Friday, September 28, 2018

September 2018 National Housing Trends

Angela Yglesias

Levesque Realty 

Cell: 805-490-4944  
Phone: 805-490-4944 

Housing Trends

September 2018

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National market update

Existing-Home Sales Slip 0.7 Percent in July

WASHINGTON (August 22, 2018) — Existing-home sales subsided for the fourth straight month in July to their slowest pace in over two years, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The West was the only major region with an increase in sales last month.





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The Best—and Worst—Cities to Raise a Family in 2018 Aren't Where You'd Expect

Whether you're an anxious parent-to-be or harried mom or dad to six kids, where you choose to raise your progeny is of tantamount importance. Because, let's face it, some cities and towns are simply more family-friendly than others.





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National housing indicators

Existing home sales (July)

5.34 millions units*

Existing home median price (July)

$269,600

Housing Starts (July)

1.168 millions units*

New home sales (June)

0.631 millions units*
*Seasonally adjusted annual rate. Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

National economic indicators

Home ownership

1st Quarter 2018

64.2%

2nd Quarter 2018

64.3%
The homeownership rate of 64.3 percent was not statistically different from the rate in the second quarter 2017 (63.7 percent) nor from the rate in the first quarter 2018 (64.2 percent).

New home sales

June 2018

-5.3%

July 2018

-1.7%
Sales of new single-family houses in July 2018 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 627,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 1.7 percent (±14.7 percent)* below the revised June rate of 638,000, but is 12.8 percent (±15.7 percent)* above the July 2017 estimate of 556,000.
Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

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Regional market updates

View market statistics for your region.

Click on the links below to view data from two different industry sources. Choose information on local prices & state sales from any of 178 metropolitan housing markets prepared by the National Association of REALTORS® or information on sales & price activity from local area markets in 25 states prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics.

Local Prices & State Sales

Local Sales & Price Activity






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Existing Home Statistics

View statistics based on national data, regional data and data gathered from 159 cities & metropolitan areas.

National Statistics

Statistics by City or Metropolitan Area

Regional Statistics

Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
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Monday, September 17, 2018

Hiring a Contractor? Do This First



Nothing is more exciting than embarking on a home renovation project! Hire the wrong contractor, however, and your dream remodel can quickly turn into a nightmare.

That’s why it’s essential to do your due diligence when hiring a contractor, such as getting multiple estimates before signing a contract. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), when you get multiple bids, you can learn a great deal about the proposed project, such as what type of work is needed, the quality of the building materials, how long the job may take and the total cost.

The BBB offers these other tips to help find the best, most ethical contractor to work with and ensure a successful home renovation:

- First, check bbb.org - BBB’s business profiles can tell you how long the contractor has been in business, as well as provide contact information, verified customer reviews, complaint details and how the business responded.

- Be wary of ‘today-only’ sales pitches - This is a sales tactic designed to get you to sign a contract or put down a deposit, without giving you the opportunity to do your research. Watch out for these and other ‘bargains’ that rush you into a deal.

- Get references from recent customers - Speak with other property owners who had work done recently, and ask what they did or did not like about a particular contractor. A reputable contractor will be happy to provide client references.

- Get everything in writing - Make sure all verbal promises end up in the written contract as well as a detailed description of the work, the cost of materials and start and completion dates. Contracts also should include specifics about the deposit and payment schedule and guarantees for the quality of work and materials.

- The contract should specify required permits - Renovation work often requires permits from the town or municipality. If you’re contractor suggests going without permits, it might be a sign they have a poor reputation at city hall.

- Compare apples to apples – Choosing a prospective contractor is simpler if you ask for quotes based on the number of hours needed and the same quality of materials.

- Avoid putting down a large deposit - A typical payment schedule should follow the “rule of thirds.” The first payment is given when signing the contract and helps pay for materials, the second payment when work begins, and the final payment when the job is finished and you are satisfied with the quality of work. Ask the builder to walk you through the work to explain what has been done.

By sticking to the above steps, you’ll head into your renovation with peace of mind, knowing you’ve done your homework and taken the necessary steps to select the best possible contractor. 
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Friday, September 7, 2018

Eco-friendly Kitchen Features That Won't Break the Bank



Eco-friendly features are all the rage today as homeowners commit to living greener lives. But for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, where do you begin?
 
For many, the answer is the kitchen. The central hub of the home, the kitchen offers a perfect foundation for incorporating green features and appliances.  
 
Getting started, you may want to consider adding an induction stove, a stove that utilizes magnetic energy to induce a current that heats the food. Not only do pans heat up quickly on this type of stove, but the amount of time needed to cook meals is greatly reduced. In addition to the energy savings and coolness factor, induction stoves tend to be much safer than traditional stoves since there’s no open flame or hot electric element involved. 
 
It’s also important to add energy-efficient appliances. If you’re trying to sell your home and an old dishwasher and refrigerator unit serve as the focal point of the room, it could be a major deterrent to a sale.
 
Changing up the lighting is another easy way to up the eco-friendly factor and make the kitchen appear fresh and new. Installing ceiling fans is another simple, inexpensive way toward making the space more eco-friendly. Ceiling fans will circulate warm air in the winter and will help keep the kitchen cool in the summer, keeping heating and cooling costs lower throughout the year.
 
