inground Swimming Pool all for under $250,000!
Click below to check it out and give me a call to schedule your tour!
199 Moonraker, Slidell, La. 70458
This listing is courtesy of ABEK Real Estate. Smith Realty Group would represent the buyer in this transaction and offers this listing information as a courtesy to our buyer clients.
