The post This Month in Real Estate | December 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

November 2012  Market Update

The national housing market is showing steady signs of recovery due to a combination of rising demand, declining inventory, and low interest rates. A good indicator that the market will experience a full-force recovery is strongly evidenced by the continual increase in median home prices. Usually, prices slow down after the peak summer sales season, but the current gains are a sign that the housing recovery is self-reinforcing.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun states, “The market trend is up. Despite occasional month-to-month setbacks, we’re experiencing a genuine recovery. More people are attempting to buy homes than are able to qualify for mortgages, and recent price increases are not deterring buyer interest. Rather, inventory shortages are limiting sales.”

Now is one of the most favorable times in market history to purchase a home due to record-low interest rates. With the uncertainty of the upcoming election and the likelihood that interest rates might not be low for much longer, the time to buy is now.

Home Sales

In Millions

Home sales fell 1.7% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.75 million

units, an 11% increase from last year. Distressed homes (which include short sales and foreclosures that traditionally sell for 15%–20% less on average compared to nondistressed homes) accounted for 24% of September sales, up from 22% of sales the previous month; they were 30% in September 2011. Although the number of distressed properties is decreasing from month to month, they are still high by historic standards.

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Home Price

In Thousands

Home prices have slightly decreased this month, with the current median home price at $183,900, down 1.7% from last month’s median price of $184,900, but up 11.3% from last year. While the month-to-month trend has seen a small dip, the year-over-year trend of increasing home prices is still present. September marks the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year price increases, the largest year-to-date rise since 2005.

Inventory- Month’s Supply

In Months

Housing inventory fell 3.3% from last month to 2.32 million existing homes available for sale, a 5.9-month supply. Listed inventory is down 20% from last year’s 8.1-month supply.  NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun claims, “The shrinkage in housing supply is supporting ongoing price growth, a pattern that could accelerate unless home builders robustly ramp up production.” Regardless of the small decline in inventory, a 5.9-month supply still represents a fairly balanced housing market.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates this month continue to decline at or around 3.41%, reaching record lows. While these rates underline an extremely favorable time to buy, “some buyers who could easily afford a mortgage can’t assume they will get one,” states NAR President Moe Veissi. He advises home buyers “to be more focused on the mortgage process in the current environment where lenders and banking regulators are being risk adverse. Shopping for competitive mortgage terms is a good idea, but it may be more important to find a bank that is willing to work with you given your credit history.”

This Month’s Video

Contact US,

your local real estate experts,

for information about what’s going on in our area. 

Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report. The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources.  You should not treat any opinion expressed in This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind.  All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only.  Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.  You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.  All investments involve some degree of risk.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

The post This Month in Real Estate | November 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

October 2012  Market Update

The national housing market continues to recover, indicated by consistent increases in both home sales and prices. Inventories in much of the United States are primarily balanced, which favors neither sellers nor buyers. However, large pockets of the country are experiencing inventory shortages, which puts pressure on prices. Many of the hardest-hit areas during the downturn now have some of the tightest inventories. The return of price appreciation and a stronger market, particularly in those locations, is a welcome signal of returning market health.

“Some buyers are frustrated with mortgage availability. If most of the financially qualified buyers could obtain financing, sales would be about 10 to 15% stronger, and the related economic activity would create several hundred thousand jobs over the period of a year,” states NAR President Moe Veissi.

Despite difficult mortgage qualifying conditions sidelining some buyers, others are still taking advantage of excellent housing affordability conditions, which is evidence of notable stored-up housing demand that accumulated since 2007. With the housing market coming close to a full recovery and mortgage rates hitting new record lows, the time to buy is now.

Home Sales

In Millions

Home sales this month rose 7.8% from last month to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.82 million units, a 9.3% increase from last year. Distressed homes (which include short sales and foreclosures that traditionally sell for 15%–20% less on average compared to nondistressed homes) accounted for 22% of August sales, down from 25% of sales last month and 31% of sales last year. Although the amount of distressed properties is decreasing from month to month, they are still high by historic standards.

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Home Price

In Thousands

Home prices continue to rise due to shrinking inventory and an increase in demand. The current median home price is $187,400, up 9.5% from a year ago and down just 0.2% from last month. This has been the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year price gains, the largest year-to-date rise since 2005.

