Anna-Marie's Blog

Thoughts on the 2012 Housing Market

annamariehomes — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:16:31 +0000

A colleague and Banker friend of mine asked me to answer some questions about consumer confidence and the housing industry. I thought I would share my response.

The atmosphere in our country is poised for change. Based on recent polling numbers, our Nation is not happy with Congress or the current Administration. Being an election year we will see the usual ebb and flow of the temperature of consumer confidence. If the majority of people are pleased with the change in direction of our Federal Government we can continue to see consistent spending numbers.

I think the housing industry is recovering from a massive party. The industry enjoyed loose regulations, binge sales, and other reckless activities. The industry woke up with a massive hangover. The repercussions of the over indulgence flooded the market and tightened credit. As with any sharp pain there is an equally intense reaction in the other direction. 2012 will be the beginning of the new “normal”. Investors, Lenders, Real Estate Agents still remember the pain that was inflicted. There has been enough time pass that we have hopefully been able to look back and see where bad judgment was made. This will be the first opportunity to see if we can handle our lending and housing policies appropriately.

Predictions After our National Convention

annamariehomes — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:16:13 +0000

Predictions for the remainder of 2011 as told to the Top 50 ERA Companies during the International Business Conference: There will be continued negative articles coming from the news media through the first half of 2011. The simple reason is the media mostly compares sales data month over year (i.e.: March 2010 compared to March 2011). The comparisons are artificially negative due to the first-time homeowner tax credit being in full swing. Thus making 2011 numbers look bad, when in actuality the 2011 numbers have a stronger foundation without government incentive. All that happened was the tax credit pulled future buyers out prematurely. Therefore, the second half of 2010 sales numbers were artificially low after the incentive ended April 28 2010. In the second half of 2011 month over year comparisons will be very favorable due to no government incentives with a stronger base business. In other words, July of 2010 will compare much weaker than July of 2011. This will cause positive articles coming out of the media for the first time in years! This will bring rising confidence and a much needed sense of urgency. Due to positive press and rising confidence, the second half of 2011 sales are expected to significantly increase, paving the way for a real and sustainable housing recovery.

Energy Efficiency

annamariehomes — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:03:27 +0000

Many homebuyers are often surprised by larger than expected energy and utility bills once they move in. After you have been in the home for approximately a year, you should have a better sense of your average heating, cooling and electrical costs. By spending a little time and/or money, you can make your home more comfortable and efficient.

For starters, try implementing a few of these quick and simple energy-saving tips to see immediate results on your various utility bills:

Keep your thermostat set around 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. By avoiding constant adjustments you can stabilize your energy bills while keeping your home at a comfortable temperature year round.
Water that is wasted from leaky faucets and showerheads can really add up. Fortunately, they’re easy to fix with a do-it-yourself book. Toilet tank water-savers can also mean significant dollar savings.
Compact fluorescent lighting costs more than standard incandescent bulbs, but fluorescents last more than 10 times longer and use just a quarter of the electricity. Over its lifetime, a compact fluorescent bulb can save up to $60 on your electric bill.
Fireplaces can be a big energy leak. Check dampers and screens to make sure warm air isn’t escaping when the fireplace isn’t in use. Consider installing an energy-saving firebox to help circulate heat. If the fireplace is just for decoration, cover the chimney.
Make sure to keep filters clean and operating parts oiled for all your home appliances. Clean air conditioning filters and wall units each year. Change furnace filters frequently, and keep your furnace motor oiled. In fact, paying for a professional inspection once a year will keep things running smoothly and likely save you larger replacement costs later on.

In addition to these basic energy-savings tips, for a reasonable price you can insulate your home, or upgrade your current insulation, to maximize your energy efficiency. Insulating your home is one of the best ways to protect against high heating and cooling costs. Start with any unfinished attics and crawl spaces to get the most savings. Then move on to ceilings and walls and basement and garage. Be sure to check the weather-stripping on your doors and windows as well to keep the house draft-free and energy efficient..

Sales and Inventory Report

annamariehomes — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:33:37 +0000

Sales and Inventory Report
Category – Residential Statistics for Entire MLS from 1/1/2010 – 12/31/2010
Counties:Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, St.Clair, Talladega,
Month	Year	Monthly Sales	Monthly Volume	Avg List $	Avg Sale $	Median Sold $	Avg DOM	Avg CDOM	% Sold/List	Current Inventory	Months Inventory
January	2010	116	$14,211,997	$129,859	$122,517	$124,250	124	154	94.34%	1633	14.07
February	2010	127	$14,911,740	$123,606	$117,415	$115,000	91	130	94.99%	1686	13.27
March	2010	206	$27,133,100	$138,174	$131,714	$125,540	106	125	95.32%	1738	8.43
April	2010	201	$27,195,764	$141,202	$135,302	$128,000	108	135	95.82%	1816	9.03
May	2010	181	$24,171,493	$138,815	$133,544	$132,500	97	133	96.20%	1845	10.19
June	2010	195	$28,701,896	$155,169	$147,189	$140,500	131	155	94.85%	2000	10.25
July	2010	140	$18,061,202	$139,647	$129,008	$113,750	100	126	92.38%	2088	14.91
August	2010	128	$17,694,856	$146,394	$138,241	$121,500	116	130	94.43%	2171	16.96
September	2010	165	$20,575,013	$133,679	$124,697	$117,400	109	133	93.28%	2231	13.52
October	2010	137	$16,279,638	$125,328	$118,829	$113,940	117	124	94.81%	2249	16.41
November	2010	127	$14,350,847	$120,076	$112,998	$105,900	105	133	94.10%	2234	17.59
December	2010	138	$17,813,099	$139,971	$129,080	$119,900	147	167	92.21%	2130	15.43
Annual:		1861	$241,100,645	$137,062	$129,554	$124,000	112	137	94.52%	1985	12.79

Annual:	2010 – 2010	1861	$241,100,645	$137,062	$129,554	$124,000	112	137	94.52%	1985	12.79
Note: The “Current Inventory” column(s) reflect the number of active(on market) listings on the 16th day of each month. The “Months Inventory” column(s) value(s) equal “Current Inventory” divided by “Monthly Sales”. This reflects how many months it would take to sell out of inventory at the current month’s rate of sale. Total Months Inventory = Total Current Inventory / (Total Monthly Sales/12 Months)

–Information on this report is not guaranteed. There is no express or implied warranty by MLS of the accuracy of information which should be independently verified.–
Copyright: 2011 by the Birmingham Area MLS, Inc.
Prepared by Moorer, Anna-Marie of ERA King – Anniston on Saturday, February 26, 2011 2:30 PM.

Sales and Inventory Report December

annamariehomes — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:27:17 +0000

Sales and Inventory Report
Category – Residential Statistics for Entire MLS from 12/1/2009 – 11/30/2010
Counties:Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, St.Clair, Talladega,
Month	Year	Monthly Sales	Monthly Volume	Avg List $	Avg Sale $	Median Sold $	Avg DOM	Avg CDOM	% Sold/List	Current Inventory	Months Inventory
December	2009	118	$15,736,614	$140,760	$133,361	$124,000	119	149	94.74%	1683	14.26
January	2010	117	$14,231,797	$128,919	$121,639	$124,000	124	153	94.35%	1637	13.99
February	2010	129	$14,960,240	$122,231	$115,970	$112,000	90	129	94.87%	1690	13.10
March	2010	207	$27,157,100	$137,651	$131,193	$125,250	106	125	95.30%	1742	8.41
April	2010	201	$27,195,764	$141,202	$135,302	$128,000	108	135	95.82%	1819	9.04
May	2010	182	$24,241,393	$138,437	$133,194	$132,500	97	132	96.21%	1849	10.15
June	2010	196	$28,714,896	$154,469	$146,504	$140,250	130	154	94.84%	2006	10.23
July	2010	140	$18,061,202	$139,647	$129,008	$113,750	100	126	92.38%	2093	14.95
August	2010	129	$17,819,856	$146,228	$138,138	$123,000	115	129	94.46%	2175	16.86
September	2010	166	$20,693,013	$133,642	$124,656	$117,700	109	133	93.27%	2235	13.46
October	2010	137	$16,279,638	$125,328	$118,829	$113,940	117	124	94.81%	2253	16.44
November	2010	127	$14,350,847	$120,076	$112,998	$105,900	105	133	94.10%	2238	17.62
Annual:		1849	$239,442,360	$136,737	$129,498	$124,300	110	135	94.70%	1952	12.66

Annual:	2009 – 2010	1849	$239,442,360	$136,737	$129,498	$124,300	110	135	94.70%	1952	12.66
Note: The “Current Inventory” column(s) reflect the number of active(on market) listings on the 16th day of each month. The “Months Inventory” column(s) value(s) equal “Current Inventory” divided by “Monthly Sales”. This reflects how many months it would take to sell out of inventory at the current month’s rate of sale. Total Months Inventory = Total Current Inventory / (Total Monthly Sales/12 Months)

(@mashable) IPad2 rumors everywhere. Gre

annamariehomes — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:21:17 +0000

(@mashable) IPad2 rumors everywhere. Great article about the top 10 rumors circulating. http://on.mash.to/gKTzvJ

Thoughts About the Upcoming Year….

annamariehomes — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:33:12 +0000

I believe that the new congress will be more business friendly and finally start putting the housing downturn in our rear view window. It would also appear that the President has heard the message sent in November and is willing to work with this new group. From where I stand, what makes America great is our ability to change if something isn’t working. Most societies do not have this flexibility and are resistant to change; therefore, can’t move forward.

Interest rates will continue to be volatile because we just don’t have answers about where this economy is headed. Just in the last month we’ve seen the rate on a 30-year mortgage rate go from 4 percent to 4.875 percent and that was after the Federal Reserve said they would buy $600 billion in Treasury securities with the stated goal of stabilizing rates!

Assuming that rates stay in some kind of moderate range —like between 4.25 percent and 5.25 percent— the affordability index will continue to be better than it has in decades. However, underwriting standards will continue to be tight. Lenders are paranoid about having to buy loans back and will be very picky about details, which will drive borrowers crazy.

There is talk about eliminating the tax deduction for mortgage interest. It may well happen, but when it does, it will not be an isolated change. It will be done as part of a more comprehensive overhaul of the tax code, so it should not deter buyers from buying a home.

On the local level, unemployment is at 9-9.5% as of November 2010. We had a total of 670 homes sold and currently 784 on the market. The average sales price is $ 109,132.00.

Hello world!

annamariehomes — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:13:25 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!