I woke up one day this past week after the rains with the cool fall breeze rustling the trees in my yard. In one week, we’ve moved from sweltering-hot-turn-up-the-AC to long sleeves and finding the thicker comforter. Lots of people I know got ill during this transition – or maybe it’s allergies.
This month’s newsletter features a follow-up to President Bush’s announced initiatives in August to respond to the home mortgage crisis. The FAQ column answers an excellent question from a buyer I met at an open house in Stevenson Ranch. I’ve consolidated the housing market news to one article for all the 3 valleys I primarily serve, instead of having one article for each of the 3 areas.
In this time when we’re saving money, I’ve included an article on kitchen refinishing by painting cabinets and another on painting the outside of the home.
I continue to focus on my weekly news blog because in this time of transition, the most knowledgeable buyers and sellers are the ones who are able to take advantage of the current real estate market. You can view and subscribe to this blog at http://changhomesnews.blogspot.com/.
The “Over The Fence” newsletter PDF (http://www.homewarranty.com/pdfs/signup/27568-English.pdf) features having an eco-friendly Halloween, keeping Halloween safe for pets, pathway lighting and pumpkin recipes.
As my newsletter content grows, I’m putting more and more of the articles on my blog at http://changhomes1.blogspot.com/. One such article is the October 2007 Celebrations and Observances – which has been expanded to include special days of the month.
As always, all articles I have written in this newsletter are reprinted in easier-to-read format at http://changhomes1.blogspot.com/. A bonus article explains that in this market, home staging is more important than ever. The cost for staging can pay off in a higher selling price.
Stay warm, enjoy the pumpkin pies and please call me if you have questions or if I can be of service to you. I can be reached at 661-312-1232 or via changhomes@gmail.com.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Passage of the “Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007”
Legislation will reform FHA and help ease the fallout from mortgage market turmoil
Last newsletter, I mentioned initiatives proposed by President Bush to alleviate the current crisis in the home mortgage industry. One of those programs passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 21.
H.R. 1852, the “Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007,” was introduced by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and modernizes the FHA mortgage insurance program, providing American homeowners with safe, affordable mortgage alternatives that are fairly priced without resorting to teaser rates or negative amortization.
“An amendment by California Representatives Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.), and Barney Frank (D-Mass.) to H.R. 1852 increases the FHA loan limits to 125 percent of an area’s median home price, with a cap at $729,750. By contrast, the current FHA loan limit is only $362,790,” said California Association of REALTORS® President Colleen Badagliacco. “For high-cost states like California, this legislation is especially critical,” she said. “The median price of a home in California ranges from $841,660 in the San Francisco Bay Area to $709,720 in Orange County and $601,730 in San Diego.
“Passage of the ‘Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007’ will give home buyers in high-cost areas like California an affordable mortgage alternative instead having to resort to significantly more expensive subprime loans,” she said. “The Frank/Miller/Cardoza amendment also will give the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development the flexibility needed to respond to changing market conditions.”
This legislation is now awaiting passage in the U.S. Senate before it goes to the President’s desk for an expected signature into law.
Last newsletter, I mentioned initiatives proposed by President Bush to alleviate the current crisis in the home mortgage industry. One of those programs passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 21.
H.R. 1852, the “Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007,” was introduced by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and modernizes the FHA mortgage insurance program, providing American homeowners with safe, affordable mortgage alternatives that are fairly priced without resorting to teaser rates or negative amortization.
“An amendment by California Representatives Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.), and Barney Frank (D-Mass.) to H.R. 1852 increases the FHA loan limits to 125 percent of an area’s median home price, with a cap at $729,750. By contrast, the current FHA loan limit is only $362,790,” said California Association of REALTORS® President Colleen Badagliacco. “For high-cost states like California, this legislation is especially critical,” she said. “The median price of a home in California ranges from $841,660 in the San Francisco Bay Area to $709,720 in Orange County and $601,730 in San Diego.
“Passage of the ‘Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007’ will give home buyers in high-cost areas like California an affordable mortgage alternative instead having to resort to significantly more expensive subprime loans,” she said. “The Frank/Miller/Cardoza amendment also will give the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development the flexibility needed to respond to changing market conditions.”
This legislation is now awaiting passage in the U.S. Senate before it goes to the President’s desk for an expected signature into law.
Staging a Home is Now Vital!
