On Sunday morning, I am being interviewed by Faye Dudley on Mix 96.5 on the state of the Cedar Rapids real estate market, Traditions Real Estate, and the way we do business.  The broadcast will air sometime between 6-7 a.m. so you early birds tune in and listen to the 15 minute interview.

Also, based on the information provided by the NAR (National Association of Realtors) and the Cedar Rapids Real Estate Board, the area has slowed in the number of houses sold over last year's numbers.  This is one statistic that forecasters can look to in predicting what kind of season we're going to have. 

Here are the top seven things you need to take into consideration with a market like we're having in Cedar Rapids:

  1. The news is never as bad as it is nationally, especially on the East and West coast.
  2. Iowa is ranked 14th in the nation in foreclosures, most of which are not in Cedar Rapids.  Want to guess what the number one city is in Iowa???  A big college is there!
  3. If you are about to purchase a house, be smart with your money, live with a budget plan,  and make sure you put aside some money for an emergency/rainy day fund.  Plump up your savings account in the event there is a disability or job loss in the family.
  4. If you are selling your home, do you have enough equity to afford the services of a Realtor?  Traditions Real Estate is one of the only full service brokerages in town offering a flexible commission plan from 5-8% depending on your motivation to sell and your budget (seller's net proceeds at closing).
  5. If you are just visiting a lender, don't let them lend you the absolute maximum that you can afford, whether it's a prime A loan or a B,C, or D loan with a much higher interest rate.  Trust me, you'll not be able to afford toilet paper at the end of the month.  If you are dual incomers, can you afford to live off of one spouse's income and invest, and save with the other income?
  6. If you are just "kicking the tires" and thinking about buying or selling real estate, make sure you educate yourself about the buying and selling process.  My website is designed to do just that so get your education.  I've got lots of downloads and reports for buyers and sellers that will save you thousands or dollars and many headaches over the course of this very important transaction.
  7. The rate of doom and gloom on the national housing market almost always comes out of California where a one room studio can put you into foreclosure.  Cedar Rapids's real estate rate of appreciation is very low so no matter what the housing market is doing, our losses or gains are minimal and safe.

Traditions Real Estate wants to earn your business whether you are buying or selling for the very first time or a been there, done that several times seller.  Our broker Matt Smith is an 18 year veteran in the field.  Knowone in the industry prices homes to sell quicker and for more of the asking price than our company.  Our marketing and technology exposes your property to more "potential buyers" than any other brokerage or single Realtor in town. 

Do a search on www.google.com for the key search phrase, "Cedar Rapids Real Estate" and the only local Realtor that comes up is Christopher Smith.  That's no accident as I've worked very hard to get to the first page, so clients could see the value that myself and Traditions Real Estate offers.  Our slogan is "Success in real estate at the SERVICE of others."  Giving us the lead on marketing and listing your home will put more money in your pocket and that's the bottom line.

Christopher Smith

Traditions Real Estate

www.christophersmithrealtor.com

christopher.smith.realtor@gmail.com

319-329-5988

Licensed Realtor in the state of Iowa

"Success in real estate at the SERVICE of others"