-
Real Estate Update |
January 20091 -- New Year's Day |
|
|
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. |
Existing-Home Sales Down in NovemberAccording to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales weakened against a backdrop of an eroding economy. Existing-home sales -- including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops -- fell 8.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.49 million units in November from a downwardly revised level of 4.91 million in October, and are 10.6 percent below the 5.02 million-unit pace in November 2007. "The quickly deteriorating conditions in the job market, stock market, and consumer confidence in October and November have knocked down home sales to another level," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, who expected a decline. "We hope the home sales impact from the stock market crash turns out to be short-lived, as was the case in 1987 and 2001." “It is, therefore, imperative to provide incentives for home buyers to get back into the market. It also depends on how effectively Congress and the new administration can help facilitate the short sales process and unclog the mortgage pipeline -- impediments remain for some buyers with good credit.” According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.09 percent in November from 6.20 percent in October; the rate was 6.21 percent in November 2007. As of late November, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year rate fell to 5.19 percent -- the lowest on record since the series began in 1971. |
|
|
Do it now. It is not safe to leave a generous feeling to the cooling influences of the world. |
Baking with Kids Offers Many BenefitsBaking at home with the kids is a great way to get them involved in cooking. In addition, it's a wonderful way to teach, share and spend some quality time with your family. Kids love to make a mess, and eating something they helped make is sure to bring a smile. But, there's more to baking then just fun; it also provides the perfect opportunity for some incidental learning.
To keep baking fun, be sure to assign tasks suited to their abilities, and praise them when they get it right. Keep the experience positive, even if things don't come out the way you wanted. Children as young as 2 or 3 can help with simple activities like sifting flour, mixing and decorating. Around age 6, kids enjoy measuring, cracking eggs and using a beater. By 10, most kids have the coordination to operate blenders, microwaves and ovens, chop vegetables, and have the reading skills to understand recipes. For your first project, choose a recipe that uses familiar ingredients and is relatively easy to make, such as bread dough, muffins or cookies. Read the instructions out loud together, assign tasks, and get cooking. Don't just do it during the holidays; make it a regular family affair. Your kids will secretly benefit in many ways and you'll be creating lifelong memories, as well as lots of good things to eat. |
|
|
A censor is a man who knows more than he thinks you ought to. |
Lease-Options Can Benefit Buyers and SellersAs the real estate market continues to stagnate in many parts of the U.S., lease options are once again becoming a popular way for buyers to get into a property. A lease-option basically means you are leasing or renting a property with an option to buy it at a future date and predetermined price. The tenant/buyer usually makes an up-front payment to purchase the option -- called option money -- which varies considerably from deal to deal. In addition, the monthly payment (rent) is usually higher than in a normal lease and, depending upon the contract terms agreed to by both parties, part of the lease payments might be applied toward the down payment. All terms should be fixed at the time the lease-option is signed, including purchase price, lease length, rent (fair market value), option money, and who will pay for maintenance and utilities. It would also be prudent to know in advance how escrow will be handled and who will pay for inspections, work and warranties in the event the option is exercised. Lease-options are more common during a slow real estate market; during a hot market, most sellers will simply sell the property in the regular manner. However, this type of transaction can be used very effectively and benefit both the buyer and seller. It helps the seller get out of the ownership or management of a property while getting the buyer into a home and giving them time to financially prepare to purchase it. |
|
|
To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing. |
Improve Your Fireplace's EfficiencyNaturally, people use their fireplaces more during the winter months. There's something special about cozying up around a crackling fire on a cold winter day, or gathering around a fireplace during the holidays. However, did you know many fireplaces are extremely inefficientand can skyrocket your heating bill? A roaring fire can exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside, which must be replaced by cold air coming into the house from the outside. Your heating system must warm up this air, which is then exhausted through your chimney. The fact is the fireplace that was designed to warm your house is actually doing the opposite and probably costing you hundreds of dollars in energy costs. However, don't sweat it. Following are some tips to help make your fireplace more energy efficient:
|
|
|
A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist. |
Trivia ChallengeQuestion 1.) The United States borders Canada and Mexico. What country is the next nearest to the U.S.? Question 2.) Aside from Pennsylvania, which other colony was founded by William Penn? Question 3.) Alfred Hitchcock directed this mystery about a former police detective's fascination with an enigmatic woman. He also suffers from acrophobia, a fear of heights. The film is set in San Francisco. What is the movie? Question 4.) What one hit wonder sang "Macarena" in 1996? Question 5.) In what city do they hold the annual "Running of the Bulls"? |
|
|
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. |
Caffeine Used Safely for Thousands of YearsWhether waking up slowly with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, enjoying lunch with a refreshing soft drink, or relaxing in the evening with a cup of tea, these simple and routine pleasures have one common ingredient -- caffeine. People have enjoyed foods and beverages containing caffeine for thousands of years. It is believed Chinese Emperor Shen Nung created the first pot of tea around 2737 B.C. when the leaves from a nearby bush fell into a pot of boiling water. Coffee originated around 575 A.D. and 11th Century Arabians were known to have coffee beverages. Several hundred years later, the world's first caffeinated soft drinks were created in the 1880s. Even though caffeine has been around a long time, it is somewhat controversial. Some people think caffeine is the best thing ever, while others believe it's bad for your health. So, what's the truth? Well, we might not ever know the whole truth. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, caffeine was classified in 1958 as Generally Recognized As Safe and "found no evidence to show that the use of caffeine in carbonated beverages would render these products injurious to health." The American Medical Association has a similar position stating "Moderate tea or coffee drinkers probably need have no concern for their health relative to their caffeine consumption provided other lifestyle habits (diet, alcohol consumption) are moderate, as well." Most experts agree that moderation and common sense are the keys for consuming caffeine-containing goods and beverages -- with moderation considered to be about 300 mg -- the equivalent of three cups of coffee or six cups of tea. Of course, people differ greatly in their sensitivity to caffeine, so being aware of how it affects you is important. A UK scientist reviewed 41 caffeine studies from the last 15 years and found that low to moderate caffeine intake improved alertness and mental performance. Studies also found that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day did not cause dehydration, which is thought to be a common side effect of caffeine intake. |
|
|
Three things are needed for a good life; good friends, good
food, and good song. |
January Movie Releases
*Wide releases only. Opening dates subject to change. TOP |
|
|
Three things are needed for a good life; good friends, good
food, and good song. |
Peppered Shrimp AlfredoIngredients - Serves 4
Directions
Wine Pairing
|
|
|
Trivia
Answers |
||
| Click
here to unsubscribe This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2008 eNewsletterSolutions.
|
||
