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Owner/Broker Rick Andrews
Century 21 Scenic Realty
t. 828 557 9139
toll 800 977 4981
Housing Contributes to Economic Growth
Over the last two years, home building has experienced significant growth, albeit off of low levels. And this expansion has added to overall growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In fact, since the last quarter of 2011, advances in home building have been responsible for 20 percent of total economic expansion. While the economy as a whole has slowed somewhat over the last year, the expansion of home building has picked up steam. The home building component of the GDP accounts,...Continue Reading!
Title Insurance: Protect Your Biggest Investment
As thousands of Americans participate in the spring buying season, it’s important to remember that a new sofa isn’t the only purchase that should accompany your new house. Title insurance is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your new residence, and protect what might be the biggest investment you will ever make. “Problems with the title of your new home can limit your enjoyment and use of the property,” says Frank Pellegrini, president of .the national trade association of the land...Continue Reading!
Good News for Georgia Mountain Real Estate the Florida Markets are on the Rise
I came across this article and thought that it is good news for our market. Most of our buyers come out of the Florida and Atlanta markets. As thess markets are on the rise we should follow in the coming months. Florida's Housing Market Continues Positive Trends in February REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT—Florida's housing market reported more closed sales, rising median prices, increased pending sales, more new listings and a reduced inventory of homes for sale in February, according to the latest housing data...Continue Reading!
Rising Costs Put Squeeze on Builder Confidence in April
Facing increasing costs for building materials and rising concerns about the supply of developed lots and labor, builders registered less confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes in April, with a two-point drop to 42 on the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index (HMI), released recently. “Many builders are expressing frustration over being unable to respond to the rising demand for new homes due to difficulties in obtaining construction credit, overly restrictive mortgage lending rules and construction...Continue Reading!
March Existing-Home Sales Slip Due to Limited Inventory, Prices Maintain Uptrend
Existing-home sales eased in March from inventory constraints, which continued to pressure home prices according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 0.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.92 million in March from a downwardly revised 4.95 million in February, but remain 10.3 percent higher than the 4.46 million-unit pace in March 2012. Sales have been above year-ago levels for 21 consecutive months, while...Continue Reading!
Housing Starts Pass 1 Million Starts for First Time in Nearly Five Years
Freddie Mac recently released its U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for April showing that despite the ongoing housing recovery and gains on the construction jobs front, large economic headwinds persist. For example, the stubbornly high unemployment rate serves as a reminder of just how far the economy needs to go to get back to a healthy level. A short preview video and the complete April 2013 U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook are available here. Housing starts were up 47 percent...Continue Reading!
Ask the Experts: What Should Home Sellers Do to Prepare for a Home Inspection?
By David R. Leopold We see it every day. Sellers who don’t take the time to ensure a smooth home inspection and who pay for it in the long run. The spring market is upon us. A little preparation can ensure sellers have great home inspections. Home inspectors typically arrive 30-45 minutes early to the home inspection appointment so that they are professionally set up and ready to go when you arrive. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been greeted...Continue Reading!
Selling Your Home? Make It More Appealing to Buyers
(BPT) - You've made the decision to sell your home - now you want to position yourself for a quick and successful sale. What's the most important thing you can do to entice buyers? "The most important thing you can do is to make your home look welcoming when people drive by," says Kimber Powell, Realtor and sales manager for Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group in Altoona, Iowa. "You want to invite them in. Make sure your front door looks nice. Trim and...Continue Reading!
Tips for Buying a House in the Spring Market
By Lillian Montalto Spring is officially here; the real estate market bustling with new listings and open houses. If you are planning on buying a home, here are some tips that will make your house-hunting experience positive and productive. Finding the right real estate agent that will work with you is an important first step in the home buying process. This is an important endeavor, and as such, you want to make sure that your personality is compatible with that of your...Continue Reading!
Sellers Becoming Confident in the Housing Market, Providing an Optimistic Outlook for the Housing recovery
Realtor.com®, a leader in online real estate operated by Move, Inc., has released its March data on the U.S. housing market that shows growing optimism and confidence among potential sellers. Realtor.com®’s March 2013 data indicates that while national housing inventory decreased 15.22 percent since last year, the number of listings increased 2.36 percent since February 2013. This month-over-month increase indicates a renewed willingness in sellers to put their homes on the market as list prices increased .05 percent both year-over-year...Continue Reading!