When it comes to greening your home, remember that you don’t need to drain your bank account to find success. For example, adding a water filter to your sink (and saying goodbye to bottled water) is an inexpensive way to promote green living. Take this one step further by highlighting the fact that the water filter removes harmful contaminants, providing a fresh drink that can easily be enjoyed when relaxing at home or while out and about. 
 
While not every change will yield a payoff, data shows that kitchen improvements will reap the highest rewards in home value, offering the fastest way to get someone interested in buying your home.
 
For more tips on adding eco-friendly features to your kitchen, contact me today! 
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Monday, September 3, 2018

Is Your Playground Safe?



Whether at the local park or in your own backyard, nothing beats watching your kids immerse themselves in the simple and healthy joy of the playground. But with all that unbridled energy comes safety hazards. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) provides quick but important tips to help make the playground a safer place.

A recent report from the CPSC found that from 2009 to 2014, nearly 1.5 million injuries associated with playground equipment were treated nationally in emergency departments. Annually, that breaks down to about 243,000 ER treated injuries.

The report also finds:

- The two most common hazard patterns are falls and dangers posed by the equipment, which together account for 81 percent of the reported incidents.
- The most common diagnoses are fractures and contusions/abrasions.
- Monkey bars and swings account for the majority of the total injuries, although slides account for one-fifth of the injuries.
- More than half of the victims seen in ER's were between ages five and nine.

Fortunately, the CPSC provides the following “golden rules” of playground safety:

- Always supervise children and make sure they are using playground equipment appropriate for their age.
- Never attach ropes, jump ropes, pet leashes or strings to playground equipment.
- Make sure children's clothing does not have any drawstrings as they can catch on slides and other equipment.
- Make sure surfaces around playgrounds have 9-12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber.
- Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar. Look out for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
- Don't let kids play on slides/surfaces that are burning hot. Keep in mind, the temperature doesn’t have to be that high - if it feels hot to your hand, it may be too hot for a child's bare skin.

Keep these tips in mind and help children safely enjoy your playground.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 
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Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Selling Your Home? Attack Issues Head-on



You’ve finally made the decision to put your home on the market - now comes the tough part: making sure it’s ready for prospective buyers.

According to Buddy Stark, director of operations for HomeTeam Inspection Service, there are several steps home sellers should take before beginning the selling process and having a home inspection. Here’s what he recommends:

Clean the house. This may seem like an obvious one, but you must keep your home at a heightened level of clean on an ongoing basis in anticipation of a showing. An ultra-clean home will convey that it's been well cared for and that the house is less susceptible to any issues caused by neglect.

Check all windows. Take a quick inventory of your windows to make sure they're in good working order. Replace windows that are cracked or broken before the inspection to save time during the selling process.

Finish the “honey-do” list. You might not think that certain areas of your home have anything to do with your home’s appeal, but they will come up as safety concerns on a home inspection report. Replace burnt-out lightbulbs, test smoke detectors, replace air filters and unclog drains. These little things are easy to forget in day-to-day life, but taking care of them is a relatively easy task that will help potential buyers focus on the important systems of the home.

Check all outlets. A sampling of electrical outlets will be tested as part of the home inspection to make sure they're in good working order. Take note of which outlets are not functioning in the home and replace them. Or consider hiring an electrician to make sure both outlets and the electrical box are updated and in proper working condition.

Clear areas for easy access. Home inspectors will be looking at the major parts of the home, including the foundation, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing and even the water heater. Making sure home inspectors can easily access these areas, including the basement and attic, will save time during the inspection process.

Consider a pre-listing inspection. Having an inspection conducted before the selling process, will allow you to take care of issues that may arise later, clearing the way for a smooth - and speedy - sale.

Source: HomeTeam Inspection 
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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Summer Safety for Your Kids



Every year about this time, summer safety tips are in the news. But sadly, more than 200,000 kids are treated in emergency rooms each year, and of the 3,500 accidental drowning deaths, more than half are children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a practical guide to keeping kids safe and happy during the hot, action-packed summer months:

Teach kids to swim – Some experts say kids should learn to swim by the age of four. But aquatics programs for infants and toddlers are widely available. No matter when you begin formal swimming lessons for your child:
- Be sure your pool is fenced
- Learn CPR
- Never leave a child of any age unsupervised at the pool

Beat the heat – Children are at greatest risk for heat-related illness. Cover them up, apply sunscreen, and be wary of sunburn, which increases the risk of skin cancer in later life. Also:
- Never leave children in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked
- Schedule strenuous outdoor activities in morning and evening hours
- Keep kids cool with showers or baths on very hot days
- Seek immediate medical care if a child has symptoms of heat-related illness, such as  headache, nausea, high body temperature or hot, damp skin

Keep insects at bay - Insects are more than a nuisance. They can also carry disease. Mind the following:
- Use insect repellent when playing outdoors
- Make your yard a tick-free zone by keeping lawns mowed and free of tall grasses, brush, and litter
-  Apply pesticides outdoors as necessary

Prevent injuries – Play-related falls and other injuries can double in the summer months.
- Make sure playground equipment is safe and well maintained
- Supervise young children at all times in playgrounds and around other fall-hazard areas
- Be wary of concussion or serious head injury after a bad fall or blow to the head. Seek medical attention right away if your child seems confused or has suffered unconsciousness. Seek medical attention within a day if your child exhibits signs of imbalance, persistent headache, vomiting, confusion or memory loss. 
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I help people selling their homes get them sold quickly and almost always at 100% asking, even over in some markets. I save my real estate b...