Have a super Halloween!

I'm in the Capture Rochester Book!

Maybe you got an e-mail from me asking you to vote for my photos. Maybe I tried to bribe you with coffee and asked you to vote for my photos. Or maybe it was the tears as I pleaded with you to vote for my photos. Whatever it was, it worked because not only is one of my photos included in the Capture Rochester Book but it also won a People's Choice Award for being one of the top 25 photos in the book. I'm so excited!!

The book is beautiful and probably 95% of the photography is better than mine so it's pretty shocking to get the award. The whole concept of the book is pretty amazing. They asked the general public to submit photos and 1,166 people submitted nearly 25,000 photos. Then they asked the public to vote "yay" or "nay" for the photo and the received more than 1.5 million votes! Isn't that incredible. Any way, if you'd like to order a copy, go to http://www.capturerochester.com/

Say Somthing Nice

It's been tough to blog lately. I'm a firm believer in the saying that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. So I've been silent. There is not much nice to say about the local real estate market right now.

I've got clients, mostly buyers, but they just are not finding anything to buy. It seems that with all the doom and gloom in the news, sellers are not selling unless they absolutely have to. Latest stats out show that the number of local listings is down by more than 10 percent.

Good houses are still selling quickly. In at least 4 occasions during the past six weeks, I've had buyers not quick enough on the draw. One agent told me yesterday that she wrote five offers in October but four of them didn't come together, some due to mulitple offers. So if you are thinking about selling in this market, it is esential that you de-clutter, clean and be up to date on all maintence. Then price it right and it will sell! (If you are thinking of selling, call me and ask about my staging offer.)

Banks are giving mortgages but you've got to have decent credit. I've had a couple of buyers with scores below 500 wanting owner financing. Guess what? Owners check credit as well. Now, more than ever before, Americans should pay their bills on time and make strides to get out of debt. Ever hear of a Budget? It's time to adopt one and stick to it.

I will get back to blogging, I promise! I appreciate the e-mails asking if I'm okay. And I guess there has been one very nice side to the current real estate market, I've been able to spend more time with my husband and enjoying photography and other hobbies! Have a fun and safe Holloween!

Yes, There Still Are Mortgages Available in Rochester!!!!

I know that this mornings headlines scream that the credit crunch hits local, but after surveying several banks and mortgage brokers, I've learned there are still mortgages available in Rochester! In fact, you don't need perfect credit either. FHA insured mortgages are still available for individuals with a credit score as low as 580 with 2.25% down payment!!! Minimum down payments will increase January 1, 2009 but for the time being you only need two and a quarter percent down.

Conventional financing is still available with a 5% down payment. Rates are based on credit scores with buyers having a score of 740 or better earning the best rates.

Please, please, please if you know someone thinking about purchasing real estate, encourage them to call a bank or mortgage broker and not believe everything they hear at the gym or golf course. There is a ton of bad information out there!

I Feel Like I'm 16 Again.

When I was 16, it seemed like the whole world evolved around the phone. There were no e-mails or text messages. In fact, there were no cell phones and instead of voice mail, there were busy signals or no answers. As a result, there were many hours spent fretting, waiting for the phone to ring.

Well, I'm feeling like I'm 16 again. I didn't sell a single house in September and I've spent many hours fretting, waiting for the phone to ring. I only wish I still looked like I was 16!

I don't think I'm alone in this real estate market. This morning, the MLS reports over 400 expired listings in the Rochester market. I don't normally count the number of expired, but there were too many not to notice today.