OPEN HOUSE This Sunday, March 6, 2010

March 3rd, 2010

I hope you’ll stop by my Open House this Sunday to tour 24 Wilton Court, Wellesley, Washington, WV

Priced at $179,900 this 3BR/2.5 Bath Ranch provides easy one floor living with all you need on one floor: there’s living/dining rooms, first floor family room w/gas log fireplace

Master BR is separate from the other two bedrooms;  there’s a lovely kitchen w/island and if you need storage there is a finished basement storage room and lovely large basement recreation room.

Take a look here:

Hope to see you Sunday!

Kay Munchmeyer

New Secondary Market Program from WVHousing!

February 2nd, 2010

Just in time for Move-Up or Down Buyers to find a home before April 20, 2010, WV Housing is offering an attractive program which is NOT restricted to first-time homebuyers or income limits. It does offer competitive interest rates with as little as 3% required for down payment. Applicants may also qualify for the Home Ownership Assistance Loan to help defray down payment and closing costs.

Loan Terms

This program offers 10, 15, 20, or 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans. Up to 97% of the sales price of the home can be financed, requiring only 3% down payment. Loans insured with USDA Rural Housing can be financed up to 100%. The maximum loan amount under this program is $417,000.

Eligible Borrowers

The program is open to all income levels and does not have a first-time homebuyer requirement.

Eligible Properties

The property must be located in the stateof West Virginia. Eligible properties include single, detached, existing, stick-built or modular homes; duplex, townhouse or condominium units; and new and used double-wide mobile/manufactured homes. (Single-wide mobile homes are not eligible.) This program includes loans to refinance, purchase, second homes or investment properties.

Mortgage Insurance

All loans than exceed 80% of the value of the home must be insured by either a private mortgage insurance company or by USDA Rural Development.

Counseling

All applicants that receive a loan higher than 95% (escept loans insured by USDA) of the value of the home must complete a home buyer education course.

Home Ownership Assistance Program

Down payment and closing cost assistance loans are available to homebuyers to reduce the amount of upfront money needed to purchase a home if they qualify.

For more information about this program, give me a call or contact their web site at www.wvhdf.com

This is a welcome entry into the mortgage market this year!

Kay Munchmeyer

 

 

 

As of February 1, 2010, th

New Listing: 27 Westwood Dr., Parkersburg

January 13th, 2010

Take a look at this new executive home on .59 acres in desirable Westwood Subdivision. It features 5Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, 3-car garage, full basement with finished L-shaped Rec Room.

PhotoStoryWestwod2

Move-up buyers need to find a house by April 30, 2010 to get their $6500 tax credit.

Kay Munchmeyer

New Listing at 1421 Boulevard Dr., Belpre, Ohio

January 9th, 2010

If you need a Brick Ranch on a level lot with 4 Bedrooms and 2.5 Baths, take a look at this new listing in Belpre’s great neighborhood of Boulevard Sands. It listed at $239,900 and is beautifully maintained as you’ll see:

PhotoStory2Boulevard

Kay Munchmeyer

Mid-Ohio Valley Multiple Listing Service 2009 Market Statistics

January 9th, 2010

2009 has come and gone and hopefully 2010 will be a better year for real estate here. The stimulus package for first-time buyers and move-up buyers through the end of April should make the first quarter look better.

Our market for December was UP again over the same month last year by 13.1%, our third increase in sales in as many months. With that increase in sales we’re now only down 9% in terms of units sold and 16.7% in total volume sales price for 2009.

It appears that the $8000 stimulus package has certainly been a stimulus for first-time buyers here, since 55% of our sales were under $100,000 while only 49% were under $100,000 last year.

Sales in Wood and Washington Counties which are down 6.4% and 8.9% over last year are 86% of our Multiple Listing Service sales.

Most of our areas continued to have fewer sales in 2009 over 2008 but we have had 3 areas which have improved the numbers of sales over last year: Mineral Wells/Slate, South Parkersburg and Boaz/Williamstown have increased sales over last year by 19.4%, 5.3% and 4.3% respectively.

The decreases in sales is spread fairly equally over the areas with Warren/Barlow/Little Hocking and Union/Williams down 18%, Vienna down 16.8% and the remaining fewer sales being down single digits.

With regard to price ranges of sold homes, the only area that increased sales over last year was the price range of $60,000-$100,000 which was up 5.2%. Every price range over $100,000 had fewer sales than last year.

With regard to our average days on the market, it takes 145 days to market a home compared to an average of 139 days last year.

The median sales price or our board area is $92,900, down 8.5% from last year while our average sales price is $112,297 also down 8.5% over last year.

