Sherwood & Surrounding Area Real Estate with The Gardner Team

You've heard the sayings "for every action, there's a reaction" or "What goes up, will come down - and what comes down, will go up again"  These sayings are never truer than in real estate.  That's why we have buyers and sellers markets.  Each time that respective season comes around, the time it stays and climate of that cycle will always be different - as will the reasons behind it.  Take a look at today's real estate market in Sherwood for example - we're in a buyers market and will be for a while, but at this point in time the pendulum is swinging our way.

• Why?  We're experiencing a cycle within the cycle. 
• What is it? Success of the first time home buyer tax credit, then the rush before it expires, lower interest rates, move up market opportunities, savvy Realtors and so on. 
• How long will it last?  No one knows for sure.  But we believe it will keep going up in the next few weeks due to the first time home buyer tax credit.  If they choose to extend it, this cycle will stay around a little longer.  No matter what we're looking forward to slow steady growth - maybe a few bumps in the road along the way, but staying clear of peaks and valleys.

What it comes down to is this... When you have your finger on the pulse of the market, you know how to read the market, can feel the very vibration under your feet and even smell changing trends in the air, you learn to steer your way through the waves and weather the storm.

Keep this in mind- when it's time for you to hire a guide to help you buy or sell a home in Sherwood Oregon or the surrounding areas, we all know that it's best not to jump in these waters without a certified lifeguard.  While it may seem easier these days to find a home to buy, the process has increasingly become much harder.  Especially with the first time home buyer tax credit being down to the wire, the short sale process and dealing with bank owned properties.  If you're selling, nearly 90% of buyers are starting their search online.  They're not driving around like they use to and the internet is quite a big sea to get lost in - but you can sail right through it using a savvy Realtor who knows the territory and has a plan.

While there is urgency in the air, there's no rush to purchase a home unless you're wanting to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit or looking to buy up or down to participate in these historically low home prices.  As you can see buyers and sellers can BOTH take advantage of today's opportunities.  In either case, we should talk sooner than later.

You can email jasongardner@johnlscott.com or call The Gardner Team directly at 971-832-1234

If everyone is moving forward together, than success takes care of itself - This is something that happens everyday when Realtors work together to successfully make their clients dreams come true.  To have a successful real estate transaction requires "teamwork" and that's exactly what you'll get when you hire The Gardner Team!  

Real estate is about YOU and we're working hard for our clients all day, everyday to make sure your needs, wants and desires are met.  We're proud to announce that in the past 24 hours we've helped more families locate their dream home and FOUR more homes will be going Sale Pending right here in Sherwood as a result!   

Sale Pending by The Gardner Team in the past week: 10

FACT:  No one is selling more Sherwood homes than The Gardner Team.   You deserve to work with someone who takes pride in helping YOU achieve the very best results possible whether you're wanting the most home for your money or needing the most money for your home.  We understand that both the little details and big picture are important.  Our market knowledge, sound advice and leading results will clearly give you a better advantage.  

Maybe it's time you learn more about our philosophy, marketing approach and track record.  If you have higher expectations, give our team a call!

Home buyers and sellers are looking for even more these days in a Realtor and rightly so.  As the real estate market continues to go through rapid change, it's become more important that ever before to insure you're working with the right agent.  We've provided an educational post on how to pick a good Realtor in today's market.   After all, no one wants to get stuck with a rotten apple...

Great article - read more at DiscoverSherwood.com

Potential home buyers who ARE NOT eligible for the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit because they currently own a home actually have what could be an even bigger advantage - the opportunity to buy a new home that is bigger and better than they could have just a year or two before. Now may be an ideal time for any family looking to upgrade from their starter home to one more suited to their current or future needs. Buyers are able to get more home for their money by taking advantage of current prices and interest rates, along with the bargaining power that comes from the large number of homes on the market.

Here's a helpful guide providing the top 5 reasons home owners should consider upgrading to their dream home...

We're pleased to share that we went SALE PENDING on half-a-dozen homes in 72 Hours!  That's a lot of happy faces and moving boxes!

Boy, it's been very busy in the local real estate market for The Gardner Team.  If you're searching for homes under "My Listings" in our John L. Scott webpage, looking at our "Featured Listings" on our personal website www.TheGardnerTeam.net or are maybe paying attention to all local listings on Sherwood's local MLS and real estate search engine,  www.SherwoodHomesandLand.com than you may have noticed the number of new homes "Gardner Team Real Estate" has been putting on the market and the number of listings that seem to disappear in thin-air the next time you blink...  That's because we've had a record number of homes just go SALE PENDING in a short 72 hour time frame!

