Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Real Estate in Central CT: Things are looking up as home sales rise!
Real Estate in Central CT: Things are looking up as home sales rise!: I wanted to post some news regarding August home sales...!! THEY ARE UP READ ON... August Existing-Home Sales Rise Despite Headwinds,...
Things are looking up as home sales rise!
I wanted to post some news regarding August home sales...!! THEY ARE UP READ ON...
August Existing-Home Sales Rise Despite Headwinds, Up Strongly from a Year Ago
Washington, DC, September 21, 2011
Existing-home sales increased in August, even with ongoing tight credit and appraisal problems, along with regional disruptions created by Hurricane Irene, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Monthly gains were seen in all regions.
Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 7.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.03 million in August from an upwardly revised 4.67 million in July, and are 18.6 percent higher than the 4.24 million unit level in August 2010.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said there are some positive market fundamentals. “Some of the improvement in August may result from sales that were delayed in preceding months, but favorable affordability conditions and rising rents are underlying motivations,” he said. “Investors were more active in absorbing foreclosed properties. In addition to bargain hunting, some investors are in the market to hedge against higher inflation.”
Investors2 accounted for 22 percent of purchase activity in August, up from 18 percent in July and 21 percent in August 2010. First-time buyers purchased 32 percent of homes in August, unchanged from July; they were 31 percent in August 2010.
All-cash sales accounted for 29 percent of transactions in August, unchanged from July; they were 28 percent in August 2010; investors account for the bulk of cash purchases.
“We had some disruptions from Hurricane Irene in the closing weekend of August, when many sales normally are finalized, along the Eastern seaboard and in New England,” Yun said. “As a result, the Northeast saw the smallest sales gain in August, and some general impact is expected in September with widespread flooding from Tropical Storm Lee. Aberrations in housing data are possible over the next couple months as markets recover from disrupted closings and storm damage.”
Yun said an extremely important issue currently is the renewal and availability of the National Flood Insurance Program, scheduled to expire at the end of this month. “About one out of 10 homes in this country need flood insurance to get a mortgage, and we would see significant negative market impacts without it,” he said.
According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.27 percent in August, down from 4.55 percent in July; the rate was 4.43 percent in August 2010. Last week, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate fell to a record low 4.09 percent.
NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I., said the market is remarkably affordable for people with secure jobs, good credit and long-term plans. “All year, the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates and family income has been hovering at historic highs, meaning the best housing affordability conditions in a generation,” he said.
“The biggest factors keeping home sales from a healthy recovery are mortgages being denied to creditworthy buyers, and appraised valuations below the negotiated price. Buyers may be able to find more favorable credit terms with community and small regional banks, and Realtors® can often give buyers advice to help them overcome some of the financing obstacles,” Phipps said.
Contract failures – cancellations caused largely by declined mortgage applications or failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price – were reported by 18 percent of NAR members in August, up from 16 percent July and 9 percent in August 2010.
The national median existing-home price3 for all housing types was $168,300 in August, which is 5.1 percent below August 2010. Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales typically sold at deep discounts – accounted for 31 percent of sales in August, compared with 29 percent in July and 34 percent in August 2010.
Total housing inventory at the end of August fell 3.0 percent to 3.58 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 8.5-month supply4 at the current sales pace, down from a 9.5-month supply in July.
Single-family home sales rose 8.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.47 million in August from 4.12 million in July, and are 20.2 percent above the 3.72 million pace in August 2010. The median existing single-family home price was $168,400 in August, which is 5.4 percent below a year ago.
Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 1.8 percent a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 560,000 in August from 550,000 in July, and are 8.3 percent higher than the 517,000-unit level one year ago. The median existing condo price5 was $167,500 in August, down 3.3 percent from August 2010.
Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast increased 2.7 percent to an annual pace of 770,000 in August and are 10.0 percent above a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $244,100, which is 5.1 percent below August 2010.
Existing-home sales in the Midwest rose 3.8 percent in August to a level of 1.09 million and are 26.7 percent above August 2010. The median price in the Midwest was $141,700, down 3.5 percent from a year ago.
In the South, existing-home sales increased 5.4 percent to an annual pace of 1.94 million in August and are 16.9 percent higher than a year ago. The median price in the South was $151,000, which is 0.8 percent below August 2010.
Existing-home sales in the West jumped 18.3 percent to an annual pace of 1.23 million in August and are 20.6 percent higher than August 2010. The median price in the West was $189,400, down 13.0 percent from a year ago.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Existing-home sales increased in August, even with ongoing tight credit and appraisal problems, along with regional disruptions created by Hurricane Irene, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Monthly gains were seen in all regions.
Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 7.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.03 million in August from an upwardly revised 4.67 million in July, and are 18.6 percent higher than the 4.24 million unit level in August 2010.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said there are some positive market fundamentals. “Some of the improvement in August may result from sales that were delayed in preceding months, but favorable affordability conditions and rising rents are underlying motivations,” he said. “Investors were more active in absorbing foreclosed properties. In addition to bargain hunting, some investors are in the market to hedge against higher inflation.”
Investors2 accounted for 22 percent of purchase activity in August, up from 18 percent in July and 21 percent in August 2010. First-time buyers purchased 32 percent of homes in August, unchanged from July; they were 31 percent in August 2010.
All-cash sales accounted for 29 percent of transactions in August, unchanged from July; they were 28 percent in August 2010; investors account for the bulk of cash purchases.
“We had some disruptions from Hurricane Irene in the closing weekend of August, when many sales normally are finalized, along the Eastern seaboard and in New England,” Yun said. “As a result, the Northeast saw the smallest sales gain in August, and some general impact is expected in September with widespread flooding from Tropical Storm Lee. Aberrations in housing data are possible over the next couple months as markets recover from disrupted closings and storm damage.”
Yun said an extremely important issue currently is the renewal and availability of the National Flood Insurance Program, scheduled to expire at the end of this month. “About one out of 10 homes in this country need flood insurance to get a mortgage, and we would see significant negative market impacts without it,” he said.
According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.27 percent in August, down from 4.55 percent in July; the rate was 4.43 percent in August 2010. Last week, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate fell to a record low 4.09 percent.
NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I., said the market is remarkably affordable for people with secure jobs, good credit and long-term plans. “All year, the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates and family income has been hovering at historic highs, meaning the best housing affordability conditions in a generation,” he said.
“The biggest factors keeping home sales from a healthy recovery are mortgages being denied to creditworthy buyers, and appraised valuations below the negotiated price. Buyers may be able to find more favorable credit terms with community and small regional banks, and Realtors® can often give buyers advice to help them overcome some of the financing obstacles,” Phipps said.
Contract failures – cancellations caused largely by declined mortgage applications or failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price – were reported by 18 percent of NAR members in August, up from 16 percent July and 9 percent in August 2010.
The national median existing-home price3 for all housing types was $168,300 in August, which is 5.1 percent below August 2010. Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales typically sold at deep discounts – accounted for 31 percent of sales in August, compared with 29 percent in July and 34 percent in August 2010.
Total housing inventory at the end of August fell 3.0 percent to 3.58 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 8.5-month supply4 at the current sales pace, down from a 9.5-month supply in July.
Single-family home sales rose 8.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.47 million in August from 4.12 million in July, and are 20.2 percent above the 3.72 million pace in August 2010. The median existing single-family home price was $168,400 in August, which is 5.4 percent below a year ago.
Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 1.8 percent a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 560,000 in August from 550,000 in July, and are 8.3 percent higher than the 517,000-unit level one year ago. The median existing condo price5 was $167,500 in August, down 3.3 percent from August 2010.
Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast increased 2.7 percent to an annual pace of 770,000 in August and are 10.0 percent above a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $244,100, which is 5.1 percent below August 2010.
Existing-home sales in the Midwest rose 3.8 percent in August to a level of 1.09 million and are 26.7 percent above August 2010. The median price in the Midwest was $141,700, down 3.5 percent from a year ago.
In the South, existing-home sales increased 5.4 percent to an annual pace of 1.94 million in August and are 16.9 percent higher than a year ago. The median price in the South was $151,000, which is 0.8 percent below August 2010.
Existing-home sales in the West jumped 18.3 percent to an annual pace of 1.23 million in August and are 20.6 percent higher than August 2010. The median price in the West was $189,400, down 13.0 percent from a year ago.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Power-Assisted Roof Vents: Lose the Heat and Save the Money
Power-Assisted Roof Vents: Lose the Heat and Save the Money
A power-assisted roof vent gives your attic air flow a boost, reducing moisture buildup and possibly lowering energy costs. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Real Estate in Central CT: Another Day Trip Jonathon's Dream
Real Estate in Central CT: Another Day Trip Jonathon's Dream: "A few years ago, my friend introduced me to Jonathon's Dream in West Hartford, CT. It is a beautiful playground and here is the story: T..."