This article is republished from the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS(R) website.
The house could be identical to dozens of others in the same neighborhood, yet prospective buyers wind up captivated by one particular home.
Why does this house sell faster and at a higher price than its twin just down the street? Why do buyers fall in love with this particular home?
An experienced real estate licensee can instantly spot the magic - staging.
It's up to the real estate professional to persuade home sellers to let them properly stage a house, to find perfection that captures a buyer's heart and imagination.
Staging is much more than merely sprucing up a house with the essentials, the basics of painting, cleaning and getting rid of clutter.
Staging requires all the skills of a top designer. It adds fine detail that appeals to all five senses. It creates moods. It makes a house inviting, appealing, and comfort-able. Staging paints a sensuous portrait.
A home that is priced right and staged properly typically will sell for more and in half the time it takes to move others.
Unlike just a short while ago when sellers did not have to do anything to sell a home, now every advantage is needed to make a house stand out from the competition. Real estate pros and savvy home sellers under-stand that staging is a vital piece of the modern residential housing marketing scheme.
The cost of staging a home can run from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the location, size of the house and list price. Yet, whatever is spent, staging typically winds up being a short-term, high-yield investment that produces an equal or greater return within a matter of months.
Experienced real estate professionals know how much staging is enough. If the real estate licensee lacks the flair and expertise to stage a home on their own, then they need to find an accredited staging professional who can assist the home owner.
Once the decision to stage is made, the process can be completed within a matter of days.
Sometimes, all the current furnishings go into storage to be replaced by pieces that create themes for each space and accomplish specific goals:
The house could be identical to dozens of others in the same neighborhood, yet prospective buyers wind up captivated by one particular home.
Why does this house sell faster and at a higher price than its twin just down the street? Why do buyers fall in love with this particular home?
An experienced real estate licensee can instantly spot the magic - staging.
It's up to the real estate professional to persuade home sellers to let them properly stage a house, to find perfection that captures a buyer's heart and imagination.
Staging is much more than merely sprucing up a house with the essentials, the basics of painting, cleaning and getting rid of clutter.
Staging requires all the skills of a top designer. It adds fine detail that appeals to all five senses. It creates moods. It makes a house inviting, appealing, and comfort-able. Staging paints a sensuous portrait.
A home that is priced right and staged properly typically will sell for more and in half the time it takes to move others.
Unlike just a short while ago when sellers did not have to do anything to sell a home, now every advantage is needed to make a house stand out from the competition. Real estate pros and savvy home sellers under-stand that staging is a vital piece of the modern residential housing marketing scheme.
The cost of staging a home can run from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the location, size of the house and list price. Yet, whatever is spent, staging typically winds up being a short-term, high-yield investment that produces an equal or greater return within a matter of months.
Experienced real estate professionals know how much staging is enough. If the real estate licensee lacks the flair and expertise to stage a home on their own, then they need to find an accredited staging professional who can assist the home owner.
Once the decision to stage is made, the process can be completed within a matter of days.
Sometimes, all the current furnishings go into storage to be replaced by pieces that create themes for each space and accomplish specific goals:
- Make living rooms light and fresh
- Highlight lots of space in closets
- Bring a five-star hotel quality to bathrooms
- Create bedrooms that are comfortable and inviting
- Make the kitchen the focal point of the house, a room that is functional, modern and fun.
- Furniture can be arranged into a vignette that evokes a particular feeling.
- Silk or satin swatches that create a feeling of softness and comfort can be draped over chairs, making a space warm and inviting.
- Fresh cut sprigs can be brought indoors to add freshness while hinting at a backyard's beauty.
FAQ: What is Mello-Roos?
Ever since I started publishing Frequently Asked Questions for Real Estate, the questions get better and better. I am pleased to announce that beginning with the next issue, I will provide a gift card to the person whose question I feature in this column. I think it’s well-deserved! As always, I will answer your questions when you ask them, and I will let you know if it is a candidate for this column. So, please, ask away! And email those questions to changhomes@gmail.com.
In short, Mello-Roos is a special tax is imposed on real property owners based on the size of their home to pay for infrastructure improvements such as streets, water, sewage and drainage, electricity, infrastructure, schools, parks and police protection to newly developing areas.
Homeowners pay for Mello-Roos as part of their Los Angeles County property tax bill, which pays for the principal and interest on bonds that were taken out when the builder first built on the land for these infrastructure improvements.
