Existing single-family home sales are down by 3.3 percentcompared to September of last year, according to statistics released by the Genesee Region RealEstate Information Service (GENRIS), the information subsidiary of the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS®.

The number of homes listed for sale increased by 4.7 percent compared to last month, and is up by 2.2 percent compared to September 2007. The median sale price dropped 0.8 percent to $120,000 compared to September 2007, and decreased 0.4 percent year-to-date.

There was a 13.4 percent decrease in dollar volume of sales year-to-date with $1,189,870,603, down from $1,373,494,581 in 2007. Year-to-date figures show that the number of existing single-family home sales is down by 11.9 percent in Monroe County and down 14.3 percent in the City of Rochester.

The Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® represents more than 3,000 real estate professionals in the Genesee region. Please contact the Rochester Home Builders’ Association for monthly statistics reflecting new housing starts and building permits.

1000watt Consulting and RealTrends issued a report on October 21, 2008,  “The Top Ten Real Estate Brokerage Websites in America,” naming Nothnagle.com #8 on their list. 

The report is based on a detailed examination of the corporate websites maintained by the 500 largest brokerage companies in the country as established by RealTrends’ annual RealTrends 500 list.  Nothnagle Realtors ranked 35^th on the 2008 list.   

Over the course of a three month period, the 500 websites were reviewed based on several criteria including usability, content, features and design. 

The report emphasized Nothnagle.com’s focus on the consumer stating, “overall, Nothnagle delivers a superior website experience.”  Nothnagle.TV and guided tours were noted as “interesting and differentiating” features.  The report further stated how impressed they were with how quickly and easily consumers can reach a Nothnagle agent via many different methods including text messaging, email, phone and Live Chat.   

No other local brokerage site was included in the Top 10 report.  In addition, the report criticizes “one-size-fits-all website templates” often found with some of the national franchises.  The report states, “Two national brands well represented in the RealTrends 500 painted an almost universally dismal web picture due to circa-1998 affiliate website templates.”  

Nothnagle.com was launched in 1995 and has won several awards.  Nothnagle Realtors invests a significant amount of resources into the site to keep it fresh and up to date with exclusive tools and services.  With an average 13,000 visitors per day, it is the most popular local real estate site.   

In 2007, Nothnagle.com generated over 65,000 leads.  The result?  Nothnagle agents sold homes 11 days faster than the MLS average.*  Nothnagle clients Get More – more leads, more offers, more sales. 

* According to data from the Genesee Region Real Estate Information Service, Inc. (GENRIS) for period 1/1/07 – 12/31/07. 

A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate® — the world’s largest professional association.

The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 to today’s 720,000 members. NAR is composed of residential and commercial REALTORS®, who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry. Members belong to one or more of some 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS®. They can join one of our many institutes, societies and councils. Additionally, NAR offers members the opportunity to be active in our appraisal and international real estate specialty sections.

REALTORS® are pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Working for America’s property owners, the National Association provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property.

What a REALTOR® Can Do for You

The REALTOR® you work with could be one of your most valuable resources. Unlike many real estate agents who are simply licensed by their state to do business, REALTORS® have taken additional steps to become members of the local board of REALTORS® and have agreed to act under and adhere to a strict Code of Ethics (www.realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/pages/code). Plus…

• A REALTOR® can help you determine how much home you can afford. Often a REALTOR® can suggest ways to accrue the down payment and explain alternative financing methods.

• A REALTOR®, in addition to knowing the local money market, also can tell you what personal and financial data to bring with you when you apply for a loan.

• A REALTOR® is already familiar with current real estate values, taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and may be aware of local zoning changes that could affect your decision to buy.

• A REALTOR® can usually research your housing needs in advance through a Multiple Listing Service–even if you are relocating from another city.

• A REALTOR® can show you only those homes best suited to your needs–size, style, features, location, accessibility to schools, transportation, shopping and other personal preferences.

• A REALTOR® often can suggest simple, imaginative changes that make a home more suitable for you and improve its utility and value.

• A REALTOR® is sensitive to the importance you place on this major commitment you are about to make. Look for a real estate professional to facilitate negotiation of a win-win agreement that will satisfy both you and the seller.

The Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® (GRAR) is reporting on the market statistics in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region for the month of August.

This past month there was a 23.4 percent decrease in monthly closings and a 10.6 percent decrease in homes listed for sale as compared to August of 2007 according to statistics released by the Genesee Region Real Estate Information Service (GENRIS), the information subsidiary of GRAR.  The median sale price for our area increased 0.2 percent to $125,000 from last month and remained flat compared to August of last year.

The surrounding counties of the Greater Rochester MSA, specifically Yates and Wyoming counties, continue to show positive activity in regards to year-to-date monthly closings with increases of 29.9 and 7.5 percent respectively.

The real estate market for the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region is unique in that while we may not experience the housing booms that have occurred elsewhere, we are also fortunate that we do not experience the dramatic decreases in sales either, as other parts of the country currently are.  Interest rates remain low and real estate is definitely local.  It’s still a good time to buy in the Rochester area.

These statistics reflect the real estate activity for the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region for the month of August.

The Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® represents more than 3,000 real estate professionals in the Genesee and Finger Lakes region.  Please contact the Rochester Home Builders’ Association for monthly statistics reflecting new housing starts and building permits.

Looking to sell or buy a home? Contact your local REALTOR® today who can provide you with the necessary expertise to make your experience a positive one.

This section of our web site is used to publish articles within the newspaper. This section is updated weekly with new articles about Real Estate, Rentals and Home & Yard info for Rochester, New York.

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