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Virginia home prices outperform nation

Median home prices in Virginia rose 8.29 percent in September over the same month last year. Median home prices nationally declined 4.2 percent for the same month. The September national median existing-home price for all housing types was $211,700 this past September; in September 2006 the median was $220,900, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Here in Virginia, the September median sales price statewide was $235,000, compared to $217,000 for September 2006. Despite the adjustment many of the nation's housing markets continue to experience this year, the value of a Virginia home as a wealth-building investment remains stronger than ever.

A Virginia home purchased in 1999 for the then-median price of $125,000 would realize an 83 percent return if sold in today's market. And a Virginia home purchased in 2002 at the median price of $144,480 has appreciated 58 percent in the past five years.

MRIS Releases September Housing Statistics

MRIS, Oct. 15, 2007-Selling prices are flat throughout the Greater Washington DC Metro and the Greater Baltimore Metro regions, but Northern Virginia bucked the trend with positive numbers, according to September housing statistics released by MRIS. Click here for statistics.

Loudoun County saw its first increase in selling prices since May of 2006, with a rise of 4.44% in September. Selling prices in Fairfax County rose 2.45% for the same period, but the hugest gains were in Fauquier County, where the average selling price was up a whopping 23.59%.

It was a different story in the Maryland suburbs. Montgomery County showed its first negative numbers since the market began softening in 2006. Prices were also down in Howard, Harford, Anne Arundel, Prince Georges and Frederick Counties.

“Inventory is extremely high metro wide,” said John McClain, Senior Fellow at George Mason University’s School of Public Policy. “As long as inventory is so great, we’ll continue to see downward pressure on prices.”

McClain suspects the flattening is psychologically motivated, since sub prime mortgage woes are having minimal impact in this region. He says building permits are down region wide, which should help shrink the housing supply in the coming months.

For more information about this topic, see the “Tools for Success” article below.

Article was taken from RISMedia.

Survey: Modest Gains in Buyer/Seller Activity and Appreciation Trends

Modest improvement is reported in buyer/seller ratios and in home price appreciation across the country in the third quarter, compared to the second quarter of 2007, but other key housing sales activity indicators remain largely unchanged, according to HouseHunt’s Current Market Conditions random survey of member agents.

Thirty-two percent of respondents reported more buyers than sellers; 54% reported more sellers than buyers, and the remaining 14% said the ratio is about 50-50. This is an increase of three percentage points for buyers since the last quarter and the highest total since the third quarter of 2006.

When asked about annual home price appreciation in the past 12 months, 53% of respondents reported flat to small positive gains. The biggest jump was in the 0-5% range, where 34% said prices were up. Another 19% said home prices were up more than five percent. Forty-seven percent of respondents said prices declined in their communities in the past year. This compares to 61% reported in the second quarter.

“Our latest survey shows that the demand for housing is still there,” observed Michael Bearden, president and CEO of HouseHunt, Inc., a consumer-oriented Internet firm that supplies free information and services to homeowners, home buyers and home sellers in 47 states through nearly 2,000 member agents and its primary Web sites, HouseHunt.com and moveUp.com. “Even though many buyers are on the sidelines waiting for conditions to improve, the message for Realtors is to stay in front of the customer and be ready to provide the service, the expertise and the professionalism needed as the market becomes more balanced between buyers and sellers.” Other highlights of HouseHunt’s most recent national and regional survey are:

Time on the market lengthened somewhat in many parts of the country. Eighty-six percent of member agents now report that it takes more than 60 days, on average, from listing to contract to sell a house. Of that figure, 62% estimated that it takes more than 90 days. Three years ago, 75% of respondents said it took 60 days or less, on average, to sell a house.

Asking price vs. sales price. On average, 51% of home sellers are getting 95% of their asking prices, respondents said. Six months ago the figure was 65%.

Buyer activity

Repeat buyers continue to outnumber first-time buyers by a two-to-one margin. With few exceptions, this ratio remains consistent in most markets across the country.

Multiple offers

Only 31% of respondents reported that their home sellers are still getting multiple offers. This figure is unchanged for the past three quarters.

Inventory of unsold homes

The total continues to grow toward record levels, thanks to a sluggish housing market and problems of liquidity, problem loans and bank repossessions. Nationally, 95% of respondents report a good supply in all price ranges.

“Third quarter regional results reported in the survey show just how uneven the national housing market is, especially in the Northeast where 51% of HouseHunt member agents reported more buyer activity even though homes are on the market longer and prices are declining,” Bearden noted. “Eighty-two percent of respondents reported some negative appreciation over the past 12 months.”

He also pointed to a percentage-wise decrease of first-time buyers in the West region. Only 17% were identified as first-time buyers vs. the national average of 34%.
Better results are reported in Texas, where 60% of respondents said that homes are selling in 60 days or less. Also, sellers are getting 95% of asking prices, on average.

Here are samples of individual housing market reports:

- Dianna Cannan of Keller Williams, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Huntsville, Texas, reported that average home prices are up five to 10% and that most sellers are getting 95-100% of asking prices.

“Our job and population growth, along with our proximity to a booming Houston job market, are good reasons to buy a home here,” she said. The average home price is $125,000.

- Emmaniece Gordon of Keller Williams in Millersville, Maryland, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Woodmore, Maryland, said average home prices are up five to 10% in the past 12 months. Average time on the market is 90-120 days. Average home price is $250,000.

- Stephanie Gilkison of The Gilkison Group, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Shawnee, Kansas, said most of her sellers are getting 95-100% of their asking prices even though average time on the market is 120-days plus.

“Shawnee has a lot of great new homes communities that are priced exceptionally well for the current market. This is one of the most affordable cities in Johnson County in relation to the size home you can buy with your dollar,” she said. Average price home is $300,000.

- Larry Shakman of InterMLS in Naperville, IL, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Aurora, IL, reported more sellers than buyers and an average home price of $325,000. He said most of his sellers are getting 94% or more of their asking prices. Average time on the market is 60-120 days in this Chicago metro area territory.

- Jesse Mag of Coldwell Banker, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Brightwood, Colonial Village and Shepherd Park in the District of Columbia, said most sellers are getting 90-95% of asking prices when priced correctly. Average price is $550,000 and average time on the market is 60-90 days.
“We have lots of potential buyers, who are uncommitted, and lots of sellers who are c committed to sell,” Mag said.

- Finally, Deirdre Salomone of Prudential California Realty, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for the Silver Lake territory near downtown Los Angeles, CA, reported an equal number of buyers and sellers. Average home price is $725,000 and the inventory of unsold homes is
limited, she said. Average time on the market is 60-90 days.

