4/14/2000
Greener Grass
As we hopefully climb the economic spectrum and look to a bigger house or simply face a
job transfer and have to move, we face the dilemma of determining where to move to. Often
the situation dictates the decision, but for those with the blessing of being able to shop
for your next residence, I found two very helpful sites.
I'm sure you already know that virtually every Real Estate agency in the country is now
online and the latest fad is to offer 360 degree online panoramic views of choice castles
on the hill for your tempting pleasure. But one task that has been somewhat unavailable to
the general public is getting what is referred to in the industry as a real estate
"comp". That is a list of what nearby houses have sold for recently in the
same neighborhood you are considering buying into. Unfortunately, some states have
financial privacy laws so this information is held in strict confidence I'm sure by the
local Realtors, but many states publish sale prices as openly as the names of the property
owner.
A site with the public information available online nationwide is http://www.fsboadvertisingservice.com/saleprices.asp
You will quickly discover the real selling prices differ dramatically from the asking
prices you find in the advertised listing.
The other eye opener I've recently discovered is the "neighborhood reports"
available on this page http://www.iown.com/neighborhood/
You are able to compare the demographics of household income, age, crime and local school
statistics for any zip code in the US. You can create a graphic chart comparison of the
numbers for up to 5 neighborhoods at a time. Compare any place you "think" is
better than where you currently live. I'm sure the results will surprise you.
And here is a thought provoker only LateNiteLeroy readers will benefit from. How old were
you when you bought your first house? For me it was 29. Add whatever number you came up
with to 1973. I'm going on record as predicting a real estate decline beginning during the
year of the number you just came up with. Why? 1/3 of the children conceived in America
since 1973 have been aborted. What do you think will be market demand for
"starter" homes 29 or so years later? Most folks don't buy a bigger house until
they can sell their smaller one. Moral decisions do have consequences. It just takes a
while to notice.
LateNiteLeroy
Webmaster for http://www.commutefaster.com
Contact directly at leroy@commutefaster.com
http://www.888webtoday.com