Ap-pre-ci-a-tion (noun)
Growth in value, an increase in value, especially over time.

Appreciation is a very subjective word. It is said that what goes up, must come down; but what does that mean in Real Estate? Since the beginning of time we have seen the cyclical movement in Real Estate values. Sometimes it is just a natural self-adjustment of the market and at other times, such as now, there are other factors influencing prices such as economic issues in our core target-market and of course our own domestic issues.

It has been reported that the real estate market for cities in beach locations in Mexico was the one that most felt the effects of the slowdown in 2008. The real estate crisis in the U.S. put a brake on sales in the second home market, while the decline in tourism activity limited the ability for Mexico’s nationals to realize their dream of owning a vacation home as well.

Does that mean the market is dead and will never recover to the point where one can “own a piece of the rock”, as Prudential likes to say, and see their investment not only appreciate, but become one of the best investment returns of a life time?

Supply and demand have always been two of the most dynamic forces in the appreciation of any tangible product. Fortunately, Puerto Vallarta is always in demand for its tropical climate, beautiful topography and friendly people; and there is only so much coast line to develop, which creates a finite supply.

The challenge for 2010-2011 for realtors will be to adapt to an environment of slower growth, considering at all times real demand and attending more precisely to client preferences and needs, and remembering the rule of thumb has always been and still is, buy low, sell high, and there is no better time to buy low than right now to ensure that you will be able to sell high in the future.

About Marilyn J Newman
Associate at Prudential California Realty – Vallarta Division With a keen interest in Vallarta’s development, I am excited to be part of the Prudential Vallarta sales team and the burgeoning real estate market. A.M.P.I. associate and a member of Multi-List Vallarta and FLEXmls. I have passion for service excellence, professionalism and complete client satisfaction. -She has received the distinction of Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

As a Professional Home Stager I consult with many home sellers when in the process of preparing their homes for sale. I am continually reminded though that it is important to keep your house’s mouth shut.

Houses can’t talk you say?

Oh yes they can!

And you’d be surprised just how much they’re revealing about you to potential buyers. Some secrets are best kept.

TOP 5 SECRETS YOU SHOULD KEEP FROM BUYERS

1. How much money you make and what bills you owe. Notoriously found in home offices on desks or kitchen counters when you run out in a hurry for a showing or just take for granted that no one is snooping.
2. The state of your physical health. Any medical equipment you have in your home may reveal a number of ailments or the thought of them to prospective buyers.
3. The state of your emotional well being. Self help books, DVDs, CDs, and videos from divorce recovery, grief, addiction and depression (even movies you enjoy watching that are adult in nature) are common items found in many homes on bookshelves and side tables. These give away a lot of information most would rather keep to themselves.
4. The prescriptions that you take and what ails you. With the advent of TV commercials and magazine ads touting the benefits of medications for a variety of conditions from male “ED”, depression and high blood pressure to name just a few, most people readily know what medication treats what condition. I say, “Viva the sale of your property not Viagra“
5. A new home you purchased or want to purchase. Photos and brochures of the new place or information on it or the development you’d like to move to should be out of sight while showing

Can you see how these things can pose a variety of potential problems when it comes time to negotiate the sale?

Think of it as a game of poker and you want to make sure you’ve got your hand covered. Buyers can and will use these things against you when it comes time to negotiate.

Keep your poker face and make sure the house is on your side too.

Copyright 2011 Karen Otto, RESA-Pro

Karen Otto, RESA-Pro, is the owner of Home Star Staging, http://www.homestarstaging.com/ a full service Real Estate Staging and Consulting firm located in Plano, Texas. With a degree in Marketing from Florida International University and extensive real estate staging knowledge and experience, Karen knows what it takes to get your house seen and sold. While Karen doesn’t sell houses, she knows what helps houses sell. Karen is passionate about educating the Real Estate Community and the Public on the benefits of home staging. Please contact her for your home staging questions and needs.
Karen is available to the Real Estate Community and Media for articles, information and seminars on the home staging industry. Please contact her at Karen@homestarstaging.com