Eugene's Atlernative Update and Thanks!

Hello friends of Eugene's Alternative!

It has been interesting seeing our friends and past clients out on the town the last few months...some approach with a look of quiet understanding and compassion thinking our company must be battling an illness on the level of Stephen Kings "The Stand".

It is true that the market is not the market of 05' & 06' and that overall the velocity of closing through the MLS is off by about 1/3rd of the recent peak. Property values have taken a beating in the outlying areas and upper price ranges (above $600k) however more modest homes in Eugene (South, Southwest and Eugene Core) have held value very well especially when compared to other markets. It is noteworthy that during the last recession Lane County was one of the 1st economies to get hit and the last to recover as our area was re-tooling from a timber dependent economy. This time Lane County is one of the last to feel the squeeze and our hope is one of the 1st to recover.

The fun news is that Eugene's Alternative has recorded a 20% gain over last years business. "Wow!" and "Why?" are obvious responses; and I have them both. "Wow!" because this was not expected in this market and "Why?" is what this letter is all about - YOU! Our business grows in large part because we ride on the reputation that we have established with our community. I frequently meet new clients who don't just know one of our past clients but several that have spoken highly about our work. We can't thank you enough for sending you friends and family our way.

We continue to strive to be the best presented company on the internet and I think we have done it! Our goal is to have anyone who Googles "Eugene Oregon Real Estate" on alternativerealtor.com within 3 - 4 clicks. Alternativerealtor.com is now represented 4 places above "The Fold" (initial visible page) when folks are searching for real estate information for Eugene.

Alternativerealtor.com integrates:

• A real estate blog
• Video
• Virtual tours of all of our listings
• On-line Real Estate chat - A licensed REALTOR answers questions in real time
• "Click to talk" where a party can enter a phone # and will get a immediate call back
• Real Estate Searches with Google Maps!
• Podcasts are on their way!

The Web; what a way to communicate!

You may have noticed new faces! We have added staff to service the additional business and I could not be happier with the group of folks that I see when I come to work. The volume of business these folks have been doing has been exceptional and their style without compare.

Thanks so much for your support. We hope to see you and your friends in the near future.

Dave and Pam

dave@alternativerealtor.com
pam@alternativerealtor.com

First Impressions

QUESTION:
We are about to sell our home. Friends suggested that we invest time and money to improve its "curb appeal." The home has its original entrance and landscaping. Do you think updating the front yard will help sell the house? Is there a rule of thumb we should follow in determining a budget for exterior updates?

ANSWER:
Thanks for your question.

You get one chance to make a first impression. If a buyer's emotional reaction to your home is positive, that equals more money on your closing statement. Most buyers, when presented with a property that leaves them feeling that they have to start by remodeling or entering into "heavy project mode" will discount their offer or simply buy a different property that does not have that requirement.

First impressions are no longer made in front of the home. Virtual tours and photographs on the internet are a buyer's first introduction to a property over 80% of the time. This is why Eugene's Alternative uses only professional photographers and virtual tours for all of our listings. It is also why home sellers need to think about more than the perspective from the "curb" regarding how your home is viewed for the first time.

As the market becomes more competitive for sellers, investing in the condition of one's home is no longer an option to achieve a timely sale at or near the asking price. Paint and landscaping choices are always the best bang for the buck for a positive exterior presentation. We are quick to recommend new flooring, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and counter tops, for a positive interior presentation. Kitchens and bathrooms are the places to start on the inside, and the front entry is the place to begin presentation changes on the outside.

There is no rule of thumb regarding budget as different properties warrant different investment levels based on their needs, price point potential, and their direct competition.

Please contact us with any additional questions.

all the best,
John & Dave