Combating Home Buyer Depression
As we continue to adapt to this sudden market shift towards a low-inventory seller’s market, what we’re seeing more of is a sort of home buyer depression. I predicted this would happen in early spring as we saw what conditions were shaping up to be. As multiple offers become the norm and homes continue to sell within days of listing, more buyers are losing out on their perfect home. Eventually this leads to feelings of anger and depression that will drive buyers out of the market. One of our biggest concerns is combating this situation. Sometimes it’s unavoidable but in many cases, buyer depression and it’s cause – buyers losing out on homes – can be countered. Lets take a look at some of the reasons why this is happening and some of the steps we can take to prevent it.
1. Don’t lose your favorite homes. Sounds simple, right? The best way to prevent the problem is to avoid it in the first place. Yet we still have lots of buyers and agents out there contributing to the problem. Buyers not getting their ducks in a line for making an offer and buyer’s agents allowing their buyers to slack and still go see homes. I’ll tell you this straight: the market we’re in won’t be kind with the lazy or disorganized. Both buyers and agents need to be on top of their game – one day can make the difference between competing or being left out of the race. If you’re not in a position to see homes and get offers on the table within 24 hours of the house hitting the market, you’re with the wrong agent or are doing the wrong things (which also means you’re with the wrong agent).
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In a surprise announcement just moments ago, Chuck Dinolfo and Ruta Susinskas, the owners of the Century 21 Pro-Team franchise, announced the company will be merging with the Century 21 Affiliated franchise to form a new LLC called Century 21 Affiliated Pro-Team. This merger is effective March 1st and effectively joins two of the largest Century 21 franchises under one roof. Century 21 Pro-Team has 8 offices throughout the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago and Century 21 Affiliated has 39 offices throughout Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. This will be the largest merger of franchises ever in the Century 21 system – both are currently ranked in the top 20 Century 21 franchises nationally. Post merger, the new Century 21 Affiliated Pro-Team is expected to become the largest Century 21 franchise worldwide numbering over 50 offices, 1,000 agents and over $1 Billion (yes, Billion) in sales!
2012 was an excellent year for my business – in fact, one of my best years to date. I was able to add some exciting milestones and accomplishments to my curriculum vitae that I would like to share with you. The year started with me adding a new professional designation to my repertoire. I was able to receive training as an Accredited Distressed Property Representative and successfully passed a very rigorous test to be able to claim this designation. The training I received gave me greater understanding and tools to assist my buyers and sellers with foreclosures, short sales and all types of distressed property.
The time is right – we may have officially hit bottom in this market and buyers are out in force this spring. Because of this, inventory is way down in popular areas such as 
This home is the popular Essex “C” model with some premium upgrades. The large family room on the back of the home includes vaulted ceilings and two skylights. The large kitchen features a pantry closet and all appliances are included. The laundry is located on the first floor just across from the basement door and 2804 Heather also includes both washer and dryer. There is a large formal dining room just off of the kitchen and you’ll also appreciate the large living room located just off of the foyer.
It’s fairly common to find foreclosures in fair to good condition in this market, but only rarely will you find one this good. This beautiful townhome actually puts many regular traditional sales to shame with both condition and price. Loaced in 
You’ll really love the location of this townhome. It’s an end unit, so you only have neighbors on one side and this particular home is located along the pond. You can enjoy beautiful water views from your private patio and the sun setting over the nearby fields is particularly picturesque. Visitors to this property are immediately impressed with the peaceful seclusion – the loudest sounds from your back yard are the chirping of song birds. The townhome is quite large – at 1688 square feet, it’s one of the largest models in Silver Springs. Inside, one of the top features is the large kitchen. With lots of cabinet and counter space, you’ll never run out of room. If you’ve seen foreclosures and short sales with either missing, trashed or basic appliances, you’re in for a treat. 1944 Candlelight Circle includes a high-end stainless steel oven, microwave and refrigerator. There is also a large breakfast room as well as a separate formal dining room with views of the back patio and pond.