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Real Estate in Central CT: Another Day Trip Jonathon's Dream
Real Estate in Central CT: Another Day Trip Jonathon's Dream: "A few years ago, my friend introduced me to Jonathon's Dream in West Hartford, CT. It is a beautiful playground and here is the story: T..."
Another Day Trip Jonathon's Dream
A few years ago, my friend introduced me to Jonathon's Dream in West Hartford, CT. It is a beautiful playground and here is the story:
The Inspiration for
Boundless Playgrounds
A little girl in a wheelchair sadly watched the other children play on a playground she couldn't get to or on. She probably wondered why the playground wasn't a place where everyone could play.
Several months later, after the heartbreaking death of their nine-month-old son Jonathan from the terminal form of spinal muscular atrophy, Amy Jaffe Barzach, her husband Peter and Jonathan's older brother Daniel, sought a meaningful way to honor his life. Remembering the little girl in the wheelchair, they decided to create a playground where children with and without disabilities, and their families, could play and learn together. They imagined that in Jonathan's dreams, he would have wanted playgrounds to be places where everyone could celebrate life together. After the playground opened in 1996, hundreds of people contacted Amy wanting to learn how they could build playgrounds for the children of all abilities in their communities. This inspired Amy to lead a passionate team of parents and professionals to establish Boundless Playgrounds in 1997.
Over the years, two other children, Alyssa and Michael, joined the Barzach family and also got involved with Boundless Playgrounds. During her tenure as its founding executive director, Boundless Playgrounds raised awareness of the need for and benefits of inclusive playgrounds generating interest from people in every state, helped communities develop 135 inclusive playgrounds in 25 states, successfully implemented three state initiatives, and raised millions of dollars for this cause including $10,000,000 in challenge grants that directly helped more than 50 communities develop their own inclusive playgrounds.
After dedicating more than a decade of her life to Boundless Playgrounds, Amy turned leadership of Boundless Playgrounds over to Fred Leone, CEO in September 2008 to start Powerful Inspiration. Her new venture is dedicated to inspiring people to work towards a world where everyone matters and everyone can make a difference. Through speaking engagements, workshops and other educational programs, Amy's new company will help people and organizations discover their passions and learn to use their unique strengths to achieve success and make a difference. In addition, through national leadership roles, she will be educating policy makers and the public, building partnerships, and developing innovative programs designed to inspire people to create more inclusive and empowering communities. Amy can be reached directly by phone: 860.983.5040 or by email: barzacha@yahoo.com.
Directions: Jonathan's Dream is located less than four miles from downtown Hartford at the Greater
Hartford Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. From the city, follow
Route 44/Albany Avenue West, then make a slight right onto Bloomfield Avenue/CT Route 189.
Jonathan's Dream will be on your left. The sign for the playground is small, so watch for the Greater
Hartford Jewish Community Center entrance sign, then follow smaller signs that lead to ample free
playground parking.
Accessibility: The playground is designed to be universally accessible. While the needs of children
with disabilities played heavily in the design considerations, Jonathan's Dream is definitely a
playground that all children will love.
Hours: Jonathan's Dream is open during daylight hours daily year-round.
Parties: To inquire about holding a party at Jonathan's Dream, call 860-243-8315.
The Inspiration for
Boundless Playgrounds
A little girl in a wheelchair sadly watched the other children play on a playground she couldn't get to or on. She probably wondered why the playground wasn't a place where everyone could play.
Several months later, after the heartbreaking death of their nine-month-old son Jonathan from the terminal form of spinal muscular atrophy, Amy Jaffe Barzach, her husband Peter and Jonathan's older brother Daniel, sought a meaningful way to honor his life. Remembering the little girl in the wheelchair, they decided to create a playground where children with and without disabilities, and their families, could play and learn together. They imagined that in Jonathan's dreams, he would have wanted playgrounds to be places where everyone could celebrate life together. After the playground opened in 1996, hundreds of people contacted Amy wanting to learn how they could build playgrounds for the children of all abilities in their communities. This inspired Amy to lead a passionate team of parents and professionals to establish Boundless Playgrounds in 1997.
Over the years, two other children, Alyssa and Michael, joined the Barzach family and also got involved with Boundless Playgrounds. During her tenure as its founding executive director, Boundless Playgrounds raised awareness of the need for and benefits of inclusive playgrounds generating interest from people in every state, helped communities develop 135 inclusive playgrounds in 25 states, successfully implemented three state initiatives, and raised millions of dollars for this cause including $10,000,000 in challenge grants that directly helped more than 50 communities develop their own inclusive playgrounds.
