Recent Blog Posts by Lawrence T. Mraz

Even the news media agrees!

To all: I am seeing more articles in the news about how the National Housing Market has bottomed out and that 2012 will be a turnaround year. As I always say, all real estate is local, but national trends are important, because they have a profound impact on the economic recovery of our nation.  While some areas are still struggling, others are starting to really recover, and the rest ...

Why the real estate market is so important.

Well, we got through another year in the current "Real Estate Adjustment Period" of the ever-changing cycle of real estate ups and downs.  The good news is that most experts feel that in this area of the country, we are at the bottom of the adjustment cycle.  While no one is predicting a really rapid rise in prices, (which is what we really do not need again!) most feel that we will ...

How is the weather?

I had an interesting conversation with a fellow Realtor when I was down in Atlantic City at the Triple Play Real Estate Convention last week .  She stated, "Why is it that when we ask someone about the weather, it is assumed that we are talking about the local weather.  But when we hear stories or comments about real estate "conditions", folks act as though the real estate ...

Should You Wait Until Spring to Sell?

I just read an interesting article about an error in the common belief that if you want to sell your home, you should wait until the Spring, because there will be more buyers out looking for homes at that time.  Well it is true that there will be more buyers out looking, but what is also true is that so too will there be a lot more homes going on the market for sale in the Spring.  ...

The Dream of Homeownership Lives on!!

I just read an article about the results of recent surveys that support once again that the vast majority of Americans still want to own their own homes. There have been a number of reports that say perhaps the US will become a "renter nation" with new heads of households unwilling to take on the responsibilities of owning their own homes.  While there may be some who ...

Still time to buy this year!

As the month of November rapidly approaches, it is easy to think that the real estate buying year is just about over.  However, there is still time to find and close on a home purchase this year if you start right away with the help of a real estate propessional. The inventory of homes is still great, sellers are even more interested than ever in getting their homes sold before winter ...

Why buyers are losing interest in short sales

Recent reports show that the number of short sales have dropped greatly during the past several months, mainly a result of buyer frustration with long and unexplained delays in getting bank approvals.  Short sales, which at one time represented almost 55% of all first time home buyer purchases, now account for less than 40% of them. While short sales offer a first time buyer ...

Why it might be best to sell your home today!

This piece from Steve Harney makes lots of sense.  Read on: ******************************************** 5 Great Reasons to Sell Your House Today by The KCM Crew on September 6, 2011 · 9 comments in For Sellers,Pricing     We are often asked “Is it time to sell my home?” The answer to that question is based on what your families’ goals ...

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!!

To all: I received an email today from a friend that read, in part, "My cousin lives in Bergen County and a realtor told her there will be no more sales during this calendar year.  Is it that bad out there?" There is enough in our lives to worry about without having alarmists and naysayers add this kind of stress to people's already over-burdened lives. Here was my reply to my friend: I really ...

And the survey says....A Fannie Mae survey explores why people buy homes and more.

I found still another great article from Steve Harney.  This one is about the results of a Fannie Mae survey asking people questions about the housing market, home ownership and more.  Read on: ******************************************** Homeownership: Still the American Dream   Share Yesterday, Fannie Mae released their National Housing Survey for ...

The value of using a real estate agent to sell your home

I found another great article from Steve Harney.  This one is about the owner of the forsalebyowner.com company and how he found he really needed he help of a real estate professional to sell his home.  Read on: ********************************************  FSBO a No Go! by The KCM Crew on August 9, 2011 · 16 comments This blog prides itself on the quality of ...

Where would we be if everyone played it safe?

I found another great article from Steve Harney about the mindset of citizens of this country that played such a big role in making America great.  Read on: ******************************************** When Did Americans Start Playing It Safe? by Steve Harney on August 2, 2011 · 11 comments  Share There seems to be a paralysis in America right now. Companies ...

Good reasons to price a home correctly right from the start.

I found this great article about the benefits of "right pricing" a home when it is first listed.  Read on: ******************************************** Harmful Effects from Changing the Listing Price? by Ken H. Johnson on July 20, 2011 · 4 comments in For Sellers,Pricing   The Research  Are there any negative effects from changing the listing price of ...

Why do people really buy a home?

