I was recently asked several questions by someone I greatly admire and respect.  I wanted to give him valid answers so I did a little research.  I thought the results were worth sharing.  The first question:

There have been several reports over the past few weeks that appear to indicate that residential housing markets are improving. We would like your insight on this idea.

1. a.      Has there been an increase in residential sales in your area compared to a year ago? Compared to late 2011?

As of March 31 2012 there are 9,318 homes on the market.  March 2011 there were 12,244 (23.9% reduction in inventory in Duval County).  Year to date 15,758 were listed and year to date last year 18,908 a drop in 16.7%  I “feel” the difference in the number of properties available to show.  I have also noticed that fewer properties appear to be short sales or foreclosures than a year ago.  New listings for March totaled  2,167 and last year, 2,372.

Solds though are a surprise.  March 11 there were 1228 solds versus last year 1303.  “Solds” mean the property actually closed but does not indicate a drop in contracts written.  It is interesting to note that properties that went into “pending’ status (had contracts accepted) for March numbered 1818 while last year at this time there were 1501.  A 21.1% increase.

Keep in mind that these figures are for Duval County only.

Ponte Vedra (32082 only) is very interesting. 19 homes sold (closed) in March versus 10 last year – a 63% increase.  Homes went into pending status: 18 homes under contract for March 2012 versus only 8 in March 2011.  Up 68%!  The total number of listings on the market the month of March 2012 is 108 and March of 2011 128 (16.7% decrease).  New listings on the market for March: 17 versus 25 a year ago – (32% decrease).

Another interesting look is at the zip code 32259 (north west St Johns County – St Johns and Fruit Cove):

“Solds” 95 vs 108 (-12%), units in pending this month versus a year ago:  154 vs 124 a 24% increase!!!  There are a total of 778 homes on the market and last year there were 872 (down 10%) and new listings that came on the market for the month totaled 173 and last year in March 198 (-12%)

Other interesting info:

Zip Code 32259 has an average sales price for new listings at 339,973 versus last year for the month 331,123; so list prices up 2.67%

The solds averaged 247,505 versus last year’s average of 210,954.  Keep in mind:  The “solds” went under contract anywhere between November 2011 or earlier when the market was down. (Fall and winter are traditionally slower as well.) I believe  that upwardly mobile people are the ones listing homes this month for a summer move.  These people have jobs, are working, and do not appear to be shortsales.  This is a primarily family area ( because of the schools)  with very few homes without children.  The units coming on the market when these “solds” went into pending did not fit the school calendar so my guess is that they are more forced sales, i.e., foreclosures and short sales.  No facts here, just experience and knowing the area.

Zip Code 32082 (Ponte Vedra): 

New listings for the month average 955,689 while last year they average list price was 920,655.  Solds: (now there is a lot of the same logic here – the people that put their homes on the market in the fall or winter in PV are either empty nesters typically (indicating smaller homes) or forced sales – not families with kids in school) and the average closed price this March 500,000 and last year…..350,000 – up 42.10% 

Let’s look at Jacksonville as a whole for the same info:  The  average new list price 272,693 versus 252,873 (7.8%) and the sale price 178,244 versus 158,063… another healthy increase – 12.77%

Jacksonville does not include Ponte Vedra and NW St John’s County and those areas are usually the most active because of the schools…I am hoping we are seeing a trend here.  These areas are usually the first to appreciate so…I am going to celebrate that recovery is coming!

What do you think??

First, we call our compensation "Coop"… what is the Coop?  it doesnt come from chicken coop… it is short for Cooperation..

what is Cooperation?  working together to achieve a goal…the money at the end of the rainbow.  The other agent is your friend, your partner, your vehicle to help you reach your goal.  The relationship isnt a "push pull" or who is right, or who can win an argument,… I want to say that every agent you work with you need to thank.  They gave you the opportunity to sell a home you would not have without their listing…or they brought a buyer that you would not have for your listing.  If I wanted to feed my family, pay my bills or just buy something new and someone gave me the money…boy I would be grateful, wouldnt you?  Well in a way, that is what the other agent is doing…giving you the opportunity to earn your money and your have to cooperate to get there…play nice, be nice.  Treat the other agent with as much respect, honor, kindness and helpfulness as you would like to receive.

I am grateful every time I have the opportunity to do business with another in my profession.  The big picture is where the value is, not in the little irritations or what we think we are so "right" about.  After 30 years, I learn something new every day…and re learn a lot of things I may have forgotten or overlooked. 

If we have worked together, just want you to know, I appreciate and am grateful for your efforts.  Whether you are a Magnolia Agent, or an agent with another company that has listings or buyers that have or may end up with a sale for us, I appreciate the opportunity.

Now, if you have read this and think…oh brother, oh right, she hasnt worked with so and so, I am trying to protect my buyers, this agent doesnt know what they are doing… they get up and go to the mirror…and remember…you arent all that -whoever you are.  There will be someone that finds those same problems with you so just go get over yourself.  Remember something that I read recently and am trying to think about every day:  You will not be remembered for something you said to someone, or did but rather for how you made them feel".  Your other agents in our industry are your partners…so make the best of it.  You be the shining star and everyone will want to work with you.  Be a blessing.

