Grand Island’s real estate market is alive and well and doing much better than most markets around the country.

According to the Grand Island MLS system, among  residential  properties with a Grand Island address there has been a steady increase in average selling price since 2000. In 2000 the average selling price was $90,202, and in 2008 it was $116,101. That works up to an average increase of about 2.5 percent per year.

One of the reasons the Grand Island market is in good condition is that we didn’t see the unrealistic appreciation that some areas saw. We have, however, seen a decrease in the number of homes sold since the high of 799 in 2005.

In 2008 there were 595 homes sold in Grand Island, but we lost a large portion of our Spring market due to the flooding. I believe we lost at least 60 days of marketing. If you figure 50 homes a month sell on average, I feel we would have sold around 700 homes if we had a normal Spring.

Another factor that needs to be addressed is the active listings. Presently there are 238 homes for sale in Grand Island. Last year at this time we had more than 270. That is a 15 percent decrease in active listings, which should help keep the average selling prices up. Reduced inventory, along with the low interest rates and tax credit for first-time buyers, the Grand Island market should be very good for the foreseeable future.

• Authored By: Gregg Roberts

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Lois Hartzell

Lois Hartzell, Vistar Homes, was named the 2008 recipient of the Dan Peterson Affordable Housing Award. Given in memory of their son, Bob and Joan Peterson presented the award to Hartzell at HBAL’s 59th annual installation and awards banquet January 12.”The Dan Peterson award is thought of as the most valuable award that someone in our local industry can receive, because it is one from the heart,” Hartzell said. “I am so very honored to receive such an award.”

Hartzell and Rod Hornby, both of Woods Bros Realty, formed Vistar Homes in 2004 to bring in a line of homes to meet the affordable housing market. They continue to keep this as their primary focus and goal. For more information about Vistar Homes, visit www.VistarHomes.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Forbes.com recently named Lincoln, Neb. the fifth best place for business and careers in its 11th annual ranking. Click here for the whole story from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Excerpted from Strictly Business Magazine:

With all the talk about the economy these days, it’s easy to start assuming it’s only prudent to hunker down and ride out the storm, spending as little money as possible and making as few changes as possible. Many people have this knee-jerk reaction even if the supposed ‘bad economy’ isn’t affecting them personally. Even if their business is doing well, they have plenty of money in the bank and there is no trouble on the horizon, they assume things will get bad soon and so they alter their lifestyles. Unfortunately, this has been the case when it comes to the housing market. It seems that every time you turn on the television, you hear something about how bad the market is. This causes a general feeling of fear and people naturally start assuming they should not even consider buying or selling a home in this market. They often don’t even do any research or talk to professionals who can answer questions about the local market, they simply assume.

The truth is, the local housing market in Lincoln is not nearly as bad as the news would have you believe. In fact, it can be a very good market if you are in a position to buy. Consider the following information from the REALTORS Association of Lincoln:

What’s the NATIONAL weather for today?

Suppose you turned on the Weather Channel and were given only a national forecast for the day? You might find yourself dressing for Arizona instead of Nebraska!

Over the past year there has been some dreary news about the nation’s real estate market; yet, no single real estate market exists. Real estate is a local phenomenon, just like the weather.

Read the rest of this entry »

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

It’s probably safe to say “there’s never been a more interesting time” to be a real estate agent than right now.

Anyone who has been helping people buy and sell homes for even a few years has experienced good times and bad. Just three years ago, homes were selling at a fairly fast pace and at nice profits for the homeowners. That trend took a not-so-pretty turn last year when the U.S. economy dipped into a recession. But, thanks to almost historically low interest rates and a federal government stimulus plan aimed at first-time homebuyers, that trend is looking much better.

As a Realtor with Woods Bros Realty, I can tell you first-hand the current $8,000 federal tax credit aimed at first-time homebuyers has created quite a stir. Most of the Realtors I talk to are working with one, two, three or more “new” buyers. These are buyers who most likely would not be looking for a new home right now if it were not for the double-punch of low interest rates and the tax credit.