Background
This method of financing came about in 1982 and was a direct result of the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 in California, which limited the amount of revenue that could be raised to support new developments through traditional means. Only those new developments that choose to create a Community Facilities District impose this added tax burden on homeowners. Otherwise the infrastructure improvements are shouldered on the builder-developers of the subdivision.
Builders choose not to pay for these infrastructure improvements to keep new home prices competitive to homes built in already-established areas.
Bonds usually run for 20 to 40 years and are repaid by homeowners. This means for example that your "overall tax burden" when you purchase a home with Mello Roos financing can be 60%, 80%, or 100% higher than your basic property tax obligation would be if you purchased the same home without Mello Roos financing. Often, once bonds are paid, the Community Facilities District still bills a substantially lower amount to cover continued maintenance of the infrastructure improvements.
Amount
Typically, an adopted formula that relates to the size of the home (square footage or lot size) is used to determine the amount of an individual assessment. In general, the special taxes and assessments do not exceed 1% to 1.5% of the market value of new homes. Moreover, the total amount of all annual taxes (including property tax) usually does not exceed 2% to 2.5% of the home’s market value.
The amount can increase, but only at a maximum rate of 2% per year over a 25 years period. On the other hand, it’s possible that this tax will decrease, should state or other funds become available that could be used to reduce existing bond indebtedness, or be used to construct new facilities in lieu of additional bond sales.
If it’s part of the Property Tax Bill, is it tax-deductible?
Mello-Roos taxes cannot be deducted if they are assessed to fund local benefits and improvements that tend to increase the value of your property. Mello-Roos taxes may appear on annual county property tax bill with other deductible property taxes. That does not mean one can deduct the Mello-Roos taxes. One may only be able to deduct a portion of the total property tax shown on your bill.
To deduct local benefit taxes, one must be able to show the amount of the taxes that are for maintenance, repair, or interest. If one cannot show what part of the local benefit taxes are for these charges, one cannot deduct the taxes.
For tax advice, please consult your tax preparer or CPA.
School Debate in the Santa Clarita Valley Rooted in Mello-Roos
William S. Hart Union High School District School Board meeting in early February 2007 turned heated when plans were announced to bus incoming freshmen from Castaic to West Ranch High School beginning 2009 until a new Castaic high school is completed in 2011.
The February 9, 2007, Santa Clarita Signal reported this plan didn't go over well with Stevenson Ranch families who want West Ranch High School - a school their Mello-Roos developer fees help maintain - to have exclusively Stevenson Ranch students.
There were both shouts of support and "boos" from the audience when people expressed their concern that Castaic students were clogging up a school site that Stevenson Ranch residents had paid top dollar for.
Based on their home's square footage, Stevenson Ranch residents pay anywhere from $1,600 to $4,000 in Mello-Roos funds on top of their property taxes.
"When we moved to Stevenson Ranch, we paid for all these schools. We're paying for (West Ranch)," resident Karyn Malchus said. "The e-mails are flying. This is huge."
Through the course of the night, tensions between the Castaic-area residents and the Stevenson Ranch area residents grew more heated.
Sources: California Tax Data of Irvine, CA, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Santa Clarita Signal.
Disclaimer: Mr. Chang has helped numerous families with purchasing and selling homes in Mello-Roos districts, but he is not an expert in law or taxes. Please consult your attorney, tax advisor, CPA or tax preparer for additional information regarding this topic.
Questions answered in this column were asked by my clients, past clients, or prospective buyers and sellers. The questions were answered when they were asked, and they were notified if the question is a candidate for the FAQ column. Questions are chosen based on interest to a wider audience, timeliness to the current market, and possibly other factors. Those whose questions are featured in this column get a gift card to their favorite store, restaurant, mall or movie theatre in the Tri-Valley area if they allow me to publish their name or initials and the city in which they live in this column. You can email your questions for a prompt response to changhomes@gmail.com.
In short, Mello-Roos is a special tax is imposed on real property owners based on the size of their home to pay for infrastructure improvements such as streets, water, sewage and drainage, electricity, infrastructure, schools, parks and police protection to newly developing areas.
Homeowners pay for Mello-Roos as part of their Los Angeles County property tax bill, which pays for the principal and interest on bonds that were taken out when the builder first built on the land for these infrastructure improvements.
Background
This method of financing came about in 1982 and was a direct result of the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 in California, which limited the amount of revenue that could be raised to support new developments through traditional means. Only those new developments that choose to create a Community Facilities District impose this added tax burden on homeowners. Otherwise the infrastructure improvements are shouldered on the builder-developers of the subdivision.
Builders choose not to pay for these infrastructure improvements to keep new home prices competitive to homes built in already-established areas.
Bonds usually run for 20 to 40 years and are repaid by homeowners. This means for example that your "overall tax burden" when you purchase a home with Mello Roos financing can be 60%, 80%, or 100% higher than your basic property tax obligation would be if you purchased the same home without Mello Roos financing. Often, once bonds are paid, the Community Facilities District still bills a substantially lower amount to cover continued maintenance of the infrastructure improvements.
Amount
Typically, an adopted formula that relates to the size of the home (square footage or lot size) is used to determine the amount of an individual assessment. In general, the special taxes and assessments do not exceed 1% to 1.5% of the market value of new homes. Moreover, the total amount of all annual taxes (including property tax) usually does not exceed 2% to 2.5% of the home’s market value.
The amount can increase, but only at a maximum rate of 2% per year over a 25 years period. On the other hand, it’s possible that this tax will decrease, should state or other funds become available that could be used to reduce existing bond indebtedness, or be used to construct new facilities in lieu of additional bond sales.
If it’s part of the Property Tax Bill, is it tax-deductible?
Mello-Roos taxes cannot be deducted if they are assessed to fund local benefits and improvements that tend to increase the value of your property. Mello-Roos taxes may appear on annual county property tax bill with other deductible property taxes. That does not mean one can deduct the Mello-Roos taxes. One may only be able to deduct a portion of the total property tax shown on your bill.
To deduct local benefit taxes, one must be able to show the amount of the taxes that are for maintenance, repair, or interest. If one cannot show what part of the local benefit taxes are for these charges, one cannot deduct the taxes.
For tax advice, please consult your tax preparer or CPA.
School Debate in the Santa Clarita Valley Rooted in Mello-Roos
William S. Hart Union High School District School Board meeting in early February 2007 turned heated when plans were announced to bus incoming freshmen from Castaic to West Ranch High School beginning 2009 until a new Castaic high school is completed in 2011.
The February 9, 2007, Santa Clarita Signal reported this plan didn't go over well with Stevenson Ranch families who want West Ranch High School - a school their Mello-Roos developer fees help maintain - to have exclusively Stevenson Ranch students.
There were both shouts of support and "boos" from the audience when people expressed their concern that Castaic students were clogging up a school site that Stevenson Ranch residents had paid top dollar for.
Based on their home's square footage, Stevenson Ranch residents pay anywhere from $1,600 to $4,000 in Mello-Roos funds on top of their property taxes.
"When we moved to Stevenson Ranch, we paid for all these schools. We're paying for (West Ranch)," resident Karyn Malchus said. "The e-mails are flying. This is huge."
Through the course of the night, tensions between the Castaic-area residents and the Stevenson Ranch area residents grew more heated.
Sources: California Tax Data of Irvine, CA, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Santa Clarita Signal.
Disclaimer: Mr. Chang has helped numerous families with purchasing and selling homes in Mello-Roos districts, but he is not an expert in law or taxes. Please consult your attorney, tax advisor, CPA or tax preparer for additional information regarding this topic.
Questions answered in this column were asked by my clients, past clients, or prospective buyers and sellers. The questions were answered when they were asked, and they were notified if the question is a candidate for the FAQ column. Questions are chosen based on interest to a wider audience, timeliness to the current market, and possibly other factors. Those whose questions are featured in this column get a gift card to their favorite store, restaurant, mall or movie theatre in the Tri-Valley area if they allow me to publish their name or initials and the city in which they live in this column. You can email your questions for a prompt response to changhomes@gmail.com.
Housing Market at a Glance for the SFV, SCV, and AV
I expect new data to be released this upcoming week – please check my news blog at http://changhomesnews.blogspot.com/ for the latest once it’s released.
San Fernando Valley Home Sales Down 24% during July; median price of $630,000 up 4%
Ongoing turmoil within the home lending industry, tighter qualifying standards for home loans and the negative psychological impact both have on prospective home buyers squeezed the single-family home resale market in the San Fernando Valley during July, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors reported recently.
A total of 617 single-family homes changed owners during July, down 23.7 percent from the 809 sales of a year ago and 10.6 percent lower than the June tally.
Reflecting more activity in higher price ranges, the single-family median price of $630,000 was up 3.8 percent in July compared to a year ago. However, it was off 3.8 percent from the record-high of $655,000 that was set this June.
Realtors also assisted in the sale last month of 276 condominiums. That total was down 12.9 percent from a year ago, but up 12.7 percent from the June total.
The median price of the 276 condos that changed owners last month was $407,500, up 1.9 percent from a year ago and from the June 2007 figure. The condo median has been hovering around the $400,000 market since the record high of $415,000 was set in February 2006.
Reports of problems in the relatively small so-called sub-prime sector of the home loan industry has the biggest impact on first-time home buyers. The sub-prime market catered to buyers with a weak or flawed credit history and limited income.
Even some buyers with good credit and money for a down payment are sitting on the sidelines, hesitant to jump into the market because of the negative publicity and unfounded fears that prices may drop.
“Prices in the San Fernando Valley are unlikely to fall much,” Wayne Chang, REALTOR® with RE/MAX of Valencia said.
Instead, Chang said, the Valley’s established communities and mature, vibrant economy suggest it will weather this market readjustment with little impact on resale price.
A total of 7,195 properties were listed on the Association’s Multiple Listing Service, up 12.8 percent from a year ago and 5.4 percent higher than the total reported this June.
At the current pace of sales, the inventory represents an 8.6-month supply, slightly higher than the 5- to 6-month inventory that represents a balanced market. During the height of the sellers’ market, the inventory frequently hovered at less than a 1-month supply.
Santa Clarita Valley home sales down 18%; Median price of $570,000 off 5.8%
Realtors negotiated the sale of 194 single-family homes in the Santa Clarita Valley during July, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors reported recently.
That total was down 18.1 percent from a year ago and 5.8 percent below the June tally. “Some prospective home buyers are sitting on the sidelines because they are unsure of where the market is going,” said Wayne W. Chang, REALTOR® with RE/MAX of Valencia.
“With the continuing changes in the mortgage industry, these buyers may find themselves priced out of the market by waiting on the sidelines now,” Chang said.
The median price of the single-family homes sold last month was $570,000, down 5.8 percent from a year. The median has beenhovering around the $600,000 mark since the record high of $640,000 was set in April of 2006.
Realtors also negotiated 83 condominiums during July. That figure was down 32.0 percent from a year ago but up 16.9 percent from this June.
A total of 286 properties were open escrow – a measure of future activity – at the end of July. That was down 18.3 percent from a year ago July and off 2.1 percent on a month-to-month basis. Both numbers are better than what has been reporting recently, suggesting that the Santa Clarita Valley housing market is beginning to level off.
“The local market is in the doldrums right now,” said Jim Link, the Association’s executive vice president. “Buyers who are unfamiliar with Santa Clarita are hesitant to jump in until they can feel the wind blowing in specific direction. Yet, by then, they may have missed great opportunities.
A total of 2,358 properties were listed for sale at the end of July. That was down 5.4 percent from a year ago and up only 1.6 percent from the total reported at the end of June of this year.
At the current pace of sales, the inventory represents an 8.5-month supply, considerably improved from the less than 1-month supply that was common during the recent sellers’ boom, yet only slightly above the 5- to 6-month supply regarded by industry experts as the sign of a balanced market.
Antelope Valley Summary
The AV continues to be a buyer’s market. As of early August, the latest that data was available for Antelope Valley residential inventory, there was a total of 5902 homes on the market.
Additional data available September 7, 2007, shows the number of residential listings rose 13% in August while prices dropped 12% in the Antelope Valley region.
Number of units sold was down 62% comparing August '07 to August '06, and sales prices were down 13% comparing August '07 to August '06.
~~
Please check my news blog at http://changhomesnews.blogspot.com/ for the latest market figures once they are released the first week of the month. If you have any questions, please contact changhomes@gmail.com.
San Fernando Valley Home Sales Down 24% during July; median price of $630,000 up 4%
Ongoing turmoil within the home lending industry, tighter qualifying standards for home loans and the negative psychological impact both have on prospective home buyers squeezed the single-family home resale market in the San Fernando Valley during July, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors reported recently.
A total of 617 single-family homes changed owners during July, down 23.7 percent from the 809 sales of a year ago and 10.6 percent lower than the June tally.
Reflecting more activity in higher price ranges, the single-family median price of $630,000 was up 3.8 percent in July compared to a year ago. However, it was off 3.8 percent from the record-high of $655,000 that was set this June.
Realtors also assisted in the sale last month of 276 condominiums. That total was down 12.9 percent from a year ago, but up 12.7 percent from the June total.
The median price of the 276 condos that changed owners last month was $407,500, up 1.9 percent from a year ago and from the June 2007 figure. The condo median has been hovering around the $400,000 market since the record high of $415,000 was set in February 2006.
Reports of problems in the relatively small so-called sub-prime sector of the home loan industry has the biggest impact on first-time home buyers. The sub-prime market catered to buyers with a weak or flawed credit history and limited income.
Even some buyers with good credit and money for a down payment are sitting on the sidelines, hesitant to jump into the market because of the negative publicity and unfounded fears that prices may drop.
“Prices in the San Fernando Valley are unlikely to fall much,” Wayne Chang, REALTOR® with RE/MAX of Valencia said.
Instead, Chang said, the Valley’s established communities and mature, vibrant economy suggest it will weather this market readjustment with little impact on resale price.
A total of 7,195 properties were listed on the Association’s Multiple Listing Service, up 12.8 percent from a year ago and 5.4 percent higher than the total reported this June.
At the current pace of sales, the inventory represents an 8.6-month supply, slightly higher than the 5- to 6-month inventory that represents a balanced market. During the height of the sellers’ market, the inventory frequently hovered at less than a 1-month supply.
Santa Clarita Valley home sales down 18%; Median price of $570,000 off 5.8%
Realtors negotiated the sale of 194 single-family homes in the Santa Clarita Valley during July, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors reported recently.
That total was down 18.1 percent from a year ago and 5.8 percent below the June tally. “Some prospective home buyers are sitting on the sidelines because they are unsure of where the market is going,” said Wayne W. Chang, REALTOR® with RE/MAX of Valencia.
“With the continuing changes in the mortgage industry, these buyers may find themselves priced out of the market by waiting on the sidelines now,” Chang said.
The median price of the single-family homes sold last month was $570,000, down 5.8 percent from a year. The median has beenhovering around the $600,000 mark since the record high of $640,000 was set in April of 2006.
Realtors also negotiated 83 condominiums during July. That figure was down 32.0 percent from a year ago but up 16.9 percent from this June.
A total of 286 properties were open escrow – a measure of future activity – at the end of July. That was down 18.3 percent from a year ago July and off 2.1 percent on a month-to-month basis. Both numbers are better than what has been reporting recently, suggesting that the Santa Clarita Valley housing market is beginning to level off.
“The local market is in the doldrums right now,” said Jim Link, the Association’s executive vice president. “Buyers who are unfamiliar with Santa Clarita are hesitant to jump in until they can feel the wind blowing in specific direction. Yet, by then, they may have missed great opportunities.
A total of 2,358 properties were listed for sale at the end of July. That was down 5.4 percent from a year ago and up only 1.6 percent from the total reported at the end of June of this year.
At the current pace of sales, the inventory represents an 8.5-month supply, considerably improved from the less than 1-month supply that was common during the recent sellers’ boom, yet only slightly above the 5- to 6-month supply regarded by industry experts as the sign of a balanced market.
Antelope Valley Summary
The AV continues to be a buyer’s market. As of early August, the latest that data was available for Antelope Valley residential inventory, there was a total of 5902 homes on the market.
Additional data available September 7, 2007, shows the number of residential listings rose 13% in August while prices dropped 12% in the Antelope Valley region.
Number of units sold was down 62% comparing August '07 to August '06, and sales prices were down 13% comparing August '07 to August '06.
~~
Please check my news blog at http://changhomesnews.blogspot.com/ for the latest market figures once they are released the first week of the month. If you have any questions, please contact changhomes@gmail.com.
October 2007 Celebrations and Observances
Month Long Observances
Adopt-a-Shelter-Animal Month
Computer Learning Month
Family History MonthCheck out my page for this special day!
National Apple Month
National Clock Month
National Dessert Month
National Pizza MonthCheck out my page for this special day!
National Popcorn Popping MonthCheck out my page for this special day!
National Roller Skating Month
Polish American History Month
National Stamp Collecting Month
Week Long Observances
1st Week - Fire Prevention Week
2nd Week - Teen Read Week
October 1st
Child Health Day
Homemade Cookies Day
World Vegetarian Day
October 2nd
Name Your Car Day
Peanuts Comic Strip First PublishedIn 1950.
October 3rd
Captain Kangaroo DayThe show first aired on this day in 1955.
SOS EstablishedDesignated as international distress code in 1906.
October 4th
National Golf Day
Sputnik I LaunchedThe first space vehicle - launched in 1957. Check out my page for this special day!
October 5th
Ray Kroc's BirthdayFounder of McDonalds. Born in 1902.
World Teacher Day
October 6th
Thomas Edison Shows 1st Motion PictureIn 1889.
October 7th
American Bandstand PremieredIn 1957.
October 8th
Columbus Day
Indigenous People's Day
J. Frank Duryea's BirthdayBorn in 1869. His brother, Charles, and him built and oprated the first automobile in the US. He also won America's first automobile race.
Thanksgiving Day in Canada
October 9th
First Two-Way Telephone ConversationIn 1876.
Leif Ericson Day
Moldy Cheese Day
The Count's BirthdaySesame Street Character.
October 10th
Henry Cavendish's BirthdayBorn in England in 1731.
October 11th
Eleanor Roosevelt's BirthdayBorn in born 1884.
First Steam-Powered Ferryboat Begins OperationName the "Juliana", began operation in 1811.
October 12th
Día de la RazaCelebrate in Mexico.
Farmer's Day
October 13th
First Aerial Photo in USTaken from a balloon in Boston in 1860.
Margaret Thatcher's BirthdayBorn in 1925.
October 14th
Grover's BirthdaySesame Street Character.
October 15th
National Grouch Day
National Poetry Day
October 16th
Boss's Day
Dictionary Day
World Food DayCheck out my page for this special day!
October 17th
Black Poetry DayHonoring the birthday of Jupiter Hammon. He was the first American black to publish his poetry.
October 18th
Alaska DayThe anniversary of the transfer of the territory and the raising of the US. flag at Sitka on this day in 1867.
Little Orphan Annie's BirthdayComic strip character, in 1922.
Puerto Rico Became U.S. ColonyIn 1898.
October 19th
Star Spangled Banner First SungIn 1814.
Thomas Edison Demonstrated Electric LightSuccessfully in 1879.
October 20th
Mickey Mantle's BirthdayBorn on this day in 1931 in Spavinaw, Oklahoma.
Monster Mash DayOn this day in 1962 the Monster mash, by Bobby "Boris" Picket and the Crypt Kickers, reached number 1 in the music charts and stayed there for 2 weeks!.
Sweetest DayThird Saturday in October.
October 21st
Guggenheim Museum OpensThe Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art opened in New York City on October 21, 1959.
Mother-in-Law's Day
October 22nd
National Nut Day
October 23rd
Edison Pele's BirthdayBrazilian soccer player, born in 1940.
October 24th
Betty Lou's BirthdaySesame Street Character.
National Bologna Day
United Nations Day
October 25th
National Denim Day
Pablo Picasso's BirthdayBorn in Spain in 1881.
October 26th
Hilary Rodham Clinton's BirthdayBorn in 1947.
International Red Cross OrganizedIn Geneva, Switzerland in 1863.
October 27th
Theodore Roosevelt's BirthdayBorn in 1858.
October 28th
Plush Animal Lover's Day
Statue of Liberty's Birthday
October 29th
National Organization of Women FoundedIn 1966.
October 30th
John Adams' BirthdayIn 1735.
October 31st
Halloween
Juliette Gordon Low's BirthdayBorn in 1860, she was the woman who the started Girl Scouting in the United States in 1912.
Courtesy: About.com Family Crafts
Adopt-a-Shelter-Animal Month
Computer Learning Month
Family History MonthCheck out my page for this special day!
National Apple Month
National Clock Month
National Dessert Month
National Pizza MonthCheck out my page for this special day!
National Popcorn Popping MonthCheck out my page for this special day!
