SHARON'S BLEEP

Some positive signs that point toward a recovery in the housing market

2012-01-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

"Pending home sales continued to rise in November reaching their highest level in 19 months. Signed sales contracts jumped 7.3% between October and November and are 5.9% above the level a year earlier." Data from the National Association of Realtors as reported by Real Trends.

"The nation's average mortgage interest rates are starting 2012 near all-time historic lows amid signs of improvement in the housing market and manufacturing industry. The 30 year fixed rate mortgage averaged 3.91% for the week ending 12/29, down from 4.77% a year ago." Freddie Mac mortgage market survey reported by Real Trends.

"The U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 8.5% last month as job creation was more robust than expected, providing continued signs that the nation's labor market is improving gradually."
The New Year has begun and Opportunity is knocking!

Home prices at all time low!

2011-12-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

Todays home prices are at an all time low. Interest rates are at a 40 year low! what would it get you to buy a new home today? Let me hear your coments!

Good News For Borrowers

2011-07-25T06:11:00.001-07:00

Mortgage Rates Continue to Stay Low

A recent article in RealtyTimes reports that “economic data continues to influence investors,” leading mortgage rates to decline again last week.

15-Year Fixed

For borrowers looking to refinance and reduce the term of their current mortgage from 30 to 15 years, this is good news, as conforming 15-year fixed mortgage rates dropped to 3.375%. Conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rates have stayed level.

Jumbo 30-Year Fixed

Jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage rates dropped to 4.875%. The industry has noted an increase in the number of jumbo mortgage loans as borrowers take advantage of the low rates. The jumbo conforming loan limit is currently set to drop to original amounts this fall — whether that actually occurs may depend on how many homes return to the jumbo mortgage market.

FreeRateUpdate.com reports that its daily survey of wholesale and direct lenders “show that jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage rates have decreased and are at 5% with 0.7 to 1% origination point… Right now, borrowers interested in these more expensive homes have everything in their favor.”

For more on current mortgage rate news, visit RealtyTimes and FreeRateUpdate.com.

Summer… and the Reading Is Easy

2011-07-06T06:00:00.003-07:00

6 Fiction and Children’s Books That Hit More Than One Top 10 List

Summertime is just the right time for reading… it’s hard to beat sitting outside — on your patio, the beach, your lawn, or maybe your local outdoor café — with a tall cold drink and a good book.

But… what to read? What to read? For ideas, there are summer reading lists all over the web — offering recommendations in every category from romance to business, from children to biography.

New Fiction Books

Untold Story by Monica Ali— what if Princess Di faked her own death to make a new life in SmallTown, America? Monica Ali has an answer.

Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver– James Bond actually lives more than twice as Deaver, best-selling author and creator of Lincoln Rhyme, spins a new 007 tale.

Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson— in his debut novel, Watson crafts a thriller from aging, memory loss and mental decline. Originally published in the U.K., the U.S. edition is one of the most anticipated books of the summer.

New Children’s Books

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan — the author of the best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series kicks off his new series with a tale of magic, mythology, adventure, angry gods and a dash of The Parent Trap.

Big Nate: In A Class By Himself by Lincoln Peirce — side-splittingly funny, this book is based on Peirce’s popular comic about Nate Wright and his inevitable greatness, if he does say so himself.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool — winner of the 2011 Newberry Award, this book tells the story of 12 year-old Abilene’s summer in Manifest, Kansas learning about her father’s history and solving a decades-old town mystery with her friends.

For suggestions, programs and contests to get and keep your kids reading this summer go to HotCouponWorld’s Summer Reading Programs for Kids.

For more book recommendations, check out these lists:

Summer… and the Reading Is Easy

2011-07-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

6 Fiction and Children’s Books That Hit More Than One Top 10 List

But… what to read? What to read? For ideas, there are summer reading lists all over the web — offering recommendations in every category from romance to business, from children to biography.

New Fiction Books

Untold Story by Monica Ali— what if Princess Di faked her own death to make a new life in SmallTown, America? Monica Ali has an answer.

Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver– James Bond actually lives more than twice as Deaver, best-selling author and creator of Lincoln Rhyme, spins a new 007 tale.

New Children’s Books

Big Nate: In A Class By Himself by Lincoln Peirce — side-splittingly funny, this book is based on Peirce’s popular comic about Nate Wright and his inevitable greatness, if he does say so himself.

For suggestions, programs and contests to get and keep your kids reading this summer go to HotCouponWorld’s Summer Reading Programs for Kids.

