Guilty Party or Victim of the System?

The lending environment is tighter than ever right now. Well at least much, much, and super much tighter than recent years. In fact FHA loans have become back in style because they are pretty much the lowest down payment loans available now. Sure, don't get me wrong, there are always some unique programs out there that may or may not work for people. However I'm speaking in generalities right now. And right now loans are harder to get.
Well one of the market areas, or sub-markets, of the real estate market that is affected even more so by these changes is the condominium market (lovingly referred to as condos). FHA has an Approved condo list in every area. Many areas have few to even fewer approved communities on this list though. Why is that? I don't know. It may have something to do with the developer when the community was created/converted. Or it may have something to do with the FHA not being pro-active in getting communities involved. I have no idea, and don't claim to know why these lists are so bare. However, it doesn't change the fact that there are so few communities on these "approved" list.
Not being on the "approved" list means that it is harder, if at all possible to get that increasingly popular and increasingly necessary FHA loan through. This is now the loan of choice and necessity for first time buyers. And in our area a first time buyer buys a condo. This is a Catch-22 that must be addressed. But by who, and how.....?

Asking Prices don't mean a lot

I've been in communication yesterday and today with a couple of possible sellers. They would like to sell, but are afraid of the market. Heck, who can blame them, it's tough when you need to sell in a down market.

However, in order to be me, and do my job the way I believe I should. I have to do something not everyone is doing. I have to do something a lot of people are afraid to do. It's very important though. I have to tell the truth. Whoa! That was a revelation. It may come as a shock, but some people and even some real estate agents aren't telling the truth. I'm not saying they're lying, but with the listing prices we're seeing people definately aren't getting an honest look at what homes are selling for, and will most likely sell for in the near future.

Ah, what do I know, it's probably those darn sellers being stubborn. They can do that sometimes. I have seen too many sellers that are setting asking prices based on their debt load. It must be the sellers. I can check the tax record, and see what they paid. When that figure isn't far from what they're asking, and yet the market price (most recent closed sales in the neighborhood) are averaging significantly lower, what else could the rationale be?

I know everyone wants to make as much money as possible, or for that matter lose as little as possible. We all have to realize, and I mean you, me, any other sellers or agents, basically everyone, that not a one of us controls the market. We can control what we do in relation to the market, such as pricing our homes to sell or not sell (when pricing unrealistically too high). We have entire control over what price we ask, and whether or not that will incite people to visit the property and make offers.

When working for a seller, as I do work for both buyers and sellers (but never at the same time - that' s a discussion on dual agency for another time), I always do my best to get my seller the most money possible within the realm of the terms that are most important to them.
That said, before and during the listing period, I will always tell the truth. Sometimes it's easy to swallow, sometimes it's not.

2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom, Chandler, for RENT

One of the most desired floor plans, the Chandler, is now available for rent. This top floor 2 bedroom 2 bathroom model has a good separation of space. There is a dining area off the kitchen. And the kitchen itself is well proportioned. Plus the home has lots of windows and good natural light. There's also a nice long deck for relaxing. And being the top floor, no one is above you! There are wood floors in the living areas, and carpet in the bedrooms. This great home comes with 2 assigned parking spaces.

Vital Information:

- 2 Bedrooms

- 2 Bathrooms

- 2 Assigned Parking spaces

- Top Floor!

- Washer + Dryer in Home

- Pets Allowed

- $1750/month

Contact me for more information:





Jeff Wu


Weichert, Realtors


703-938-6070 x198


Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com


Equal Housing Opportunity

2008 August Sales Stats

See the August statistics below:

1 home SOLD in August at The Gates of McLean

- ZERO 1 Bedrooms

- One 2 Bedroom
--> SOLD Price = $25,000
--> Subsidy = $0
--> Model SOLD = Dalton

- ZERO 3 Bedrooms

RENTALS: 7 homes RENTED in the month of August

- Two 1 Bedrooms
--> High RENTED Price = $1400/month
--> Low RENTED Price = $1300/month
--> Average RENTED Price = $1350/month

- Three 2 Bedrooms
--> High RENTED Price = $1800/month
--> Low RENTED Price = $1600/month
--> Average RENTED Price = $1725/month

- One 3 Bedroom
--> RENTED Price = $2000/month

CLICK HERE --> For more Stats and Downloadable Gates of McLean information

Information gathered from the MRIS. Information is deemed reliable, but not accurate.