December Market Report is in…and it looks pretty darn good.

December Market Report is in…and it looks pretty darn good.


Posted on January 12, 2012. Filed under: Uncategorized




2011 December sales were 477 in Ada County, a decrease of 9% over December 2010.



Total sales for 2011 are 6,299; up 7% over 2010. In July of 2011, we exceeded YTD 2010 sales for the first time in 2011. This is our first year-over-year increase, without influence of the home buyer tax credit, in a few years. This is our first time crossing the 6,000 homes sold threshold since 2007…how long ago that seems!



December sales decreased 3% from November’s 487. Historically, December sales decrease from November.



Of our total sales in December… 48% were distressed….up 1% from November 2011. In January 2011, 57% of our sales were distressed. We have seen a mild overall increase in the percentage of sales in distress. In July we were down to 42% overall and have seen the amount increase one to two points each month.



For homes sold in December, the average number of “Days on Market” was 86. This is essentially unchanged from last month. Down from 90 days last year this time and down from 93 days in January 2011.



Pending sales at the end of December were 691; a decrease of 7.5% from the end of November. This represents the smallest number of pendings in 2011. That is fairly consistent with historical data. The percentage of pending sales in distress increased 1% from November, totaling 49% overall. This is the highest number of pending sales in distress we’ve had since early spring. Even so, we are now at eight consecutive months below 50%.



At the end of December, we had 20% more sales pending than at the end of December 2010.



December median home price held at November levels. Overall median price was $149,300; up 1.2% from December 2010. For all of 2011 our median was down 6.97%. That is a significant improvement from where we were in January 2011: down 20%.



New Homes median price for December 2011 was $223,739; an 24% increase from December 2010. Year-to-date new homes median is up 15% over 2010 to $237,500.



The number of houses available continues to decrease. At the end of December our total active inventory was 1,991 homes. This is down 9% from November and 25% less than last year at this time. Our inventory has fallen below where we would call the market “in equilibrium”. We are now in a “shortage”.



At the same time, the percentage of distressed active inventory held steady at 36%. We have been hovering between 33% and 36% since May. We remain well below the 40% levels set last spring….when we were on the increase.



In Ada County we have 4.2 months of inventory on hand…historically this number defines a strong “seller’s market”. The price category in shortest supply is <$119,000 with 2.5 months. In the range of $120,000 to $159,999 we have 3.9 months. All price points up to $400,000 have less than 5 moths supply. We have benefited all year from inventory levels much lower than national average. now, however, we are starting to see some slowdown in sales as the inventory continues to fall.



Based on December sold data, our most desirable price point is $120,000 to $160,000 which made up more than 20% of total sales.



There is no longer any doubt that, in Ada County, we have passed our “low water” point.



The challenge to our continued recovery is available product.



Talking with our 2012 President, Kit Fitzgerald, we don’t see new homes construction being able to keep up with the demand, especially as we move toward Spring.



Financing for builders is still extremely difficult to come by. In Kits words: “Without sticks in the ground, there is no excitement. Without excitement there is no sales growth.”



Sure, we will see median price increase over the next months, but when we get to April and the pent up demand comes roaring out of winter hibernation…then what?



Another thing I learned from Kit…the desires of new home buyers have changed…about the lots they want to build on. Gone are the days when .13 acre was an acceptable lot size. Buyers now want .25 or more….and there’s very few of those anywhere in Ada County.



Its going to be an interesting Spring.

1. Fix a Leaky Faucet | 47 Skills You Need to Survive Homeownership | Photos | Home & Real Estate | This Old House

1. Fix a Leaky Faucet 47 Skills You Need to Survive Homeownership Photos Home & Real Estate This Old House

November 2011 Newsletter

Happy Holidays

2011

Dear Friends,

       Hard to believe but the Holidays are upon us again.   I t was a good year.   I am so thankful for the many blessings the good Lord has give us.     That we have  each other, our familys,  our good health, our home and  the bountiful  harvest of our fruits and vegetables. 

2011 In Review

      The economies of the world are still suffering, as are the economies of folks that we know.   It does not appear like our Government has a handle on budgeting yet.  And that has a lot of folks sitting up and paying attention. 

Have you noticed all the survival food sundries popping up in the stores?  Did you know that there are secret housing communities that we can buy into and go to when the time comes.  Whoops, I guess that isn’t a secret anymore.

Andy Rooney so dreaded the day he had to end his signature "60 Minutes" commentaries about life's large and small absurdities that he kept going until he was 92 years old.  Rooney won one of his four Emmy Awards for a piece on whether there was a real Mrs. Smith who made Mrs. Smith's Pies. As it turned out, there was no Mrs. Smith.

 Last month, the President proposed easing Federal Housing Finance Agency guidelines to allow homeowners who are still current on their mortgages to refinance, no matter how much their home value has dropped below what they still owe.  Right now is when you want to refinance your home @ 3.75%, we did!   If you are underwater with the loan, keep calling your current lender and ask for the lower interest rate.        

Spinach, bacon, and onion Dip

4 slices bacon, thinly sliced crosswise

1 medium yellow onion, diced medium

coarse salt and ground pepper

1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sour cream

1 bar (8 ounces) cream cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Crostini or pita chips, for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, cook bacon over medium, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels. Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan. Add onion to pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 minutes. Add flour and cook 30 seconds. Add spinach, milk, sour cream, and cream cheese. Cook, stirring, until cream cheese melts, 2 minutes. Stir in bacon and 1/4 cup Parmesan.Transfer mixture to a 1 1/2-quart baking dish and top with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake until bubbling, 14 minutes. Heat broiler and broil until top browns, 3 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes. Serve dip warm with crostini or pita chips.

Dear Friends,  Jim and I  wish you the very best of Holidays! 

I want to say thanks to all my faithful clients.  I am very grateful for all  your referrals.  I am here to help you,  your family and your friends with all their Real Estate needs.  There is still programs available for zero down and zero closing @ 3.75% interest.   Honestly, it is cheaper than renting.

        I hope you have had a chance to follow  my  stories @  http:

BoiseValleyRealtor.Blogspot.com     ” More Jobs in the USA” is an awesome article. We can make a difference! 

          Did anyone read my story about the “Birds and Cherries War”  featuring the Cherry Cowboy (dated July 13^th).  Plus you can find me on Facebook.

Take Care and God Bless,

Beccie McDonell

Realty One Centre

850-3062

Is Your Home Safe?

As your family gathers inside to escape the chilly weather, be mindful of the fire dangers you are at risk for in every room of your home. More than 18,000 people are injured in home fires every year. Here are simple ways to prevent home fires and make your family safer.






Problem: Unattended cooking

Not surprisingly, the number one cause of house fires start in the kitchen, and stovetop cooking is the primary cause. These fires account for 40% of all house fires.



Solution: Watch pots

Sure, everyone has heard the saying "a watched pot never boils," but the leading factor of house fires caused by cooking warrants undivided attention. If you have to leave the room to answer the phone or attend some other matter, turn off the stove, or have someone else take over.



Problem: Clogged concerns

The dryer is a magnificent modern day convenience that makes life easier, but it also can be a huge fire hazard. According to Consumer Reports there are as many as 15,000 home fires caused by dryers every year. That is a startling number, and most of those fires are a result of clogged vents.



Solution: Clean, clean, clean

You know when you forget to clean the lint out of the dryer a few times and how big that lint ball gets? Well just think of how your vents must look if you do not have those cleaned. So you should get your vents cleaned at least once every two years. Not only will this help protect your home, but it will also help with energy costs, and the longevity of your dryer.





Problem: Overloaded circuits

Speaking of appliances, all those cords can really add up to a disaster. In fact, during most years, home electrical issues account for about 28,600 fires and $1.1 billion in property losses. And 53% of residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring. More households don’t just have a TV; they have a TiVo, a DVD player, at least one video gaming system, and often a sound system. All of these require power.



Solution: Get organized

Use a surge protector, and don’t overload it. Skip the extension cords and go for a multi-plug panel. Avoid wires and cords under rugs, over nails or in high-traffic areas of the room. If a piece of electronics starts to sputter, spark or smell, turn it off immediately and replace it.





Problem: Alternate heaters

During the winter months, heating is the most common cause of residential fires. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that portable, electric space heaters cause more than 25,000 house fires each year.



Solution: Shop smart

When using portable heaters, put these hot little units on a level space, away from foot traffic, and give them room. Keep any combustible items—as well as children and pets—at least three feet away. Also, be sure to buy the right-sized heater for your space. Most heaters have a general sizing guide.





Problem: Inadequate protection

Approximately 33% of all homes do not have working smoke detectors. When you have a working smoke alarm your chances of dying in a home fire are 50% less.



Solution: Keep checking

Make sure you have a smoke detector and to check the batteries at least once a month. A smoke detector has a useful life of 10 years and then should be replaced. Another essential item to have in the home is a carbon monoxide detector.

More Jobs Here in the USA

A physics teacher in high school, once told the students  that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very  much, a billion of them would.   With that thought in mind, read the  following, obviously written by a good American . . .

This probably sounds crazy, but just yesterday I was in Wal Mart looking for a wastebasket. I found some made in China for $6.99. I didn't want to pay that much so I asked the lady if they had any others. She took me to another department and they had some at $2.50 made in USA. They are just as good.

              Same as a kitchen rug I needed. I had to look, but I found  some made in the USA and they were $3.00 cheaper.  We are being brain washed that everything that comes from China and Mexico is cheaper. Not so. That is also why I don't buy cards at  Hallmark anymore. They are made in China and are expensive. I buy them at Dollar Tree....50 cents each and made in USA.

                                                       Check this out.  I can verify this because I was in Lowe's the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at  the hose attachments... They were all made in China .
The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it  I checked the hose attachments there.
They were made in USA. Start looking ...
              In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy  or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track..  Let's get behind her!
              My grandson likes Hershey's candy.  I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now.
I do not buy it any more.

              My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico... Now I have  switched to Crest.  You have to read the labels on everything....


      Good idea . . .. One light bulb at a time . . ..

        This past weekend I was at Kroger . .. . I needed 60W light  bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets.
 I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand  I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, " Everyday Value ." I picked up both  types of bulbs and compared the stats they were the same except
For the price  . . . The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but  the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and  the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company  in Cleveland , Ohio.
             So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use  every day that are made right here...
              So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets...  Yep, you  guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada... The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer  sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at  almost half the price!

              My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you  shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
              If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your  address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!

              (We should have awakened a decade ago....)
              Let's get with the program and help our fellow Americans keep  their jobs and create more jobs here in the USA .

              I passed this on . .. . Will you???
 




Wayne Jensen
Ogden SAP/MES Analyst
Fresenius Medical Care, NA
475 W. 13th St.
Ogden, Utah 84404

see the bumble bee in the middle of the flower!

Morning Glory

Plus Honey Suckle is covering our back fence.

Fencing does not need to be boring.   Personally I am doing my best to cover ours with living plants.  Here is just one section of our fencing.  In different areas we are planting different things.  The front yard features some square tubing that Jim has bent into archways and we are growing grapes on them.   We just harvested seven gallons off of two plants.   It filled two laundry baskets and we juiced them.   We will enjoy that fence covering all winter!

As you can tell by the second photo, the bumble bees love the morning glory.   How often do you see bumble bees anymore?  Not often unless you plant something they love.

The first fence is from Portland, Ore., artist Jane Hart used playful ingenuity to makes this garden fence practical and beautiful. She embellished and framed weathered slats with stained and treated wood. The short fence inside the garden combines decorative panels made from new cedar with inexpensive wire mesh — "a design element requested by the family dog," Hart says.

For the front fence, she framed weathered, embellished slats with new cedar boards and treated posts.

Do you have any great fence ideas?  I would love to see them.

Today's Rates

Today's current rates are:

 

30 year fixed conventional     4.125%      APR     4.31%

15 year fixed conventional     3.25%       APR     3.6% 

FHA                                    4.0%         APR     6.01% 

VA                                      4.0%         APR     4.21%

Rural                                   3.75%      APR      3.93%

Idaho Housing                     Available programs - Down payment assistance programs;  tax credit option is still

                                          Available through 2011.   Don't forget 203k loans.

  

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass - it is learning to dance in the rain."