It’s no secret that one of the most popular communities on the far east side of Aurora is the large 
Perhaps one of the best features of this home is the ideal location and lot. I can’t say enough about how beautiful the back yard is on this home. Features include over 11,000 square feet, mature landscaping including lilacs and perennials and a large storage shed. This lot backs to a park and nearby pond so there are no back neighbors. There’s a baseball field, playground and hiking paths right outside your fence. You can enjoy this beautiful space from a large 20×18 raised deck with pergola that features magnificent water views of the nearby pond. Inside, this is a large home – nearly 2200 square feet by assessor’s records but there’s actually much more living space. The finished lookout basement includes an office, workshop and the ultimate man cave. You’ll find a rec room with space for a pool table, a media room for movies and a full bar.
There are a few new townhome communities that have been recently constructed on the far east side of Aurora. One of the most beautiful and sought-after is 
When you walk up to 417 Plaza Place, the striking exterior and wrought-iron fence accents the exterior. When you step into the townhome, you’ll immediately notice the great flow between the rooms. The family room, dining room and kitchen are all independent rooms but connected enough so that people in any one room can easily interact with people in the others. The kitchen in this townhome is a true gourmand’s delight. It’s everything a kitchen should be – beautiful cherry cabinets, full granite countertops and all-stainless steel appliances. It also features a corner sink and breakfast bar. There is also a large eating area perfect for a kitchen table and sliding doors lead out to the spacious, raised rear deck.
On Aurora’s far west side, there are several subdivisions that have been built since 2000 that include both homes and townhomes with modern and stylish appointments. Perhaps one of the prime examples is 
Perhaps the most striking feature of 1288 Oakleaf is the exterior. With 3/4 brick construction, the exterior incorporates natural stone and an impressive elevation to make the home particularly appealing from the curb. The entry features a small courtyard with garden and this home also includes a private patio with views of the pond and preserve. When you enter the home, one of the first things you come to is the kitchen. The large kitchen includes premium maple cabinets and a large center island with breakfast bar. All appliances stay with the home and include refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and above-the-range microwave. The kitchen leads directly into the dining room. With enough room for even the largest dining room table, a bay window also leads out to the private patio.
Many of today’s high-end homebuyers are looking for fairly similar features – a larger home with well-appointed interior in a location that’s both near everything yet provides privacy and seclusion. Many homes and areas provide one or a few of these but rarely all. One community that does is 
When you pull up to 833 Verona Ridge Drive, the first thing that strikes you is the ideal location – on a cul-de-sac and just a couple minutes walk to the nearby Orchard Valley Golf Course. The home is located up on a small rise that overlooks the tranquil nature preserves it backs to. The way the home sits and the fact that there are no back neighbors gives this home an overall feeling of peace and seclusion. The exterior of 833 Verona Ridge is quite striking with a beautiful upgraded elevation and front porch. The 3-car garage is a side-load so the front of the home looks tidy. The home sits on nearly a half-acre lot – perhaps one of the best in the entire community. In the back, the home features a raised cedar deck and a walk-out basement.
If you’re shopping for an absolutely move-in ready home in an ideal location in the Tri-Cities area, look no further. This stunning ranch home has been completely redone and is truely something special. I know you’ve seen re-habs in the past and have been dissappointed with cut corners and cheap materials – that’s not the case here. The seller has really gone the distance to provide the next owner with a superior living experience. Plus a lot of work has been done “under the hood” to make sure this property is going to be worry-free. One of the big draws of this home is, of course, the location. Within walking distance of Downtown Geneva makes this property perfect for owners that enjoy the scenic downtown and all the festivals that occur throughout the year. Combine this with a large lot with mature landscaping on a quiet street that’s set back in the woods and you’ve got an absolutly ideal location.
I’m sure when you look at a home, one of the most important things is the kitchen. Having a kitchen with enough space and in a location that allows you to cook and entertain at the same time are features that many buyers prize in a home. This kitchen has been completely re-designed with this in mind. Start with new high-end cabinets with built-in soft-close technology and tons of storage space. Next, this home has been furnished with brand new stainless steel appliances and here’s another area where this home really stands out. Where most rehabbed homes provide you basic-model appliances, the seller has really gone the distance to provide high-end appliances. The oven is a higher-end model with cast iron burners and the side-by-side refrigerator/freezer includes a built-in icemaker and water dispenser. You’ll also find full granite countertops with a built-in breakfast bar and stylish glass tile backsplash. Where this home exceeds expectations is in the little details – for example, the under-cabinet lighting system. This all-new kitchen is the centerpiece of the home and ties in perfectly with the dining room and a pass-through allows you to entertain guests in the family room while you prepare meals.