*This Article was taken from RISMedia

Brighter Days Ahead

Home prices are expected to recover in 2008 with existing-home sales picking up late this year and new-home sales rising early next year, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

"Buyers now have an overwhelming advantage given the wide selection of homes available in many markets," Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist said. "But with profit margins coming under pressure, homebuilders will limit new construction well into 2008. This should help the overall inventory level to move steadily into a more balanced state."

NAR says that existing-home sales are expected to total 6.11 million this year and 6.37 million in 2008, down from 6.48 million last year. New-home sales are projected at 865,000 in 2007 and 878,000 in 2008, compared with 1.05 million in 2006. Housing starts, including multifamily units, are forecast at 1.43 million units this year and 1.44 million in 2008, down from 1.80 million last year.

NAR says existing-home prices are likely to rise 1.8% to a median of $222,700 in 2008 after a 1.4% decline this year to $218,800. The median new-home price should rise 2.2% to $245,400 next year following a 2.6% drop in 2007 to $240,100.

"Markets that sharply reduce new construction in 2007 will generally experience respectable price increases in 2008," Yun said. "Local conditions vary considerably, but with historically low mortgage interest rates this summer and sustained job gains, it could be a good time for first-time buyers with a long-term view to test the housing waters."

For more information, visit realtor.org.

Curb Appeal: Creating a Lasting First Impression

Staging a home for sale also includes creating curb appeal, which is the way the outside of the home is presented. In her book Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money, Barb Schwarz, President and CEO of StagedHomes.com, said you can't sell it if you can't see it, so clients should keep their homes the center of focus. To do that, make sure clients' landscaping doesn't impede a view of their homes or is an eyesore to approaching home seekers. Great advice for sellers seeking curb appeal: Cut back all shrubs and bushes to window height, move children's toys to the backyard, and regularly clean and sweep paved driveways. Frequently rake, weed and remove fallen leaves and dead plants from your yard.

8 questions to ask real-estate agents

Interviewing candidates serves two purposes: You get an education about your local market while learning how the agent proposes to represent you. Ask detailed questions, urges Williams.

Here are the most-important areas to investigate:

May I see your resume?

Since you're searching for an above-average agent, look for evidence of advanced training and designations, professional recognition and membership in professional organizations, all signals of commitment to the profession.

There are about 2.6 million real-estate agents in the country. They're licensed by their states, and each state's licensing and education requirements are different. (Use the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials' site to check an agent's license. Click "consumer" to get started.) About half of the agents belong to the National Association of Realtors. Those members call themselves Realtors. NAR membership doesn't have to be a deal breaker, but it provides some assurance, since the industry group requires ethics training periodically and members must subscribe to its code of ethics.

Many agents take their education further, earning designations in specialties in such areas as neighborhood zoning, staging properties, use of the Internet, property management, the 55-plus market, diversity, working with buyers or sellers or transactions involving land, farms, commercial investments, resorts , second homes, high-end properties or international properties.

What's your commission?

Traditionally, a seller pays around 6% in commissions when using a real-estate agent -- 3% goes to the seller's agent and 3% to the buyer's agent. But commission amounts aren't cast in stone anywhere. They can be negotiated -- and often are.

Negotiating works best when homes are selling quickly and easily. Today, with the real-estate market in a slump in most areas, listing (selling) agents have to work harder to sell properties in hard-hit areas, and the best agents may be unwilling to dicker. If you do find an agent willing to negotiate, consider it just one of the many factors to weigh before choosing a professional to sell your home.

What makes you special?

Don't settle for someone who just promises to show you homes or list, advertise and sell your place; every agent has to do those things, says Swanepoel, of RealtyU. What you want to know is, "What sets you apart? What will you do to go the extra mile for me?"

How often will I hear from you?

Your agent's communication style and availability should mesh well with yours. Prepare for your agent interviews by asking yourself whether, for example, you'd need a twice-weekly check-in, even if there are no homes to visit. Do you expect a report after someone tours your house for sale? Do you prefer to keep in touch through phone calls or e-mail? How promptly do you want a response? While you're inquiring about the agent's availability, remember to ask who will return your calls and show houses if your agent is out of town.

What's your plan for marketing my home?

No agent can guarantee she'll sell your home. But she can tell you what steps she'll take to bring it to the attention of buyers. Press for details like, "Are you going to post this on a Web site? Put an ad in free magazines in a shopping center? Will you have someone stage my home?"

Once you've selected an agent, Swanepoel advises requesting a one-page list of actions, each with a target date. Incorporate the plan in your sales contract so you can track your agent's progress and have documentation if she fails to live up to the agreement.

How many transactions did you complete last year?

Some agents keep score in dollars, saying, "I sold $50 million in real estate last year." But property values vary from market to market and house to house, so what you really want to ask is, "How many deals did you complete?"

Super salespeople are a mixed blessing. The bonus is, they're knowledgeable experts. "The more listings he has, the more he dominates that market, the more probability he is a good guy in that area," says Williams.

But a superseller might be too busy for hand-holding. "If a solo agent is selling more than 70 homes a year, they're not going to have time for you," says Nellis.

What do you know about the neighborhoods where I want to live?

A super salesperson is no good to you if she isn't doing an active business in your target neighborhoods, so ask how many of the homes she sold last year were located where you want to buy and how many listings she has there now.

Really great professionals specialize in one -- or maybe two -- communities. Nellis says he declined a friend's request to help her find a home in a nearby city because he didn't know the place and could not help her unearth the particulars she needed -- everything from planned airport flight paths to zoning-regulation changes to freeway expansions -- that determine a property's true value.

Agents have a wealth of data at their disposal from local multiple listing services. Good ones will share it, educating you about the median income and educational level of a neighborhood's residents, for example, or telling you what proportion of residents work close to home or suffer long commutes. They can't discuss school performance or crime -- that would violate fair-housing laws. But they should point you to Web sites where statistics on crime and school performance are listed, one of which is Sperling's Best Places. (Read more about what they can't tell you here.)

Are you a solo agent or part of a team?

There's no right answer to this question. Teams are growing in popularity. They're good for engaging several individuals' expertise at once and for allowing high-powered salespeople to concentrate on what they do best, offloading to associates tasks like filing and tracking documents, dogging details and showing houses. Being part of a team lets a salesperson handle more listings, says Nellis, who adds that he manages 60 sales a year by handing off detail work to teammates.

But a team is only as good as its players. "You can have a team with a crummy Web site and no designations, but you have a solo agent who just sparkles, and then that's your answer for you -- go with the solo agent," says Nellis.

When you get right down to it, it's that sparkle that distinguishes the superstar agents, and there's no way to find it without sitting down with a few of them and asking questions.