This is a great example of how the first time home buyer program is working and even helps to create a chain reaction of sellers becoming move up buyers.  Choosing the RIGHT REALTOR to help you maximize your potential as a home-buyer, seller or both is critical to achieving your best outcome.  You deserve to work with a top producer, and that's exactly what you'll get when you hire The Gardner Team.  

Whether you're buying or selling - we'd like you to know that our years of experience, trusted name and proven results can work for you.  Thank you for your consideration.  We're ready when you are and we look forward to hearing from you...

Your Sherwood Area Realtors,

Jason and Amber Gardner - Gardner Team Real Estate

John L. Scott just released TODAY the September 09 Housing Trends Report:  "THE MOVE-UP EFFECT "

It talks about how sales in affordable price ranges signal overall housing recovery.  That declaring that the housing market has finally hit bottom is risky business;  however it is hard to ignore the indicators that point toward a recovering market in the Greater Portland Metro area, including signs The Gardner Team is personally seeing right here in the Sherwood real estate market - which are all things we've been talking to our clients and readers about for weeks now prior to recent press and such publishings.

• The latest Case-Shiller Index shows that real estate values increased in the second quarter of 2009, the first time we've seen a quarter-over-quarter increase in three years.
• The National Association of REALTORS® reported in August that, for the first time in five years, existing homes sales increased four months in a row.
• According to the Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), 72 percent of families nationwide can afford a median-priced home. Last year at this time, only 55 percent of families could.
• The California Association of REALTORS® reported in August that many of the communities that were the first to feel the housing downturn have seen 30-40 percent increases in sales year over year (August 08 vs. August 09).

There are several factors driving these upward trends, amont them are the first time home buyer tax credit, historically low interest rates, and increased affordability in all price ranges.

Evidence of this upsurge in sales activity is best seen in the inventory of homes in the more affordable price ranges. As you can see in the table above, months of inventory are now much closer to what they were during the peak of the frenzied housing boom in 2006.

Over the past 50 years, increasing strength in the more affordable housing market has signaled a turn toward the positive for housing throughout all price ranges. The reason for this is that those who sell their homes to first-time buyers often become move-up buyers, which leads to a chain reaction of sales up the price points.  Therefore, current sales activity in the more affordable price ranges is a strong indicator that the overall real estate market is indeed on the rise.

***These are all important factors we've been sharing with our clients for weeks and readers here on DiscoverSherwood.com for a long time now.  Forecasting the market is something that Jason has always been remarkable at. Many joke that he can truly hear it.  Interesting that here we are weeks later seeing more public releases just coming out about the same things.  It just goes to show that working with the local area "expert" is quite advantageous - especially when to be successful at buying or selling real estate you need to be intelligently ahead of the market.***

URGENT NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS!

Thinking about selling your home?  Now is a GREAT time for you to ride the wave of first time home buyers before the credit expires on November 30th!

If you're a home-seller, this market provides an amazing opportunity for you to find a great deal on a move up home.  Not only that, this is also a great time to sell your current home and ride the wave of first time home buyers before the tax credit expires on November 30th of 2009. 

• Many first time home buyers have limited inventory to choose from when it comes to purchasing a buy it now, move in ready product - meaning that the home is not distressed, a short sale or bank owned property. 
• Homes put on the market by Gardner Team Real Estate sell for top dollar and in a shorter amount of time.  As an example, just a couple weeks ago one of our many happy sellers sold their home fast hiring our team.  It happened to be a first time home buyer property which we sold for them after being on the market only 24 HOURS!  Take a look here 

Our marketing plan, unmatched marketing exposure, proven strategy and "leading" sales results, coupled with the last-minute-rush of first time home buyers eager to purchase a home before the credit ends will insure your home gets SOLD in record time.  

NOW is the best time to get your home on the market.  Our team alone has several first time buyers we're working with "right now" who are ready, willing and able to purchase - and would love to see your home.  Get it done right the first time - save valuable time, undo stress and even get more money in your pocket by calling Gardner Team Real Estate... We're nearing 50 transactions already this year and NO ONE is selling more Sherwood homes than The Gardner Team!