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• Authored By: JoAnne McCoy

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Did you know that it is better to move to a bigger home in a “down” market than it is in an “up” or even a stable market? Because most people sell their current home before they buy a bigger one, they tend to look at the transaction from the seller’s standpoint. They see the loss they may take on their current home and decide it is wise to wait for the market to improve.

But take a moment to consider this scenario.

Your home was worth $120,000 last year. If the market were down 5 percent, this year your home should bring $114,000, or $6,000 less than it would have last year.

Now suppose the home you will buy would have sold for $180,000 before the market slowed down. With the market down 5 percent, that home is likely to bring $171,000 this year, or a savings (to the buyer) of $9,000! So, as the person in the transaction moving up, you have saved a net of $3,000! Surprised? It is surprising! Down markets are the ideal time to make your move up to a larger home.

If moving to a larger home is in your plans, contact a Realtor now! There has never been a better time to get started.

Information adapted from David Knox: Pricing Your Home to Sell.

• Authored By: Marcia Murray

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Joan Thomson

BLOOMFIELD – For Joan Thomson, it’s all about going green. Thomson is a real estate broker from Bloomfield who has achieved a broker’s license specializing in being “eco-friendly.”

“Go green, it’s all about conserving energy,” said Thomson. “It’s the way of the future. We’re running out of oil. Our atmosphere is polluted. It’s something we need to do for us, our children and grandchildren.”

Thomson is a real estate broker with Woods Bros Realty in the Lincolnshire Square office. She is the first “Green Designation Realtor” in Nebraska.

Being involved in real estate since 1968, she has traveled and lived all over the country. She has also lived off the electrical grid two times in her life so conserving energy is just the way she lives.

Adding it to her job description was a natural thing to do.

The green designation allows Thomson to promote “green” principles when she lists and sells her real estate listings.

“In my go-green presentation, I use it as a selling concept,” Thomson said. “I show buyers and sellers how much good can come from going green.”

She talks to homeowners about energy efficiency savings with insulation, windows, appliances and heating and cooling systems.

Click here for the rest of the story.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Today is the best time ever for “first time” homebuyers. With the Stimulus package of $8,000 now available – there has never (at least in my 40 years in the business) been a better time for the first time home buyer to accomplish the American dream of home ownership and to own their little piece of America.

To qualify, the buyer(s) cannot have owned a home in the past three years, and income limits are $75,000 for a single individual and $150,000 for a couple. Buyers are telling us that with the low interest rates available right now, the affordability of homes, and now the bonus $8,000 tax credit – owning is less costly than renting. And that’s not even factoring in the other tax benefits of home ownership and the building of equity!

The $8,000 can be used to help with home improvements, furniture, landscaping or whatever. You can even file an extension on your 2008 tax return to get any refund this year. However, a big caution: the purchase must be made prior to November 30, 2009. So, act now to take advantage of this wonderful and unprecedented opportunity.

For more information on the first-time home buyer tax credit, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

• Authored By: Gene Ward

 Posted by Gene Ward

Woven in President Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus plan is a new tax credit for qualifying new homebuyers.

It’s supposed to act as a pick-me-up for the suffering housing industry.

Even though Nebraska hasn’t been hit hard, the plan could give first time homebuyers the break they’ve been looking for to get into a home of their own.

First-time home buyers Andrew and Danielle Spelts say they want to take full advantage of the extra cash they’ll recieve in their tax returns next year.

“We want to get into a house. We dont want to rent forever…Becuase then you wind up with nothing…You just throw your money away,” Andrew Spelts says.

According to Gene Ward, Manager of Woods Bros Realty, with this stimulus plan, interest rates as low as 5% and stabilized home prices, there’s never been a better time to get into the marketplace.

For the rest of the story, including video, visit: http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/40519002.html.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty