Author: pladmin

It seems as though for the last couple of years the sale of multimillion dollar homes has been like a runaway bride. GONE. Even Houston, one of the strongest cities during the economic downturn, had somewhat of a stand still in sales of multimillion dollar homes. Things can change.
My expectation for the next couple of years will be a comeback market for these homes.

Although mainstream American is not looking at multimillion dollar listings, people in certain parts of the country are. Although there is plenty of inventory, I believe Houston will see an uptick in sales of these homes.

We have seen sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500K and up—consistently strong all year – and rose 23.2 percent in November. This tells me that if sales of these homes rose that high by 2010 year-end, then we will probably see a continuation of this through 2011. Also, since the luxury market (500k and up) has been relatively strong, I think there will be an overflow of sales into higher priced homes.

Over the last few years, people have been cautious with their money, expenses and investments. The stock market has finally made its way back above 11,000 points. Cash has played an important part to people’s lives, money-flow has a new meaning and putting cash back into real estate is becoming an attractive commodity again. Historically low rates and deflated prices are encouragements to want to buy real estate. Also, the public is beginning to understand new lending guidelines and a level of comfort enables people to relax when it comes to making big purchases in real estate.

This past year, I saw many large deals go through, even though the lending laws were undetermined, foreclosures were still rampant, and people were hesitant about their jobs. This year, I suspect there will be many more deals in the luxury market and even in the multimillion dollar luxury market.

There is definitely a sense of direction for real estate working in luxury markets at Beth Wolff Realtors. Every day seems to be a busy day here.

Michele Marano specializes in Luxury Real Estate.
If you would like to meet with Michele Marano about selling your luxury home, please schedule an appointment at Beth Wolff Realtors, 713-622-9339.

Also, see “Why Hire Michele Marano as your agent.” in the archive blogs.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf

Today’s show, The Guide to Buying a Homes, Part II on www.blogtalkradio.com/everythingrealestate covered the remaining information that will help a buyer understand the process of purchasing a home whether it is a primary, secondary or investment property.

Negotiations: Negotiations are an important part of buying a home, but need to be carried out by your agent, so hire one that has experience and understands the techniques of closing a deal through negotiating.  Most people don’t even consider this as part of a real estate transaction, but for me, it’s by far the biggest tool I can use in getting deals to work.

For more detailed information, listen to todays show, 1-6-11 and you will get first hand information about negotiations.

The last component we discussed was about inspections.  As you will hear, this can affect any real estate deal and the price at which you purchase.

For today’s radio show in full, please go to www.blogtalkradio.com/everythingrealestate

www.MicheleMaranocom or 713-622-9339 for an appointment with Michele Marano to consult with her regarding a purchase or sale of real estate.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf

Today’s show, The Guide to Buying a Homes, Part II on www.blogtalkradio.com/everythingrealestate covered the remaining information that will help a buyer understand the process of purchasing a home whether it is a primary, secondary or investment property.

Negotiations: Negotiations are an important part of buying a home, but need to be carried out by your agent, so hire one that has experience and understands the techniques of closing a deal through negotiating.  Most people don’t even consider this as part of a real estate transaction, but for me, it’s by far the biggest tool I can use in getting deals to work.

For more detailed information, listen to todays show, 1-6-11 and you will get first hand information about negotiations.

The last component we discussed was about inspections.  As you will hear, this can affect any real estate deal and the price at which you purchase.

For today’s radio show in full, please go to www.blogtalkradio.com/everythingrealestate

www.MicheleMaranocom or 713-622-9339 for an appointment with Michele Marano to consult with her regarding a purchase or sale of real estate.

On a whimsical notice, I decided to get in my car and drive to Galveston after the 1st of the New Year and take pictures. The water looked great and it was, as always, a pleasant drive.

Murdoch’s, built to the original structure and same place on the seawall, just as it stood before being swept away by hurricane Ike. It is really nice to see Galveston back to normal, businesses alive and going well.

