Joan's Blog: October 2009

This week I came across a term that was new to me -'Women Centric' - this was in an article about New Homes, and New Home construction.

Had to wonder just what this was about. It had been my experience selling properties in Shell Knob, MO, and statistics confirm, that more than 90% of home sales decisions were made by women. Wouldn't that make it a woman centered sale?

When showing a property in Shell Knob, don't I always point out the benefits of a great kitchen, convenient utility room, sunny breakfast nook? Aren't these areas women centered?

Turns out I was only partially right.

 About 10 years ago a woman in Hartland, WI, Terri Goetz, tried to buy a house. She found only model homes that had been designed by men and were cookie cutters None met her requirements. After surveying a few women, asking what they desired to see in a home, Ms Goetz formed her own company. Her designs incorporated the suggestions she received, as well as her own preferences. This resulted in the Women Centric term.

Call Joan For All your Shell Knob or Table Rock Lake Real Estate Needs  417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-2209

We turned another page over on the calendar.  It's time to check our sales numbers for September 2009.

September was  down to minus 62% from this same time last year.  There were 3 sales closed this year in Shell Knob, versus the 8 sales closed in September 2008.

Average sale price for those 3 sales was $174,000.  It took  about 245 days on the market to sell those homes.

But.... the evening news reported an increase in housing sales nationally.

Year- to- date, we have 37 properties closed.  2008 for the first 9 months reported 56 sales.  That makes Shell Knob down by -33.93%.

These continued low numbers do not reflect  reports being given on the major communication outlets, because we are a retirement and second home market.  We rarely get the First Time Home Buyers, where incentives are being given to stimulate the market.

Due to our retirement community, we also do not have  many foreclosures or short sales, which are also stimulating house sales in large cities.

2006 was a high point sales-wise in the Tri-Lakes area.  September of '06  135 homes were closed.  That dropped to  199 in 9/07; then 96 last year.

Call Joan for Shell Knob/Table Rock Lake Real Estate Information - 417-846-7128

Tri-Lakes Realtors  417-858-3344