This is the time of year where real estate experts pontificate on where we can expect of the housing market in 2012.  of course, one never knows what things occur that catch us by surprise but we can rest assured that the uncertain economy and this being an election year will be factors that can positively or negatively impact what many are saying will be a year of recovery.  Here are a couple ways to see what folks think will happen in the Charlottesville/Central Virginia area.  Click on this link http://www2.dailyprogress.com/business/2012/jan/22/4/report-housing-market-moderate-2011-ar-1626558/ to read several Realtors' insights or click on this link http://www.wina.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5648715 to hear a http://www.facebook.com/realestatematters discussion on the same topic.  

Here is the official 2011 real estate market report. http://www.caar.com/files/market/02_2011/2011%20Year%20End%20Market%20Report.pdf although the numbers aren't all positive, there is reason to believe some good things are starting to happen.  For example, the pending contracts in the 4th quarter of 2011 far outpaced the the same period in 2010 and the number of homes that came on the market were significantly less in 2011 than in 2010.  This would mean the market could become more balanced should this trend continue.  Listen to Realtors discuss this report Saturday, 1/21 at 10am on http://www.wina.com. go there and click listen live

Eddie Giles from Professional Movers and our CEO Michael Guthrie discussed what it takes to make a successful move..  Listen to the podcast from the show http://www.facebook.com/realestatematters by clicking here http://www.wina.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5638618 or cutting and pasting the url.  

Click on this link http://realcville.blogspot.com/2011/12/three-realtors-and-bubble-blog-part-4.html to read what 3 local Realtors including http://www.roywheeler.com 's CEO and a local blogger have to say about what is happening in Charlottesville and what the future holds for the real estate market in Central Virginia.  Roy Wheeler CEO, Michael Guthrie was pleased to be included in this conversation.

The link that follows is Part 3 of a series of blogs posted on Cville Bubble Blog.  Our hope is that the information and comments included in these posts will give you an idea of the factors that are impacting the overall housing market. http://www.realcville.blogspot.com/2011/01/3-realtors-and-buble-blog-part-3-on.html

Here is Part 2 of a series of Cville Blog posts featuring 3 Realtors in the area and what they have to say about what is impacting the housing market here in Charlottesville. http://www.realcville.blogspot.com/2011/11/3-realtors-and-bubble-blog-part-2.html 

Three of us were asked by a local blog to answer several questions about the housing market.  Here is Part 1 of what we hade to say about different aspects of what positively or negatively impacts real estate in Central Virginia.  http://www.realcville.blogspot.com/2011/11/three-realtors-and-bubble-blog-part-1.html Look for additional posts here as well

Hey everyone. Enjoy the podcast of Saturday's show on http://facebook.com/realestatematters where I project how 2011 will end up compared to 2010. I also provide some additional tips to buyers and sellers on how to do business in this challenging market. http://www.wina.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5595277

Speaking of that let me first chat with those of you who are thinking about selling your home on your own.  Can this be done?  Absolutely, in certain situations.  However, the statistic that 93% of all FSBO’s sell with a Realtor is pretty telling. That doesn’t mean all sellers list their home with a Realtor but it does mean that even if you try to sell it on your own, a Realtor will be the one that brings you a buyer.  Why is this important?

Because the #1 reason for selling your home on your own is to save commission.  Therefore, if a Realtor brings you a buyer, they will expect to be paid.  Once you have agreed to pay them, the commission you are trying to save is diminished and you are now unrepresented while the buyer has someone representing them.

You also should know that buyers know that the #1 reason you are trying to sell your home on your own is to save commission.  Therefore, they will usually come in at a price significantly less than your asking price because they know you aren’t paying the Realtor fees. After thinking about what I have said, if you still want to do it on your own, interview a couple Realtors first.  1) you will get helpful info from them about pricing and marketing.  2) If you find the process of selling your home arduous, you will have already done your homework as to who you would use should you decide to list with a Realtor.

Check out this podcast from http://www.facebook.com/realestatematters that was boradcast on Saturday, 11/26.  http://www.wina.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5576101

Roy Wheeler's CEO and the host of Real Estate Matters with Michael Guthrie on News Radio 1070 goes through what every home buyer should know about the nuances of purchasing a home.