Real Estate Advice

Is it time to take your house OFF the market? When are home prices in your community going to bottom out? These are a sampling of questions many of us are asking these days. Check out some of the answers with this conversation which recently aired on my favorite morning show... The Today Show on NBC.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041440/ns/today-money#40530221

After that look over some of our homes for sale by owner in Mason City and the surrounding communities.

http://www.northiowafsbo.com/

I found this article in USA Today very interesting and thought you might, too!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-11-14-smaller-homes_N.htm

It includes trends, floor plans and neighborhood layouts!

According to my research, the average new home in the 1970's had 1500 square feet. In 2003, it grew to 2300 square feet. No surprise with the current economy and a more environmentally-friendly atmosphere, new homes are shrinking again. But that doesn't necessarily mean homeowners are disappointed.

Happy reading!

Check it out! http://www.NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com was featured in a local news story last night... along with a home buyer who used the site! Click here to see it!

http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Houses-For-Sale/CYrWPOHj2Uimj9DOQxZWnw.cspx

Price Reduced on Clear Lake Home

Check out the great price on this 4-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home. Just reduced $139,000! Move-in ready! See more at NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com

http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/1100_5th_avenue_south/index.html

3-Bedroom Less than $100,000

This is a great starter home located in Mason City. All brick, 3-bedrooms, and great location. See more at http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/1735_cerro_gordo_way/index.html

Clear Lake Home For Sale By Owner

This 4-bedroom Victorian Home in Clear Lake, Iowa is charming inside and out. Totally renovated, super curb appeal with classic front porch for relaxing. Large lot and located just two blocks from high school. Looking for a serious FSBO buyer!

More information @ http://northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/1814_main_avenue/index.html

Custom Built Home at Golf Course

This gorgeous family home in Mason City/Clear Lake, Iowa is custom built and designed by Michael Momberg. Hickory floors, solid corian countertops, maple cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Plus a master suite to die for! Great Country Club location for anyone who likes to golf and entertain!

Special reduced price for 'For Sale By Owner' Buyer.

See more at
http://northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/2348_calloway_court/index.html

3-5 Bedroom Family Home- $114,900

This is a great family home at a great price. Well-cared for real estate in Mason City, Iowa. Looks are deceiving from the outside- there is a lot of space in this house! Maintenance-free on the outside. Super front porch! Close to East Park.

Beautiful Craftsman Home For Sale

This is a beautiful 3-bedroom craftsman home. You will love the woodwork and hardwood floors in this piece of real estate for sale in Mason City. So much character at a great price.. $160,000. Go to NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com to see more pictures. http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/514_4th_street_se/index.html

Executive Homes FSBO

We have two beautiful executive homes fsbo on the website this month. Both are grand and located on scenic properties. Check them out on http://www.northiowafsbo.com/

The first is located on the outskirts of Charles City close to Cedar Ridge Golf Course.
http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/3065_220th_street/index.html

The second is located in Mason City. http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/2938_morning_star_court/index.html

Another Testimonial for NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com

Scott Roberts of Mason City is another example of how homeowners are saving thousands of dollars by selling FSBO! Scott posted his house on northiowafsbo.com at the beginning of the year and is scheduled to close in the next few weeks!

"I took your advice and put up a lot of arrow signs which led to my house," said Roberts. "That brought a lot of lookers. But the person who is buying it found my home on your website."

Scott spent $80 to advertise his home on northiowafsbo.com for two months. At closing, he's set to save $4,620 in realtor commission fees. Congratulations, Scott!

For more advice on selling FSBO, go to our tips page on http://www.northiowaforsalebyowner.com

Interest Rates on the Rise

If you're in the market for a new home, you already know that interest rates are on the rise. According to experts, they're hovering around 6% nationwide.

I found an interesting video clip from NBC's Today Show this morning that gives some great insight into where rates may go from here. And, more importantly, what home buyers need to consider when shopping for homes.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36549153#36549153

When you're done watching, come back and see some of the great homes for sale in North Iowa. We have fsbo's in Mason City, Clear Lake, Humboldt, plus acreages, too!

http://www.northiowaforsalebyowner.com/

Do It Yourself Projects (b-4 putting the house up for sale)

As spring approaches, many homeowners are getting ready to put their homes on the market. But before you put a 'for sale' sign up, you want your house to be in tip-top condition. Especially in a market where home values aren't what they used to be.

You might think that some projects, like fixing a hole in the wall, require a hired professional. Not necessarily so. Here are some great tips from The Today Show on NBC.

http://www.today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34877449#34877449

Once your house is ready, visit http://www.northiowaforsalebyowner.com/ where we can help you market your home on the internet.. a tool 80% of homebuyers are using!

Clear Lake Woman Finds Dream Home on NorthIowaFSBO.com

It's funny how the Internet and NorthIowaFSBO.com can make things happen for homeowners so quickly! I wanted to share what one Clear Lake woman recently told me. Her name is Emily Forsyth. She and her husband have been looking for a new home. So she turned to the Internet.

"I just Googled 'Clear Lake For Sale By Owner' and your website came up. I checked it out and our dream home was on there!", said Emily.

Less than two months later, Emily and her family are living in their new home.

NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com can help you find or sell a home by offering a great advertising and marketing medium. All you pay is a small monthly advertising fee to be on the site. Plus, use as many pictures and as many details as you like. And the beauty of buying or selling FSBO is you don't have to pay up to 7% in a realtor's fee. Check us out at http://www.northiowaforsalebyowner.com/

Local Lender on 2010 Housing Market

One of the things I like to do for people who visit northiowafsbo.com is to gather information about the housing market and make it available right here in one conventient spot. I try to do that by gathering information from sources online as well as talk to local experts.

Pat Thompson is a local lender at Farmers State Bank in Mason City. He's hopeful, but realistic about 2010.

"2010 will hopefully be a stable year. I don’t see rates doing anything drastic. Home sales by units I think will be stable and maybe slightly increase. As far as home values, I don’t think we are out of the woods yet. Still a lot of good deals out there which is great for those capable of buying but I ultimately think that the overall home values may still suffer and/or not rebound because of the deals being made now."

By mid-January 2010 it is estimated sale prices in Mason City fell an average of 5-percent during the 4th quarter of 2009.

http://http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2010/01/15/news/latest/doc4b5003f8d7a99438558809.txt#vmix_media_id=9300077

This article from CNNMoney.com reveals many insiders aren't forecasting a rise in national home prices for 2010. It cites three main reasons: a coming flood of foreclosures, rising interest rates and the eventual end of the tax credits.

http://http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/31/real_estate/home_price_drop/index.htm?postversion=2009123106

FSB's Pat Thompson has this to say about the article. "Depressing, but interesting. I agree with the article, but I do think that extremes that we feel in our local markets are far less than nationally."

Clear Lake Home For Sale By Owner

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This Clear Lake home has four bedrooms, is a short walk to the lake, downtown and Clear Creek Elementary! Updated kitchen, plus new furnace and AC! Must see!

Check it out on northiowaforsalebyowner.com or click here!

http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/1100_5th_avenue_south/index.html