Tour of Re-modeled homes
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Cincinnati Real Estate on September 10, 2010
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A tour of twelve remodeled homes will be happening this weekend in metropolitan Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The tour, hosted by Home Builders Associations of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, is self-guided — so you can visit all twelve homes or just a few in your neighborhood. Please visit the Tour of Remodeled Homes website for additional information including maps and tour times. |
Case-Shiller: Home Price Index – June 2010
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Home Sellers, Real Estate Data on September 5, 2010
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The monthly Standard & Poor Case-Shiller Home Price Report was released this past week for June 2010. The 20 City Composite continued it’s upward swing. June 2010 marks the third consecutive month of increases. June’s 20-city composite of 147.81 was .3% higher than May 2010. June was 1.10% higher than January 2010. And June 2010 is 4.22% higher than June 2009. You can find more information about the most recent Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller report at these links: |
Gamble House Saga in Cincinnati
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Cincinnati Real Estate on August 31, 2010
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Photo courtesy www.cincinnatipreservation.org |
Surfing through Old House Web looking for information on home re-modeling and DIY Projects when I came across this really interesting article about the Gamble House — of Proctor and Gamble noteriety. Apparently the house has come under dis-repair and some are trying to demolish the historic home, but others are trying to save the home for historic reasons. An interesting article about a historic home in Cincinnati. |
3 Rules for Hiring Home Contractors
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Real Estate on August 30, 2010
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According to an article published at CBS News’ moneywatch.com website: …contractors’ labor costs are down about 10 percent from their 2007 peak, according to Angie Hicks, founder of the Angie’s List home services directory. But business is picking up. ServiceMagic.com, a site connecting homeowners with home service professionals, says remodeling project requests are up 49 percent from a year ago. And a recent American Express survey said 72 percent of affluent homeowners planned to make home improvements in 2010. |
Three Key Rules To save on a home improvement project, follow these rules for hiring a contractor:
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The article is well written and offers in-depth observations. If you are considering using a contractor in the near future this is worth reading. moneywatch.com – 3 Rules For Hiring Home Contractors |
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New Home Sales Drop
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Real Estate Data on August 27, 2010
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Graphic Source: MSNBC.com |
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy |
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New home sales were down a surprising 12% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual sales pace of 276,600. We have to go back to 1963 to see a slower pace for new home sales. If you would like more information here are a few links to articles: |
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10 Autumn Home Design & Décor Trends
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Home Sellers, Real Estate on August 25, 2010
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Elaine Williamson of Elaine Williamson Designs posted a lengthy article about home decor and design trends that will be noticed and noticeable this coming fall. Blogging on the Styled, Staged & Sold website, Ms. Williamson discusses what’s really new and what’s coming back from the designer’s scrap pile — brass?!? The entire article, 10 Autumn Home Design & Decor Trends, is located on Styled, Staged & Sold website from the National Association of REALTORS® |
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Open House – Sunday, August 22
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Cincinnati Real Estate, Home Buyers on August 22, 2010
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Listed by: Kathy Landstra |
Open HouseSunday, August 22, 2010 I will be holding two homes open on Sunday. The schedule will be as follows:
For more information, click the links above or mouse over the pictures and ‘Click’. I hope to see you on Sunday!
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Listed by: Kathy Landstra |
Most (and least) Affordable Cities
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Home Buyers, Real Estate Data on August 22, 2010
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According to the latest survey from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo, housing affordability is at record levels. As is typical in these kinds of analysis, the midwest fares much better than either coast. You can see the complete slideshow and a description of the current state of housing affordability at: CNNMoney Housing Affordability. |
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Cincinnati Median Home Prices (NAR)
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Cincinnati Real Estate, Real Estate Data on August 11, 2010
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Accoding to the NAR Press Release: In the second quarter, 100 out of 155 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) had higher median existing single-family home prices in comparison with the second quarter of 2009, including 14 with double-digit increases; two were unchanged and 53 metros showed price declines. In the first quarter of this year 91 areas had higher prices, while only 26 MSAs experienced annual price gains in second quarter of 2009. The national median existing single-family price was $176,900 in the second quarter, up 1.5 percent from $174,200 in the same period of 2009. The median is where half sold for more and half sold for less. Distressed homes accounted for 32 percent of second quarter sales, down from 36 percent a year ago. NAR’s complete Second Quarter 2010 Survey Report is available here. |
Monthly Homes Sold Report – July 2010
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Cincinnati Real Estate, Real Estate Data on August 9, 2010
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The effect of the Federal Tax Credit this past spring really showed up in the Homes Sold numbers for July. The number of sales was down substantially over June of this year, and not surprisingly, the total dollar value was also down. The Northeast Cincinnati Analysis for July 2010 shows a 24.76% decrease in the number of homes sold over June 2010. Homes Sold in July 2010 was 79 and in June the number was 105. The yearly reduction was nearly the same with a reduction of 21.78% from July 2009 when Northeast Cincinnati Homes Sold was 101. The total dollar volume also decreased. July 2010 total dollar volume as $24.81 million. July 2009 was $31.59 million. This shows decrease of 20.13% in total dollar volume since last year. Total dollar volume in June 2010 was $47.52 million. |
Open House – Sunday, August 8
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Cincinnati Real Estate, Home Buyers on August 8, 2010
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Listed by: Kathy Landstra |
Open HouseSunday, August 8, 2010 I will be a home in Indian Hill open on Sunday. The schedule will be as follows:
For more information, click the link above or mouse over the picture and ‘Click’. I hope to see you on Sunday!
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Make your old kitchen feel new
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Real Estate on August 7, 2010
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Photo courtesy amb.photography via Flickr |
Money Magazine has three cheap ideas for making your old kitchen feel like new. Interesting. Here is a summary:
…painting appliances and concrete countertops? Wow. Kitchens are really getting interesting. Visit Money Magazine if you would like to see the complete article |
New Home Starts Midwest U.S.
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Real Estate Data on August 6, 2010
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Housing starts in the midwest — as tracked and presented by Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
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Pending Home Sales Move Lower
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Home Buyers, Real Estate Data on August 3, 2010
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The National Assoication of REALTORS® (“NAR”) released the Pending Home Sales Index (“PHSI”) for the month of June on Wednesday, August 3rd. After a big hit in May, PHSI moved marginally lower in June. This does not appear to indicate any great wave of action in either way — hugely positive or negative. Seasonaly adjusted the PHSI June number was 2.8% below May and it was 18.6% below the June 2009 number. According to the NAR Press Release: NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said, “There could be a couple of additional months of slow home-sales activity before picking up later in the year, provided the job market continues to improve.” You can find more news information about the June PHSI at these links: |
Open House – Sunday, August 1
Posted by Kathy Landstra in Cincinnati Real Estate, Home Buyers on July 31, 2010
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Listed by: Kathy Landstra |
Open HouseSunday, August 1, 2010 I will be a home in Indian Hill open on Sunday. The schedule will be as follows:
For more information, click the link above or mouse over the picture and ‘Click’. I hope to see you on Sunday!
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- Mortgage Rate Averages
What is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the contract.
What is a Short Sale?
If a home is being sold for below what the current seller owes on the property—and the seller does not have other funds to make up the difference at closing—the sale is considered a short sale. A short sale is different from a foreclosure, which is when the seller's lender has taken title of the home and is selling it directly. Homeowners often try to accomplish a short sale in order to avoid foreclosure.
