One of the first questions you’re asked, as a Realtor, is “How long will it take my home to sell?”

Well, that depends on a few things. If you listen to my advice and price it at fair market value (for its location and condition) it will take between 3-4 months to sell in today’s market (see chart above).

If you’re in a hurry to sell, you’ll want to price it slightly below market value and it will probably sell in a matter of days or weeks.

But, if you’re like the majority of home sellers, you’ll want to price it way above fair market value (every seller has their own good reason to do this) and it will sit on the market for six months to a year and then eventually be taken off the market, or worse, you’ll end up lowering your price way below what you could have sold it for in the first place and it will finally sell to some very lucky buyer.

And then, of course, you’ll blame the three real estate agents you hired and fired who couldn’t sell an overpriced home in this market. But don’t feel bad. You’re not alone. You’re just doing what everyone else does. Very few sellers price their homes to sell. Which causes another problem. When they do, and their home sells in a few days, they often feel that they’ve priced it too low. But that’s a topic for another post.

If you would like help pricing your home to sell at the best possible price and in the least amount of time and with the least hassle, please call or email me at stevestewart@kw.com and I would be happy to assist.

Want to know what your home is worth in today’s market? CLICK HERE and find out.

I’m not thrilled that I now have to pay $4 for a gallon of gas, especially since I’m driving buyers around town all day long. But I certainly wouldn’t pay $8 for a gallon of gas if I could go across the street and pay $4. I believe that today’s appropriate response to a situation like this is “hell to the NO.” Okay, I watch too much reality TV.

So, why would a buyer pay $800,000 for a home, when they could go across the street and buy the same home (give or take) for $400,000? Well, they wouldn’t and they don’t, which you can see from the chart above.

Sellers can ask anything they want for their home, but the majority of buyers are just going to go across the street or down the street and buy the home that’s being offered at a fair market price.

Want to know what your home is worth in today’s market? CLICK HERE and find out.

If you need help pricing your home, please call or email me at stevestewart@kw.com.

This Modernism Week (February 17-27), go behind the gates of the fabulous Seven Lakes Country Club, in South Palm Springs, and tour a Midcentury Modern condo, currently on the market. Open Houses being held daily.

DIRECTIONS: From downtown Palm Springs, travel South on Palm Canyon Drive until you reach Cherokee. Look for Open House sign. Turn left and drive one block until you reach the Seven Lakes Country Club gates. Guard will let you in during Open House hours. Call the number above or email stevestewart@kw.com to arrange a personal showing.

Click here to view address, additional information, photos and map.

What could be better than a Midcentury modern condo in South Palm Springs on Fee Simple land (you own it)? One that’s been completely remodeled inside and looks like a new, contemporary model home. If you’re in the market for such a condo, stop by and see it this weekend or call me for a private showing.

Day: Sunday, January 30
Time: 11am and 3pm
Address: 1840 S. Barona Rd., S. Palm Springs (Garden Villas West)
Details: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, approximately 1,322 square feet, built in 1964, near the community pool, three private patios and newly tiled throughout.
Asking Price: $239,000

For additional information, call me or email stevestewart@kw.com.

521 condos/townhomes are for sale and 89 are contingent (already have offers but often accept backup offers).

Of these condos/townhomes, 291 are on fee simple land (you own it) and 230 are on Indian Lease land.
Lowest asking price is $20,000 at Palm Springs Villas II, 1 bedroom/1 bathroom, 589 sf., (1982)
Highest asking price is $895,000 at Tennis Club Condos, 3 bedroom/4 bathroom, 2934 sf., (1972)

If you have questions, or would like more detailed information, please call me or email stevestewart@kw.com.

Palm Springs was selected as a must-see destination because of its year-round sunshine, warm climate, superior collection of mid-century modern architectural jewels and annual signature events like Modernism Week, an 11-day festival celebrating the ideals of mid-century modern architecture, design and culture, slated next year for Feb. 17-27.

“We especially love Palm Springs’ annual Modernism Week,’” noted the editors. “It has events all over the city celebrating all things mid-century: clothes, cars, architecture, music, food…. Very Mad Men, no?”
The editors added, “When Northern Californians want to escape our cold and fog for a taste of summertime, we head to Palm Springs.”

“With Lonelyplanet.com receiving more than 4 million visitors per month, we are understandably thrilled that Palm Springs is one of the top 10 destinations to visit in 2011,” said Mary Jo Ginther, Director of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. “Unique events like Modernism Week inspire people from all over the world to come and celebrate what Palm Springs has to offer!”

She forgot to mention – and to buy a condo! Call me if you’re ready to take advantage of all the Midcentury buyers coming to town next month.

DECEMBER Condo/Townhomes sales in Palm Springs, California: 65 total sales

Lowest selling price was $41,000 at Palm Springs Villas II, 1 bedroom/1 bathroom, 589 sf., (1982)
Highest selling price was $575,000 at St. Baristo, 3 bedroom/3 bathroom, 2090 sf., (2006)

49 of the condos sold were on Fee Simple land (you own it)
16 of the condos sold were on Indian Lease Land