Teresa Dennison Receives New Designation!

Teresa Dennison Receives New “Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE®)” Designation

Professional negotiation skills are a must for all real estate agents helping home buyers and sellers, especially in the current market

Teresa Dennison has been awarded the Certified Negotiation Expert(CNE®)designation by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI).  The CNE® is earned by real estate professionals after successfully completing formal negotiation training from the Real Estate Negotiation Institute.  Agents who receive this certification are in the top 1% of all agents nationally.

With professional negotiation skills, agents are able to help clients obtain better results in the sale or purchase of their home.  CNE® agents have a powerful competitive edge because of their ability to 1) communicate effectively to uncover more information, 2) help clients understand their options, 3) work collaboratively with others, and 4) resolve deadlocks.  CNE® agents have a thorough understanding of how to negotiate effectively to help achieve their client’s goals.

The Real Estate Negotiation Institute is the leading negotiation training and coaching company in the real estate industry.  Tom Hayman, the CEO and Co-Founder of the Real Estate Negotiation Institute, is a professional negotiator with 35+ years of negotiation experience, including 25 years with The Procter and Gamble Company (Fortune 50 company).  Hayman asserts “Any Buyer or Seller who hires a CNE® agent can feel confident they have one of the best trained negotiators in real estate.  They should achieve superior results and have better resolution of all issues when represented by a CNE® agent.”

 

For more information visit www.theRENI.com.

May’s Market Watch

As the temperature rises, so does the real estate market. For the first time in a very long time, positive headlines dominate real estate news sites. Those of us at the Dennison Team are excited for our clients and customers who are making their home buying and selling goals a reality.

With consumer confidence rising, low interest rates, rising rents, and still modest inventory levels, the general consensus with real estate professionals and industry watchers is that this level of activity should continue.

More good news was announced last month when the Federal Housing Finance Agency issued new guidance requiring servicers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans to speed responses to short sale requests. The guidelines will help expedite the short sale process and essentially give an extra boost to the housing market.

Regionally, prices remain somewhat steady. However it is important to note that in some communities, prices are starting to rise along with the temperature. Look to the links below to see what trends are taking place in the communities that most interest you. Real estate is very local and what is reported regionally can vary town-by-town. To know exactly what is happening in your marketplace, contact either Julie or me  to walk you through the graph and share additional insights about your market.

Overall, this activity indicates that buyers are prevalent and are acting on those opportunities where they perceive value. Additionally, the homes that are in good condition are making the most impression. The message to home sellers is very clear; price your home competitively, follow the Dennison team proven marketing plan, and make those improvements to help your home shine.

For those looking to purchase a home, it is important to come prepared with solid financing, be ready to make a purchase decision and most importantly, be honest about the price. For those markets that are moving quickly, a low, unrealistic offer could result in a missed opportunity. Julie Peyton, Buyer’s Agent & a member of The Dennison Team, can walk you step-by-step through the home buying process, and help you identify homes for sale and in the right price range. She can also help you research the markets that interest you and assist with tasks such as writing contracts, negotiating the asking price and closing the transaction.

If you are thinking of placing your home on the market and are not quite sure if it’s the right time for you, call me today.  I will complete a competitive market analysis, review competing homes currently on the market, and will determine the inventory levels specific to your locale and price point.  Now is not the time to wait if you want to list your home.

At Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and on behalf of The Dennison Team, we greatly look forward to the spring selling season and ensuring that all of our clients and customers have an effective plan in place to achieve their real estate goals. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, now is the time. Please call (443) 223-1364.

Links to Market Areas:

Alexandria City

Anne Arundel

Arlington

Baltimore

Baltimore City

Prince George’s

Queen Anne’s

Washington, DC

And the Winner is ……..

Join us this Saturday!!

April Market Watch

It’s A Hot Season

It is a hot spring season here in Annapolis. Not only have temperatures risen, but we are seeing a real increase in showings at open houses, instances of multiple offers on properties, and offers over asking price within weeks and even days. There is positive excitement in the real estate industry right now that is infectious and exhilarating.

Overall, there has been steady interest and demand from entry level and move-up buyers, but we are also seeing more confidence in the high-end market, with some luxury homes going under agreement fairly quickly. In one instance, a condo priced at $1.495 million recently went under contract in under a week. One home in a suburban neighborhood priced in the $400,000s had incredibly heavy attendance at an open house and received an offer the same day.

Look to the links at the below to see if similar trends are happening in the areas that are of most interest to you. You can also contact either Julie or me for exactly what is happening in your community, and the price points that are experiencing the most interest.

So what has changed to cause this kind of stir and excitement that hasn’t been seen in years? In many areas, prices are no longer falling and have remained somewhat steady. Pent-up buyers also recognize that interest rates could go up and for many, lifestyle changes make it imperative to purchase a home. Consumer confidence is growing and inventory levels are still relatively low, compared to years past.

With this level of activity, buyers need to come prepared with solid financing, and be ready to make a quick purchase decision. Despite the misperception, financing is available for qualified buyers. If you are interested in purchasing a home, Julie Peyton, Buyer’s Agent & a member of The Dennison Team, can walk you step-by-step through the home buying process, and help you identify homes for sale and in the right price range. She can also help you research the markets that interest you and assist with tasks such as writing contracts, negotiating the asking price and closing the transaction.

