The Tall Tales of Trulia

I’m fine with there being a lot of ways folks can get their info out there for real estate- what I try and warn them about though is in this day and age, with things flying fast, furious and low to the ground, there is the definite potential for misinformation to be out and about.

I am referring to Trulia and a number of other sites and the oft increasing number of items posted that are either somewhat or wholly in error, posing as fact.

One such example would be under my profile in Trulia, they show me as having a listing in Colorado. This would be great, except I’m not licensed in Colorado and I’ve never seen the house they say I have listed.

Another example would be Trulia claiming a house to be listed as a foreclosure, showing a price… but then not giving a phone number and insisting that buyers sign up for their “RealtyTrac” service, which claims it has the info they need. The only problem here is the property is not for sale, they have no representation through Trulia and the “insider” info Trulia is offering is the same thing anyone can get from the County Assessor’s page.

Long story short, if you want to know what’s going on in the market, call a Realtor. We have access to the actual MLS, which is going to categorically have more background than any website out there– and be a lot better at protecting your interests. I can be reached at 573-289-3773- have a great day!

What Buyers Want

My title is a little misleading. There’s no way I could possibly know what all buyers are after in their future homes- but I do know one baseline request that has come up a lot in tours lately and thought I would share: TREES.

Believe it or not, 95% of the buyers I tour with actually don’t like the idea of looking at the back of their neighbors house ie a ranch walkout backing to another ranch walkout. Worse yet is a slab looking UP to a ranch walkout. Something about desiring privacy, I understand.

A lot of developers make the decision to utterly clear out the land in their developments, then build their homes. Some cite utilities needing to be installed and so on. I am beginning to suggest to developers leaving a 10′ buffer of trees between lots at the back end. One lot could give up 5 feet of depth and so could the other to be green space

The point here is not necessarily to just hug trees (although that’s getting a lot more relevant), but to sell homes, people want the privacy. The stress of a day does not melt away watching the neighbor’s young use your dogs for dodgeball practice in your backyard.

The point is also re-sale. Look at days on the market for homes backing to trees versus not. Look at how fast the lots in a starting subdivision with trees behind them move versus those without.

I’m encouraging developers to do this because everybody wins (and frankly makes my job easier )

You have to appreciate when renovation is done right- built in the 1920s, check this one out at 306 E. Walnut in Boonville, listed for 89900!

TOP SECRET

At least it feels like this home is a top secret- just a bit more out in the country that it escapes the attention of a lot of the search engines, but WOW- if you ever wanted a fast commute, acreage, nearly new I really don’t know how you could do better- This home has been listed by me for a bit and it’s amazing it’s not gone yet- just across the Missouri River from Rocheport, just south of the Budweiser Clydesdale farm and Peachtree Farm- on FIVE acres– and for $239,000!!

What’s new construction doing in Columbia MO?

Here are the numbers right here, including all new construction, under construction and homes one day to five years old- all of these are under contract right now, waiting to close.

http://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/mainmenu.cgi?cmd=url+other/run_public_link.html&public_link_tech_id=ub2xxgtb6a6&s=4&c

I suppose you can read news reports, but I tend to prefer to look at the actual numbers before I decide what’s what- hope the day is being good to you!

 

 

 

 

 

“Three hundred thousand you say…”

So I’m out showing property today and we pull into the driveway for the next home to see. We’re looking at higher end homes in the country, so there’s a bit of driving involved to get to one property from the next. The client is already a bit tired. We are pulling up towards the house and what is waiting for us?

This guy ( or one who looks a lot like him), a pile of brush taller than me, trucks, other various barn animals and whatever equipment got left on the ground. The price? Over $300,000.

Your home is your own and I know very well mine can’t always (if ever) be showroom clean. But believe me, clean sells and crud sits. That is never more true than in the higher price ranges for here in and around Columbia.

 

The building continues in Monterey with Advanced Millennium Builders

Columbia, Missouri is looking forward to another great new construction home, now on the way in Monterey Hills subdivision from Advanced Millennium Builders – here’s the tour for you of the latest development!