For more book recommendations, check out these lists:

July Fourth Celebrations Made A Little Easier

2011-06-29T07:01:00.001-07:00

Technology and Apps For Planning and Grilling

These days, not even the old-fashioned grill or simple picnic is safe from the tentacles of technology.

To make planning your summer festivities a little easier, consider these smartphone apps:

Picnic Planner— pre-loaded with over 275 typical picnic to-do’s, reminders and lists, this app also lets you add your own items (Android)
Simple Soiree— manage your shopping lists, your menu, even your guest lists and replies with this comprehensive party planner (iPhone)

If you prefer to do your planning on your computer rather than your phone, try these nifty tools:

Perfect Potluck— a free online tool to help coordinate group events with multiple contributors
Pingg— an alternative to eVite, pingg offers large galleries of designs for online invitations, as well as guest management tools and trackers
PunchBowl— in addition to online invitations and party planning tools and suggestions, this site offers an extensive database of local vendors across a variety of categories

It’s not just about the planning, however. There are also apps to make you better griller. Weber, the famous BBQ manufacturer, offers Weber’s On The Grillfor the iPhone and iPad with how-to videos, grilling recipes, recipes for rubs and marinades, and a grill timer. Ask The Butcher(iPhone, iPad) not only provides visual definitions of various cuts of meats, it also supplies recipes and cooking times. For Android users, Steak Timer Pluslets you input your grill’s temp, the steak’s thickness and the diner’s desired doneness and then tells you when to flip and when to serve.

For more grilling apps, see LifeScoop’s High Tech Tools for Grilling Success.

Mortgage Relief For The Unemployed

2011-06-27T07:00:00.001-07:00

Application Period Only Open for One Month

Early last week, The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $1 billion in funding through the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) meant to help homeowners struggling with monthly mortgage payments due to unemployment, underemployment, illness or injury.

In a recent article on HSH.com, Tim Manni reports that EHLP will “help these homeowners pay a portion of their monthly mortgage payments for up to two years or provide up to $50,000, whichever comes first. HUD, who is administering the program along with NeighborWorks, expects to reach up to 30,000 distressed homeowners with loan amounts which are expected to average $35,000.”

HUD’s site notes that EHLP is intended to complement the “Hardest Hit Fund,” which is funded with $7.6 billion to provide housing relief to the 18 states (and Washington D.C.) that suffered the most from the housing crisis. The launch of EHLP means that mortgage assistance programs for the unemployed and underemployed are available in every state.

To be considered for EHLP, homeowners must complete a pre-application screening workshop by July 22, 2011. Actual assistance recipients will be chosen at random from the pool of qualified applicants, as HUD expects demand to exceed available funding. NeighborWorks, a congressionally-chartered nonprofit organization dedicated to improving distressed communities, is partnering with HUD to administer the program.

More details, including links to the pre-application worksheet, can be found on NeighborWorks’ site here.

Something Extraordinary

2011-06-22T07:00:00.001-07:00

When TV Meets Dance Meets the Internet

Whether featuring competing singers or dancers, talent shows are an undeniable phenomenon of modern primetime TV. From the one that started it all, American Idol, to the latest incarnations including The X Factor, So You Think You Can Dance and The Voice, these shows offer performances ranging from “Oh no! That girl’s a goner for sure!” to “Wow! Did you see that? Did you see that?”

It’s no wonder then these shows have resulted in so many TV show off-shoots, concert tours and iTunes tracks. But we can also thank these shows for inspiring Jon Chu to create the award-winning web series, The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. If you’re a fan of dance or athletic feats or any combination in between, this is a series not to be missed.

As Advertising Age put it“this richly produced series that follows a cast of highly talented dancers has arguably ushered in a new auteur movement in webisodic broadcasting… it is, by a wide margin, the most beautifully filmed, elaborately staged web series in the history of the medium.” The New York Times says that “in some ways it brings to mind Jerome Robbins, a “NY Export: Opus Jazz” for the hip-hop age. But despite the misfit nature of the characters and the stylishly gritty locales, the series was not made on the cheap; the budget is in the millions of dollars.”

In an interview with Vanity Fair, one of the dancers, Harry Shum (perhaps better known for his portrayal of Mike, the dancer who can’t sing, on Glee), explains that the first season introduces the roster of characters and their origins. In the world of LXD, when unexplainable and bad stuff happens, the only way to stop it is to… dance. The second season delivers plot, story, explanations and a lot of… dancing.

Each episode is about eight minutes long and offers an exhilarating demonstration of dancing of all kinds. The series has won the NATPE award for “Content Innovator” (along with AOL and Ikea), as well as Advertising Age’s prestigious Media Vanguard Award for “Best Original Web Series.”In April, the series’ creator and director, Jon Chu, won the 2011 Pioneer Prize at the International Digital Emmy® Awards.

To watch, go to LXD’s siteand click on “Episodes.”

2011-06-20T07:00:00.001-07:00

Now “Zestimates” Are More Accurate Than Ever

The same day that Inman News published a “perspective”by David Charron, President of MRIS, the largest multiple listing service in the U.S.A., on the superfluity of broad market based statistics and trend analysis, Zillow announcedthat its database now has information on more than 100 million homes, representing more than 75 percent of all the homes in the country.

By adding more than 25 million Zestimate Home Valuations, Zillowhas reduced the margin of error on those estimates to 8.5 percent across the country, and to less than 6 percent in such major metropolitan markets as Denver and San Diego.

This is good news to owners, buyers and sellers alike, as Mr. Charron points out in his article, “considering the critical role that real estate statistics play in just about every housing-related decision, it is time for our industry to rally around better data.”

In addition to increasing accuracy overall, Zillow’s expansion means that such states as Iowa and New Hampshire now have access to Zestimates that wasn’t available before. Zillow sees Zestimates as a tool or starting point when trying to assess a home’s value, along with comparable recent sales and current listings.

Zillow’s increased accuracy and expanded database couldn’t come at a better time, as industry leaders begin to shift the focus from broad market reports and analysis to timely local data.

Make the Most of those Memorie

2011-06-15T07:00:00.001-07:00

Gadgets, Tips and Cameras for Photography Buffs

From point-and-shoots to the camera phone, from Hipstamatic to Photoshop, photography has come a long way since the days of Leicas and dark rooms. My Life Scoop, a site devoted to “tips for a connected life,” recently posted its Top 20 Cameras and Gadgets for Photographers.

Camera Phone Add-ons — LifeScoop recommends the magnetic/detachable telephoto lens(around $22) and the telescope with crystal case for iPhone 3G/3GS(around $19).

Accessories — useful, handy, maybe even indispensable, LifeScoop includes the Opteka soft box flash diffuser(around $10) and the Westcott 40" 5-in-1 reflectoraround $55).

Tripods —The Ultimate List of Photography Gadgets and Gizmos, on Tutorials Plus, notes that a tripod is practically a requirement for good night-time photography, and comes in handy in many other circumstances. The three that made this list are the Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod (around $400), the Hama Star 75 (around $15) and the Heavy Duty Professional Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head for Camera/Video (around $77).

Cameras — making LifeScoop’s list are three Canon models (the EOS Rebel T3 digital SLR, the PowerShot S90and the PowerShot waterproof digital), a Nikon (the D90 digital SLR), an Olympus (the Evolt E620 digital SLR with swivel lens) and a Panasonic (the Lumix digital).

Tips— once you’re outfitted and ready to start snapping away to capture those fleeting moments of summer, don’t forget these summer photography tips posted on Digital Photography Secrets, Advanced Photographyand Station Stops:

Avoid your flash — you’ll get a softer picture with more mood, but you might also get a blurrier photo. The less light in the picture, the steadier your hand must be, or try resting the camera on something stable or using a tripod.
Be wary of flare — summer light can cause unwanted flare in your photos, experiment with blocking the sun with your hand or moving your position until another object blocks the sun.
Think minimal— reduce the number of distracting elements in your photo and really feature your subject (this doesn’t always mean centering the subject).

The Best Places to Put Your Real Estate Dollars

2011-06-13T07:00:00.001-07:00

Top Five Markets in the Nation for Investors

Inman News, a leading Real Estate Industry news source, recently completed an analysis of hundreds of U.S. markets to determine those best for investors. The full report and research is available at Inman’s website, here. To compare and rank the markets, the researchers took into account the median sales price of homes, population and unemployment statistics, loan data, walkability scores, foreclosure sales and discounts statistics and more. Information was culled from respected sources including Realty Trac, CoreLogic, the U.S. Census Bureau, SmartZip and others.

The top five markets, according to the report, are:

1. Indianapolis-Carmel, IN.With an unemployment rate somewhat lower than the national average, a population rate somewhat higher, and the lowest median sale price of the top 10 markets, Indianapolis ranks number one on the list for investors.

2. Winchester, VA/WV. This market had the largest increase in population of all the markets looked at, rising nearly 25 percent in the last decade. Its combination of a decrease in median sale price year-over-year with an increase of over 60 percent in home values expected in the next 10 years (the highest projected appreciation rate in the top 10 markets) makes this area a prime opportunity for investment.

3. Gainesville, FL.Between the huge university and several hospital networks located in this area, Gainesville can boast unemployment rates roughly 25 percent lower than the rest of the state. And although the median sale price was down from last year, the projected ROI for a property bought today over 10 years is well over 250 percent.

4. Tucson, AZ.The number of distressed sales in Tucson is the highest of the top 10 markets (over 45 percent of sales were foreclosure sales, close to double from the same period last year). This means an abundance of affordable properties in a market where SmartZip, a company specializing in real estate analytics and ratings, projects a 10 year ROI of 225 percent.

5. Tallahassee, FL.Households making the median income saw the supply of affordable houses increase more than a third from the previous year, and nearly 40 percent of all sales have been all-cash purchases. For “buy and hold” investors, this market is ripe with opportunity — in fact, at the end of March, active investor loans in Tallahassee represented nearly 50% more of the market’s loan activity than the national average.

To see the full reportand read more about these markets as well the other five markets that round out the Top Ten list, visit the Inman News website.

Country Clubs and Home Buyers

2011-06-07T08:26:00.001-07:00

What's In a Name?
You may be seeing a sudden increase in communities and subdivisions with “country” or “country club” in their names. A recent study by the University of Georgia found that the link with a status symbol such as a country club in a subdivision’s name resulted in purchase prices averaging 5.1% more than those paid for other, less “prestigiously” named properties

Looking at 20 years of data from Baton Rouge, LA, the researchers concluded that a

“more deliberate and empirically-based study of property names could enable significant improvements in return on investment for investors and long-term home owners. In addition, some assumptions about the primary drivers of home values may be challenged; buyers’ perceptions of real property attributes may prove as valuable as or more valuable than the real utility of some attributes."

The study showed that wealthier buyers were more likely to pay a premium for a life-style name than for the advantage of being in a neighborhood with good schools for their children, but also that in economically depressed times, they were less willing to pay for any premiums.

As developers and homeowners wait for the light at the end of the long tunnel that is the housing market, this news may still feel like a little skylight opening up.

2011-06-01T07:00:00.001-07:00

Summertime means deals and over 85% of travelers report planning a pleasure trip this summer. A recent article on BizReport.com reports that nearly half of all consumers are planning a summer vacation, and nearly one-third say they plan to travel more this summer than last.

Airlines, resorts, hotels and even entire cities are packaging and promoting deals on summer destinations. Your first stop when searching for savings is your favorite airline and hotel. Check their websites and see what promotions, bundles and packages they are offering. Some of the more popular travel brands offering promotions are:

American Airlines – see their Vacation Deals page
Delta – see their Deals & Offers page
Sheraton Hotels – see their Special Offers page
Hyatt Hotels – see their Best of Summer Deals page
Avis Rental Cars – see their Deals within the US & Canada page

If you have a particular city in mind for your trip, search that city along with “summer deals,” “summer promotions” or “summer specials.” Many cities have sites dedicated to planning trips and finding promotions, as well as events, activities and special events.

For New York City, visit NYC Go.
For San Francisco, visit Only in San Francisco
For Austin, visit Austin, Texas
For Chicago, visit ChicagoLogue

For other city guides and travel tips, check out these sites:

The New Face of Mobile Advertising

2011-05-18T04:00:00.001-07:00

Forget Your Phone, Now It’s Your Clothes

If you think you’re overwhelmed by ads on apps like Facebook and Google on your computer and on your smartphone, just wait. The company, E-Ink Holdings, that brought the cool non-glare, ultra-readable display to the Kindle by Amazon has announced it can now print on fabric — updatable print on the clothing on your back.

According to a recent article in Fast Company, E-Ink has been working hard to discover more applications for its technology beyond the e-reader. The company has come up with a way not only to print on regular fabric, but also on Tyvek^®, the “ripstop” material used for extra-strong envelopes, banners, vehicle covers, and more.

Just imagine covering your car with not just a branded tarp, but a tarp that is constantly updating its message. Local dealership running a no-money down special? Your car in the driveway might be the new billboard in your neighborhood.

It’s the clothing possibilities, however, that really exercise the imagination. As can be seen in the photo from Kit Eaton’s article in Fast Compay, the potential is unlimited. As he puts it, it “instantly makes us imagine Google selling Wi-Fi-connected T-shirts that update with adverts based on the wearer's location and who's walking by; in our location-enabled age this is highly plausible… Or maybe you could wear your Twitter feed or a smarmy animated gif smack across your chest. At this point we imagine mood-riddled teenagers using their T-shirts as a live-updating display to mirror their angsty inner thoughts...the mood ring for the 21st Century.”

There is a scene in Stephen Spielberg’s “Minority Report” where Tom Cruise speeds through a public passageway, bombarded by personalized and personally addressed advertisements on the billboards as he passes them. At least those billboards are stationary; if t-shirt advertising becomes a reality, it’s entirely possible the ad will follow you.

What Can You Say in Five Minutes?

2011-05-11T04:00:00.001-07:00

Author Says Time Limits Are the Key To Meaningful Conversations

What started as an “inside joke” for author Vivian Diller has turned into a conversation phenomenon among her family and friends. In her article on HuffingtonPost.com, Ms. Diller describes the evolution of her casual suggestion to her friends that they limit to “five minutes… the time we spend talking about our suffering body parts, so that we can move on to discussing other more enjoyable matters?” into a guideline that has been adopted by an ever-expanding circle.

Word about the Five-Minute Rule spread and soon, to her surprise, Ms. Diller was hearing stories — and thanks — from her in-laws, her friends, her married children, even her younger children, about how the rule improved their conversations and communication. Her daughter told her, “ ‘I hate to admit it, but your Five-Minute Rule keeps us from going on about relationship minutia.’ "

Scientific American reports that a study performed by Washington University shows that “adding five substantive conversations to your weekly social calendar could boost your spirits dramatically.” The happiest subjects in the study were found to have spent 70 percent more time discussing the unhappiest topics. Adhering to the Five-Minute Rule, this could be accomplished in less than half an hour a week.

Ms. Diller has compiled a list of age-bracketed topics that should fall under the Five-Minute Rule:

The Greatest Generation — Aching knees; aching hips; the new knee!; the new hip!, “remember when everyone listened to Frank Sinatra?”

Baby Boomers — Botox, Viagra, and all that keeps things up; sags, bags and all that droops, “remember when we heard Frank Zappa?”

Gen X’ers — child’s chess awards; child’s soccer awards; “remember when we listened to rap instead of Raffi?”

For her complete list, read her article here.

Ideas for Mother’s Day

2011-05-04T04:00:00.001-07:00

Some Ingenious Ideas for Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is coming up (May 8) — the day you get to show the mother (or mothers) in your life how you appreciate her. Here are a few ideas and resources to help you find just the right gift.

Comfy, cuddly robe — if your mom is a robe wearer, nothing beats getting a new soft, plush fleece robe (you can find them online at sites like Zappos, Overstock, and Victoria’s Secret).

Personalized recyclable shopping bag — for the mom who seems to always be going to store and bemoaning all the trees it takes to make those paper bags. Check out PersonalizationMail for details.

Donation — for the mom with a heart of gold, make a donation in your mother’s name to a charity that means something to her, or introduce her to a new cause that means something to you.

E-reader — can’t keep your mom’s nose out of her book? Turn her on to the glories of carrying a library around in her pocketbook and having instant access to millions more books. Some of the most popular include the Kindle, from Amazon, Nook, from Barnes & Noble and the iPad, from Apple.

For other, more traditional Mother’s Day gift ideas, check out RedEnvelope, Gifts.com, and AskMen.com.

Spring Means Green (Markets)

2011-04-27T04:00:00.001-07:00

End of Winter Spells Start of Fresh Produce

Spring is the season when the branches turn from barren to budding, the weather turns from bitter to balmy, and farmers markets start popping up around the country. Seasonal, fresh produce is the focus of “green markets,” where local farms and purveyors specialize in natural, organic and regional foodstuffs to tempt your palate.

What to look for in spring? Seasonally, certain fruits and vegetables are their best this time of year, including:

Apricots
Artichokes
Asparagus
Cherries
Lemons
Peas (garden, snap and snow)
Rhubarb
Turnips

When you’re looking to include healthier foods in your diet, farmers markets are a great place to start. In an interview with WRDW-TV Augusta, Dr. Jessica Reichmuth from Augusta State University noted that “if you eat less modified foods obviously you are getting more nutrients instead of fillers.”

Most cities have at least one regular farmers market, if not several, held in the mornings during the week or on the weekend:

To find more local farmers near you, search online for “farmers market [your city or state]”.

Your Life Goes Mobile

2011-04-20T04:00:00.001-07:00

Top Smartphone Apps for Just About Everything

Truth in advertising may never have been more in evidence than the now oft-repeated phrase, first heard in AT&T’s iPhone commercial: “there’s an app for that.”

Apple’s website touts that there are over 350,000 apps in its iPhone App Store, while cnet.com reportsthat there are about 88,000 apps available for the Android platform.

So what are the top apps? Here are a few of the apps that hit the experts’ top 10 lists.

Flixster — find out what’s playing in a theater near you (some theaters let you buy tickets right from your phone), see what’s opening soon and watch trailers, read reviews from RottenTomatoes.com, keep track of movies you want to see, even view and manage your Netflix queue. (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone)

Hipstamatic — making Ansel Adams wannabes everywhere happy, this app offers “film,” “lens,” and “flash” options that transform your ordinary phone snapshots into something else entirely. An integrated connection to Facebook makes sharing your masterpieces easy. (iPhone)
SoundHound — what is that song they’re playing on TV? Tap SoundHound’s big orange button and it will identify the mystery music in as little as four seconds. You can even sing or hum a tune. SoundHound provides song lyrics right in the app and other features including “discovery,” which lets you check out the most frequently requested songs. (iPhone, Android)
ReadItLater — ever stumble on an interesting article or page while surfing online and think, you just don’t have the time to read it now? ReadItLater lets you save pages and articles on your computer or your phone to read at your leisure, even if you’re not connected to the internet. (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry)
Mint — from Intuit, this award-winning streamlined money management app brings all your bills, accounts and spending together in one spot. It also allows you to set goals and budgets and will alert you when you reach or exceed them. (iPhone, Android)

For more indispensable apps, check out these lists:

David Pogue (The New York Times) — his 10 Favorite iPhone Apps
Newsweek’s Top 10 Android Apps for 2011
Time’s 50 Best iPhone Apps 2011
Mashable’s 10 Apps to Watch in 2011

(Almost) No One Called This One

2011-04-13T04:00:00.001-07:00

How little is .00003%?

Whether or not you are a sports fan, a March Madness Maniac, a college basketball aficionado, or just someone who loves a good yarn, this year’s NCAA Championship Tournament brought a whole new meaning to the term “Cinderella Story.”

“March Madness” is the marketing term coined by the minds responsible for promoting the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, and a madness it has become. At the end of the college hoops season, 64 teams face off, hoping to make it through the “Final Four” to win the whole shebang.

But this March, the true miracle of athletic achievement was on display, as the top seeds and odds-on favorites went toppling off the bracket, pushed by determined underdogs. Of the four divisional #1 seeds, Kansas, Duke, Pittsburgh and Ohio State (who was also ranked the overall #1 seed), not a single team made it to the Final Four. In fact, only one those teams, Kansas, made it to the prior round, known as the “Elite Eight.” Instead, the Final Four were Kentucky and Connecticut, the East 3^rd and West 4^th seeds respectively, and Butler and VCU, the 8^th and 11^th seeds from the Southeast and Southwest.

Just how much of an upset was the 2011 Final Four bracket where the Kentucky Wildcats faced the Connecticut Huskies and the Butler Bulldogs went up against the VCU Rams? According to a story on AOLNews.com, so much so that out of the 5.9 million people who filled out ESPN’s online bracket with their predictions, only two (2) predicted that outcome. Of the 3 million who completed Yahoo’s Tourney Pick ‘Em, only one got it right. Three people out of nearly 9 million. That’s just .00003% of the fans who completed the brackets. Now, that’s a Cinderella story.

2011: The Streaming, Green, Mobile, 4G Year

2011-04-06T04:00:00.001-07:00

Trends in Technology That Will Impact Consumers

[1]The past 10 years have seen significant technological advances and shifts. In the US, the number of cell phones in use more than doubled from a mere 109 million in 2000 to 262 million in 2008. Walkmans have been replaced with iPods. Once upon a time, everyone wanted to know, will it be “VHS or BetaMax?” Big business was built on, and then bankrupted by, videotape technology. What’s ahead?

Experts are highlighting a few trends leading this year’s technology innovations. One site, TechWench.com, boils it down to these five: [2]

Commercialization of Personal Information— information about us, the consumer, is a goldmine that is simply too valuable to ignore, so the battle between privacy and profit will wage on.
Online Video— the essence of instant gratification, this technology will continue to complicate the relationship between content and advertising and compensation, as traditional viewing models, supported by commercials, shift and change.
4G Network — as mobile devices gain in utility and popularity, fat data networks like 4G will impact not only how consumers think about traditional data connections like cable and DSL, but also where they feel confident accessing data (that is, no longer chained to their office or home for data-heavy applications).
Green Technology — the economy and energy prices will combine to push technological solutions that are both green and frugal. Look for more eco-friendly services and products as it becomes clear that green does not have to mean unprofitable to the seller, or more expensive to the buyer.
Mobile Applications — the transformation of our cell phone from a basic communication device to our base of operations, expected to do everything from wake us up to pay for our coffee means that every day will see new ways to add functionality and features to our mobile devices.