Short Sale - How is it Accomplished?

The real estate market transitions from "overheated" to normal, some people are in a position of no equity or negative equity regarding their home's value. In this situation, a seller who wants to sell his or her home will have to come to closing with a significant amount of cash to make the deal work.

What happens to a seller who is in a negative equity position and either does not have the liquid assets to sell or is facing foreclosure but wants to avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy? This is when a "short sale" must be contemplated. In a short sale, the seller's lender is contacted and the financial situation is outlined, along with proof of the home's value and the seller's financial condition.

SHORT PAYOFF

Under these circumstances, lenders often will cooperate with the seller and allow the property to be sold under normal market conditions to maximize the gross sales price and subsequent net to the lender. Upon sale and settlement, the lender will receive all net proceeds, following the payment of customary closing costs including the normal real estate commission, which will generate the lender less money than they are owed, also called a "short payoff." The lender has agreed to take this short payoff and release the lien against the property, thereby allowing the new purchaser to receive clear title to the property.

AVOIDING FORECLOSURE

The short sale also benefits the lender because the alternative - which could be foreclosure - would cost the lender more money by selling the house below market, carrying a vacant house for months and paying to maintain that property. Also, FHA, VA and conventional loan holders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, require lenders to work with borrowers in a reasonable manner in such circumstances.

The short sale is not a miracle cure for all sellers because some lenders will not cooperate in the program. Also, where lenders do cooperate, there is no guarantee that the lender will forgive the remaining indebtedness; each case will be determined on many factors, including a borrower's future ability to pay. Additionally, a short sale could have adverse credit complications for future loan originations plus debt forgiveness may be subject to income tax.

EQUITY STATUS

Therefore, it is suggested that when a seller is about to list a property the seller and real estate agent should discuss the equity situations. If negative equity appears and the seller does not have financial ability to pay the money due at closing, a short sale should be explored immediately. The determination by a cooperating lender will take several weeks, so if the property is listed and a contract is accepted, it would be advisable to make the contract contingent on lender approval of a short sale.

Why use a Realtor?

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are seven more reasons to use one:

1. Your REALTOR ® can help you determine your buying power - that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders - banks and mortgage companies offer limited choices.

2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property ha~e resale value when I am ready to sell?

4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase.Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports.

You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date

6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

thanks to www.realtor.com

Top 7 Habits of People With Great Credit Scores

People with great credit scores have earned them for a reason - they have always borrowed money, and paid it back on time. There's really no trick to what they've done, and there is no one action that will help you get a great credit score. When someone asks me how to earn a good credit score, I tell them to look at the spending habits of those with great scores, and to develop the same habits. Here are the 7 habits of people with great credit scores.

1. Never Pay Cash

People with great credit scores want every purchase to count. And a purchase doesn't count unless the 3 bureaus know about it! The only way to make sure that the bureaus know how much money you're spending is to put everything on your card(s). Rather than deposit your paycheck and spend, think of your spending as a monetary cycle: Put your paycheck in the bank, spend with your credit cards, and pay off the cards with the funds you've already deposited. It's one extra step that pays off big with the added security and boost to your score that credit cards provide. Credit cards aren't just for larger purchases anymore. Using your credit cards for items like soft drinks and gum has become so common that credit card companies have given a name to them: "Micro-purchases."

2. Never Use a Debit Card

You won't find a debit card in the wallets of people with great credit scores. Debit cards provide you absolutely nothing that a credit card won't, and credit cards will build your credit score! Furthermore, if someone steals your credit card, you're protected against fraudulent purchases, while with a debit card, you're out of luck! People with great credit scores take every opportunity to build their credit - going to the grocery store, buying gas, or renting movies!

3. Pay Off Your Balance(s)

People with great credit scores don't typically carry high credit card balances. The easiest way to emulate this is to make sure that you don't carry ANY balances. You'll obtain the best credit score if you make sure that you're using the smallest portion of your potential limit - which means "Zero." People with great credit scores make sure to use their cards, but pay the balance off every month.

4. Put Yourself on a Bill Payment Schedule

In order for the credit bureaus to reward your good spending habits, you have to pay your bills on time. However, you have a little leeway. While it's not a good idea to pay your bills a few days late because your creditors will charge you late penalties, it won't affect your credit score negatively unless you pay them more than 30 days late. The easiest way to stay on top of your bills is to pick one day out of the month to take care of everything.

5. Consistently Request Higher Credit Card Limits

Because people with great credit scores habitually borrow money and immediately pay it off, the credit card companies are very comfortable consistently raising their spending limits. People with great credit scores consistently request higher limits because it allows them the freedom to borrow and keep a balance, if the need arises, without lowering their scores. You will have the best credit score if you keep the balances of your cards below roughly 35% of the spending limit of each card. People with great credit scores don't habitually spend over 35% of the limit of their cards. Furthermore, if you have high limits, you can take advantage of the promotional offers that the banks offer from time to time. A borrower I know with a great score recently transferred the second mortgage on his home to a 1.99% APR promotional rate on his credit card - the rate is good for the life of the loan!

6. Never Close a Credit Card Account

The credit bureaus take into account the age of your credit lines - and people with great credit scores know this, and exploit it. Many times, people with mediocre or low scores will pay off a card they've abused and close the account because they subconsciously think it was the card's fault they let the balance get as high as it did. This is NOT the correct thing to do in this situation. That card has a great history behind it! You've shown the bureaus that you're willing to borrow a large sum of money and then pay it down to zero. People with great credit scores NEVER close credit card accounts because they want to show that they have a long history of properly using credit.

7. Never Rent

Your home is probably the largest purchase you will ever make in your life, and is the one purchase that can make the biggest impact on your credit score. When you purchase a home, you're showing the bureaus that you can consistently budget yourself to pay a large portion of your income towards an account on a monthly basis. There are a number of reasons people with great credit scores refuse to rent, and the impact of paying a mortgage on their scores is one of them. When a first time homebuyer finally closes on their home and pays the mortgage on time for a few months, they will see their credit score jump around 50 points - and sometimes higher!

People with great credit scores haven't achieved anything too terribly difficult - they've merely adopted some fantastic spending habits. If you would like to earn a great credit score, borrow these habits and watch your score climb. Along with your score, your financial health should benefit, as well!

Written by Eric Bramlett

3 secrets for selling in buyer's market

Homes aren't selling like hotcakes any longer. Buyers are choosy.

Prices are soft. What can you do to speed the day when that sign on your lawn will say "Sold"?

1: Set a realistic asking price.

In a seller's market, brokers say it's often possible to ask for more than you expect to get. In a buyer's market, you can save valuable negotiating time and attract more buyers by making your "asking premium" closer to what you're willing to accept.

Before setting the price, learn all you can about your micromarket. Your agent can research recent selling prices for similar local properties. But thanks to a new wave of real estate websites, buyers too may be familiar with prices in your neighborhood. To become as sawy as they are, check out sites that cover your area (try Zillow.com, Domania.com or PropertyShark.com). Hit the road and spend a weekend looking at houses for sale within a 10-minute drive of yours.

You can order an appraisal for a specific idea of what your home is worth. But it may be more useful to pay $150 to $500 for a professional home inspection, which will look for defects that reduce your home's value. If nothing needs fixing, you can promote the inspector's clean bill of health to prospective buyers.

2: Use creative salesmanship.

Offer an incentive so buyers feel they're getting a better deal. For example, you might consider paying points or closing costs, including the appliances, giving a carpet allowance or accepting an offer contingent on the buyer's own house selling first. A competitive edge like this can help you sell your home faster without having to lower the price.

3: Help buyers to like your house.

Start by eliminating reasons for a buyer to say "no." Real estate pros say that most buyers decide in a few seconds whether a house appeals to them. Make the first impression more attractive by mulching flowerbeds, pruning shrubs, and cleaning up clutter. (See "10 ways to help your yard spring into beauty.") The entryway in particular needs to be inviting, with fresh paint or upgraded lighting if needed.

Inside, focus on sprucing up your home so it's in move-in condition. That means washing walls and windows, polishing scuffed wood floors, fixing dripping sinks and deodorizing pet smells. If you're on a tight budget, get the most impact for your investment by replacing things that could immediately turn off a critical buyer, such as stained carpet or battered countertops.

Also, think about what could make your house memorable. That comfy window seat? The built-in bookcases? The entry with the river stone floor? Discuss these elements with your agent, so she or he can be sure to point them out in a showing. If a buyer forms an emotional attachment to an unusual feature of your home, you have it made.

The most important advice for a seller these days is to be patient. Ask your agent how long your home is likely to be on the market. With luck and the help of these three guidelines, you'll see that "Sold" sign long before then.

7 Tips to Radically Update Your Home (And Not Lose Money!!!)

by Eric Bramlett

Everyone loves to update their homes, and if you live in an older home in an appreciating neighborhood, it can be a fantastic investment. There are some pitfalls to avoid, which can cost a homeowner quite a bit of money because of no return on investment. However, it's better to focus on what TO do and stay the course.

1. Raise the Roof!!!

Not literally, but gut the attic, and raise the ceiling in, at least, the living room. Older homes typically have 8 foot ceilings, and it's one of the first characteristics that buyers notice. It's relatively inexpensive, when you compare your return on investment, to demolish the ceilings of your older home and sheetrock over your new, vaulted ceiling. It's amazing how much larger and lighter your home will feel.

2. Knock Down Walls

Literally, knock down as many walls as you can and still retain the integrity of the home, and the NECESSARY separation of rooms. If you compare older homes to newer homes, you'll notice that older homes are typically "choppy" while newer homes feel "open and flow well." This is due to "line of sight." Newer homes opt for less separation in rooms. You can create this same feeling by demolishing a half-wall that separates your kitchen from the living room or knocking down the wall between the living room and dining room to create one grand room. You'll be AMAZED at the difference it makes.

3. Overhaul Your Kitchen and/or Master Bathroom

These are the two rooms in the house that you can ALMOST go overboard and still get your money back when you sell the home. Refinish or replace the cabinetry, put in new tile and sinks - even install a new, stand-up shower!
When (or if) you put your home on the market, you should see a GREAT return on investment.

4. Add a Master Bathroom

The 1-Bathroom houses from the 1970's and earlier are now obsolete.
Americans have decided that we like a private bathroom for ourselves and another bathroom for our guests and children. While 90% of the house additions are bad ideas because they don't flow well or create poorly usable space, a master bathroom addition is a fantastic way to add more square footage, and more value to your home. Make SURE that your builder ties in the new slab to the old, and make sure that the addition is done properly. A poorly designed or executed addition never adds value - most buyers immediately imagine demolishing the work.

5. Xeriscape Your Lawn

It's trendy, it's cheap - it should be a go! Your homes curb appeal is the first thing that buyers notice, and it's how buyers decide whether or not they'll "click on your house" online to further investigate the interior.
You can xeriscape a ¼ acre lot for around $3000, and you'll more than make up for that when your home goes on the market. Furthermore, it's environmentally & fiscally responsible. Stop wasting water!

6. Paint!!!

It's fairly obvious, but painting your home modern, neutral colors makes a HUGE difference in the appearance of the home. And when you factor in the cost - roughly $0.75/s.f. - it would be a HUGE mistake to forego painting your home when you decide it's time to modernize it. If you're planning on staying in the home for some time, paint it whatever colors you wish, but plan on repainting right before it's time to put it up for sale. If you plan on updating your home in order to sell it, go with neutral colors so that it will appeal to the widest audience.

7. Put in Wood Floors

You won't ALWAYS get your money out of installing wood floors. If you're in a great area, and it's time to replace the floors, look at the cost difference between tile, pergo, and wood. If your home will sell for $250k+ then forget about pergo and, if you choose tile, make sure it's not cheap tile. If the cost difference between wood and your other options is negligible, then go with wood - it appeals to the most buyers.

Updating your older home can be very fun, very rewarding, and potentially very lucrative. Older homes in established neighborhoods are ripe for updating and can draw a premium on the marketplace. Make sure and follow these guidelines, and you should see a great return on your investment.

Another Beautiful Home in Springfield, VA

7700 Cumbertree Ct.
Springfield, VA 22153

New Low Price at $700,000

This is a beautiful Centex home in great Fairfax County. For more information on the property, please visit our site at www.BarbandJenny.com or for showing pleace call us at (703) 815-5204

Sellers, the best bang for your buck!

Don't assume that because home prices are out of free-fall that you can stab a For Sale sign in your lawn and be flooded with offers. This isn't 2003. If you want maximum buck for your property, you need to make sure it makes a bang when buyers see it.
Focus on high-impact improvements that can be done in less than 30 days and enhance the two most important aspects of the buyer experience:

The first impression.
The "feel" that buyers get when they walk through your home.

The Big Five

The following five improvements give homeowners the best return on investment when they sell:

Upgrade the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home and the room where luxury becomes practicality. Most buyers spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, and it sets the tone for their walk-through. If your kitchen is outdated, hire a professional kitchen remodeling company to give you a quote for new countertops and cabinets. Pick out a new sink and sleek clean cabinet hardware. When you rip out your old cabinets and counters, hire a flooring person to lay down new flooring, whether it's laminate or tile. Paint using a color that complements your tile or countertop colors. Don't install new appliances unless yours are very old and worn.
Likely cost: $20,000-$25,000.
Likely payoff: Up to $40,000 in increased sale price.

Redo the bathroom. If you don't have the budget for a kitchen upgrade, the next best place to spend your cash is in the primary or master bathroom. Here, cosmetic upgrades can make a big difference. Have the bathtub bleached so it's snow-white. Re-tile the shower/tub surround. Replace a fabric or plastic shower curtain with a glass enclosure. Replace linoleum with ceramic floor tile. Upgrade old sink fixtures. Either replace an old wall mirror or frame it in dark wood to make it look stylish. Replace outdated medicine cabinets in wood that matches the mirror frame. Replace outdated light fixtures. Paint. You can do the same in other bathrooms and create a very classy, coordinated effect.
Likely cost: $5,000 for a master bath; $1,000-$2,000 for smaller baths.
Likely payoff: Up to $10,000 for each upgraded bathroom. Main or master baths give you the most profit.

Landscape the front yard. Hire a landscaping company if you're busy; do it yourself if you're not. But turn your front yard into a frame for your home. Tile or brick the walkways and line them with lights. Lay down new sod. Replace landscaping plants or plant new ones, interspersing them with potted plants and statuary for a nice mixed effect. Upgrade outdoor lighting. Consider a subtle fountain for the sound of falling water. Pay attention to how your front door looks. If it's peeled or dated, replace it.
Likely cost: $3,000-$10,000.
Likely payoff: $15,000-$20,000, plus greater curb appeal.

Improve the entry area. What do people see when they enter your home? A dim entry foyer with stained laminate flooring and poor lighting? Consider first impressions and line of sight. For example, if you just upgraded your kitchen, why would you want something blocking the view from your entryway? Upgrade your flooring -- install new tile or laminate, or if the floor is wood, have it refinished. Try colorful rugs. Install brighter, more modern light fixtures.
Likely cost: $1,000-$3,000.
Likely payoff: $3,000-$5,000.

Paint. Color is a personal choice, true, and your buyers will probably change the paint colors when they move in, but that's no reason not to paint when selling. You're out to showcase your home in its best light, and taking the time and trouble to hire a professional painter tells buyers you have taken care of your home. Don't fall into the "white or beige" trap, but also avoid rich, dark colors, because those don't appeal to everyone. Think about richer colors with wider appeal: khakis, sage greens, rich tans, subtle Tuscan golds. Hire a pro and focus on the details: window and door trim, baseboards, crown molding and so on.
Likely cost: $3,000-$5,000.
Likely payoff: $5,000-$7,500, plus faster offers.

There's much else you can do, but these choices have shown time and again that they deliver the most money on the final sale for sellers.

Common homeowners' fears and what to do about them

My house is ruining my sleep. I'm used to the sanity-busting clanging that our vintage steam heat pipes make when the furnace fires up. The mysterious scratching noise coming from the living room wall has stopped.
But I still can't get a good night's sleep because I keep thinking about what serious homeowner disasters await me. And I never find the time to answer these persistent questions.

This year, though, I am resolving to silence all my nagging worries (will the new flat-panel TV push our anemic electrical system over the edge?).

Putting your mind at ease about these four big fears can leave you with better finances and a better night's sleep.

Is my house falling apart?

Worried that something is seriously wrong with the crack in the basement? Stop fretting and get advice. Home inspectors don't work only for buyers; you can call one anytime to get an educated opinion about whatever keeps you awake.

For $250 to $350 on average, an inspector will look over your home's structure and systems. Find one in your area at ASHI.org, the Web site for the American Society of Home Inspectors, which also has a virtual home-inspection tool so you can see what a typical checkup covers.

Interview a few pros to make sure their field experience matches the type of home you own.

Do I have enough insurance?

The housing boom has lifted home values 51 percent over the past six years. For most of us that means that if our house was destroyed, insurance would pick up only a portion of the cost to rebuild.

For the underinsured, the average shortfall is 21 percent, according to one firm that tracks building prices. Even if you bought a guaranteed replacement or an extended replacement policy, you could still face too-low coverage caps. (For more on being adequately insured, read the story here.)

To see how much coverage you need, have a contractor estimate the cost of rebuilding. And don't forget to check your contents coverage, which is often inadequate.

Water is your home's biggest enemy, and your regular policy won't cover all types of damage. If you live in a floodplain, you need flood insurance (contact the National Flood Insurance Program at 888-379-9531 or floodsmart.gov). You'll pay $1,000 a year on average if you live in an area that's susceptible.

Can I afford my mortgage?

Over the next few years, about 8 million adjustable-rate mortgages will reset. If yours is among them, you need to decide whether to refinance now or later. Check the fine print on your mortgage to see how bad it can get in the first reset and over the life of the loan.

While it may seem like a no-brainer to refinance now, you may not need to rush because rates aren't expected to climb sharply this year. What's more, you could pay closing costs of 2 percent to 3 percent of the loan. Use the fixed-vs.- adjustable tool in the calculator section of Bankrate.com to help you make the call.

Am I paying too much?

Another nagging concern may be that you're spending money on your house for no good reason. If you bought after July 1998 with less than 20 percent down and had to get private mortgage insurance, your lender must automatically cancel your PMI once you've paid off 22 percent of the loan. But price appreciation may help you hit the target earlier.

This annoying fee can run $16 to $50 a month for every $100,000 of debt. However, before you pay $300 or so for an appraiser to prove that your home's greater value has pushed your equity higher, understand what it will take to waive PMI. Mortgage terms vary.

This article was written by Gerri Willis.

New Listing in Alexandria, VA

Open House on March 4 from 12 to 5!

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Getting Prequalified

This is a great time to be in your new home for spring & summer season ahead. When you are prequalified, you are already ahead of most of other buyers. Here are some reasons to get prequalified:

• With prequalification, you have plenty of time to determine which loan program best fits your needs and which programs you quality for.
• You will know exactly how much you are qualified for. It's no fun to find the ideal home and then find out you can't afford it
• Your monthly payment will be set. This will allow you to budget your money before making this large investment.
• You will learn what the down payment and closing cost will be.
• If you are a first-time buyer, you may be able to qualify for a special program which may expand your buying power by giving you a lower rate or supplementing your down payment.
• If you feel that you can afford a higher mortgage payment but are no able to meet qualifications, co-mortgagor financing may be available to you.

Most Real Estate Agents & Lender recommend that home buyers get prequalified with a lender before selecting home to purchase. This way you will have the best information about your price range.

For any questions feel free to contact us, we have been in business for long time and work with some of the best people out in Mortgage industry. Thanks!

6 Renovation Projects that Make $ense

KNOW WHICH UPDATES WILL PAY OFF THE MOST

1. High-end siding replacement - It might not be as sexy as a new kitchen or bathroom remodel, yet a large-scale siding project - replacing at least 1,250 square feet of existing siding with new fiber­ cement siding, and including 4/4 and 5/4 trim using either fiber-cement boards or PVC lumber ­returned 103 percent of its average $10,393 cost. Siding is most popular in the East, fetching 115 percent of its cost. A more budget -conscious vinyl-siding replacement including trim returned 95.5 percent of its cost.

2. Midrange bathroom upgrade - Updating an existing 5-foot-by-7 -foot bathroom - with a porcelain-on-steel tub and 4-by-4 ceramic tile surround, new single-lever shower control, standard white toilet, solid-surface vanity counter with integral double sink, recessed medicine cabinet with light, ceramic tile floor and vinyl wallpaper - returned 102.2 percent of its $10,499 average cost. Such a project returned 112 percent in the West; 103.3 percent in the South.

3. Minor kitchen remodel - Kitchens remain the heart and soul of a home, and usually are the focal point of most homebuyers. Kitchens also suffer the most wear and tear in a home, and more quickly than other rooms fall behind changing style and color trends. A minor remodel of a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinets and counters ­including cabinet resurfacing and new, raised panel doors and drawer faces, a new oven and cook top, mid-priced sink and faucet, and new resilient flooring - returned 98.5 percent of its $14,913 price tag. A midrange job with new cabinets, a small island and additional appliances and lighting costs an average of $43,862, returning 91 percent of that total.

4. Attic bedroom addition - Homeowners who created a third or fourth bedroom from unfinished attic space - typically a 225 square-foot room with a 5-foot -by-7 -foot bathroom and shower - paid an average of $39,188 for the project, which returned 93.5 percent of that cost at resale. Bottom line: Consider a project that creates something from nothing, such as the addition of valuable square footage.

5. Deck addition - Decks expand your living space at a fraction of typical construction costs. They let homeowners cook, entertain and enjoy the great outdoors, right outside their sliding-glass door. Adding a 16-foot-by­20-foot deck using pressure-treated lumber joists supported by 4-by-4 posts set into concrete footings returned 90 percent of an $11,294 price tag. Similar decks on average returned 99.5 percent in the West.

6. Window replacement - Greater home efficiency is nearly always a good investment, paying off in lower energy bills and greater comfort long before you sell. A typical project - replacing 10 3-foot -by-5-foot, double-hung windows with new double-glazed windows clad in vinyl or aluminum - returned 89.6 percent of its $9,684 sticker.

REMEMBER: ALWAYS MAKE IMPROVING YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE THE TOP PRIORITY OF ANY RENOVATION PROJECT

New-Home Sales End Year On High Note, Up 4.8% In December

Housing demand showed further signs of stabilization heading into 2007, as sales of new single-family homes rose 4.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.12 million units in December, according to figures released today by the U.S. Commerce Department.

“Today’s housing report squares with our most recent builder surveys, which show that traffic of prospective buyers is up and consumers are responding favorably to price adjustments and widespread sales incentives,” said David Pressly, president of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Statesville, N.C.

On an annual basis, new home sales registered 1.061 million units in 2006.
While this represents a 17.3 percent drop from the all-time high achieved in 2005, the sharpest percentage decline since 1990, the sales level was on par with the solid sales numbers registered in 2003, which preceded the unsustainable housing boom of 2004 and 2005.
On a quarterly basis, new home sales posted a rate of 1.061 million in the final quarter of 2006, up from 1.007 million in the third quarter, the quarterly low-point for the year.

“The stabilization of home sales and housing demand that we are now seeing is the first step required to put the housing market back on track,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “The second step is to whittle down the inventory overhang, which builders have been doing since July, and the final step will be to bring housing starts back up to sustainable levels. We anticipate that starts will bottom out in the first quarter of this year and that residential construction activity will be moving up by the second half of 2007.”

The inventory of new homes for sale hit a 10-month low of 537,000 units in December, which is equivalent to a 5.9-month supply at the current sales price – down from a recent high of 7.2 in July.

On a regional basis, new home sales were up 27.3 percent in the Northeast,
26.6 percent in the Midwest and were flat in the South. Sales fell 4.4 percent in the West. Seiders noted that unusually warm weather conditions probably boosted sales in the Northeast and Midwest regions to some degree in December, but that the stabilization pattern evident in the fourth quarter is quite convincing and consistent with other available housing indicators, including NAHB’s survey measures."

2006 Third Highest sales year on record

Total existing-home sales - Total existing-home sales - including single family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops eased 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate 1 of 6.22 million units in December from a level of 6.27 million in November. Sales were 7.9 percent lower than a 6.75 million-unit pace in December 2005.

There were 6,480,000 existing-home sales in all of 2006, down 8.4 percent from a record 7,075,000 in 2005. The second highest total was 6,779,000 in 2004; NAR began tracking home sales in 1968.

David Lereah, NAR chief economist, said home sales remain historically high. "Despite all of the doom-and-gloom stories and dire predictions over the last year, 2006 was the third strongest year on record for existing home sales," he said. "It looks like we're moving beyond the low for the housing cycle last fall, and buyers are responding to historically low interest rates and competitive pricing by home sellers. In addition, a tightening inventory of homes on the market is supporting prices."

Quick Fixes that Add Value to a Home

If your clients are planning to sell their homes and don't want to take on large renovation projects, suggest the following quick fixes, which can help them maximize property value and appeal:

• Clients should stand outside their homes and take an objective look. They can boost their home's curb appeal by tidying flowerbeds, putting mulch around tree and shrub bases, and clearing foliage away from windows

• If time and budget allow, suggest that your clients paint the home's exterior with a neutral color and a contrasting trim coat. Experts say a fresh coat of exterior paint can boost a home's resale value by 10 percent.

• Ask them to consider replacing an old, wooden garage door with a roll-up door and automatic opener.

• Inside, your clients should create clean and bright spaces that are free of clutter.

• Ceilings should be clean and without signs of past damage such as water spots. If your clients' ceilings are coated with acoustic spray, also know as "popcorn," which is an older treatment that's very hard to clean, consider having them scraped, retextured and painted soft white.

• Suggest installing new light fixtures throughout the home, which can be purchased for as little as $20 each, and ceiling fans in the bedrooms (many models are available for less than $100). If not, at least replace all burnt-out light bulbs.

