Archives of real estate blog entries for February 8, 2007 (Page 5)

Blog posts


REALTORS® for Education grant program launched in Colorado - 02:21 PM
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® and Van Education Center (VanEd.com) have launched a combined effort aimed at assisting Colorado's classroom teachers. The REALTORS® for Education Foundation is a non-profit program designed at making direct grant donations to classroom teachers in need of funds to run classroom programs.
A recent study showed that the average schoolteacher spent over $450 of their own money each year purchasing items to be used in the classroom for the benefit of Colorado's school children. VanEd and CAR hope that by offering grants the state's REALTOR® and Real Estate Education organizations can both offset the expenses that … (1 comments)

Simple can be brilliant - 10:28 AM
When you need to stretch your brain, look at this site.  Who knew index cards could be so fun; I was instantly hooked and added it to my feeds.indexed
You can even buy t-shirts with your favorite index card images.  Maybe we can come up with one that has something to do with real estate.  
… (0 comments)

Reflections from Boomer’s Back Porch—top 10 reasons to read this Blog! - 05:41 AM
Good morning Gentle Reader. It is -6ºF (feels like -20ºF) this fine St. Paul morning on Boomer’s back porch.
Today we have a couple of things for you, the first being our new porcelain, not china or stoneware “Custom Codger Mug” available only until the end of this month, and from which we are enjoying organically and shade grown, fair trade, French-roast coffee. Medford, as is his disgusting habit, has polluted his coffee with cream & sugar.
 
 

On the left, January's mug, February's mug on the right.
 
 
 
 
 
The second, a little reinforcement for your visits to our Blog:
If “Carnac” can … (10 comments)

Programming: LOVE.... An Early Valentine to A/R! - 03:37 PM
 
Tech Support: Yes, how can I help you? Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process? Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed? Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first? Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart? Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?  
    TechSupport: What programs are running ? Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, … (3 comments)

Dutchess County, NY January Real Estate Report - 12:48 AM
 
 
                                                
SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED              JAN 06                     JAN 07           % CHG
 
Unit Sold                                          139                          135                       -2.9
 
Units  Available 1st of  Mo.                 1416                        1635                      15.5
 
Avg. Sales Price                           413,204                    348,553                    -15.6
 
Medium Sales Price                       335,000                    319,000                     -6.0
 
Sales $ Volume                          57,435,356              47,054,655                    -18.1
                                                                                     
DOM                                                    114                       126                      10.5
  
 
There was only a 4 unit sold difference between January 2006 and 2007.  This could be an indication that the market is stabilizing.  However there were over 200 more listing available this year.  At the end … (4 comments)

I Met A New Rainer Over MY $ 179,100 Mistake - 09:56 PM
Two days ago I received a call from an agent asking me if I really had a property for sale for $19,900.  A Raised Ranch with over 2000 square feet on .50 acre. No, but I just reduced a property to $199,000 that same day.  A light bulb went off, I must have put in the wrong price.  I was warned by the computer; "you are making a change more than 25 percent off the value do you want to continue?" and I clicked yes.  You see, a few minutes before pressing the button I took an intense phone call which distracted me.
You can't … (10 comments)

Is it the Journey or the Destination? - 02:03 PM
In direct response to and with respect to Joe Zekas and his blog: Ten things you should stop doing immediately on your blog. 
I like to look at life (real estate) as a journey not a destination. Joe, you made a comment on your blog about swinging at every pitch. Well, I'll try to stick to your metaphor Joe; I do swing at most every pitch.
Why do I swing at every pitch? I'm enjoying doing what I want, sharing the experience and being with friends. If I hit a ball once in awhile, all the better. If  I don't play ball … (40 comments)

More Free Information - 10:57 PM
For those of you interested in saving a few dollars on your energy bills, and who isn't? Another free information source; Smart Energy Living Magazine. http://smartenergyliving.org/cm/Resources/Magazine.html
Stop wasting energy, stop wasting money and improve the quality of your life. Besides a little knowledge never hurt anybody.
For other freebies I've written about: 
http://activerain.com/blogsview/33678/A-little-FREE-knowledge Eco Structure Magazine
http://activerain.com/blogsview/36753/More-Free-Knowledge  Common Grounds
… (5 comments)

Charlotte NC-Luxury Market Conditions Jan 2007 - 01:41 PM
Overview of the single family luxury market (defined as $1,000,000 and up) for Charlotte NC and surrounding areas for January 2007:
Currently on the market: 109 homes (on the market an average of 68 days)Current under contract (pending): 28 homes (on the market an average of 129 days)Sold in January: 22 homes (on the market an average of 115 days)Average price of currently available homes: $1,750,513Average price of homes sold in January: $1,640,430 
For more information on the luxury home market in Charlotte NC and surrounding areas (including Lake Norman), please visit http://www.leighbrownandassociates.com/.
This home in Jacob's Ridge in Kannapolis NC (just north of Charlotte) … (0 comments)

Charlotte NC Market Conditions, January 2007 - 01:56 PM
Overview of the single family market for Charlotte NC for January 2007:
Currently on the market: 4251 properties (on the market an average of 57 days)Currently under contract (pending): 2070 properties (on the market an average of 79 days)Sold between Jan 1 2007 and Jan 31 2007: 2362 properties (on the market an average of 84 days)Lowest current asking price: $16,000Highest current asking price: $10,000,000 
Overview of the townhouse/condo market for Charlotte NC for January 2007:
Currently on the market: 802 properties (on the market an average of 55 days)Currently under contract (pending): 335 properties (on the market an average of 91 days)Sold between … (0 comments)

