By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC.

Associate Broker, Baer & Macintosh Realty, Nyack, NY

 Someone said to me yesterday, “I’m not putting my house on the market now. Nothing’s selling in Rockland County!”  This was after the recent New York State Association of Realtors report announced lower July home sales. According to the report, the sale of existing homes fell nearly 37 percent in the Lower Hudson Valley in July. Although lower than the national average, it was at least better than the statewide drop of 50 percent.

 Personally, I’ve had an outstanding couple of months: closings on properties in Rockland and Orange Counties since June, more under contract for September and October, and a really nice collection of homes in Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties that I’ve listed that I know will sell.

 I guess I can see how someone might come to that conclusion. Recent news that housing sales in not only in Rockland County but nationwide went down last month, sent a shiver through wall street and got the talking heads rambling on about a double-dip recession.

 Economists blamed it on the end of the government’s stimulus package for home buyers – that everybody who was going to buy did so before the program ended in June. They say it sucked buyers into June like a vacuum cleaner sucks dust bunnies and left July hanging on the line.

 To that I say, “So what?” This is still a good time to sell!

 For one thing, interest rates are a lifetime low, as evidenced by the recent announcement of reduced “jumbo” loan rates for buyers of homes over $415,000. Buyers can get much more home for their mortgage dollar. We’re also seeing more qualified buyers, because banks have tightened loan requirements, we see many more buyers offering larger down payments to secure financing. I’ve even seen more cash deals than ever – we had 60 in Rockland County in July. I just closed a 1.3 million deal where the buyer bought with cash. Who needs banks!

 The point is, there seems to be a lot of unnecessary hysteria out there about selling a home right now. True, you won’t get the crazy money from the 2007 days. But you can still sell a home at a good price. Several of my sales over the last few months had bidding wars between motivated buyers reaping over listing price sales, even as much as $45,000 above asking price!

 The secrets to selling that homeowners need to know are marketing your home effectively, pricing it aggressively not by “giving it away”, but by doing the math to know that the property will appraise, then by using every tool in your Realtor’s tool box to bring in buyers. Don’t be discouraged by one month’s sales figures. There are buyers out there! I talk to them everyday! People move every month! More and more buyers are interested in Rockland and Orange Counties because of their proximity to New York City their affordable prices! Many corporations are moving personnel to this area. Several firms are in the midst of major relocations and their executives are looking hard at Rockland as it still offers great value, wonderful schools and lifestyle. For long term investments too, Rockland has got to be a good bet. With the Tappan Zee bridge expansion and the new rail link to the city going ahead prices and popularity will soar. If you haven’t seen buyers and you are on the market, then something is sadly wrong. It’s typically the price, sometimes condition and poor marketing. With a huge inventory that’s competing against you, all 3 need to be correct to make a sale.

 My advice to sellers, if you’re retiring, or moving to another job, or have other personal circumstances that say it’s time to sell, then go ahead. Buyers can see the value, if the value’s there.  

 Want to know if your home would sell? Call me for a confidential and candid evaluation; Call 845 598 5083.