MARKET FACTS:

• Over $3,500 first time home buyers in Oregon have claimed the credit. 
• Nationally, 1.4 million first time home buyers have applied for the credit. 
• It's said that number is expected to grow to just under 2 million by the time that credit expires.
• In Sherwood Oregon there are 50 homes for sale in the first time home buyer criteria - up to $300K
• Of those 50, 26 are a "short sale" - the other 24 are not.  See that list here
• The price range not exceeding $275K, 34 homes are for sale.  Only 12 are not a short sale.
• The price range not exceeding $250K, 18 homes are for sale.  Only 5 of those are not a short sale.

(Criteria covers detached residential homes in Sherwood Oregon for sale. Data provided by RMLS 9/19/2009.)

Contact Jason H. Gardner / Gardner Team Real Estate if you're thinking about selling your home...

(971) 832-1234 | jasongardner@johnlscott.com | www.TheGardnerTeam.net

Read full post at www.discoversherwood.com

With time running out on the hefty federal income-tax, perspective first time home buyers do not want to end up a day late and $8,000 dollars short.  Here's some helpful advice to insure you're successful in the purchase of your home in Sherwood Oregon or the surrounding areas...

With respect that in "today's changing market" it can take upwards of 30-45 days to close on a home, this means that perspective buyers who still want to take advantage of the credit are coming down to the wire to meet the deadline as it relates to finding a home, getting an accepted offer, closing on the home and getting your new keys in hand and essentially moving "BY" November 30^th, 2009.

With only weeks remaining, interest in the first time home buyer credit program is going to reach its peak.  If you're a first time home buyer looking to buy a home before the credit ends, you'll need to account for the rush of home buyers that are coming into the market with you. 

As active, full-time Realtors serving home buyers and sellers in Sherwood Oregon and the surrounding areas, we're already seeing more activity. The last-minute-rush will surely bring with it even more transactions, paperwork to process, additional appraisals and home inspections being scheduled and potential pit falls you'll need to be positioned to avoid. 

Furthermore, it's a good idea to allow yourself some extra time to make a smooth purchase by getting pre-qualified and start shopping for your new home NOW!  Keep in mind there are a number of short sales on the market in the first time home buyer criteria that unfortunately take a longer time to close.  While we work overtime to insure swift success for our clients, this is not a time to roll the dice - these are homes that new buyers now may need to avoid.  With less time on our side and a smaller pool of qualified homes to purchase, you'll want to get in now while the getting is good. 

We keep a daily list of pre-screened homes in the greater Portland Metro area (Sherwood example) that are "the most likely" to close in time for the deadline.  Call Gardner Team Real Estate for more information.

The Gardner Team JUST LISTED this beautiful Sherwood Home on Friers in Sherwood Oregon.

It boasts a large landscaped lot with huge fenced backyard featuring a garden bed, tool shed & spacious patio.  This home has new siding, interior and exterior paint, new carpet, bamboo and tile floors comes fully applianced - yes, including the washer and dryer too!   It's an amazing layout that's both functional, light & bright, abundant in windows & soaring vaults.  It's an outstanding value & great location just walking distance to Sherwood High & Park.  It's a MUST SEE!

If you're a buyer or Realtor who'd like to see this beautiful Sherwood home, call Jason H. Gardner - Gardner Team Real Estate with John L. Scott Sherwood Market Center today for a tour.

971.832.1234

New Property Website: www.BeautifulSherwoodHome.com

Featured on www.DiscoverSherwood.com

Through August 2009, 315,000 first-time homebyers took advantge of the Recovery Act tax credit of up to $8,000.  Of them so far, 3,565 Orgonians have taken advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit!  

According to a U.S. Treasury Department report,  these facts only include buyers who claimed the credit on amended 2008 tax returns.  However, the number of buyers in Oregon is expected to significantly increase because many are expected to file the credit on their 2009 tax return in early 2010.

Across the map, California led all the states with 42,304 credits claimed.  Followed by Texas with 29,536 and Florida at 29,132.

Click here for the CNN Money map which shows how states compare with each other as it relates to the first-time buyers claiming the tax credit.

As mentioned in our previous post, according to the RMLS, in Sherwood Oregon alone nearly half of all homes sold this year fall within the standard first time home buyer range of $200K -$300K.

Contact your top producing real estate team today.  We can help you find a home & get a loan just in time... DON'T MISS OUT!