Here is another great item from the KCM Team about what motivates home buying.  These same reasons prevail in any market.  Read on:   Why Do People Actually Buy a Home? by The KCM Crew on July 19, 2011 · 2 comments   It seems that every time we talk about real estate today the conversation immediately goes to the financial aspects of buying a ...

The top 5 Real Estate Headlines Tell it all!

Another great blog post from the KCM team that helps explain where we are in the Real Estate Market: The Top 5 Real Estate Headlines in the 1st Half of 2011 by The KCM Crew on July 5, 2011   inShare We have reached the midway point of the year. Today, we want to look back over the first six months and give you what we believe were the five items that have had the ...

For many sellers, now actually is a good time to sell!

Another great article from the KCM Crew about the facts surrounding the current housing market. Read on: A Window of Opportunity for House Sellers by The KCM Crew on June 21, 2011 · 1 comment in For Sellers,Pricing 473Share inShare There has been much confusion as to where housing prices are headed. We have actually blogged on the issue recently. Today, we ...

Why They Are Saying Now is a Great Time to Buy A Home

Here is a great post about several of the resaons that indicate that NOW is a great time to buy a home.  Thanks to Steve Harney for more very sound real estate advice: ******************************************************************** Why They Are Saying to Buy A Home Now by The KCM Crew on June 14, 2011 · 10 comments in For Buyers,Pricing 651Share inShare Despite ...

How about looking at homes to buy this weekend!!

What a great opportunity to see some of the homes that are out there for sale.  The National Association of Realtors is sponsoring a National Open House Weekend this weekend, June 4th and 5th.  The weather is beautifuland the home selection is outstanding!  Check out the homes that are participating by visiting the various websites that are out there, or just get in your ...

Not all offers to purchase a home are the same

Here is another great tip from Steve Harney and the KCM Crew: How To Make An Offer that Will Be Accepted by The KCM Crew on May 31, 2011 You have finally found the house of your dreams. It is priced right and is receiving a lot of attention from other buyers. You don’t want to miss this opportunity so you are ready to put in an offer with the real estate agent immediately. What can you ...

Five great reasons to sell your home now!

Here is another great post from my favorite real estate expert, Steve Harney, that states 5 good reasons why you should consider selling NOW!  Read on: 5 Reasons You Should Consider Selling Now by The KCM Crew on May 10, 2011 · 7 comments 908Share inShare If you plan on moving anytime in 2011, you should strongly consider selling your house now rather than waiting. Here ...

Are any homes selling? You bet they are!

Short and to the point, this article reports that homes are selling at a 5.1 million annual rate.  That means that almost 14,000 Houses Sold Yesterday!  Read on: by The KCM Crew on May 3, 2011 · 7 comments in For Buyers,For Sellers,Pricing 946Share inShare Share946 inShare One of the biggest misconceptions in today’s housing market is that homes are ...

Do people still want to own a home? -Yes!!

Another great post from Steve Harney and the KCM crew.  Read on: What Do Homeowners Say About Homeownership? by The KCM Crew on April 19, 2011 · 5 comments in For Buyers,For Sellers 316Share inShare There is no shortage of experts that want to let us know how Americans feel about owning a home after the collapse of the residential market in the last five years. They ...

Here are some great Financial Reasons for Buying a home now!

Another great Steve Harney Message.  Read on: 4 Financial Reasons to Buy Now by The KCM Crew on April 12, 2011 · 5 comments in For Buyers 597Share inShare  As Dean Hartman said last week, the purchase of a home is a personal decision. However, we want to give everyone four great financial reasonswhy you should not wait before taking the plunge into home ownership. Interest ...

Stop Listening to Real Estate Agents! Ask someone else!

Here is a great blog post about what Non-Real Estate experts are saying about the state of the real estate market, brought to you by Steve Harney.  read on:   OK. You Win. Stop Listening to Real Estate Agents! by The KCM Crew on April 5, 2011 · 3 comments in For Buyers   390Share Each day we attempt to give truthful insight on the current housing market. ...

For the truth about home ownership-ask Grandpa

To all:  Another great post from Steve Harney and the KCM Crew!  We Think We’re Going to Believe Grandpa by The KCM Crew on March 22, 2011 · 2 comments in For Buyers   242Share There are those currently debating the financial advantages of owning a home. Some are looking at studies and reporting that homeownership has never really been a great ...