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May 2012
- 1 -- May Day
- 5 -- Cinco de Mayo
- 5 -- Shred Event at RE/MAX United
- 13 -- Mother's Day
- 28 -- Memorial Day
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May Events and Market Updates
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Hello Friends,
April was a busy month for us here at Linda Trevor & Co and we added a variety of new listings to the market, with many going under contract in just a few short days. We also participated in the National Association of REALTORS® Nationwide Open House this past weekend and are excited about the increased market activity! The latest Market Trends Report shows Pending Sales were up by were up 17.1 percent and the Median Sales Price increased 1.6 percent to $185,000. Overall, the positive news for the first quarter was due to lower interest rates, a decrease in inventory, more scheduled showings, and an increase in pending and closed sales (compared to first quarter 2011).
D.C Visit: In a couple weeks I will be heading to Washington D.C. with other REALTORS® to participate in the “Rally to Protect the American Dream.” Home ownership is so important to our economy and the purpose of this rally is to let the members of Congress know that REALTORS® are concerned about how certain changes currently being discussed within the federal government could hinder this American Dream. I have been attending these legislative meetings for several years now and I always look forward to becoming more aware of the political aspects and how they affect the stability our real estate market.
Shred Event: Gather those pesky papers you’ve been meaning to get rid of and join us this Saturday, May 5 from 8am to 11am for the RE/MAX UNITED Community Service Project Shred Event! This popular event was such a hit last year, it’s been brought back and it’s FREE! Ten boxes are allowed per family so load up your papers and come on out!
And last but not least, two special holidays: May 13th Mother’s Day-thank you to all those with the important role of “mom” and May 28th Memorial Day-a day to remember those soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom!
Warm regards,
Linda Trevor & Co
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New Listings!
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The Spring Market has Arrived!
Check out our new listings below - if you're in the market to buy, we have a variety of townhomes, single family homes, and a custom built luxury estate!
And be sure to click on the address to view the Virtual Tour!
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204 Sunstone Dr, Cary
- Luxury Townhome with Custom Patio!
- 3 BR, 2.5 BA, 2045 SF
- Priced at $299,900
- MLS#1833446
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104 Bronzewood Ct, Cary
- Custom Built Luxury Estate!
- 4 BR, 3 Full BA, 2 Half BA
- 4425 SF, 1.13 Acres
- Priced at $799,000
- MLS#1831396
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Under Contract!
Our Marketing Plan Gets Your Home SOLD!
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Inventory Down, Prices Stabilizing
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Existing-home sales were down in March but continue to outpace year-ago levels, while inventory tightened and home prices are showing further signs of stabilizing, 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 2.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.48 million in March from an upwardly revised 4.60 million in February, but are 5.2 percent above the 4.26 million-unit pace in March 2011.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the recovery is in the process of settling into a higher level of home sales. "The recovery is happening though not at a breakout pace, but we have seen nine consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases," he said. "Existing-home sales are moving up and down in a fairly narrow range that is well above the level of activity during the first half of last year. With job growth, low interest rates, bargain home prices and an improving economy, the pent-up demand is coming to market and we expect housing to be notably better this year."
Total housing inventory at the end of March declined 1.3 percent to 2.37 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 6.3-month supply at the current sales pace, the same as in February. Listed inventory is 21.8 percent below a year ago and well below the record of 4.04 million in July 2007.
The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $163,800 in March, up 2.5 percent from March 2011. Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales sold at deep discounts – accounted for 29 percent of March sales (18 percent were foreclosures and 11 percent were short sales), compared with 34 percent in February and 40 percent in March 2011.
Foreclosures typically sold for an average 19 percent below market price in March, while short sales were discounted 16 percent.
According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage was 3.95 percent in March, up from a record low 3.89 percent in February; the rate was 4.84 percent in March 2011.
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Cleaning Your Home the Green Way
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Everybody's going green! Whether you've jumped on the bandwagon or not, it can't hurt to make an attempt to use less toxic household cleaners. Many detergents, fabric softeners, ammonia and bleaches have negative affects on your health and the environment.
One solution is to start making your own cleaners using non-toxic, ecologically safe products. This can be done pretty quickly with products you probably already have around the house: white vinegar, baking soda, borax, baking soda and a spray bottle.
- All Purpose Cleaner -- Mix together 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon borax and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Put it in a spray bottle and use on floors, counter tops, walls, carpets and upholstery.
- Glass and Mildew Cleaner -- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spray on glass or mildew to clean. If you are sensitive to the smell of vinegar, try this alternative: mix 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
- Drain Opener -- Dissolve 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar in boiling water and pour down the drain. Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog breaks. Flush drain with boiling water weekly to avoid buildup.
- Scouring Powder -- Sprinkle borax to get stains off porcelain sinks; baking soda effectively removes baked-on food from a dishes.
- Linoleum and Tile Floor Cleaner -- Mix 1 gallon hot or warm water with 1/2 cup vinegar.
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner -- Put 1/4 cup borax in toilet bowl and let set overnight, scrub the next day.
Another solution is to buy "green" cleaning products or cleaners that avoid toxic ingredients like corrosives, chlorine bleach, ammonia, phosphates and petroleum products. You may not be able to eliminate all your cleaners but even small changes help make a difference.
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