Central New York Housing News

Today's sellers may face challenging conditions in many markets, but that doesn't mean choosing to sell is a bad idea. There are many reasons to sell and most are good ones. 

Here are ten tips to get you on your way to getting your home sold.

1. Hire a Professional. This is no time to be navigating the rough waters of the real estate market on your own. You want someone who can help you accurately price your home, bring in potential buyers, handle contracts, and market your home to the masses.

In its Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending January 5, 2012, Freddie Mac reported that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) for the Northeast fell slightly, dropping form 3.96 percent to 3.93 percent with an average 0.7 point.

The 15-year FRM for the Northeast fell from 3.28 percent to 3.27 percent with an average 0.7 point.

Nationally, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.91 percent, down from 3.95 percent the week prior, while the 15-year FRM fell slightly from 3.24 percent to 3.23 percent.

HouseLogic, the consumer website for the National Association of Realtors® has released the results from their latest survey. They found that when it comes to the upcoming 2012 election, jobs and housing are at the forefront of voters' minds.

The U.S. will not become a nation of renters; there are just too many benefits, both financial and otherwise, to own versus rent. That's according to the combined findings of several recent studies presented during the "Buyer or Renter Nation?" session at the 2011 Realtors® Conference & Expo recently.

Commercial real estate markets have been relatively flat this year, but improving fundamentals mean a more positive trend is expected in 2012, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The National Association of Realtors® commends Congress for reinstating the loan limit formula and maximum cap for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans for two years.

The Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS^® (GSAR) recently donated 2,336 sample sizes of toiletry items to two worthy Syracuse area charities. "Small Bottles, BIG Help" was a National level contest, organized by Melynn Sight of nSight Marketing out of Kansas City. GSAR exceeded expectations, and won the contest across the country! GSAR wanted to deliver big for our community by collecting something so small as bottles from Hotels!

If you've been on the fence about homeownership, now is the time to take a leap! Don't let the negative press deter you from one of life's greatest joys.

Take a look at five short and sweet reasons that homeownership is great!

The homeownership rate is at its second-highest level on record, only behind the record high set in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which began collecting home ownership data in 1890. 

By region, the homeownership rate is: