Property starting to move.

During the past month in a first look at statistics for 2009, the information available to me shows more listings coming on the market in January than in the month of December. However, this is very typical of the beginning of a new year when sellers evaluate their need to move in this market.

The average number of days for a listing to stay on the market is 107. This is an excellent sign the market is active and more listings are being priced realistically in today's real estate market. Commercial and income-producing properties are beginning to sell. More activity is reported in these areas than in the past month.

The most active price range is $300,000 to $500,000. In my opinion, this a good sign because in prior months this was one of the slower price ranges to move. There is considerable action in the less than $150,000 price range. It is reported that investors are looking and purchasing homes under $100,000 in all areas of Brevard County.

The most valued bargains in today's market are receiving multiple offers. We have not seen this type of action on certain listings since the heydays of 2004 and 2005. The difference is the values are so much lower than in the past years. Properties receiving multiple offers are properties that are definitely reflecting a great value in price, age, condition and location.

One of the most interesting statistics is the number of cash closings for the past one-month period. Cash closings far outweigh the number of sales being financed which, in my opinion, indicates that buyers may be liquidating their holdings in other areas to purchase real estate as a more secure investment.

Placing money in your home or second home typically is a safer place to have your investment as we witness the extreme volatility of the stock market. Some owner financing is apparent in the recent closings. This confirms that sellers can sometimes receive more of a return by holding a mortgage than placing their money in CDs at a lower rate of interest.

If you, as a seller, are thinking of holding a mortgage when selling your home, make sure that the mortgage is as safe as you can make it by requiring 20 percent down payment and excellent credit. This can save the buyer closing costs, eliminate the need for an appraisal and expedite the overall closing process.

The real estate market in Brevard County is sizzling with action. Remember if you are a seller and you want to sell and buy in this market, you have to give a deal to get a deal. Rates are low, inventory is in abundance, and programs and incentives are available for your place in the sun.

Buy now, it could pay off in future.

It's hard to say no to purchasing real estate in Florida when the government offers $15,000 back to you in tax credits, the banks are offering the lowest interest rates in years and this is a buyer's market giving you the variety of choices in every style and price range. The icing on the cake for non-residents is to become a Florida resident and eliminate your state income tax along with the enjoyment of pleasant weather, blue skies and sparkling waterways.

All of these elements for purchasing may never line up like this again in your lifetime. I recently met an intelligent Floridian who claims to have created his own pension through his many real estate purchases in Brevard County. Granted, this man was a person of wealth, but his challenge, as is most everyone's challenge, is how to invest in a safe manner for retirement. He said he likes to "feel and touch" his investments so he has eliminated the purchase of stocks from his portfolio.

Owning and exchanging real estate has always worked for him in the past. He has now invested all of his holdings and purchased more than a dozen homes. These properties are rented with competitive rental prices and are professionally managed. He is able to depreciate these properties on his income tax each year and he uses the revenue for income or his pension.

On a smaller scale, many of us may be able to do the same, however, this is not something one can accomplish in a short period of time. This done, one purchase at a time, could be a lifetime goal for retirement. Safety measures must be used if real estate is an investment and used for rental purposes.

Meeting with a good accountant to review the advantages of Starker exchanges and the affordability of one's plan to purchase is only the first step. Consulting with a good Realtor on properties and rental rates, consulting with a good banker on mortgage interest rates and consulting with a good financial planner will give a beginner a good start for a great plan.

Don't let emotions ruin deal...

There is a time to move, and a time not to move. A time to negotiate and a time to stop negotiating. Residential real estate is emotional -- it is our home, either the home we are selling or the home we are buying.

A home is about family, it's about relaxing -- it's a reflection of the pleasures of one's life as we decorate and create our own personal and charming place to find peace and happiness. It is about memories of times past or a look forward to future good times. This is why purchasing or selling one's home is so very emotional. As a counselor in residential sales, I hold up the red flag of caution when the negotiations become too emotional. Your emotions can cloud your thinking and negate the goal that you have been heading towards.

In today's market, make sure as a seller that you truly want to sell this home. You may only have one good chance. This is difficult, but a seller today must try to take the love that you have had for your home out of the transaction. Take the emotion out of the negotiation on price. If the price can be met with agreement and this price is within the market value range as indicated by past sales and current listings of similar properties, then take the offer.

Look at the bottom line and try to be unemotional. If you are getting what you need to move where you want to go, then, go for it. It is highly unlikely that you will get a price that is more than the value indicated by this market research. The fact is, if you as the seller will then be the buyer in this market, you are not losing. You are taking advantage of this market for you own benefit in your purchase of a new home. We call this sell low, buy low.

Do not let the closing date destroy your chance to buy or to sell the property. If the seller wants to sell and the buyer wants to buy, this is the time to compromise. Moving out of your house takes time and effort, but it can be done in 30-60 days. The shorter the time frame to close, the less likely problems will occur prior to closing. Buyers need to stay excited about the purchase and they need to own their new home in a reasonable period of time. Delayed closings can result in change of interest rate, change of family or job status or just simply a change in desire called buyer's remorse. Because selling and buying a home is emotional, keep the good and positive energy moving on this type of transaction and all parties will be happy at the closing table.