Spring is the time for change
This column is dedicated to Lou Bettencourt, the outgoing (and
out-going) executive director of the San Benito County YMCA. Under
his inspired leadership, the YMCA launched its successful Founder’s
Campaign, conducted Community Support campaigns totaling more than
half a million dollars, found a site for its future full-service
YMCA facility, and became the largest after school care provider in
the county.
Spring is the time for change
This column is dedicated to Lou Bettencourt, the outgoing (and out-going) executive director of the San Benito County YMCA. Under his inspired leadership, the YMCA launched its successful Founder’s Campaign, conducted Community Support campaigns totaling more than half a million dollars, found a site for its future full-service YMCA facility, and became the largest after school care provider in the county.
On top of all that, he is one of the kindest, most loving, generous spirits of our community. His light will be remembered and treasured for generations to come. You are loved, Lou, and will be missed. Best wishes to you and Judy on your adventures in New Mexico! And remember, the Foleys always have a guest room waiting for you at Quicksilver Farm.
The YMCA looks forward to welcoming its new director, and what better time than in spring, the season of new beginnings? Whoa, doggies: Look for great things with the YMCA in the coming years.
Spring. The lilacs are in bloom. Rains wash across the landscape, softer and less punishing than those of winter. New sprouts are squiggling determinedly out of the clay soil, trees are pushing out cloaks of puffy white blossoms or waxy green leaves, and all of us are wishing we had eaten a little less over the long, dark winter as we pull our summer clothes, so much more revealing, out of the mothballs in the attic.
Those of us who wish to make a change (or who have a change thrust upon us by the whim of the universe) are looking at the real estate market and wondering, “What now?”
In San Benito County, the inventory is up to over 400. Sellers are asking, “Will my house ever sell?” and buyers are waiting, afraid to buy, not wanting to make a financial mistake. Relax. Take a deep breath.
Here are a few thoughts. For you sellers, there is indeed lots of competition for buyers. You need to have your house be the best looking and best priced home in its category. I recently had someone call whose daughter has a house listed for sale. I checked the inventory, and there were 28 homes available with similar lot size, square footage, and configuration. Her house sat on the high side of that list. Yet many of the other houses available were newer or had more upgrades. The woman had changed listing agents because her house hadn’t sold. I’m sure you see that the house hadn’t sold because no one had a compelling reason to make an offer on it. Be the best and you’ll be sold.
In today’s market people are likely to shoot the messenger. Your listing agent is not responsible for the lack of showings of your home. The competition, the economic times, the emotional climate, these are the true “culprits.” REIL, the multiple listing service (MLS) keeps all the information on available properties. They have stringent rules for Realtors to follow to make sure the information is updated and as accurate as possible. Recently they have revised the rules so that a property can no longer be cancelled and put back on, either by the same brokerage or by a new one, to “erase” its history. You can now see how many days it continuously has been on the market, no matter what.
It used to be that days on the market (DOM) used to be an indicator of which properties were dogs. On the market too long? What’s wrong with it? Now there are amazing properties sitting, sitting, sitting…with no one looking at them. But that will change.
For buyers, you can buy a great home at a good price right now. Mortgage rates remain at historic lows, and sellers are willing to make concessions. If you hesitate too long, you’ll just join the next stampede when the market swings again.
And swing it always does, just like an old tire tied by a rope to a branch of a live oak in South County. Don’t be reactive, be proactive. Real estate has always been the wealth-builder in California. If you plan on living in your home for 5 years or more, you’ll be fine whenever you buy.
This market also offers unique opportunities for the savvy investor. Would that be you? If so, put down the paper and pick up the phone and call your trusted local real estate agent today. If you don’t have an agent, put it on your To-Do list now…meet with a few and find one who fits you. It’s great to have a friend inside the marketing sessions of all the Realtors in the area. You might find it helpful to your bottom line.
The pendulum swings, the spring turns into summer, the only constant is change.
By the way, April 27 has been proclaimed National Arbor Day in San Benito County. Quicksilver Farm is donating compost, DMB is donating live oak trees, and volunteers to the Hollister Downtown Association’s Spring Clean-Up will either take one home to plant at their home or have it planted in their honor at several donor sites.
It’s a good life. Go out and enjoy it. And be kind to your Realtor.
