Ack! Our energy costs are going up because too many of us are making the wrong judgment calls about how to save energy. Here’s why we’re having a disconnect. Read
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Copyright 2012 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Existing-home sales in the second quarter showed healthy gains from the first quarter in the vast majority of states, and price declines have increased affordability in most metro areas, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors®.
Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, rose 3.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 4.76 million units in the second quarter from 4.58 million units in the first quarter, but remain 2.9 percent below the 4.90 million-unit pace in the second quarter of 2008.
Thirty-nine states experienced sales increases from the first quarter, and nine states were higher than a year ago; the District of Columbia showed both quarterly and annual rises.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the sales gain appears to be sustainable. “With low interest rates, lower home prices and a first-time buyer tax credit, we’ve been seeing healthy increases in home sales, which are a hopeful sign for the economy,” he said. “There have been sustained sales gains in Arizona, Nevada and Florida, as well as diverse areas such as Maryland, the District of Columbia and Nebraska. More recently, we’ve seen strong double-digit gains in Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Washington, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Vermont, Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota and Montana.”
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Read the entire article here or visit my website for more information about home sales in the Austin, Texas area.
· A first time home buyer is defined as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
· The tax credit does not have to repaid.
· The tax credit is equal to 10% of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8000
· Home must be purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009
· Single taxpayers with annual incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit
· An income tax refund will be issued for any amount above taxes owed for the 2009 tax year.
Here are today’s rates at a glance…
| 1% origination | 0% origination |
| 30 YR Conforming 5.000 | 30 YR Conforming 5.25 |
| 15 YR Conforming 4.375 | 15 YR Conforming 4.75 |
| 30 YR Fixed Jumbo 6.25 | 30 YR Fixed Jumbo 6.5 |
| FHA 30 YR Fixed 4.875 | FHA 30 YR Fixed 5.125 |
All rates are determined by multiple factors including loan amounts, property value,
occupancy, escrow waiver, and credit scores. Please call for program guidelines.
Please contact me for more information about the First Time Homebuyer tax credit, mortgage rates, and for all your real estate needs.
While residential real estate remains weak overall, many local markets are showing signs of improvement, according to the Federal Reserve’s Commentary on Current Economic Conditions, also known as the Beige Book.
Sales volume is up, especially in the Fed’s Minneapolis and San Francisco districts, and with the exception of the St. Louis district, sales declines are letting up.
The Fed credited the federal government’s $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit for the improvement to the low-end of the residential housing market, especially in its New York, Kansas City and Dallas districts.
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Read the rest of the article here or visit my website for information about buying or selling your home.
With most economists and builders expecting a national market decline this year, this may not seem like the best time to be selecting the "healthiest" markets in the country. Virtually every market was down last year. But a close look at the numbers reveals that some markets have way outperformed others during the last four years and are likely to continue to do so this year.
When the housing market stages its official recovery, the markets listed on the following pages are likely to lead the parade. It may take a year or more for the weakest markets--where burgeoning foreclosure sales are still pounding new home values, making building and selling new homes an exercise in futility-- to finally stage a turnaround. We’ll present that list next week.
The healthiest markets have many things in common. Most of them are great places to live, either close to the ocean, mountains, or major universities. Most of them didn’t have a huge run-up in prices during the boom and aren’t experiencing rampant deflation during the bust.
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Steiner Ranch has long been known as a successful neighborhood, but many home buyers do not know the extent of what the area offers and what makes it distinctive.
When you think of the best features of Steiner Ranch, just remember that living in Steiner Ranch is a SNAP — Schools, Nature, Amenities and Price.
Schools
Steiner Ranch is the crown jewel of the Leander Independent School District.
Three exemplary-rated schools — Steiner Ranch Elementary, Laura Welch Bush Elementary and Canyon Ridge Middle School — are located in the community and have built a reputation of academic excellence.
This August, two more schools will serve the Steiner Ranch students. Vandegrift High School will open just outside the community, and River Ridge Elementary will become the third on-site elementary school.
"I would put the education my kids are getting here in Steiner Ranch next to anybody's," said Keith Sommer whose kids attend Laura Bush Elementary. "The parental involvement here is outstanding and the teachers really care."
Nature
With both Lake Travis and Lake Austin surrounding the community, Steiner Ranch offers natural beauty like no other place in Austin. Flanked by the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, the landscape has a wide-open feeling while still being close to conveniences like shopping and restaurants. Downtown is a short 25-minute drive as well.
"After researching countless neighborhoods in the Austin area and talking to friends, we found ourselves in Steiner Ranch," said Stacy Wilson, a resident for five years. "Our first impression was 'Wow, this is it. What a beautiful area!' We drove in and saw the lake views and rolling hills, and we knew that this was a place we could raise our family."
Amenities
As members of the homeowners association, Steiner Ranch residents enjoy a comprehensive amenity package that includes three community centers — each with pools, tennis and basketball courts.
Sports teams have access to multi-purpose fields where more than 150 teams practice each week. Twenty miles of trails wind through the greenbelt areas allowing endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
"The miles of beautiful trails here are accessible from every neighborhood, which was a huge selling point for us. We had no idea the trails would look so natural — like a path through the woods. We frequently find ourselves exploring with our dogs, who couldn't be happier," said Wilson.
Price
With homes from the upper $200s to more than $3 million, Steiner Ranch offers something for almost every lifestyle and price range.
As compared with other areas of Austin, Steiner Ranch is a tremendous value for the money as well. Whether your dream home is a Mediterranean-style golf course home, a 2,500-square-foot single story or an 8,000-square-foot custom home on the lake, you can build it in Steiner Ranch.
"People are so amazed at how much further their money goes in Steiner Ranch compared with other areas of town," said Kathy Mayer, community sales manager. "Buyers can still get a new home with every imaginable upgrade and stay within budget. Instead of remodeling, it makes it that much more tempting to buy new."
Now is an especially good time to be looking at Steiner Ranch. There are currently homes in every price range available for move-in before school starts.
***Read the original post here or learn more about this beautiful community and others on my website.