The extension of the stimulus package through April 2010 and especially the addition of the credit for move-up buyers may change these numbers in the next few months bringing some activity in the higher price ranges. This may be the opportunity some sellers have needed.

Kay Munchmeyer

iPhone Users Search for Homes

December 19th, 2009

If you would like to search for local listings away from your computer on your

iPhone, you can find an available APP which is great for local home searching.

The APP will let you use your current location or you can enter code, 4714, which will take you to our local area.

In order to install the iPhone application, iPhone users will need to download the app, myAgent IDX , application from the iTunes App Store; the App is free.

When you enter the code number 4714 it will display our MLS areas to search. Once you’ve entered the code, it will be stored and you won’t have to remember it or enter it again.

On the map you’ll see red houses representing local listings by map, hybrid, list or you can filter just what you want.

If you’re out driving around and spot a listing, you’ll be able to get the price, bedrooms, bath, a write-up about the listing and see any available pictures. It gives you all the information at your fingertips.

My phone number and email address will be there if you have any questions.

Now, how can you ask for more?

Happy Hunting!

Kay Munchmeyer

Coldwell Banker Landmark, Realtors

Don Dooley, Broker

The Clock Is Ticking!

December 8th, 2009

Time is Flying! j0300521

The Homeowners Tax Credit is a powerful incentive to get you as a first-time buyer or you as a move-up buyer–

Moving

First time buyers who desire to have their own property to decorate and care for as they wish, who wish to save tax money on mortgage interest and property taxes, who are tired of paying rent and want that rental money to grow equity in their own home, have a powerful incentive to make that move. You have some time.

Move-up buyers who are seeking more or less room for family, who are facing retirement to a new location or who want one-level living, those who desire lower utility bills & maintenance costs, those who need to sell in order to buy to use the tax credit bonanza need to see the clock is ticking.

The new tax credit is available where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010 and completed by June 30, 2010.

The average marketing time in our area is 148 days—that’s nearly 5 months. So if you’re selling, it is time to get going!

Sellers need to know that buyers choose the “best” home their $ will buy, in the best condition with the least amount of work to be done, and priced to reflect the marketplace.

So painting and de-cluttering are a must. A good market evaluation is a must.

If you need advice on preparing your house for sale, I have showcasing ideas I can share with you that should decrease that time. I can provide you with a competitive market analysis to help you with pricing. My marketing plan will decrease marketing time by providing maximum exposure to your house. So email me and let’s set up an appointment to get together soon!

Kay Munchmeyer

Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?

December 4th, 2009

December has arrived and we’re faced with the annual dilemma-How can I possibly continue to have my house on the market in showing condition over the holidays?

I’ve been there! School plays, programs with extra practices, parades, parties, concerts and much more.

I understand why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. In addition, buyers are also busy so there may not be many showings. Sometimes it’s better to make a new start in January.

But not so fast. There are some reasons this is a bad idea.

  1. The house isn’t going to sell if it’s off the market.
  2. People often take off work during the season and can look together
  3. Buyers who are actively looking are serious.
  4. If you’re a turn-around buyer, sellers are more price negotiable, anxious to sell before the winter months
  5. Relocating families don’t choose when they move & many are moved early in the year so they need to start shopping. I remember negotiating a contract at my New Year’s Eve party.
  6. Homes show especially well decorated with the glow of holiday decorations
  7. Additionally, terms can be negotiated to suit your needs
  8. Very Important this year: The Stimulus Package that allows move-up buyers to get a $6500 tax credit for selling and buying and $8000 credit for first-time buyers. Having the house available when this extra traffic is looking and when other available houses for sale are off the market, seems very smart to me. Our Multiple Listing Service had 927 homes for sale December 1st , which is considerably less than the Spring Market volume.

So Yes, Virginia! You should keep marketing your home!

New York Times Travel Section Features Marietta, Ohio

November 11th, 2009

The article in the Travel section of the New York Times on November 06, 2009 wonderfully captures the essence of Marietta’s historic past and present. It makes the traveler want to come and the current resident to re-visit the historic museums, the quiet Mound Cemetery, ride the Rivertrail Bike and Pedestrian Path, take a ride on the Valley Gem and enjoy the past and all it can teach us today.

If you missed the article, click here, and enjoy again all Marietta, Ohio has to offer.

Kay Munchmeyer

Homebuyer Tax Credit is Law–What now?

November 7th, 2009

For those First-Time Buyers among you and for those Move-Up Buyers among you, the National Association of Realtors has provided this information to explain the new law. I hope it answers all your questions. If not, give me a call!

Kay Munchmeyer