Real Estate and *stuff *

Real Estate and *stuff *

A real person helping real people with real estate

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Best Day of the Year to Buy a Home

September 11, 2015

buying-a-new-home1Mark Oct. 8 in your calendar. That’s the best date to close on a home at a bargain price, according to a new study by RealtyTrac.

On average, buyers have purchased 10.8 percent below estimated market value on this date for the last 15 years, the study shows. The next best buying dates for house hunters are Nov. 26 (10.1 percent below market value); Dec. 31 (9.7 percent); Oct. 22 (9.6 percent); and Oct. 15 (9.1 percent). RealtyTrac analyzed more than 32 million sales of single-family homes and condos to come up with the data.

Overall, October offered the most promise for bargain hunters. Over the last 15 years, the 2.7 million sales that have closed in October carried an average sales price 2.6 percent below the average estimated full market value at the time of sale. After October, the best deals are in February, July, December, and January.

Meanwhile, the worst month of the year to buy a home — but the best to sell — is April. On average, buyers who purchased in April over the last 15 years bought their home at a premium of 1.2 percent above estimated market value at the time of sale.

The study also found the best weekday to buy a home is on a Monday. Of 5.5 million single-family home and condo sales in the past 15 years that closed on a Monday, buyers saw an average discount of 2.3 percent below full estimated market value at the time of sale. Friday is the next best weekday, with buyers seeing an average discount of 2 percent.

Thursday, on the other hand, was found to be the worst day of the week to buy, with a 1 percent average discount.

By date, RealtyTrac found that the worst days of the year to close on a home purchase were Jan. 19 (buyers paid an average 9.6 percent premium above estimated market value); Feb. 16 (9.5 percent); April 20 (9.5 percent); April 6 (8.4 percent); and April 27 (8.2 percent).

Source: RealtyTrac

June 17, 2011

July is coming…the sun is out and many of us are taking vacations.  Make sure it’s a great one and that your house is secure!  Conduct a do-it-yourself home security check by walking around your house to assess what needs to be done to reduce the risk of a break-in.

1. Keep your home well-maintained on the outside

Burglars want an easy target. Stand on the street outside your house and ask yourself: Does my property look neglected, hidden, or uninhabited? A front door or walkway that’s obscured by shrubbery offers crooks the perfect cover they need while they break a door or window. To improve security, trim shrubs away from windows and widen front walks.

2. Install motion detector lights

All sides of your house should be well-lit with motion-activated lighting, not just the front. Simple motion-activated floodlights cost less than $50 each, and installing them is an easy DIY job if the wiring is already in place.

3. Store your valuables

Thieves want easy-to-grab electronics, cash, jewelry, and other valuables, though some are not above running down the street with your flat-screen TV. Most make a beeline for the master bedroom, because that’s where you’re likely to hide spare cash, jewelry, even guns. 

Tour each room and ask yourself: is there anything here that I can move to a safe deposit box? Installing a home safe ($150 to $500) that’s bolted to your basement slab is a good repository for items you don’t use on a daily basis.

4. Secure your data

While you probably won’t be putting your home computer in a safe anytime soon, take steps to back up the personal information stored on it. Password protect your login screen, and always shut off your computer when not in use (you’ll save energy, too!) Don’t overlook irreplaceable items whose value may hard to quantify, like digital photos.

5. Prepare ahead of time in case the worst happens

  • Check that you’re properly insured for theft. Note that high-ticket items in your home office, such as computers, professional camera equipment, or other business essentials, may require an additional rider or a separate policy.