U.S. pending home sales rise from May to June

Home sales deals were up nationwide in June from May, although they fell in the Seattle area.

Pending sales, which may not close but represent more-recent activity, were up by a seasonally adjusted 2.4 percent from May to June nationwide, the National Association of Realtors reported. King county pending sales fell by an unadjusted 3.4 percent from May (compared with an unadjusted nationwide increase of 5.7 percent), according to the most-recent report from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

 

 

http://blog.seattlepi.com/realestatenews/2011/07/28/u-s-pending-home-sales-rise-from-may-to-june/

Home Equity Conversion Mortgages Great for Seniors

The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is a program available to homeowners over the age of 62. The HECM is a type of reverse mortgage that enables homeowners who have little or no mortgage balance to borrow against the equity in their home. The main benefit of this type of loan is that it allows seniors to convert home equity into cash. The FHA insurance program insures this HUD approved loan. This is a good option for senior homeowners who have a small outstanding mortgage and want to cash it out without selling their homes.

Tucson Tops AARP Retirement List

The editors of the AARP Magazine recently selected its Top Ten Best Places to Live a Simple Life. Cities were selected based on U.S. Census demographics and the final list of 25 was culled further by the editors, based on criterion such as low cost of living and geographic diversity. Other factors included walkability, a low crime rate, and access to the outdoors. Cities with universities were favored, for the flavor and culture they bring, along with employment opportunities that fuel jobs and a strong economy.

The list included:

1. Tucson, Arizona
2. Greenville, South Carolina
3. Montpelier Vermont
4. Logan, Utah
5. Ames, Iowa
6. Northampton, Massachusetts
7. Lexington/Fayette, Kentucky
8. Texas Hill Country
9. Oxford, Mississippi
10. Walla Walla, Washington

Read full article here

How to Prune Roses Easily | eHow.com

Keeping your garden tidy will improve its sales value.
Roses need pruning all year. They need winterizing pruning in the fall, and clean up pruning in June after they flower. Roses need to be “dead headed” whenever a blossom is spent, so that the energy of the plant goes into growing new branches and flowers and not into developing rose hips.

How to Prune Roses Easily | eHow.com

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How to Lay Outdoor Tile | eHow.com

Tile can update and improve a home you are putting up for sale. Follow these tips to do it yourself.
Adding a deck or patio will improve the value of your home.
The first stage in any tile project is to measure the area. Tiles come in many sizes. Design your project, making sure to include the meaurements for the space for the grout. Sloping areas should lead to a drain.
How to Lay Outdoor Tile | eHow.com

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MSNBC reports: Seattle #4 to Rebound according to Barbara Corcoran on

MSNBC:

Seattle rated # 4 for rebounding real estate market to rebound. Average home cost is $300,000 and Corcoran says the rebound is because of the well-educated population and good industries, like Microsoft and Amazon.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30825142#30825142

Seattle Named 7th Best Place to Live, Work, and Make Movies

In January, MovieMaker Magazine assembled its Top 10 Movie Cities of 2008, ranking Seattle seventh in the magazine’s annual countdown. Aspects that determined a city’s ranking included availability of production facilities, educational opportunities, networking events, film festivals, screening venues, as well as quality of local talent pool. It also considered the importance of a city’s financial incentives, as well as the environmental conditions created to foster independent moviemaking. Ultimately it was the sum of these parts that determined Seattle’s ranking as one of the best places to live, work, and make movies.

http://www.moviemaker.com/locations/article/top_10_movie_cities_2008_best_places_to_make_movies_20080128/

Seattle Houseboats for Sale

There are currently 13 houseboats for sale in Seattle, ranging in price from $65,000 (for a barge type live-aboard) to $3 million. Contact me if you’d like more information on Seattle houseboats for sale.

View from Lake Union Houseboat in Seattle

How to Reduce Household Spending | eHow.com

How to Reduce Household Spending | eHow.com

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In this time of economic difficulty, we all need to learn to limit our household expenses. Many simple changes around the house can help reduce expenses easily.

Housing Market Index Rises

The NAHB housing market rosee to 16 from 14 in April. Housing starts (new homes being built) was at a record love of 12.8%, an 80% decrease since highs in January 2006. Nearly half of April’s decline was in starts of multifamily homes, as single family homes rose a almost 3%. 

 

Mortgage applications rose nearly 3% as well, and are now 47% above 2008 levels. Refinancing made up three quarters (73.6) of the applications.

 

Freddie Mac reports interest rates of 30-year fixed rates of 4.82.