I was asked:

Dear Steven,
I have a home in Cupertino for sale. So far in the past month I've hosted 3 open houses and have attracted qualified buyers. However, each time, the stock market has dropped the following Monday 500 pts or more. Am I bad luck for the market, or is the market bad luck for me? Should I quit having open houses, as it doesn't seem to be lucky for me or the market?

Should I continue to drop my listing price to chase this crazy real estate market, or hold tight and wait for this horrendous storm to blow over?

Since you've been in the Cupertino RE market for many decades, I'd like to get your analysis of where you think things are headed and how we should best handle our listing.

So how do you sell in a difficult market? The key is making the home attractive to the buyer, and with a fluctuating economy it comes down to price. As much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, if you need to sell, price the home under the market. The popular attitude is one of cost savings in this housing recession. Those buyers who wanted to buy two to three years ago but couldn't due to peak prices, now are in a better position with cash down, low interest rates, and more affordable prices. They're out there looking for a "good deal."

If you don't need to sell, staying in your current home for a few more years may be your best option if you need to hold out for more equity. I encourage clients to look at the big picture: If you sell in a down market, you can buy in a down market. A $700K house two years ago may be worth 25% less on the market today. But that is generally true across the board, so the community you want to buy in is also less expensive. Value on paper is one consideration, but your overall cash flow and needs should be weighed.

Visit this unique 6 bedroom, 4 bath home on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 2 to 5 pm!

Stop by and tour this home at 749 Live Oak Way, San Jose in the Moreland School District!

Sellers are motivated! We've just reduced this beautiful 3/2 Cupertino home to an unbelievable $819,830, almost $200K under original list price.

Stop by and see this beautiful Cupertino home this Sunday afternoon! I'll be holding open 18930 Tilson Avenue, Cupertino, a beautiful 3 bedroom home built in 1992. It has an incredible kitchen, great use of floor space, and a lush and inviting rear yard.

View the virtual tour at: http://www.tourfactory.com/448108.

The main "moving" season starts around March and usually wraps up around the time school starts in September. Buyers and sellers tend to settle in for the holidays.

However, this year there appears to be a second wave on the horizon. Buyers motivated by lower interest rates and programs are still shopping, and I'm getting a number of new listings.

Waiting until spring to list your home usually brings more competition with other new listings. There's something about the holiday season that tends to motivate buyers. So while it may be difficult to keep your house tidy over the holidays and juggle family events, make the most of Christmas decor and lighting in "staging" your home with holiday cheer. Think about listing your home now and take advantage of wave two!