Blog of Bonnie

Pending Home Sales on a Record Roll
September 1st, 2009 4:33 PM
Contract activity for pending home sales has risen for six straight months, a pattern not seen in the history of the index since it began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in July, increased 3.2 percent to 97.6 from a reading of 94.6 in June, and is 12.0 percent higher than July 2008 when it was 87.1. The index is at the highest level since June 2007, when it was 100.7.

Affordability at Record High
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the housing market momentum has clearly turned for the better. “The recovery is broad-based across many parts of the country. Housing affordability has been at record highs this year with the added stimulus of a first-time buyer tax credit,” he said.

“Other buyers are taking advantage of low home values before prices turn higher. Nationally, the typical mortgage payment now takes less than 25 percent of a middle-income family’s monthly income to buy a median priced home, with payment percentages so far in 2009 being the lowest on record dating back to 1970. As long as home buyers stay within their budget, mortgage payments will be very manageable,” Yun said.

First-Time Buyers
NAR estimates that about 1.8 to 2.0 million first-time buyers will take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit this year, with approximately 350,000 additional sales that would not have taken place without the credit. Buyers have little time to act because they must complete the transaction by November 30 to qualify for the credit. Unless extended, contracts signed but not completed by that date will not be eligible – it is taking approximately two months to complete home sales in the current market.

By Region
  • Northeast: The Pending Home Sales Index declined 3.0 percent to 78.8 in July but is 4.7 percent higher than July 2008.
  • Midwest: The index slipped 2.0 percent to 88.1 but is 8.1 percent above a year ago.
  • South: Pending home sales activity rose 3.1 percent to an index of 103.8 in July and is 12.0 percent above July 2008.
  • West: The index jumped 12.1 percent to 112.5 and is 20.0 percent above a year ago.

"Keep the Momentum Going"
NAR President Charles McMillan said Congress needs to keep the momentum going. “Even with a good recovery taking place, the market is not yet back to normal. With a gradual absorption of inventory, we are on the cusp of a general stabilization in home prices,” he said.

“To ensure that housing has a broad stimulus to the overall economy and stays on sound footing, we’re encouraging Congress to extend the tax credit into 2010, and to expand it to all buyers of primary residences. The faster we stabilize home prices, the fewer families will face foreclosure and the quicker credit can be extended to other sectors of the economy,” McMillan said.

NAR’s Housing Affordability Index stood at 158.5 in July, below the peak set in April but is still 36.0 percentage points higher than a year ago. The HAI is a broad measure of housing affordability using consistent values and assumptions over time, which examines the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates, and family income.

Yun expects existing-home sales to rise through the fourth quarter. “Unless the tax credit is extended, no one should be surprised to see home sales drop in the first quarter of next year,” he said. “However, the fundamentals of the housing market and the economy are trending up, and we expect home sales to generally pick up in the second quarter of 2010. The buyer psychology may be shifting from, ‘Why buy now when I can purchase later?’ to ‘I don’t want to miss out on a recovery.’”

Source: NAR

Posted by Bonnie Mills on September 1st, 2009 4:33 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! 9491 SW 94TH Court Ocala, FL 34481
September 30th, 2009 2:16 PM
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$185,000.00
9491 SW 94TH Court

Ocala, FL 34481



Beds: 2.0 Rooms: 0
Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 1672.00
Garage: 0 Built: 2007
 

2007, 2/2/2+DEN HANOVER IN WINDSOR! UPGRADES INCLUDE: 42” WALL-MOUNTED FLAT SCREEN TV W/ACCESS & CABINET, SPEAKERS IN ALL ROOMS, PROFESSIONALLY DECORATED, PLANTATION SHUTTERS, CROWN MOLDING, UNDER-COUNTER LIGHTING, TANK LESS WATER HEATER, ENERGY STAR RATED, SCREENED LANAI, & PAVERS ON DRIVEWAY & ENTRY., Features: Security system
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Bonnie Mills
ERA Big Sun Realty
3524271131
www.ocalaflrealestate4u.com



 
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Posted by Bonnie Mills on September 30th, 2009 2:16 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! 8555 C SW 93RD Street Ocala, FL 34481
September 23rd, 2009 1:33 PM
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$130,000.00
8555 C SW 93RD Street

Ocala, FL 34481



Beds: 2.0 Rooms: 0
Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 1883.00
Garage: 2.0 Built: 1993
 

ON TOP OF THE WORLD IS AN ACTIVE 55+ GATED GOLF COMMUNITY. You will love the open & contemporary look & feel of this 2/2/2 updated Bostonian! The gleaming floors, sparkling mirrors & neutral colors make all airy & bright. The expanded family room opens to the renovated kitchen with sleek black appliances, dark counters, & 2-tier island making this the heart of the home. Also includes updated baths, Florida room, covered patio, tiled front porch & the flat-screen wall-mounted TV in the living ro
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3524271131
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Posted by Bonnie Mills on September 23rd, 2009 1:33 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Home Price Reduction Levels Rise for Fourth Straight Month
September 16th, 2009 1:48 PM
 

for_sale_cnsmr_9_16 [1]RISMEDIA, September 16, 2009—Trulia, Inc., a leading place to start your real estate search, announced that 26% of homes currently on the market in the United States as of September 1, 2009 have experienced at least one price cut. Price reduction levels have increased for the fourth straight month and have seen a 10% overall increase compared to June of this year. During the summer months of June to September, the total amount slashed from home prices has increased by more than $1.1 billion from $27.4 billion to $28.5 billion. The average discount for price-reduced homes remains at ten percent off of the original listing price. 

Jacksonville experienced the highest level of price reductions for the fourth straight month with 37% of current listings seeing at least one round of discounts. Additionally, several cities continue to experience high levels of price reductions with Albuquerque, Indianapolis, Milwaukee Minneapolis, Portland and Raleigh all earning spots in the top ten for the second straight month. 

The steady rise in price reductions is a signal that sellers are still trying to adjust to the ever changing market conditions,” said Pete Flint, Trulia co-founder and CEO. “We expect the $8,000 federal tax incentive to extend the peak home purchasing season beyond the summer months, continuing to drive competition amongst sellers and ultimately leading to more price reductions, giving consumers a great opportunity to find the home of their dreams.” 

Several cities have seen four consecutive months where the percent of homes that have seen a price reduction has increased month-over-month, underscoring that sellers across the country might not be fully adjusting their home value expectations to the current real estate market. 

Luxury Market Getting Hit Hard 

Luxury homes (those listed at two million dollars and above) continue to bear the brunt of discounts being offered with an average of 14% being slashed from the original asking price compared to the national average of 10%. Additionally, luxury homes represent barely 2% of all current listings on Trulia, but are responsible for 25% of the $28.5 billion in home price reductions. 

For more information, visit www.trulia.com [2]


Posted by Bonnie Mills on September 16th, 2009 1:48 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! 10417 SW 85TH CT Ocala, FL 34481
September 11th, 2009 11:21 AM
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$88,500.00
10417 SW 85TH CT

Ocala, FL 34481



Beds: 2.0 Rooms: 0
Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 1162.00
Garage: 1.0 Built: 2005
 

THIS IS NOT A 55+ COMMUNITY! LIGHT AND BRIGHT 2/2/1 WITH CONVENIENT EAT-IN KITCHEN WITH UPGRADED APPLIANCES. MASTER SUITE HAS A CLOSET MAID CUSTOM WALK-IN CLOSET, ATTACHED BATH AND ACCESS TO THE LANAI. GUESTS WILL BE COMFORTABLE IN THIS SPACIOUS 2ND BEDROOM ACROSS FROM 2ND BATH. THERE IS AN INSIDE LAUNDRY AND A GLASS ENCLOSED LANAI WITH FAN TO ADD EVEN MORE SPACE TO THIS COMFORTABLE CONDO. THE ATTACHED GARAGE HAS A GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND EXTERIOR KEY PAD. VERTICAL BLINDS THROUGHOUT. NICE UPGRAD
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Bonnie Mills
ERA Big Sun Realty
3524271131
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Posted by Bonnie Mills on September 11th, 2009 11:21 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! 9130 SW 90th Street Ocala, FL 34481
September 1st, 2009 9:02 PM
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$135,000.00
9130 SW 90th Street

Ocala, FL 34481



Beds: 2.0 Rooms: 0
Baths: 2.00 Sq. Ft.: 1539.00
Garage: 0 Built: 1997
 

OPEN & BRIGHT WASHINGTON MODEL IN WILLIAMSBURG! LOVELY 2/2 WITH EAT-IN KITCHEN, LARGE LIVING ROOM DINING ROOM COMBINATION, 2 LARGE BEDROOMS, FRENCH DOORS TO LARGE PRIVATE LANAI AND SPACIOUS COURTYARD. NEW A/C 2009. INSIDE LAUNDRY AND 2 CAR GARAGE WITH SCREEN. FURNITURE AVAILABLE
This is a new listing that
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listing online to see more
photos of the property,
Google Earth satellite
images, and much more.
 

If you have any questions
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Bonnie Mills
ERA Big Sun Realty
3524271131
www.ocalaflrealestate4u.com



 
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Posted by Bonnie Mills on September 1st, 2009 9:02 PMPost a Comment (0)

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