Harrisburg, NC-Market Conditions Jan 2007 - 02:20 PM
Overview of the single family real estate market in Harrisburg, NC for January 2007:
Currently on the market:  26 properties (on the market an average of 28 days)Currently under contract (pending): 16 properties (on the market an average of 107 days)Sold between Jan 1 2007 and Jan 31 2007: 15 properties (on the market an average of 105 days)Lowest list price: $140,000Highest list price: $589,000 
This two-story home with full unfinished basement in Harrisburg NC in the Heatherstone neighborhood is currently on the market for $359,900.  For additional information on the Harrisburg market please visit www.leighbrownandassociates.com.
… (2 comments)

Home Safety Council turns up the heat on home safety risks... - 07:34 PM
Home Safety Council is turning up the heat on home safety risks this winter, when it comes to home heating appliances. Because home heating fires and carbon monoxide poisoning spike during the winter months, both organizations have teamed up to provide critical home heating information to keep families safe in their homes.
"Secondary heat sources can be a cost effective way to keep your family warm and your heating bill lower during the winter months," said Patti Price, Lowe's senior vice president of merchandising for outdoor living. "When taking advantage of space heaters, wood stoves and fire places to keep loved … (0 comments)

Mortgage rates drop dramatically... - 07:42 PM
Mortgage rates dropped dramatically this week in an abrupt shift following a two-month rise. The benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage fell 11 basis points to 6.31% , according to the Bankrate.com national survey of large lenders. A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percentage point. The mortgages in this week's survey had an average total of 0.31 discount and origination points. One year ago, the mortgage index was 6.32% ; four weeks ago, it was 6.24%. Before this week, the average 30-year fixed had risen seven out of eight weeks -- and it remained unchanged during the one week when it didn't … (1 comments)

What's a Girl To Do? - 06:55 PM
I had lunch at one of my usual spots today.  Since I am a regular, I am familiar with the staff, and have talked to several of them about them buying their own place (they mostly rent).  When I was there today, I talked to Cammy, who is a middle-aged sweet and friendly server.  She has rented a house since her divorce, and her grown son has been living with her for the past several years.  She pays over $900/month for her rent.  She told me a small house in her neighborhood had just come on the market, and asked me to call … (4 comments)

Home Ownership - 12:19 PM
Homeowners can claim a slew of write-offs to lower their tax bills -- as long as they itemize. There are deductions for mortgage interest, mortgage points and real-estate tax payments. And if you sell your home, most likely you won't have to pay taxes on the profit. If you bought a home last year, you might even get to write off expenses you didn't pay. So make sure you get all the tax breaks you have coming.
Boats as homes. A boat that has eating, sleeping and sanitary facilities can qualify as a first or second home, so you can deduct mortgage … (1 comments)

Bethel, CT Property Revaluation - 07:39 PM
The Bethel, Connecticut property revaluation is currently taking place, as per state law that requires towns to revaluate all property every five years.
Tyler Technologies/CLT has been hired to perform the revaluation of all 6,900+ parcels of real estate in Bethel.  Commercial property inspections have already begun, and residential inspections will begin this week.  It is expected that the revaluation will be completed by the end of May, 2007, but the inspectors must visit every home and business in town before completion in order to determine its current market value.
Information about the current revaluation, including a Q&A, can be found on the … (0 comments)

Proposed Connecticut State Budget to Fund Education - 08:28 PM
Connecticut's Governor recently released her proposed budget for the state.  Included are additional monies to fund education.  The plan calls for an additional $1.1 Billion to be given to towns and cities over the next five years to help pay for school costs.
Funding for these expenses will be derived from an increase in the state income tax of .25% in 2008 and another .25% in 2009.
While town leaders are pleased with the possibility of receiving additional funds to defray education costs, they are concerned that the final state budget will be probably be approved in June, which is after the local … (0 comments)

Property Tax Relief - 02:37 PM
Yesterday the Hillsborough County Commission unanimously passed a spending cap on "some" spending at the county level.  Had this been passed last year it could have reduced property taxes on a $200,000. homesteaded home by about $143.00. 
The adjustable  cap will only pertain to the general fund budget and water and sewer services will not be included in the cap.
Clearly motivated by taxpayer reactions to last year's tax bills, the commission took this unprecedented step knowing that work is underway at the state level to provide relief too.  Governor Crist has "fired" the property Tax Reform Committee formed by former Governor … (0 comments)

Two twins in King of Prussia (under $180K) - 01:24 PM
I have two twins listed in Swedeland section of Upper Merion Township - Both need TLC one has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths w/large updated eat in kitchen, living room, and small family room addition Trend MLS 4847959 listed at $179,900.  The second has two possibly three bedrooms, eat in kitchen, main floor laundry, newer central air and heater Trend MLS 4845613 listed at $150,900.  Perfect fixer uppers for any handy person! Both are minutes from Rt-76, Rt-476, Rt-202 & PA Turnpike.  For additional information please call toll FREE 24 hours a day 1-800-488-0835 ID#1022 & #1112.  To view please feel free to contact me!
 
… (1 comments)

Know Your Rights: Mobile Home Park Residents - 11:54 AM
by Rich Schiffer, Weichert Realtors 
Pennsylvania residents of "manufactured housing" (a.k.a Mobile Homes) have certain rights established and protected by the Mobile Home Park Rights Act.  Park owners must post a copy of the Act in a conspicuous place in their parks.  They are also required to proved each residents that enters the park a written notice that explains their rights under the law.
It would be pointless for me to outline the entire law here, but here are some of the things that residents of mobile home parks should be aware of:
Rents and all fees must be disclosed to you in writing … (13 comments)

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