National Roller Skating Month
Polish American History Month
National Stamp Collecting Month
Week Long Observances
1st Week - Fire Prevention Week
2nd Week - Teen Read Week
October 1st
Child Health Day
Homemade Cookies Day
World Vegetarian Day
October 2nd
Name Your Car Day
Peanuts Comic Strip First PublishedIn 1950.
October 3rd
Captain Kangaroo DayThe show first aired on this day in 1955.
SOS EstablishedDesignated as international distress code in 1906.
October 4th
National Golf Day
Sputnik I LaunchedThe first space vehicle - launched in 1957. Check out my page for this special day!
October 5th
Ray Kroc's BirthdayFounder of McDonalds. Born in 1902.
World Teacher Day
October 6th
Thomas Edison Shows 1st Motion PictureIn 1889.
October 7th
American Bandstand PremieredIn 1957.
October 8th
Columbus Day
Indigenous People's Day
J. Frank Duryea's BirthdayBorn in 1869. His brother, Charles, and him built and oprated the first automobile in the US. He also won America's first automobile race.
Thanksgiving Day in Canada
October 9th
First Two-Way Telephone ConversationIn 1876.
Leif Ericson Day
Moldy Cheese Day
The Count's BirthdaySesame Street Character.
October 10th
Henry Cavendish's BirthdayBorn in England in 1731.
October 11th
Eleanor Roosevelt's BirthdayBorn in born 1884.
First Steam-Powered Ferryboat Begins OperationName the "Juliana", began operation in 1811.
October 12th
Día de la RazaCelebrate in Mexico.
Farmer's Day
October 13th
First Aerial Photo in USTaken from a balloon in Boston in 1860.
Margaret Thatcher's BirthdayBorn in 1925.
October 14th
Grover's BirthdaySesame Street Character.
October 15th
National Grouch Day
National Poetry Day
October 16th
Boss's Day
Dictionary Day
World Food DayCheck out my page for this special day!
October 17th
Black Poetry DayHonoring the birthday of Jupiter Hammon. He was the first American black to publish his poetry.
October 18th
Alaska DayThe anniversary of the transfer of the territory and the raising of the US. flag at Sitka on this day in 1867.
Little Orphan Annie's BirthdayComic strip character, in 1922.
Puerto Rico Became U.S. ColonyIn 1898.
October 19th
Star Spangled Banner First SungIn 1814.
Thomas Edison Demonstrated Electric LightSuccessfully in 1879.
October 20th
Mickey Mantle's BirthdayBorn on this day in 1931 in Spavinaw, Oklahoma.
Monster Mash DayOn this day in 1962 the Monster mash, by Bobby "Boris" Picket and the Crypt Kickers, reached number 1 in the music charts and stayed there for 2 weeks!.
Sweetest DayThird Saturday in October.
October 21st
Guggenheim Museum OpensThe Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art opened in New York City on October 21, 1959.
Mother-in-Law's Day
October 22nd
National Nut Day
October 23rd
Edison Pele's BirthdayBrazilian soccer player, born in 1940.
October 24th
Betty Lou's BirthdaySesame Street Character.
National Bologna Day
United Nations Day
October 25th
National Denim Day
Pablo Picasso's BirthdayBorn in Spain in 1881.
October 26th
Hilary Rodham Clinton's BirthdayBorn in 1947.
International Red Cross OrganizedIn Geneva, Switzerland in 1863.
October 27th
Theodore Roosevelt's BirthdayBorn in 1858.
October 28th
Plush Animal Lover's Day
Statue of Liberty's Birthday
October 29th
National Organization of Women FoundedIn 1966.
October 30th
John Adams' BirthdayIn 1735.
October 31st
Halloween
Juliette Gordon Low's BirthdayBorn in 1860, she was the woman who the started Girl Scouting in the United States in 1912.
Courtesy: About.com Family Crafts
News Blog Attracts Attention at http://changhomesnews.blogspot.com
This week’s news blog features excerpts from the Associated Press, the LA Times and CNN on reports that new solar-powered homes are beginning to outsell traditionally-wired homes in the Shouthland, national housing and mortgage application trends continue to point downward and 2 non-profit resources are deluged with calls seeking help to avoid foreclosures. For details, point your web browser to http://changhomesnews.blogspot.com/. You can easily subscribe to its weekly reports so you stay current on the financial and real estate news that can affect home purchases and sales in the Tri-Valley area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
