We don't have a slow season, and I cannot even count the number of times I have sold a home in Heritage Lakes to buyers in multiple offer situations. Heritage Lakes has been a very popular neighborhood since it broke ground. Count yourself fortunate and jump in any time you like. Other than August, when it's 105 degrees and miserable outside, we don't have a slow season. You can thank all of those corporations just down Lebanon and around the corner to Legacy Drive - JCPenney, Frito-Lay, EDS, Dr. Pepper, Countrywide, Ericsson, and others. They keep us Realtors hopping year-round.

The ruling on foreclosures is that, if there is one in the area, it will have to be taken into account by the Appraiser. However, that has partial bearing on the assessment of value. I am not experiencing any instances where my contracts are being challenged by the appraisal process. Knowing the area in which you work makes a huge difference in how smooth the overall process of selling a home can be.

Have a blessed day!
Ronda

Ronda Allen-Realtor and Certified Purchasing Manager
CEO of comingsoonhomes.com
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs-Keith Dobbs Team
#1 Office and #3 Team for RE/MAX in the North TX region at mid-year 2009!

Jeff,

I hear ya. The slow season? 45% of all real estate transactions occur during the Fall/Winter while 55% of all transactions are in the Spring and Summer, the difference? A mere 10% of a pool of buyers. Many times it is the serious buyers out during the fall in my listings which I sell during the winter for about 97-100% of list price. A foreclosure can reduce the area values by 8%. However, there are things we do to help our clients to make the most amount of money the market will bear and in the least amount of time. My advice? Call me!

Nicole Arenas, Realtor

The foreclosure and short sales in Heritage Lakes have significantly been reduced although I understand your concerns about the upcoming "slow" season.

Before you consider these factors you have no control of, it may be more important to find out why is it that you are wanting to sell or if you have any other constraints to your sale.

A realtor who specializes in Heritage Lakes and in home selling can help you uncover some good answers. Then with that, you could decide if you want to put the house up for sale when.

Good luck.

Hi Jeff,

I just checked the sales history for your subdvision for this time last year - while it's old data it still gives us an idea about what's going on there. Between Oct. and Jan. last year homes stayed on the market an avg of about 150 days. More recent data (Aug - to date) shows average days on market at 100. The foreclosure issue is valid and something that we've struggled with for appraisals. That being said, the foreclosure market is slowly beginning to resolve itself. The average sold price in your neighborhood is approx. $295k and there are currently 13 homes for sale and 3 that are in escrow. Call me if you'd like to discuss this further. With more information I can give you a better sense of how to proceed.

You can reach me at 469-450-1326

Best regards,

Andrea Brooks

The Brooks Team, Keller Williams

Jeff,

I can understand your concern about the "slow season" but always keep in mind it only takes 1 right buyer to successfully sell your home. Typically people do not want to sell in the holiday months of November and December mainly because of family coming in and out of town, the kids being home from school, and the normal chaos of the holidays. If you can deal with all of this I would encourage you to go ahead and list your home. There are always buyers coming in and out of town for vacations, scouting out job relocation's, and visiting family.

As for the foreclosure market bringing down your value, this is not always the case, appraisers are suppose to only use foreclosure and REO comps when there are not enough traditional sales available. I can only tell you if you are safe in this area by providing your a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) for your home.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns, or if you would like to get that CMA to see where you may stand right now in the market if you did decide to sell.