For those of you who would like to receive my Real Estate Update newsletter monthly, please e-mail me your e-mail address requesting the newsletter. Here are a few articles from my newsletter provided by Realty Times.
 
Rates Change Little for November
 
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4. 10% for the week ending October 27, 2011. That is down from the previous week when it averaged 4.11%. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.23 percent.
Fixed mortgage rates followed other long-term interest rates and showed little change, on average, from the prior week. The latest monthly housing market indicators were mixed, with consumer confidence soft, house prices largely flat, and new home sales up from very low levels.
 
What's the Best Day to List a Home?
 
List a home on Friday and you'll have a greater chance of success when selling it, according to Redfin, which analyzed 1.2 million listings in 16 markets over 21 months to determine the best day of the week for selling a home. In every market analyzed, Redfin found that homes listed on Friday were 12% more likely to sell within 90 days.
What's more, the company found that homes listed on a Thursday or Friday sold for slightly closer to the list price: 94.4% compared with 93.9% for homes listed on a Sunday or Monday. Homes listed on Friday were viewed 19% more by buyers than homes listed on any other day of the week, according to Redfin's study. Homes listed on Fridays are the freshest in buyer's minds when they're making their weekend touring plans.
 
Is Your Home Winter-Proof?
 
As the cold weather approaches, home owners can do the following maintenance checks to ensure their properties are ready for the winter months.
  • Check the weather stripping along your door and door frame to ensure there are no gaps that can let cold air seep into your home.
  • Sweep out those chimneys. The National Fire Protection Association advises home owners to sweep out the chimney at least onece a year.
  • Service those furnaces at least once a year too. It'll cost about $100 and can help avoid costly repairs later or a malfunction of carbon monoxide pumping into your home.
  • Prevent frozen pipes, such as by using heating tape to wrap any exposed pipes on the home's exterior and turning off the water as well as draining any water remaining insde the valves.

Sellers: Moving Forward

 

The decision to sell your home can come with a mixed bag of emotions. There is uncertainty and fear about how quickly your home will sell and for what dollar amount. There may be guilt about leaving behind family, friends or neighbors. You may, also, feel anxiety about what is to come.

A less than stellar market has done little to ease these jitters. Many would-be sellers have even decided to forgo moves for fear that now isn't the time to sell.

Many others who have made the leap are ruled by emotions of sadness or regret. How does one let go of a home where so many memories were made?

The answer is in the attitude. It's not about letting go. It's about moving forward.

In order to let go of the negative feelings you have about the selling process there are a few crucial steps to take.

First, be resolute about your decision. If we allow ourselves to go back and forth between "I should" and "I shouldn't", we'll always have uncertainty. Decide once and for all what is best for your family. Many people make pro and con lists. Others simply go with what feels right.

Second, remember that memories aren't housed in the walls of your home, they live inside your mind. Those last a lifetime! Plus, take lots of pictures and video to document what life was like in your old home.

Third, talk about your decision. Bottling or resisting emotions can simply make them more pronounced. If you feel anxiety, talk to your spouse, friends and realtor about it. It helps having a sounding board for fears and questions. Bounce ideas off of them.

Next, be willing to compromise. Today's sellers are finding tougher conditions. There are lots of homes on the market and that means more competition. Go into the selling process with the mindset that you may have to make certain concessions. Many sellers find they need to lower their price. They may need to pay the buyer's closing costs. They may, also, need to move out sooner or later than they anticipated.

Finally, refocus your attention on the fact that you're moving on to a new phase in life! Many of you will be experiencing moving-up to your dream home. No matter the reason you're selling, get excited about the changes or opportunities in your life.