The water is my favorite, even though it is murky Galveston shores, I still get a rush out of the beauty of the waves, sand, beach and sky. What a day it was to see the beach looking so cleared and empty. West Beach, like no-one lived there, was quiet and relaxing.

If you have had a listing with Michele Marano you probably received the fringe benefits of her creative eye on design.   Michele Marano combines her design expertise with her listings and “prepares her listings to sell,” and boy have they!  Those who have recently used her real estate and design services have received contracts from first viewers of the properties.

In today’s market, why wouldn’t you want your home looking fantastic before it goes on the market.  Most agents do not offer a service as such.  Michele will utilize her time and do what is necessary, after the listing is taken, prior to the home going on the market and make it look fabulous.  Her time is the key here and she does not charge.  If you need maintenance work, furniture, paint, etc. she can make arrangements for you and those costs would be your responsibility.

For a consultation or listing appointment, call Beth Wolff Realtors at
713-622-9339 and ask for Michele Marano.

First Impressions Mean Business

Last week, on www.blogtalkradio.com/everythingrealestate we covered the topic,  The Guide to Buying a Home, Part I.  This Thursday, at 11:30 am we will be discussing, The Guide to Buying a Home, Part II.

I don’t think many people actually realize the important steps involved with buying a home.  Buying a home takes many considerations and thoughts prior to actually starting the process.

1. Have you realized why you are buying?  Ask yourself this question and keep this in mind because it will affect the following factors in buying a home.

2.  Interview and Hire an Agent.  The biggest asset to a client in today’s market is the agent they hire.  Many people really do not consider this one of the most important steps in buying.  Calling your best friend or hiring an agent because they live in the neighborhood is not the reasons to hire an agent.  Especially in today’s market, you need an agent who not only understands what’s going on with the economy, but someone who can speak value, rates and real estate facts.  Doing yourself the favor of hiring an agent who understands business and complex transactions is a plus.  Deals are difficult today because there are many hurdles that buyers and seller face.  An agent who understand how deals work will help you stay on track and will keep you informed of any obstacles you may face.

3. Define Your needs.  Your agent should be the one who guides you through this process.  You need to know what you like in a home and what you can afford.  Your agent should guide you in the approval process and will inform you when you should start this process.  Getting approved is much more difficult today than previous years.  Making sure you’re able to get a loan is a big step in buying a home.

4.  Narrow Down the List and Start the Search.  Your agent should be guiding you in your selections.  When you leave it to the pro, you will spend a lot less time and energy searching for a home.

Part II of this series will air this week on www.blogtalkradio.com/everythingrealestate.

For a buyers who would like to meet with Michele Marano, please call Beth Wolff Realtors and schedule an appointment

713-622-9339

www.michelemarano.com

Burlap Pillows are made locally, from left $60.00, ruffle pillow $65.00.  Made to order, while supplies last.Here they are shown with custom-made linen headboard and vintage euro shams.

Belgium grain sack pillows and French canvas custom pillows below.  French Pillows $150.00 each, Grain Sack Pillows $150.00

To purchase pillows, contact Michele:  Michele@MicheleMarano.com

What will this year bring us in real estate? Well, we can only hope for great success and we all want to start the new year out right! We all want to do something bigger, better and smarter than the last, and of course, we can only hope for a great year for our economy and real estate market.

Year 2010 has been an unusual, yet interesting time of ups and downs. In a flash, here are some of the highlights that affected our markets.
Early May, a drop of over 900 points in the stock market. October, Bank of America, the largest U.S. lender, extended a freeze on foreclosures to all 50 states. Oct. 8th, the foreclosure freeze spread among federal and state officials, concerned that homes were being seized based on faulty data. Mid 2010 elections, GOP takes control of House of Representatives. Rates in 2010 were the lowest in six decades. Rock bottom rates were in mid-November. The Dow ends year 2010 above 11,000 points.

