In a small market, a few sales can make a real difference.  In the residential market, the average price per item sold increased 42% from $247,833 to $352,887.  What that means is that not only were there 2 more sales in 2009 (20 vs. 18) but the properties that sold were considerably more expensive.  That is not due to price increases but instead, the properties that sold were higher end.  That continues the trend in this area during the economic downturn.   It is the higher priced properties that have continued to sell.   7 of the 20 residential properties that sold were $500,000 and up.   In the Farm/Ranch category, one ranch sale (at $1,530,329) accounted for the lion’s share of the increase.

What does this mean about the market?  An improving market is at work.  Our observations are:

• Sellers have realized that they need to be more realistic in their pricing.
• People’s perception about the economy is improving.
• Expectations of inflation makes real estate a “safe” investment.

We do our best to provide you with the best information available so that you can make an informed decision whether you are a buyer or seller.

We strive to help our sellers price their properties competitively so that they get SOLD.  In the current market, that is especially important so we can really HELP you!

If you are a buyer, we are currently aware of several “real buys.”  Call for more information.

Each person’s scenario is unique.  We’d love to help you with yours.

There are some nice properties in the Comfort area that have been on the market for a while.  We feel like there are some good deals to be had in the Hill Country.  We’d like to visit with you about them.  Give us a call at 830-995-2511.

Source: Comfort.txed.net

However, during the last several weeks we’ve seen a number of new properties come on the market.  Be sure and check our MLS Search engine to find out about those properties.

One recent buyer client told us that we provided them with the BEST experience that they EVER had with a real estate agent!  Our goal is to EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS WITH ABOVE & BEYOND SERVICE!

Our offices are located in Comfort but we sell from San Antonio to Kerrville, from Bandera to Fredericksburg.    Give us a call. We’d love to help!  830-995-2511.

It would seem that the Kerr County market is continuing to adapt to the changing, slower market as we take a closer look at other available data.  List/Sales Price decreased from 95% in July, 2008 to 93% in July, 2009 meaning that buyers are still getting better deals, overall.  Inventory, which as been very high (there were 1121 Active listings as of July 31, 2009 as compared with 923 a year earlier) is finally seeing some improvement.  Days on market, a number that tells us how long it takes an average property to sell, decreased from 168 in July, 2008 to 152 in July, 2009.

Our Motto is “Connecting Buyers & Sellers for a Win/Win Result”.  We work hard to bring YOU the results you want!  Ask us , we’ll tell you how!  We can be reached at 830-995-2511.

The event will benefit our troops coming home, with emphasis on those having suffered Traumatic Brain Injuries while in combat. Check out VoicesofAGratefulNation.org for more information and See you there!

Our tag line for our business is:  “Connecting Buyers & Sellers for a Win/Win Result.”   It pretty much sums up who we are and how we do business.  First, our belief is that the real estate business is about matching willing buyers and willing sellers.  We’re not trying to convince anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.   Secondly, we believe that we can do that that in a win/win way for all.

There are some in the real estate business who would take exception to our strategy about the win/win aspect and say that representation is exclusively about getting your client the very best deal (e.g., it’s not a win/win, but a win/lose, with the “win” in favor of MY client and the lose in favor of  YOUR client).  Another way of saying it is, “We absolutely won’t leave anything on the table.”

While it certainly IS our goal to get our client the very best deal possible (and we really are quite good at it), the problem with the Win/Lose approach is that it creates an adversarial relationship between the parties.  Win/Lose negotiators often have strong egos and they have an extremely limited view of what the client’s REAL interests are.  To say it a different way, they are negotiating based from their own ego, not in the true interest of the client.  Even though the strategy sounds like a good idea for the client, quite often the results are less than what you might expect.  The problem is that adversarial negotiating quite often ends up in compromise in order to get the deal done and so …  sometimes they win, sometimes they lose.  And sometimes the adversarial relationship continues … even into the courts.

The alternative way of negotiating is based on interests. It’s a bigger picture view and it provides for many more possible solutions.  The truth is that people and situations are complex and every transaction has multiple factors that influence whether a person is getting a good deal or not.  For example, who wants a great price on something that doesn’t interest them? or work for their family?

What we are trying to do is match interests and so we we feel like it is our job (and we spend most of our time observing and anticipating) what the changing interests of both parties are so that we can create a contractual agreement that both parties want to live up to.   Sometimes, the hardest task is getting people to “see outside the box” … that their interests truly are being served with the creative solution that we are offering.  See future articles with the keyword, “Interest Based Negotiations” for further elaboration the subject.

Connecting Buyers & Sellers for a Win/Win Result:  It’s what we do. It’s who we are.  And, it takes advantage of what people truthfully want to do.  It is our feeling that if we are creative in putting deals together, we will get much better results than the next guy … and those results will be win/win for all!

If you are looking for win/win results, give us a call at 830-995-2511.  We’d love to visit with you.

For more information, call 830-995-3034.

The show opens on Thursday and the artist’s reception will be held on April 4th from 2-5p.m.

Singing Waters Vineyards Business Hours:  Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 11a.m.-6p.m., Sunday Noon-5p.m.

For more information on Singing Waters Vineyards, click HERE for their website.