Friday Facts March 4, 2011

March 4, 2011

Harry S. Truman said, “A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.”

Corelogic reports that stats published by NAR appear to overstate sales of existing homes by 15 to 20% and that home sales fell more sharply last year than previously thought according to an article in Inman News.

ICREA notes that the rate of decline in property values in Ireland moderated in 2010 but that lack of availability of mortgage financing for qualified buyers has put further pressure on the property market. Sound familiar?

Again from ICREA, prices in Spain are down 5% from a year ago and are now almost 20% below the peak in 2007. New Zealand is currently operating at very steady value levels although the numbers of properties being sold has reduced substantially from pre-2008.

Here’s a tip for agents from Bernice Ross in Inman News: “If you post an ad for one of your listings on your Facebook profile page, you have violated the terms of use and can have your account cancelled. You are only allowed to post information about your listings on fan pages, business pages and Facebook Marketplace.

And, a tip for sellers from Dian Hymer in Inman News: “The information reported in the public record is often wrong. Before you put your home on the market, find out what the public record reports on the characteristics of your home and try to correct any mistakes that could work against a sale.”