Recent Blog Posts by Lawrence T. Mraz

Housing has never been so affordable!

A recent RIS Media article stated: "Housing affordability conditions for all buyers reached a milestone in the first quarter, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR’s composite quarterly Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high of 205.9 in first quarter, based on the relationship between median home price, median family income and average mortgage interest rate. ...

Spring is heating up!!

To all: The Spring market started early and continues at full speed.  Buyers have really grasped the fact that prices have likely reached their low point, as is the case with interest rates.  Folks are afraid that they may be missing the best real estate market with the highest affordability in decades. Are you thinking of buying or selling?  The time is right!! Call me ...

Latest Housing Survey by Fannie Mae

This piece from Steve Harney and the KCM Team says it all. Read on: National Housing Survey 2012 by The KCM Crew on April 4, 2012 · 404Share 94inShare Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases their National Housing Survey. They survey the American public on a multitude of questions concerning today’s housing market. We like to pull out some of the ...

Spring is Busting Out all Over!!

This piece from Steve Harney and the KCM Team makes lots of sense. Read on:  Here comes Spring, historically the time of year when buyers awake from the winter slumber of the holidays and snowfall, and go on their pilgrimage to look for new housing. Houses look better in Spring with green grass, blooming trees, and flowers. Plus, buyers who find a home in the next 60 days can close after the ...

Selling or thinking of selling a home?

This piece from Steve Harney makes lots of sense. Read on: How the Serenity Prayer Applies To Selling a Home You may believe that selling your home is impossible in today’s market. You may feel powerless to the process. What could YOU possibly do to turn this housing market around? There is no doubt that today’s real estate market is extremely difficult to navigate. However, we want you ...

Will 2012 be the year of Change?

To all: I am seeing more and more articles in the news about how the year 2012 for the National Housing Market will be a turnaround year. One article today addressed the continuing decreases in both new foreclosures as well as the total number of foreclosed properties in the market.  Recent articles talked about the renewed confidence on the part of builders of new homes, ...

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 ...