Analyst Stephen Kim of Barclays Capital, a global investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, predicts a housing recovery in 2012. Citing recent economic data such as high job creation, housing starts and improved homebuyer traffic as indicators of improvement potential.
“In the absence of a government homebuyer incentives, prices for non-distressed home sales have stabilized for almost a year,” Kim said. “This is the most important trend in the housing industry right now, and we are amazed at how little attention it has been getting from the media and the street. This stability on the part of nondistressed prices has occurred despite a very high share of distressed activity and continued declines in overall prices.”
The key to timing the housing’s recovery, according to Stephen Kim, depends primarily on when first-time buyers feel that it is safe to buy a house.
To read the complete article, go to housingwire.com.
Is your home on the market this winter? We have a few tips to help you brighten your home during these winter months and make showing your home more pleasant and enjoyable for buyers.
- Clear a Path. When snow begins to fall, be sure to shovel a clear path to the front door. Make sure the driveway and walkways are free of snow and ice. Tip: sprinkle a light layer of sand over the sidewalk and steps.
- Let There Be Light. Pull up the blinds and push back the drapes to let in as much natural light as possible. Turn on every light in the house as well to make your home bright and inviting. Tip: brighten dark rooms by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
- Turn Up the Heat. Keep the temperature comfortable. You may want to set your thermostat one or two degrees warmer than usual and set it as normal, prior to the arrival of buyers. This will prevent the heat from loudly kicking on when the buyer is present.
Today we are featuring Patricia Sheehan’s Ann Arbor Listing – 2051 Pauline Court, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
What distinctive features set this home apart?
An end unit, this 2-bedroom, 2 full bathroom Ann Arbor condominium has been very well maintained. Both bedrooms are spacious with generous sized closets. A large finished basement, with view out windows, provides an additional 1,000 square feet of living space. A detached 2.5 car garage is located in front of the unit.
What are the advantages of this location & neighborhood?
On Ann Arbor’s west side, this home is located in a quiet condo community. Within walking distance are shopping, restaurants, CVS, a hardware store, several Doctor’s offices and the University of Michigan football stadium.
If you would like more information about 2051 Pauline Court, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 or if you are interested in scheduling a showing, please contact Patricia Sheehan at (734) 669-6851.
Reinhart is proud to play a role in the fight against hunger in the greater Ann Arbor area and Washtenaw County. The Charles Reinhart Company held a food drive today at our December All Company Meeting. Agents and staff were asked to bring donations of non-perishable food items, such as: rice, dry beans, cereal, granola bars and soup.
Our generous agents and staff donated 1,188 lbs of food in addition to $50 to Ann Arbor’s Food Gatherers. According to Food Gatherers, our donation will be able to provide over 1,300 meals to families throughout the greater Ann Arbor area.
Reinhart home sales in October and November this year were up 15% over the same period last year. Reinhart average sale prices have risen 4.8% in 2011 so far.*
National Media Stories:
*Based on information from the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service for the period 1/1/2011 – 11/30/2011.
Today we are featuring Maria Gilbert’s Dexter Listing – 2244 Loch Highland Drive, Dexter, MI 48130.
What distinctive features set this home apart?
Tucked away off a winding drive is this private 4-bedroom retreat. No details were missed when remodeling, giving this home a top to bottom makeover. This home features a beautiful kitchen with custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliance and granite counter tops. All four bathrooms have been recently remodeled including a dream bathroom attached to the master suite.
What amazing views will the new homeowner be able to enjoy?
On 3.3 acres of wooded, water front property there are plenty of breathtaking views from this home. All new Aluminum-clad high-efficiency Eagle windows have been installed throughout the home, incorporating the beautiful outdoor views as part of your living experience. Extensive landscaping provides year round privacy and beauty that can be enjoyed from the composite decks with tempered glass panels, the stone patio or the screened-in porch.
> Take a virtual tour of this stunning home.
If you would like more information about 2244 Loch Highland Drive, Dexter, MI 48130 or if you are interested in scheduling a showing, please contact Maria Gilbert at (734) 730-9346.
Temperatures have begun to drop. Washtenaw County was blanketed with the first snowfall of the season. It is safe to assume fall weather is behind us. With the change to the winter weather, it is important to make sure your home is ready for the change of seasons by winterizing your home.
Check Your Furnace. Experts recommend that your furnace is cleaned and tuned annually. First, turn on your furnace to make sure it is still working. Check for worn belts, lubrication needs or any other servicing that may be required. Furnace filters should be replaced regularly. A dirty filter impedes air flow reduces efficiency and, in extreme cases, could cause a fire. Refer to your owner’s manual for safety instructions, or call a professional.
Check Your Chimney. Each year, thousands of fires originate in chimneys. Your chimney should be inspected annually. Buying a protective cap with a screen is one of the easiest ways to protect your chimney from flying objects as well as rain that can mix with ash and damage the chimney walls. Keep your chimney’s damper closed when your fireplace isn’t being used to keep cold air out.
Check Your Thermostat. An old thermostat that is off by even a couple degrees can result in a lot of wasted energy and money. Upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Typically, programmable thermostats are incredibly accurate and allow for easy programming of temperatures for different times of the day, helping you to save money and energy.
Check Your Smoke Detector. Take the time to change the batteries and check the operation of your smoke detectors. Install additional detectors in bedrooms if you don’t already have them. It is also a good idea to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.
Trim Nearby Trees. Tree branches that hang near your roof, windows, or driveway can be dangerous. As snow and ice accumulates on tree branches, it will weigh them down, causing them to potentially break, which can lead to significant damage. Trim your branches to protect your roof, windows and cars in your driveway from significant damage.
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