• Crown molding and upgraded baseboards can give a room model-home appearance at a reasonable price; walls should be free of damage and painted a light, neutral color.

• Carpets should be professionally cleaned or replaced with carpet of a neutral color.
  

PMI Makes changes to tax deductibility!!!

For the 2007 tax year, the Congress is allowing Mortgage Insurance to be TAX DEDUCTIBLE for families with ADJUSTED GROSS INCOMES (AGI) up to $109,000!! (To get full credit for the PMI, the borrowers' AGI cannot exceed$100,000; the eligibility is reduced by 10% up to a max AGI of $109,000)

Remember, this is AGI, which means that borrowers with householdunadjusted gross incomes possibly as high as $125,000 can qualify forthis benefit!!Why is this important?? In recent weeks, the rates, and cost, forsecond trust financing has skyrocketed, due to investor worries aboutincreased levels of foreclosure. These second trust products are not as attractive to the buyers in the current market. With PMI becomingtax deductible, your buyers can benefit by still achieving a low/nodownpayment, keeping total payments lower, only having one payment tocontend with, and getting the expanded tax benefits for having to payPMI, which serves to reduce their overall annual housing expense burden.

Why You Should Renovate?

Renovation experts agree that renovation just to improve resale value isn't necessarily wise, in part because you can't be sure of getting your money back. In fact, few projects yield dollar-to-dollar returns.

Your focus should be on improvements that make you and your family happy and more comfortable, and ones that keep your property maintained, safe and efficient.

Some experts also say that no renovation project is worth undertaking unless you plan on staying in your home at least three or four years. The rationale is simple: the longer you stay in the house, the more likely you are to recoup your costs as rising home prices absorb renovation expenditures. If home price don't rise, you at least enjoy the benefits of your upgraded home.

Tips on the art of home purchase offers

Low price doesn't always win in slow market

By Dian Hymer*
Inman News

Home buyers now have more negotiating power than they have had in years. However, that doesn't necessarily make it easier to decide how much to offer.

The goal is to buy the property at the best price and on the best terms. But, you don't necessarily get there by offering a very low price.

One agent was ushered to the front door when he presented an offer for a buyer who thought there was no harm offering way less than the asking price. The seller was insulted by the buyer's very low offer.

After much encouragement by his listing agent, the seller finally issued a counteroffer. But the episode didn't sit well with the seller who was less than cooperative throughout the transaction.

Another seller who received a very low offer debated long and hard about whether to counter the offer at all. He was inclined to reject the offer and tell the buyers to make another offer if they really wanted the house. He ended up countering at a price that was close to the asking price to send the message to the buyer that he wasn't giving his house away.

Some buyers, particularly in the current market, don't want to make an initial offer that's close to the top price they're willing or able to pay. They feel that if they do so, they'll have little room to bargain. You don't necessarily need a lot of bargaining leeway to strike a deal. If you start off with a price that is relatively close to the list price, you can stand firm or counter back at your best price along with a take-it-or-leave-it message. Just as a seller can decide not to sell if the price is too low, buyers can decide not to buy unless the price is right.

HOUSE HUNTING TIP: Ultimately, your decision about what price to offer should be based on a careful analysis of your own financial situation. Other considerations are how well the house is priced for the market, current market conditions and anything you can learn about the seller's motivation level.

In some markets, there's a wide range of pricing strategies. Sellers who understand the current market and who want their listing to sell within months and not years, price competitively. Other sellers with unrealistic expectations over price their homes, thinking their property has appreciation more than it has. In most areas, appreciation is flat at best compared to a year ago.

Study the market carefully by looking at any listing that might suit your needs. Keep track of what these listings sell for so that you'll be able to determine if a home is priced right or is overpriced for the market.

Even in the current market, there are times when the right offer price might be more than the list price. Buyers recently paid over the asking price on a well priced listing. The seller, who had already bought another property, listed her home for $35,000 less than the more recent comparable sale in the neighborhood. The buyers recognized a good deal and offered to pay $10,000 more than the list price so that the seller would sell to them and not keep the listing on the market until more offers showed up.

The seller had hoped that her competitive price would generate multiple offers and a higher price. But she was sufficiently intrigued by the over-asking price offer that she accepted it.

THE CLOSING: Your offer should be good enough price wise to catch the seller's attention. But, it shouldn't be for more than you can afford, and it should be justifiable given current market conditions.

* Dian Hymer is author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide," Chronicle Books.

happy holidays!

Dear Friends,

Happy Holidays to all! We want to express our appreciation to you for placing your business and trust with us for your real estate needs. Our team has grown significantly this year, thanks to all of you, our wonderful clients.

We would like to introduce to you our newest Team member, our fulltime manager, Yasir Malik. Yasir is an outstanding asset to our Team, and has in depth technical skill as well as an eagerness to be of assistance to you at any time. He has helped redesign our website, and if you have not visited us online recently, we encourage you to see the changes we’ve made at www.BarbandJenny.com. Please be sure to check out this new blog consistently for an up-to-the-minute status of the local real estate market!

As you all know, the year 2006 has been a year of transition between seller and buyer markets, tilting towards the buyers for the first year since 2000. While many may view 2006 a “bust” for sellers, it still remains the 3^rd best year on record for home sales! A renowned author and real estate’s foremost leader in economic forecasting and strategic planning has this to say: “There will be a few selected metropolitan areas where the economy is so good and housing so under built that the boom will continue, albeit at a slower pace. The Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area is such a market. Already a full beneficiary of the boom, Washington will continue to grow as Federal spending continues to increase”** “The lessons here are clear: Don’t look at the housing market nationally, look at it locally. Employment and population change will shape local markets.” If you would like to read the full article, please give us a call!

Our goal for 2007 is to help 75 families buy a new home and/or sell their existing home. If you know of anyone who might need our services, please forward this letter to them on our behalf (just click the email link below and forward them) or have them email us at Barb@BarbandJenny.com or Jenny@BarbandJenny.com.

Once again, thank you for placing your business and trust with The Mother-Daughter Team.

Have a safe and warm Holiday season!

Barb White Adkins, Jennifer White & Yasir Malik

THE MOTHER DAUGHTER TEAM

Real estate's wild ride

3 tips

If you bought McMansion recently, it might be looking like a big McStake. If you're buying one, however, you're in command. Either way, every move counts:

SCORE A FREEBIE Skip the big appliances some desperate developers are giving away. Get them to pay your mortgage for a year, as some Florida developers are.

SPRUCE UP SMART A new bathroom or sun porch won't recoup value as much when you sell as will cosmetic touches like a new tree, a fresh coat of pain, or curb appeal.

