Interest Rate Update

Housing Rebound Gives Economy More Pop

Consumers are feeling pinched by higher taxes and business investment has been choppy, so it’s a good thing the housing sector continues to build up speed. Construction on new properties rose in December at the fastest clip in four years and the sale of new homes in the last month of 2012 is likely to remain at a two-and-a-half-year high. What’s more, existing homes are selling at their strongest pace in three years. 

(Market Watch - WSJ.com) 

Vista Village 55+ Home for Sale: 3300 Carpenter Rd Unit 107, Olympia $99,000

Inspection Process

Have you heard of the book, “What if Houses Could Talk?”. The book has generic information all about the home inspection process: why buyers need an inspection; licensing and certification; how to interview an inspector; what to expect; how to prepare for the inspection; understanding the report; what to do if things go wrong and much more. It’s a free download at www.cameohis.com/the_book

7 Markets Showing Big Home Price Growth

Home prices are inching up across the country, as a housing recovery ripples through once hard-hit areas. Here are some of the top “turnaround housing markets” that have seen the biggest jumps in median home prices in the past year.

·  LAS VEGAS
Median home price for fourth quarter of 2012: $147,000
Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +27.5%

·  SEATTLE
Median home price: $299,950
Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +24%

·  PHOENIX
Median home price: $189,000
Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +21.8%

·  OAKLAND, CA
Median home price: $384,750
Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +21%

·  SAN JOSE, CA
Median home price: $589,950
Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +20.8%

·  SALT LAKE CITY
Median home price: $159,000
Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +18.9%

                ·       ATLANTA

                                         Median home price: $159,000

                                         Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +18.9%

Data by realtormag.com

Check Your Home for These Cold Weather-Related Products Recalled Last Summer

With winter weather upon us, you may be hauling out products recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) last summer. Play it safe by checking if your cold weather-related products have been previously recalled. It could save your life or that of your family. You can find out about these and other recalled winter products at www.SaferProducts.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release #13-091

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 

A Thought for the New Year

A record number of women and racial minorities were elected to the 113th Congress, which was sworn in last week.  This makes this Congress the most diverse in history, and that’s a good thing.

As REALTORS^®, we know the power of diversity.  We embrace it in our membership and in our business.  In fact, our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. REALTORS^® are every race, color, creed, and gender.  So are our clients. 

Working with people who are different from ourselves opens our minds and helps us to be more successful in most everything we do.  We can only hope that the diversity of this newly elected Congress will help them tackle the fiscal challenges that face this country.

Let’s take a collective, calming breath and get to work with this new Congress --  and at all levels of government -- to make 2013 a good year for America.