After dedicating more than a decade of her life to Boundless Playgrounds, Amy turned leadership of Boundless Playgrounds over to Fred Leone, CEO in September 2008 to start Powerful Inspiration. Her new venture is dedicated to inspiring people to work towards a world where everyone matters and everyone can make a difference. Through speaking engagements, workshops and other educational programs, Amy's new company will help people and organizations discover their passions and learn to use their unique strengths to achieve success and make a difference. In addition, through national leadership roles, she will be educating policy makers and the public, building partnerships, and developing innovative programs designed to inspire people to create more inclusive and empowering communities. Amy can be reached directly by phone: 860.983.5040 or by email: barzacha@yahoo.com.
Directions: Jonathan's Dream is located less than four miles from downtown Hartford at the Greater
Hartford Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. From the city, follow
Route 44/Albany Avenue West, then make a slight right onto Bloomfield Avenue/CT Route 189.
Jonathan's Dream will be on your left. The sign for the playground is small, so watch for the Greater
Hartford Jewish Community Center entrance sign, then follow smaller signs that lead to ample free
playground parking.
Accessibility: The playground is designed to be universally accessible. While the needs of children
with disabilities played heavily in the design considerations, Jonathan's Dream is definitely a
playground that all children will love.
Hours: Jonathan's Dream is open during daylight hours daily year-round.
Parties: To inquire about holding a party at Jonathan's Dream, call 860-243-8315.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
CTvisit.com: One Tank Getaways Family Fun
CTvisit.com:+One+Tank+Getaways+-+Family+Fun
Recently CTvisit.com has posted some one tank getaways! I am going to try and review some of these trips. So you know what is in store.
I am going to start off with one that I am very familiar with Lake Compounce.
Lake Compounce is located in Bristol, CT near ESPN and the Southington line. It is listed as one of the oldest continually run amusement parks in America if not the oldest.
In the 80's and early 90's it was a concert destination with such bands as New Kids on the Block, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Aerosmith, etc. It started running into problems in the 90's right after Guns N' Roses was booked there. Not too long after that the park stopped hosting bands and went into financial difficulties.
It was eventually sold off and the current owners have now changed the image of the park. It has an extensive kiddie land, a large water park with plenty of different water slides. The main attraction for thrill seekers is Boulder Dash.
Season Tickets to the park are 69.99/ea and if you purchase 4 you get a free pizza!
https://tickets.lakecompounce.com/WebStore/Shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=SPPIZZA&C=SPPIZZA
Hint: They make great gifts for Birthdays, Graduations or Special Occasions!
Save $6 on Regular Admission when you enter Promo Code 301147971 at checkout!**
Great Family fun, Free Soda All Day, and close to everything in CT!!!
ENJOY
Recently CTvisit.com has posted some one tank getaways! I am going to try and review some of these trips. So you know what is in store.
I am going to start off with one that I am very familiar with Lake Compounce.
Lake Compounce is located in Bristol, CT near ESPN and the Southington line. It is listed as one of the oldest continually run amusement parks in America if not the oldest.
In the 80's and early 90's it was a concert destination with such bands as New Kids on the Block, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Aerosmith, etc. It started running into problems in the 90's right after Guns N' Roses was booked there. Not too long after that the park stopped hosting bands and went into financial difficulties.
It was eventually sold off and the current owners have now changed the image of the park. It has an extensive kiddie land, a large water park with plenty of different water slides. The main attraction for thrill seekers is Boulder Dash.
Season Tickets to the park are 69.99/ea and if you purchase 4 you get a free pizza!
https://tickets.lakecompounce.com/WebStore/Shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=SPPIZZA&C=SPPIZZA
2011 SINGLE DAY TICKETS
Buy and print single day tickets for your 2011 visit to the Lake. Hint: They make great gifts for Birthdays, Graduations or Special Occasions!
Save $6 on Regular Admission when you enter Promo Code 301147971 at checkout!**
| Regular Admission (52" and taller) | $35.99* each |
| Junior Admission (Under 52" tall) | $25.99* each |
| Senior Admission (Over 60 years of age) | $17.99* each |
| 3 years and under | FREE |
| After 5 P.M. (tickets not available online) | $17.99* each |
| Parking | $8.00 |
Great Family fun, Free Soda All Day, and close to everything in CT!!!
ENJOY
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)