PROTECT PROFITS Thinking of selling? You can use put options on housing futures - which appreciate when prices fall - as insurance against price drops. For example, a Boston seller could have recently bought five $750 puts (they're sold by stockbrokers and priced by city) for $3,750. If houses in Beantown dropped 20% the puts would grow to 22,100 taking some of the sting out of a lower asking price.

Time to Buy..

WASHINGTON D.C. - Existing-home sales are expected to rise gradually in 2007 from current levels, with annual totals comparable to 2006, while new-home sales will continue to slide according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors.

David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, said there are mixed conditions around the United States. "Roughly three-quarters of the country will experience a sluggish expansion in 2007, while other areas should continue to contract for at least part of the year," he said. "Most of the correction in home prices is behind us, but general gains in value next year will be modest by historical standards."

"Buyers especially first-time buyers, with the combined benefits of seller flexibility and an unexpected drop in mortgage interest rates, have a window of opportunity. These conditions will persist in many areas until early spring when inventory supplies are likely to become more balanced," Lereah said.

Existing-home sales, finishing the third-best year on record, are projected for 2006 at 6.47 million, a decline of 8.6 percent. In 2007, they're expected to rise steadily from the current cyclical low and reach an annual total of 6.40 million, which would be 1.0 percent lower than this year's total.

"By the fourth quarter of 2007, existing-home sales will be 4.6 percent higher than the current quarter," Lereah said.

It's a great time to buy or sell a home.

Right now may actually be one of the best times to buy a home. Consider these facts:

• INTEREST RATES NEAR RECORD LOWS
• Today's interest rates are comparable to 40-year lows, offering homebuyers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
• LARGE INVENTORY WON'T LAST
• There are currently 3.75 million homes for sale. We have had a record inventory of homes on the market in recent months, offering consumers the greatest choice in decades
• HOUSING PRICES WILL POST GAINS IN 2007
• Housing prices are forecast to post gains in 2007, surpassing median home sales values in 2006
  
• POSITIVE OUTLOOK
• Former Federal Chair Alan Greenspan recently said that housing prospects are looking up. "Most of the negatives in housing are probably behind us. The fourth quarter should be reasonably good, certainly better than the third quarter." According to industry estimates, 2006 will be the third-best year on record for home sales.
  
• REAL ESTATE IS A GREAT INVESTMENT
• Homeownership is a safe, secure way to build long-term wealth. The national median price of homes bought ten years ago has increased 88 percent. The number of US households is expected to increase 15 percent during the next decade, creating a continued high demand for housing.
  
• DON'T DELAY
• Now is a great time to buy or sell a home. So if you are planning, seize this opportunity.

Existing Homes Sales in 2007 Expected to Recover From Cyclical Low

by Waltor Molony

NAR, WASHINGTON, December 11, 2006

Existing-home sales are expected to rise gradually in 2007 from current levels, with annual totals comparable to 2006, while new-home sales will continue to slide, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, said there are mixed conditions around the United States. “Roughly three-quarters of the country will experience a sluggish expansion in 2007, while other areas should continue to contract for at least part of the year,” he said. “Most of the correction in home prices is behind us, but general gains in value next year will be modest by historical standards.”

“Buyers, especially first-time buyers, with the combined benefits of seller flexibility and an unexpected drop in mortgage interest rates, have a window of opportunity. These conditions will persist in many areas until early spring when inventory supplies are likely to become more balanced,” Lereah said.

Existing-home sales, finishing the third-best year on record, are projected for 2006 at 6.47 million, a decline of 8.6 percent. In 2007, they’re expected to rise steadily from the current cyclical low and reach an annual total of 6.40 million, which would be 1.0 percent lower than this year’s total.

“By the fourth quarter of 2007, existing-home sales will be 4.6 percent higher than the current quarter,” Lereah said.

New-home sales in 2006 are expected to fall 17.7 percent to 1.06 million, the fourth highest total on record, before sliding an additional 9.4 percent in 2007 to 957,000. Much of the contraction in the new housing market results from cuts in builder construction to support pricing for current inventories. In addition, high construction costs in many areas are minimizing potential profits.

Total housing starts for 2006 are likely to drop 12.3 percent to 1.82 million units, with another 15.1 percent decline in 2007 to 1.54 million.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is forecast to gradually increase to 6.7 percent by the fourth quarter of 2007. Last week, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate dropped to 6.11 percent.

The national median existing-home price for all of 2006 is projected to rise 1.4 percent to $222,600, with another 1.0 percent gain next year to $224,700. The median new-home price should ease by 0.5 percent to $239,700 this year, then rise by 0.8 percent in 2007 to $241,700.

“Keep in mind that overall home prices were still appreciating at double digit rates in the first quarter of this year – prices in this buyer’s market are temporarily a little below a year ago when we were in a strong seller’s market,” Lereah said. “This correction is one of the factors drawing buyers into the current market, but most sellers are still seeing very healthy long-term gains.”

The unemployment rate is expected to be 4.8 percent in 2007, after averaging an estimated 4.6 percent this year. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is forecast to be 3.4 percent for 2006 and 2.3 percent in 2007, while growth in the U.S. gross domestic product is likely to be 3.3 percent for all of this year and 2.3 percent in 2007. Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income is projected to grow 2.6 percent for 2006 and 3.5 percent next year.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

# # #

Existing-home sales for November will be released December 28; the Pending Home Sales Index is scheduled for January 5 and the next forecast will be January 10.

Ideal for Buyers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Conditions for home buyers improved during the third quarter as existing single-family home prices in many metropolitan areas experienced corrections, and most states saw sales activity below a year ago which helped to build housing inventories, according to the latest quarterly surveys by the National Association of Realtors.
Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 6.27 million units in the third quarter, down 12.7 percent from a 7.18 million-unit pace in the third quarter of 2005 – the second highest level on record, after a peak of 7.19 million in the second quarter of last year. Even with the overall decline, 10 states showed increases in sales activity from a year ago.

Third-quarter metro area single-family home prices, examining changes in 148 metropolitan statistical areas, 2 show 102 areas had price gains, including
21 metros with double-digit annual increases, and 45 areas experiencing price declines; one was unchanged.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, said market conditions are nearly the opposite of a year ago. “Last year we had a record sales market and historically tight supplies of homes with buyers bidding over the asking price,” he said. “With the market in full transition, buyers now have choices and sellers are more willing to negotiate – under these circumstances it’s no surprise that overall home prices are slightly below a year ago. We expect this trend to continue in the months ahead, but we’ll see modest appreciation in most of the country in 2007.”