If you are thinking of placing your home on the market and are not quite sure if it’s the right time for you, call me today.  I will complete a competitive market analysis, review competing homes currently on the market, and will determine the inventory levels specific to your locale and price point.  Now is not the time to wait if you want to list your home. There is a window of opportunity here and it is uncertain how long that window will remain open.  Until it closes, let’s keep the fresh spring air flowing in.

At Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and on behalf of The Dennison Team, we greatly look forward to the spring selling season and ensuring that all of our clients and customers have an effective plan in place to achieve their real estate goals. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, now is the time. Please call (443) 223-1364.

Links to Market Areas:

Alexandria City

Anne Arundel

Arlington

Baltimore

Baltimore City

Prince George’s

Queen Anne’s

Washington, DC

March Market Watch

 

A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY OPENS THE SPRING SEASON

With a lackluster winter nearly behind us, spring is definitely in the air.  March is finally here and we are hopeful that this spring selling season will spring like never before.  Already, Julie and I are witnessing some very interesting and advantageous dynamics for home sellers.

Depending upon the region, inventory has dropped from 13 to more than 20 percent compared to the same time last year, and in some communities, it has dropped significantly more.  To determine if the same trend is taking place in your marketplace, look to the links below.

When inventory levels drop, it signifies less competition for the home seller, and limited choice for the buyer. Julie and I know there are buyers currently in the market who have financing, know market values and are prepared to make a purchase decision. They are standing on the sidelines just waiting for their perfect home to enter the market.

For those who want to put their home on the market, but have been hesitant, waiting for prices to increase, or buyers to appear, this could be an incredibly advantageous time to finally make their move. For those who have lived in their home for some time and have built equity, selling this spring could be especially beneficial.

For those homes currently listed, we are seeing movement.  We are also seeing examples of multiple buyers for properties who have entered into bidding wars, ultimately driving the sale price upwards. Bidding wars typically take place when a home is priced competitively.  With limited competition in the market, with a home that is priced accordingly, just imagine the possibilities.

If you are thinking of placing your home on the market and are not quite sure if it’s the right time for you, call me today.  I will complete a competitive market analysis, review competing homes currently on the market, and will determine the inventory levels specific to your locale and price point.  Now is not the time to wait if you want to list your home. There is a window of opportunity here and it is uncertain how long that window will remain open.  Until it closes, let’s keep the fresh spring air flowing in.
If you are a buyer, Julie Peyton, Buyer’s Agent & a member of The Dennison Team, can walk you step-by-step through the home buying process, and help you identify homes for sale and in the right price range. She can also help you research the markets that interest you and assist with tasks such as writing contracts, negotiating the asking price and closing the transaction.

At Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and on behalf of The Dennison Team, we greatly look forward to the spring selling season and ensuring that all of our clients and customers have an effective plan in place to achieve their real estate goals. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, now is the time. Please call (443) 223-1364.

Links to Market Areas:

Alexandria City

Anne Arundel

Arlington

Baltimore

Baltimore City

Prince George’s

Queen Anne’s

Washington, DC

 

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February Market Watch

SPRING IS FAST APPROACHING

It may seem premature to prepare for the spring selling season now, but the reality is spring is just around the corner. Whether you’re thinking of putting your home on the market or planning to buy a home, right now is really the prime time to meet with The Dennison Team to discuss your options.

For home sellers in particular, there is much to prepare for and a sales professional can help you prioritize and establish your plan. A strategic sales and marketing plan is essential to engage active buyers. That plan should include an effective pricing strategy, home presentation suggestions and a comprehensive approach to online marketing.

We will provide you with a competitive market analysis that includes a review of current inventory, recent comparable sales prices and other data to assist you. You can also look to the links below to gauge current market conditions in your area. We will also direct you on how to prepare your home for maximum appeal and ensure your property is featured on the leading real estate websites and portals in the industry.

Nearly 90% of homebuyers start their home search online. At Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, we offer our clients exposure on more than 550 websites, including CBMove.com and coldwellbanker.com. According to Nielsen and comScore Media Metrix, the two global leaders in digital measurement, Coldwell Banker® branded websites had the highest number of unique visitors among all national real estate franchise brands for full-year 2011.

We also have national advertising agreements that prominently enhance the current placement of our property listings on the top four real estate websites and portals: REALTOR.com®, Trulia.com, Yahoo!® Real Estate and Zillow.com®. As a result, our sales professionals and their clients gain a competitive edge in attracting homebuyers during the 180 million visits that these sites collectively receive each month.

For homebuyers, Julie Peyton, Buyer’s Agent & a member of The Dennison Team, can walk you step-by-step through the home buying process, and help you identify homes for sale and in the right price range. She can also help you research the markets that interest you and assist with tasks such as writing contracts, negotiating the asking price and closing the transaction.

At Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and on behalf of The Dennison Team, we greatly look forward to the spring selling season and ensuring that all of our clients and customers have an effective plan in place to achieve their real estate goals. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, now is the time to please call (443) 223-1364.

Links to Market Areas:

Alexandria City

Anne Arundel

Arlington

Baltimore

Baltimore City

Prince George’s

Queen Anne’s

Washington, DC


Freddie Mac Betting Against Homeowners Is Latest GSE Outrage

Federal Reserve – The United States Housing Market Current Conditions

Federal Reserve Statement for the Housing Recovery

According to the January 4, 2012, Federal Reserve press release, “Restoring the health of the housing market is a necessary part of a broader strategy for economic recovery.”

The attached article details the housing market and proposed remedies to get our housing market back on track and our recovery on track.