It’s been a tough time in real estate since July 2008 when the stock market started tumbling and the banks took a turn for the worse, but I’m here to tell you homes are still selling.  It’s just a different market.  At our company, RE/MAX Properties, Inc in Colorado Springs, we are using new tools and techniques to address the realities of today’s market.  I’m on top of it.  In analyzing my business I also realized that since January 2007 when many Realtors started leaving the business or getting part time jobs because their business dried up, I’ve kept going and only really started feeling the impact of the changing market in the fall of 2008.  I have sold 25 homes since January 2007, my buyer specialist closed 2 for me, and I have 2 under contract now.  How many Realtors can post those statistics?  It’s less than in previous years, but I and my team are getting homes closed!

What we are seeing is that all of my sales since fall have been either foreclosure or short sale properties.  As I’ve said before, unless sellers are willing to compete with these types of properties they will find themselves in the group of homes that didn’t sell when 2009 is over.  Last year that number was 64% of homes that were in the MLS in the Pikes Peak Region.

I recently completed training as a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), so I am able to help people who are at risk of losing their homes determine whether they would benefit from a short sale.  I am actively using a great new tool for buyers to be able to check out the price and information on any home in our MLS from their car - anonymously!  And I am ramping up our new InvestorLoft tool for the investors I am working with so they can search on cash flow or Cap Rate.  Awesome!

Finally, towards the end of March I will be learning more about how to help buyers purchase real estate in their self-directed IRA.  If your stock market investments aren’t cutting the mustard or you have cash in IRAs that you don’t know what to do with, you may be interested in looking into this option.  Along with converting to a Roth IRA while your account values are down, if you qualify to do so, looking at real estate may be just what gets you going in the right direction.  Stay tuned.

If any of this intrigues you, you can learn more at carefreehomes4u.com.  To use the tools mentioned above, just email me or give me a call.  It is a fantastic time to buy!  Opportunities are everywhere.