It will be win win for all parties and that is what success is made of. All day long I say to other agents (yes Magnolias as well as our partners outside of our company), lets be nice, use honey, you dont have to be "right" just make sure you work things out… cooperate…one more time today…  sometimes I want to say "do you get paid if this doesnt close"… "Will you make more if you cause more drama and difficulty just to be right?"  "will your buyer feel better about this if you have gotten everyone upset, when all you have to do is help them to relax and help them work out the difficulties.."

I want to commit, and all of us commit, to being "nice".  See what happens in the long run.  If you find someone extremely difficult…you may find there is something going on with them you dont know about.  I have occasionally said…I am so sorry, you must be struggling with some very difficult issues and I know this just has to be a straw on the camels back… how can I make this easier for you?… amazing what a little kindness and acknowledgment will do!

Lets get on with it!

If you havent attended the class Jeff Marks is teaching on the new contract, you need to.  I always learn so much from him and this class is no exception.  Not just the new changes but about real estate in Jacksonville in general.

We are having him come to Magnolia for a class on April 12 and are happy to share out time with him if any Realtors would like to attend who are not with Magnolia.  Just let us know.

I think the new agreement has some great changes!  Thank you to the Forms Committee and particularly Jeff Marks for all your hard work.

We have some wonderful music venues in our city (cities)…and how great to live in an area with so many opportunities for fun.

The Moody Blues were here last weekend (St Augustine amphitheatre)… if you havent been to that venue make plans to do so now.  The MBlues were better than ever.  Truly.  The music and their voices  seemed only to grow sweeter.   

Just a short drive and a beautiful night under our gorgeous night sky.

Arent we lucky to live here?

I hope you stop and think how special and value each patron of your services is to you.  Not just for your potential income but the fact that they have entrusted one of their biggest and most emotional decisions to your professionalism.  In the past few years purchasing a home has been stressful not to mention borderline frightening for many.  Watching their friends and family suffer with job losses, home short sales and foreclosures, credit issues, would impact anyone considering a home.  A sad reality.  We, as real estate professionals, have the opportunity to impact families in a real and positive way.  The entire experience can be a little less overwhelming and fearful with diligent and committed effort to do everything we can to provide them with the information and support they need to be confident in the purchase of a new home. 

Jacksonville real estate is a bargain right now.  Prices appear to have hit the bottom and in some areas, already rising.  Purchasing a home is, most likely, going to be a decision made now that will bring the dream of homeownership and security back for many individuals and families.

I am thankful and appreciative of the confidence each family has placed in the hands of our Magnolia agents, myself and all other real estate professionals in our community.  We really are working together.  Without each other, there are no listings, or buyers for our listings…no "coop" to support our families.

God Bless all those that purchased a home in the last few years.  We are grateful for the opportunity and the contribution to our community – and the road to recovery!

and I think I can qualify to send it to you.  Eileen Bridgit Galvin is my name.  My father loved being Irish – it was almost a hobby for him, thus for his six children as well.  this little story will give you a moment to think…and wishing you a blessing…especially all my northeast Florida real estate friends and partners.  We are partners you know…we have no business without one another.

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

a slow and terrifying death.

the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

he did.

with pneumonia.

I told you the market is changing.  I made an appointment to show a house yesterday.  A brand new listing (less than 48 hours old) and the listing agent said… STOP>..No more SHowings!!!! I have six offers in my hand now>

Yes, it was a short sale.  Yes it was price well, not an unbelievable steal of a price of realistic.  It was an special location I think but that would be in the eye of the beholder.

I think we are seeing more confidence in our market which results in more activity and it brings a more balanced environment but you mix that up with a lower inventory of homes for sale in the Jacksonville area and….. what do you think?

I believe I will go with an "Amen" here…  I am just say….

Kevin and Celeste Hart:  I am so proud of you!  Thank you for being on our team!

Just a couple of interesting facts.  The average list price for homes in Jacksonville has increased over 5% compared to February of last year.  The average list price is currently 266,927 and last year it was 250,968.  Pending (under contract) sales are up 30% over last year.  Inventory is down.  Last year there were 12,304 homes on the market in February.  This year in Jacksonville there are 9,303 homes on the market.

Looking at demand and the number of homes undercontract in Duval County, prices should continue to rise.  Prices will be less negotiable. 

Jacksonville is on the grow!

I am not a golfer – have never played; but I do think this is very thought provoking.  I was chatting with someone today and he said that one of the quickest ways he knows of to tell the true character of a person is to play 9 holes with them.  It will quickly become apparent if they are competitive, fun loving, jealous or petty, envious or mean.  If someone is happy that another make a great shot, gets upset if their own shot is lacking, even perhaps loses their temper, is encouraging and fun loving or negative and perhaps even not very trustworthy…all in a couple of hours.  Funny that a game can bring out ones true character. 

Another friend said to me "a cheater is a cheater".  Seems to be very true.  He meant that someone who cheats a little somewhere, will cheat a lot somewhere else – maybe just takes a little more time.  Or maybe a small indiscretion is really only hiding the bigger, already more characterless behavior.

I hope, after all that, that you enjoyed your weekend as much as I did.  Gorgeous weather, though a little cold in Jacksonville today….but sunny and bright.

After all the weather that has caused so much pain elsewhere, I am grateful.

This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology. GPS A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen. The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

MOBILE PHONES

20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.' When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.  

Moral of the lesson:

Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you..

*PLEASE PASS THIS ON

Even if this does not pertain to you….Pass it on to your family & friends

Something to consider if you have a GPS – don't put your home address in it… Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.