Community
3rd Quarter Market Update
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011Though the housing industry is still facing challenges, there are several bright spots that can be found in different regions throughout the country. For example, a CoreLogic study showed August home prices increasing in 12 states and Washington DC by up to 9 percent (West Virginia). And our comprehensive market analysis system, Local Housing Data, shows positive movement in overall unit sales in the northeast.
Though average sales prices seemed to settle a bit compared to the 2nd quarter, unit sales were up by as much as 15.5 percent in the third quarter. This shows a pickup in demand, likely due to a combination of historically low interest rates and low home prices. It is also positive to see the number of home sales increasing year over year, despite the elimination of the homebuyer tax credit last year. The table below lays out major market indicators for the northeast.
Check out our market summary for the northeast in the 3rd quarter. How did your local markets fare?
As mentioned before, mortgage rates are near historic lows, though they did spike last week. The 30-year FRM averaged 4.12 percent at the end of last week vs the prior week, when it averaged 3.94percent. A 15-year FRM averaged 3.37 percent up from the prior week when it averaged 3.26 percent. This uptick was likely related to a better than expected employment report for September.
Without a doubt, we are still in the midst of a buyer’s market. Extremely low prices and low interest rates remain wonderful incentives for homebuyers-there really hasn’t been a better time in recent history to purchase a home. In fact, as the Wall Street Journal recently stated: “It’s an excellent time to buy a house, either to live in for the long term or for investment income…Houses aren’t the magic wealth creators they were made out to be during the bubble. But when prices are low, loans are cheap and plump investment yields are scarce, buyers should jump.”
We would like to make a note to sellers, however. Due to the robo-signing controversy last year, you may have noticed that foreclosure numbers are dropping. Investigations were were led into lender and foreclosure procedures, slowing down the overall processing times. However, there have been numerous predictions from major financial and real estate institutions, such as Standard & Poor, JP Morgan and Barclays stating that an glut of foreclosures, due in the coming months, will push prices down by bu to another 6 or 7 percent. As a seller, you don’t want to have your home on the market when this happens. Sell now to avoid losing too much equity in the future.
$1.5 Million Raised in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011The latest from blog.raveis.com
Last month, William Raveis Real Estate presented a check for $153,000 to members of the William Raveis American Cancer Society (ACS) Patient Navigator Program at the University of Connecticut Health Center and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medial Center Patient Navigator Program in Boston, Massachusetts in support of those fighting breast cancer. Active fundraising company-wide has brought total contributions by William Raveis to nearly $1.5 million dollars to help fight this widespread disease.
Attendees to this special event included, from the William Raveis ACS Navigator Program at UConn, Nancy Baccaro, Registered Nurse at the UConn Health Center and Pam Nixon, Head Patient Navigator for the UConn Navigator Program. From Beth Israel Deaconess, Ana Marin, Head Patient Navigator for the Beth Israel Navigator Program and Christopher Thomas, Senior Vice President for Leadership Giving for the ACS, were in attendance. These individuals discussed William Raveis’ fundraising as a catalyst for several breast cancer initiatives within their respective programs. This includes the Look Good, Feel Better Program, where female patients are given tips on facing adverse reactions from chemotherapy and the Man to Man program, which is a similar initiative for male patients.
William Raveis sales associates and staff participated in a 3 month long raffle to support and raise funds for the ACS Patient Navigator Programs in CT and MA. In addition, the company organized annual William Raveis Breast Cancer Golf Tournaments at Oxford Greens in Oxford, CT and Nashawtuc County Club in Concord, MA.
“The collective efforts of our sales associates, staff and members of the community in the fight against breast cancer has been nothing short of outstanding,” said William Raveis Chairman & CEO, Bill Raveis. “In just 6 short years, we have been able to raise close to $1.5 million dollars to support this important ACS initiative and positively impact the lives of thousands of breast cancer patients. My greatest thanks to everyone who has been a part of this endeavor.”
Last month, William Raveis Real Estate presented a check for $153,000 to members of the William Raveis American Cancer Society (ACS) Patient Navigator Program at the University of Connecticut Health Center and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medial Center Patient Navigator Program in Boston, Massachusetts in support of those fighting breast cancer.
5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market
Monday, March 14th, 20111. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.
2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.
3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.
4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.
5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?
Do Your Kids Have Plans this Summer?
Friday, February 25th, 2011Need some ideas on what the kids can do this summer? Goto the Everything Kids expo at Washington Montessori School from 9-2pm tomorrow. BEATLEMANIA takes the stage at 7pm!
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109928489083911&index=1
EVERYTHING Kids Expo
Washington Montessori School
240 Litchfield Tpk, New Preston
SAT – 2/26 – from 9-2pm
Sunset in New Milford Today
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
Susnset over RT-67 in New Milford
Quo Vadis – a unique place to shop
Saturday, February 12th, 2011Quo Vadis is located next to the Hickory Sticky Book Shop in Washington Depot. They offer an assortment of handmade, one-of-a-kind items, including; Jewelry, Accessories, Handbags, Clothing, Body Care Products, and Home Accents from around the world. Quo Vadis is a fantastic place to get a unique and special gift for a friend or even yourself! I did! Stop by or visit their website: www. quovadisaccessories.com
—Alison Lundie, Realtor®
Quo Vadis is about preserving the artistry of centuries old craftsmanship upon which traditions were founded. It is about valuing true workmanship and distinguishing it from mediocrity. We strive to find products for the individual and the non-conformist. In doing so, we support artisans whose work might otherwise disappear. We value our customers as we do our artisans, and take great satisfaction in bringing to them the unique, the handmade, the one of a kind.
Many of our products are sourced in Italy
Quo Vadis also purveys hand-mades from other parts of the world, including France, Israel, the United States, and Indonesia, to name a few. Hand crafted treasures include body care, jewelry, and other accessories, both personal and for the home.
Ice Building Up on Your Roof?
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011This is no laughing matter to most of us in New England this year. Record snowfalls and ice dams have caused damages to roofs, gutters, insulation, ceilings, and interior walls. Removing snow from a roof and de-icing gutters is not an easy task and can require the work of a professional. The following article by Henry’s Housework, gives some insight into what these ice dams are and how to prepare your home for next winter.
The Art Of Ice Dam Removal
Authors Website: Henry’s Housework
http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/information/how-to/ice-dam-removal.htm
The Ice-Melt-Sock
In doing further research on the subject, I came across this post from someone who had commented on this very same article on another website, and I had to share it. I think the Ice-Melt-Sock is ingenious!
“posted Nov 18, 2009 by “Sweetfilter”: If you live in the north you are going to get ice dams. The first thing to do when you have an ice dam is to open a channel in the ice to drain away the water and stop leaks into the house. A refillable snow melt sock or ice melt sock thrown on the roof and pulled into place will open a channel in minutes.”
—Alison Lundie, Realtor®
Winter Visitors
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011Despite the frigid temperatures outside, the continual snow that just won’t stop, and I won’t even mention the icicles, these photos from my front yard and apple tree will warm you right up. I always anticipate the harvesting of our apple tree by a flock of bluebirds that pass through every winter. To my surprise, this year they brought friends, and lots of them! I was surprised to find that so many Robins were feasting as well. In a matter of days they devoured all of the berries. The fox was another passing surprise one chilly, school-delay morning.
—Alison Lundie, Realtor®
