Spring and the Marketplace – What’s Different this Year?

I’m looking at the Weekend Section of the newspaper. There is a lot of information about the latest market conditions, news beyond the bust, and interests in the “home” trending upward. There is a resurgence of advertisement, upbeat statistics, and the pleasing optimism that aligns itself with improving real estate conditions. It is the blush of spring, where new homes for sale honestly reflects the time of year when fresh and new is sincere and hopeful. It is distinctly different than what we have been experiencing over the last several years, and it is notable. None of this can happen without the eager participation of buyers and sellers! Open house dates are spinning with activity, full of sincere purchasers looking at the “home” as something more than just an investment. They are remembering that homeownership is about choosing a lifestyle, as well as a standard of living, that suits one’s particular needs. It is the notion that “location, price and condition” are more than simply buzz-words and market hype, and that people really want to live where it matters most to them.

The relevance of investors doesn’t adequately describe the true nature of their contribution to the marketplace. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that 27 percent of all real estate transactions in 2011 were for the purchase of an investment property, and that 11 percent of all real estate transactions last year were second home purchases. A significant portion of these transactions were paid for with cash, which further supports the idea that many buyers are investing in a lifestyle, and not just their bottom line.

There is no doubt a science to real estate, but it doesn’t overshadow the complementary feelings and emotions that go into buying and selling homes. People know this, and it is eminently apparent that we are currently enjoying a little more of the latter during this rather delightful time of year. This is of course the notable difference from recent past years in real estate. Let’s choose to keep looking forward; because after all that’s where the future is – for all of us!

John VanderSyde is an Associate Broker, RREALTOR, with Virginia Properties in Richmond, VA

Rising Trends, Improving Conditions in Real Estate

If you don’t think things are changing in the real estate housing market, well think again! It’s easy to get caught up in media reports the most recent real estate market statistics that point to improving sales conditions in the Richmond Metropolitan area and believe home sales are getting better. After all, it’s just more of the cautious optimism that’s been keeping us going for the last three or four years, right? On the other hand, recent activity indicates genuine change has arrived. Of course some areas will lag behind others as the market picks up, but Realtors can sense the new mood wafting across the plains.

Market activity has been on the increase since at least November 2011. Our individual numbers as well as every stat tracking real property transfers confirms it. Nevertheless, real estate professionals have been cautiously monitoring trends to see if conditions were actually improving, or if perhaps this was simply another market teaser. It is one thing to watch the numbers reportedly go up, but quite another to see actual behavioral change.

Just last weekend we called to schedule an appointment to visit a home in the west end of Richmond. There were so many appointments we could not be accommodated. It didn’t matter that we were willing to wait another day to see it because the seller received so many contracts on the first day they discontinued showings and agreed to work with one of the offers submitted the first day. WOW! You might say this is just one story, but it’s not. We are hearing about other interactions similar to this where multiple offers have been generated. But of course the good ones will always sell fast!

This may not be the norm, but it most assuredly points to distinctive change in the attitudes of people ready, willing and able to buy a home. With dwindling inventory, improved market conditions, historically affordable interest rates, I would not be surprised to see more interesting stories like this one that point to a changing real estate market for 2012.


Ann & John VanderSyde, Associate Brokers – Virginia Properties, A long & Foster Company “2009, 2010 & 2011 Sales Team of the Year” (804) 287-4660 www.InSydeHomes.com “HOME is a Lifestyle Choice!”

What is "Agency" Disclosure

The disclosure of “Agency” in real estate is currently a hot topic. The National Association of Realtors maintains guidelines regarding Broker Agency, but the oversight and enforcement of it is on a state-by-state basis. The Commonwealth is preparing to introduce revised legislation in 2012 that will outline and purportedly mandate specific guidelines as to how and when agency relationship must be disclosed. Not all of the details of this new legislation have been presented to Brokers and industry professionals, but I'm certain the entire process regarding agency disclosure in Virginia will either become crystal clear or expressly more confusing.

The concept of who a licensee represents in Virginia is currently not all that difficult to follow. For instance, did you know it is required that “Broker Agency” be disclosed to you as a real estate customer/client at the first substantive conversation you have with a REALTOR® about a particular property? Yet, according to the National Association of Realtors, only 31% of those surveyed in 2010-11 reported having this up-front conversation with an agent. 23% said it didn’t come up until they sat down to write a contract, and it seems the remaining folks were statistically uncertain about the subject of Agency.

In reality, the current disclosure of brokerage relationship in the Commonwealth is quite clear when expressly followed by those of us working in real estate. The problem arises when disclosure doesn’t take place at all. Many agents feel such a conversation early in a relationship will turn people off, sending them running the other way. However, if done properly with education and understanding, it is a great way to engage folks into learning more about the process of real estate sales and service. I have found these situations usually result in opportunities for those involved. The goal after all is to better assist and protect the real estate consumer and to remain the consummate professional they rely on when purchasing or selling a home.

Contact your most trusted real estate provider to learn more about this topic. Ann & John VanderSyde are Associate Brokers with Virginia Properties, A Long & Foster Company. They can be reached at (804) 282-7300 or at www.InSydeHomes.com