Now, we approach a new year in Real Estate, yet we’re still in what many of us consider a new market. If you have had a luxury home on the market, and it’s still on the market, it’s probably time for a change. Would you market your home the same way in 2008 as you would in 2010 and 2011?
The answer is NO.
If you have, that’s probably why it’s still on the market. The new market calls for time to assess how your home is being marketed.
Selecting an agent who is strategically positioned in today’s new market is the key factor in selling luxury homes. We are still in a nontraditional real estate market, in unusual circumstances with the economy and lending situation and in a time when a proactive approach is necessary in selling luxury homes.

An approach to change is realizing your biggest asset in selling your home is the agent you hire.

“I have a unique background of 15 years in energy commodity markets. With an understanding of changing markets, adjusting to tactics that provide results and extensive experience in negotiations, I am successful in the luxury real estate market and provide expertise and knowledge to those who hire me to sell their homes.”  Michele Marano

For more information about Michele Marano, please visit her at:
Website: www.michelemarano.com
Radio Show: www.blogtalkradio.com/everythingrealestate
Blog: www.realestatelovematch.com
Or
Email: Michele@MicheleMarano.com

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf

Michele shares her views and opinions about real estate, renovations, buying and selling wisely, and her favorite things about real estate, including negotiations, designing a home, selecting an agent, and “things that make people feel good.”
Michele is joined on the radio show with Steve Kyles of the Kyles Mortgage Team. If you would like to know about mortgages and lending, ask Steve Kyles. He will give a straight and to the point answer.
Together, they are fun, humorous, and informative with topics evolving around real estate, lending and the markets. You want direct? You will get your questions answered here.

Michele Marano, of Beth Wolff Realtors, will be sponsoring a seminar for home owners who fall in the Million Dollar Listing category.  For those homeowners who’ve had their home on the market or are thinking of selling, we have an interesting concept for you.

Broken out by segment, November sales of homes priced below $80K increased 24.4 percent; sales of homes in the $80K-$150K range fell 35.5 percent; sales of homes between $150K and $250K were off 33.4 percent; sales of homes ranging from $250K-$500K slid 8.5 percent; and sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500K and up—rose 23.2 percent.

If your home has been sitting on the market for a cumulative number of days, are you wondering why?  We probably would all agree that we are in a nontraditional real estate market, in unusual circumstances with the economy and lending situation and in a time when new ideas become the force in selling homes.

Selecting an agent who is strategically positioned in today’s unique market is the key element in selling a high-priced home.  An agent, who used techniques that were once useful, has now to look for proactive strategies in selling homes.  What may have worked several years ago, is not likely to work in our new market.  Being creative, proactive, and strategically positioned with technology tools will earn high stakes in selling your home.

In addition, hiring an agent who is familiar with the national economy, lending situation and negotiations will benefit any buyer or selling, especially with the high-end priced homes.

Beth Wolff Realtors is positioned uniquely in the luxury real estate market.  We area a boutique shop located in the backyard of Tanglewood, next door to Marathon Tower and in the heart of the Galleria.  We compete with the largest brokerages, however our service sets itself apart because our agents stay personally involved in each and every deal.

“No matter how many buyers and sellers I take on, I am always a part of the transaction from beginning to close.  I wouldn’t feel I am doing justice to the client if I handed over the work to an assistant.  In addition, without offering negotiations as part of the deal, my client is not getting the strength of using me as an agent.  Negotiation is my biggest asset.  It is the best tool I can pull out of my real estate bag, and because of my extensive experience, I am able to represent any size deal, and come out in a good place for the client.

Ready to take on the new market?  Feel free to email me or call with any questions.  We invite you to interview us for a listing of your home.

Michele Marano – 713-899-8420

www.michelemarano.com

www.blogtalkradio/everythingrealestate.com

michele@michelemarano.com

Beth Wolff Realtors