Deloitte, in its Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions for 2011, includes a few more trends they feel will shape the technology landscape this year:

Diversity — in both hardware and software, Deloitte sees the advent of variety offering consumers more choice on the one hand, as phones, tablets and computers all invade the mobile computing space, but also limiting choice on the other, as developers have to choose from multiple operating systems, such as iOS, Android, Linux, etc., to design for, or spend the resources to develop multi-platform solutions.
Tablets — these will transform the way we work and play, offering a new platform for media, presentations, data and more.
eGov — this year will continue to see the government implement more electronic resources for its citizens, building on current features such as eFiling of tax returns, online payment of parking tickets, etc.

Mobility and access to data will fundamentally drive innovation in the foreseeable future, as consumers become more and more used to the ability to get more done from wherever they are. Gone are the days when you were only available by phone when you were home or at the office. It’s no longer true that you can’t edit that spreadsheet if you don’t have your laptop with you. The trend appears to be that immediate access to all parts of our life will be with us all the time. Whether that’s progress depends on your perspective.

[1] Image 1: http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/image/86540874

[2] Image 2: http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/image/108790856

Biggest Drop in Foreclosures in 3 Years – What Does It Mean?

2011-03-28T03:00:00.001-07:00

February saw a 14% drop in foreclosures across the country from the month before, and a 27% decrease from the same month last year, according to RealtyTrac[1], which reported 225,101 properties receiving a foreclosure filing in February.

RealtyTrac’s chief, James Saccacio, thinks that the drop doesn’t reflect fewer distressed properties so much as it represents a mounting backlog of filings, waiting to be processed properly. As revealed last fall, the accelerated pace of banks’ foreclosure filings since 2008 was supported by the use of suspect practices, including “robo-signers,” to expedite processing. Based on these discoveries, all 50 State Attorney Generals, supported by several key branches of the federal government, have been working on a slate of changes to overhaul the process and provide more protections to borrowers, as well as systemically impact how servicers, investors and borrowers interact.

In early March, the officials issued a 27-page term sheet of revised foreclosure processing demands, setting “out how [the banks] should service loans and handle foreclosures,” said Geoff Greenwood, communications director for the Iowa Attorney General spearheading the states’ efforts. “Assuming the parties come to some agreement, these would be binding legal requirements.” American Banker[2] published a brief article outlining the key points of the term sheet.

The Washington Post[3] reports that in addition, officials are proposing penalties, which could exceed $20 billion, against the banks possibly to be used to rework existing mortgages, along with a commitment to help avert 1.5 million new foreclosures, in an effort to provide concrete relief to the housing market. As evidenced by this month’s slowed rate of foreclosures, the banks—under pressure to give borrowers (and investors) more rights and greater recourse, as well as to meet more stringent standards, before initiating repossession—are even now processing foreclosures more carefully.

[1] http://realtytrac.com/home/

[2] http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/176_45/how-the-state-ags-want-to-revamp-mortgage-servicing-1034053-1.html?zkPrintable=1&nopagination=1

[3] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030306315.html)

Reality Bites: The Younger Generation Will Lead the Housing Market Comeback

2011-03-23T05:53:00.001-07:00

^[1]When you’re looking to buy or sell a home, it always helps to have some inside scoop. According to a survey conducted by John Burns Real Estate Consulting [2], the motivating force behind the housing recovery will be young families headed by 31 to 45 year-olds. The National Association of Home Builders reported that the latest data (2009) showed that 38% of new home buyers were under 35, and another 24% were between 35 and 44. The numbers were nearly the same for existing home buyers—roughly 60% of existing home buyers were 44 years old or younger.

Paula Monthofer, a Realtor with Realty Executives in Flagstaff, AZ noted in a recent article in the Arizona Daily Sun [3] that the steady increase in interest rates is partly responsible for encouraging these buyers to get serious. Knowing that a one point increase in interest rates can impact a mortgage by tens of thousands of dollars, “they kind of got serious when they saw the interest rate go up for seven days in a row,” Monthofer concluded.

