Monday, May 23, 2011

Good Real Estate News Continues!!!

Pending Home Sales Rise Again in March March saw another increase in pending home sales, with contract activity rising unevenly in six of the past nine months, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 5.1 percent to 94.1 in March from a downwardly revised 89.5 in February. The index is 11.4 percent below 106.2 in March 2010; however, activity was at elevated levels in March and April of 2010 to meet the contract deadline for the home buyer tax credit.The data reflects contracts but not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months.Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales activity has shown an uneven but notable improvement. “Since reaching a cyclical bottom last June, pending home sales have posted an overall gain of 24 percent and demonstrate the market is recovering on its own,” he said. “The index means modest near-term gains in existing-home sales are likely, which would be even stronger if tight mortgage lending criteria returned to normal, safe standards.”The PHSI in the Northeast fell 3.2 percent to 63.4 in March and is 18.4 percent below March 2010. In the Midwest the index rose 3.0 percent in March to 83.5 but is 16.6 percent below a year ago. Pending home sales in the South jumped 10.3 percent to an index of 110.2, but are 10.5 percent below March 2010. In the West the index increased 3.1 percent to 103.7 but is 4.1 percent below a year ago.“Based on the current uptrend with very favorable affordability conditions, rising apartment rents, and ongoing job creation, existing-home sales should rise around 5 to 10 percent this year with sales growth of lower-priced homes likely to outperform high-end homes. That means the price trend will reflect more homes sold in the lower price ranges,” Yun said.“The good news is that recent home buyers are staying well within budget, leading to exceptionally low loan-default rates among home buyers over the past two years,” he added.Source: NAR

Lower gas prices in Northeast Ohio!

AAA: Ohio gas prices down 23 cents from a week ago
By Associated Press
POSTED: 07:54 a.m. EDT, May 23, 2011
COLUMBUS: Ohio gasoline prices have dropped more than 20 cents in the last week, providing some relief to motorists as the summer travel season approaches.
Monday's survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express puts the statewide average price for regular-grade gas at $3.75 a gallon, down 6 percent from last Monday's average of $3.98.
Prices for oil and gasoline are sliding amid signs that demand for fuel has fallen after prices peaked in early May. Regular hit an all-time high at Ohio gas pumps of $4.16 on May 4, according to AAA.
The state's average was just $2.63 a year ago during the run-up to Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer driving season.
Online: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report for Ohio at http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/OHavg.asp.
COLUMBUS: Ohio gasoline prices have dropped more than 20 cents in the last week, providing some relief to motorists as the summer travel season approaches.
Monday's survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express puts the statewide average price for regular-grade gas at $3.75 a gallon, down 6 percent from last Monday's average of $3.98.
Prices for oil and gasoline are sliding amid signs that demand for fuel has fallen after prices peaked in early May. Regular hit an all-time high at Ohio gas pumps of $4.16 on May 4, according to AAA.
The state's average was just $2.63 a year ago during the run-up to Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer driving season.
Online: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report for Ohio at http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/OHavg.asp.

Monday, May 9, 2011

ANY HOME.ANY PHONE.ANY TIME




You've got to try this new marketing tool exclusively with DeHOFF REALTORS. You are driving down the street and there is a house with a "for sale" sign in the yard. Dial 330-433-2929. Input the street address and receive details on the property, you may request more information and you may speak with a real estate sales associate. Put this number in your phone and use it anywhere in northeast Ohio! Enjoy!!!

Pending Home Sales Rise Again

RISMEDIA, April 29, 2011—March saw another increase in pending home sales, with contract activity rising unevenly in six of the past nine months, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 5.1 percent to 94.1 in March from a downwardly revised 89.5 in February. The index is 11.4 percent below 106.2 in March 2010; however, activity was at elevated levels in March and April of 2010 to meet the contract deadline for the home buyer tax credit.
The data reflects contracts but not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says home sales activity has shown an uneven but notable improvement. “Since reaching a cyclical bottom last June, pending home sales have posted an overall gain of 24 percent and demonstrate the market is recovering on its own,” he notes. “The index means modest near-term gains in existing-home sales are likely, which would be even stronger if tight mortgage lending criteria returned to normal, safe standards.”
The PHSI in the Northeast fell 3.2 percent to 63.4 in March and is 18.4 percent below March 2010. In the Midwest the index rose 3.0 percent in March to 83.5 but is 16.6 percent below where it was a year ago. Pending home sales in the South jumped 10.3 percent to an index of 110.2, but are 10.5 percent below March 2010. In the West, the index increased 3.1 percent to 103.7 but is 4.1 percent below a year ago.
“Based on the current uptrend with very favorable affordability conditions, rising apartment rents and ongoing job creation, existing-home sales should rise around 5 to 10 percent this year with sales growth of lower priced homes likely to outperform high-end homes. That means the price trend will reflect more homes sold in the lower price ranges,” Yun says.
“The good news is that recent home buyers are staying well within budget, leading to exceptionally low loan default rates among home buyers over the past two years,” Yun adds.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
For more information visit www.Realtor.org.
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