If you live in the Henry /Hancock /Madison /Rush /Wayne County area, you have probably noticed a trend in how quickly homes are selling. Since 2017 the housing market has made a 10% spike, and homes in this region are selling almost as soon as they are listed.

What does this mean for sellers? Now is the perfect time to work with an ERA real estate broker and find your dream home! Before saying goodbye to your current property though, there’s a few things to keep in mind:

Move-in ready homes sell quicker. Buyers want a home they can envision themselves living in. The best way to do so? Make your home look inviting. Give the walls a fresh coat of paint, deep clean, and declutter. These are inexpensive ways to increase your price while also making it more appealing to buyers.

“Think about what you would look for as a buyer. Are you good at looking past clutter?” Jody Mitchell, Associate Broker explains. “If you are unable to see past it, don’t expect your buyer to be able to. Most people can’t separate the stuff.”

Don’t overlook the obvious. Remember to mow the lawn consistently when you are showing your house. Keep your plants watered and your driveway looking neat and tidy. If you keep furniture or décor on your front porch, be sure it is not overwhelming or distractive for the buyer.

Selling a home can be exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. At ERA Integrity, we will help you navigate the process and keep it as relaxed as possible. Give us a call at 765-529-2211 to begin your new home adventure.

Selling your home is more than just packing your belongings into a moving van and sticking a “For Sale” sign in your yard. When you begin the selling process, you might run into terms and procedures that seem like a foreign language. One of those procedures is a market analysis, which is essential for determining the market value of the property you are selling. Don’t worry, you do not have to figure this out on your own. This is something a Realtor will do for you!

What is a market analysis? A market analysis is a study of the current market value of homes or properties that are very similar to yours. A market analysis will answer questions like: What have homes like mine sold for recently? At what price are home like mine sitting stagnant on the market? When you start thinking about selling your home, one of your first steps is getting a market analysis by a qualified, licensed Realtor. This will give you an idea of what your home is worth in the current market. This is important because the market is constantly changing!

What does getting a market analysis involve? When you decide you would like to see what you could get out of your home, a Realtor will make an appointment to do a “Walk Through.” This is what we call it when we come to your house for a 10-15 minute appointment and look around. This is NOT a formal meeting that you need to spend weeks cleaning and preparing your house for. In fact, before you spend a lot of time and/or money on your home, it is a good idea to have a Realtor walk through to give you guidance on where you should focus your time and money. This first appointment is a quick meeting at your property where the Realtor will ask you to show them around. Your agent will be looking for condition of the home, updates, features that will add value, as well as red flags and easy fixes that could potentially net you more money and less time on the market! This will help your Realtor compare your house to others on the market to get an accurate market value. At this appointment, the Realtor should NOT give you the market value of your home. It is important that the agent be able to take the information you have shared and thoughtfully and purposefully research home prices that would result in a quick sale that will net you the most money possible. So be patient with your Realtor when they do not give you a price point right away, they are not stringing you along, they are doing their due diligence!

Are you ready to sell your property and need a market analysis? Come see us at ERA Integrity. We can perform a market analysis at no cost or obligation to you. We have Realtors that will help you find the right buyer for your property. For more information, give us a call at 765-529-2211.

Whether you’re looking to buy a home, sell your current home, or just simply interested in real estate trends- you need to know what’s happening in the housing market. Luckily, since 2017 the housing market has made a 10% jump, meaning now is the PERFECT time to sell or buy a home.

You’ve probably noticed that houses in this region are selling almost as soon as they post for sale. This is due to very low inventories of homes for sale, especially in specific price ranges. The current home inventory supply is 3.1 months, according to the Indiana Association of Realtors, while a balanced market has a 6-month supply.

What does this mean for you? If you want to sell your home, now is the time. Housing prices are strong, and houses are selling quickly and providing profits for home sellers.

ERA Integrity Broker/Owner Susan Falck-Neal has advice for anyone who’s looking to sell their home. “Homes that are move-in ready tend to sell more quickly and for more money. Buyers are hard on homes that need work and updating. Clean, paint, and declutter when getting a home ready to sell. These are inexpensive ways to increase a seller’s bottom line.”

As a buyer, what should you expect with the current housing market? Be ready to pay the asking price for a home you really love but be careful to not bid more than the home is worth. Call on a well-experienced broker or a broker who is part of a strong team to aid you in the buying process. This will ensure you won’t overspend, but still end up with a home you want. You will also want to get pre-approved through a lender so that when the right house comes available, you are ready to go in this fast-paced market.

ERA Integrity broker Louise Thompson encourages buyers to look at a variety of financing options. “We have great financing options in our area. Options range from traditional conventional loans, loans that can allow for home improvements to be financed in with a mortgage, and low- and no-money-down mortgages which is especially good news for current renters and first-time home buyers who thought they may never be able to own a home.”

Buying and selling a home in a fast-moving housing market can be exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. At ERA Integrity, we will help you navigate the process and keep it as relaxed as possible. Give us a call at 765-529-2211 to begin your home journey.