This market segment isn’t only looking for a good deal, however, there are other items on their priority list when they consider prospective homes. The John Burns survey revealed that design and distinctiveness rank high on their list. And although the average size of new homes is shrinking, these buyers definitely have an eye out for homes that leave them room to grow as their family grows and changes.

Across the board, regardless of age group, 70% of the survey respondents agreed that they would be willing to pay $5,000 more for a home that has eco-friendly, energy efficient features. Other features that would earn a price premium included dark wood cabinets, separate tub and shower, a fireplace in the living room and open floor plans.[4]

Knowing that the rise in interest rates is putting a little more pressure on buyers combined with having a better understanding of the desires of over half of prospective home buyers (the under 44 year olds) gives prospective home sellers a new edge, allowing them to tweak and stage their home to feature those characteristics known to appeal to this market and work the economy to their advantage.

[1] Image 1: http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/image/89671923

[2] http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=148&newsID=12323

[3] http://www.azdailysun.com/news/local/article_de2a6e32-8c81-5610-b4d8-676548b723b6.html

[4] Image 2: http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/image/97928867

What will 2011 hold in store for real estate?

2011-01-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

What will 2011 hold in store for real estate? Interest rate is still great, home prices are more affordable and inventory is good. It is a great time to buy!
I have had good showing activity in my listings and several have sold in December. I feel that this will be a stronger year for sales than 2010. The spending for the holidays was up from 2009. People are getting a little more confidence hopefully! The stock market is looking better. The signs are there! What do you think?

Kirkwood Magic House Breakfast With Santa

2010-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

This is the 8th annual breakfast with Santa hosted by the Magic House. Make your morning (or evening) sizzzle with a yummy pancake breakfast cooked by a pancake flipper extraodinaire, a special photo with Santa, a fun holiday craft to take home and admission to The Magic House. It's sure to "stack " up to your Expectations!

Sunday Dec. 12th
9:45 am, 11:00 am, or 5:00 pm
Cost $18.00 per person (includes all day admission to The Magic House).
Space is limited and reservations are required. Payment is non-refundable.
Reservations can be made online or by calling 314-822-8900, ext. 18

Wanting to Move?

2010-07-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

In today's trying times with interset rates and market conditions...what would it take for you to make a move?

GOT MOLES?

2010-06-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

Someone told us about these new mole traps called, "Easy Set Mole Eliminator" and they really work great and are easy to use. Kirkwood Hardware has them. Worth the money!

Generational Spending Habits

2010-05-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

Consumers are still cautious when it comes to how they spend their money. According to a recent Harris Poll, nearly two-thirds of U.S. Adults (63%) say they have purchased more generic brands in the past 6 months in an effort to save money, while an additional 12% say they have considered doing so.

The survey also finds that each generations saves money in different ways. For example, Gen Xers (age 34-45) are more likely to brown-bag lunch (56%) and cut back on going to hair salons (43%). Matures (65 and older) are more likely to cancel a magazine subscription (45%). Memebers of generation Y (age 18-33) are more likely to cancel their landline telephone and use only a cell phone (20%) and to carpool or use mass transit (26%).

FEDERAL HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT?

2010-04-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

Consumers and Real Estate Professionals have the question of "what will happen" when the federal homebuyer tax credits expire weighing on their minds. What are your views?

Short Sales

2010-02-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

A short sale occurs when you, 1. owe more on your mortgage and (any other liens on the property), that you can get from the sale of your home in today's market. 2. You the seller are unwilling or unable to bring money to the closing. The property has not been foreclosed upon, which affords the seller a window of opportunity to sell the property in hopes to at least partially satisfy the amount owed to the lender.

Short sales are considered preferable to foreclosures because they lessen the negative impact to the subdivision and lessen the hit to the seller's credit. If the seller is current on other payments, a short sale may lower their score by 50 points. A foreclosure may lower their score by 50 points. A foreclosure may impact a credit score as much as 200 points.

How Can You Tell If You Are In A Buyer's Market

2010-01-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Markets operate on the basis of supply and demand. If you have a local market where the supply of homes is significantly greater than demand, you will receive have a market where home sales slow, prices stall or drop, properties are more affordable and purchasers are typically able to negotiate significant concessions from sellers. And that, in a nutshell, is a buyer's market.

Today many local markets favor purchasers. No less important, interest rates are at the lower end of the scale on an historic basis, and you can do well with conservative, reasonable financing such as FHA, VA and conventional loans. Relative to the past few years, now is a good time to buy in many areas.