Inventory- Month’s Supply

In Months

Housing inventory rose to 2.47 million homes available for sale—a 6.1-month supply—up 2.9% from last month and down 18.2% from last year’s 8.2-month supply. This marks the ninth consecutive month of inventory at a 6-month supply, a clear indicator of a balanced market and full-scale housing market recovery. Robust improvement in employment is the primary concern remaining, and as that improves the housing market recovery will be on firmer footing for the future.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates this month at or around 3.49% are back at record lows. The decline in the 30-year fixed rates is partially due to a result of the Federal Reserve’s announcement of “QE3.” QE3 is a new bond purchase plan which should help stimulate the ongoing housing recovery. Home buyer affordability remains high for home buyers who buy now while rates are low.

This Month’s Video

Contact US,

your local real estate experts,

for information about what’s going on in our area. 

Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.

The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources.  You should not treat any opinion expressed in This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind.  All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only.  Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.  You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.  All investments involve some degree of risk.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

The post This Month in Real Estate | October 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

September 2012   Market Update

Sales of existing homes have continued to improve. In July, one-third of all homes sold were on the market for less than a month. In fact, every region except the West, where inventory was low, saw a rise in monthly sales.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun believes that affordability conditions are very good for the housing market. “Mortgage interest rates have been at record lows this year, while rents have been rising at faster rates. Combined, these factors are helping to unleash a pent-up demand,” Yun said. “However, the market is constrained by unnecessarily tight lending standards and shrinking inventory supplies, so housing could easily be much stronger without these abnormal frictions.”

With mortgage rates beginning to rise, coupled with strong affordability, now is one of the best times in history to buy.

 Contact Us,your local real estate experts,for information about what’s going on in our area. 

Home Sales

in millions

While home sales grew 2.3% from last month to 4.47 million units, year-over-year sales increased 10.4%. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales rose in July with the national median sales price reaching five consecutive months of year-over-year growth. Distressed homes (which include short sales and foreclosures that traditionally sell for 15%–20% less on average compared to nondistressed homes) allotted for 24% of July sales, which is down from 25% in June, but is 29% below year-ago sales. Even with declines in distressed home levels, sales of these properties are still expected to be higher than the historic average.

Home Price

in thousands

Rising inventory supply has placed downward pressure on home prices. The median home price fell 1% from last month, but rose 9.4% compared to a year earlier to $187,300. This marks the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year price gains, which has not been seen since January to May 2006. July’s gains are the most robust since January of 2006 when median home prices rose 10.2% from 2005.

Inventory- Month’s Supply

in months

Housing inventory increased 1.3% in July to 2.4 million homes available for sale, a 6.4-month supply. This marks the eighth consecutive month of inventory at a 6-month supply, the threshold for a balanced market, giving both buyers and sellers an equal advantage. As supply continues to hold steady at more balanced levels, so does the idea that the housing market is moving closer to a full-scale recovery.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates at or around 3.66% are up slightly from 3.53%, possibly indicating rates have finally hit bottom. These are some of the lowest rates on record since 1971, increasing the urgency to buy now.

This Month’s Video

Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers

When looking to sell, your home’s appearance can be the difference between it sitting on the market or selling quickly. Updating your property can be one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of adding value to your home. Here are some tips to get your house looking great:

• Perform the most common updates. On average, someone who intends to sell their home spends about one-third of what they would spend during their entire time in that home. The most common updates are painting, flooring, and lighting—all of which have cost-effective options.
• Make improvements. Improving your property can be critical to selling a home. According to market research, only 23% of the market sold were homes considered to be outdated while 76% were fairly to very updated. Making improvements is one of the more beneficial things a seller can do to help increase the appeal of their home.
  
• Focus on the little things. Updating your house for sale doesn’t have to mean remodeling the whole place. Focusing on individual items that really need updating will make a big impact. Putting a fresh coat of paint or replacing old hardware on your cabinets could be the thing that helps get your house sold.

Contact Us,

your local real estate experts,

for information about what’s going on in our area. 

Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.

The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources.  You should not treat any opinion expressed in This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind.  All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only.  Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.  You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.  All investments involve some degree of risk.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

The post This Month in Real Estate | September 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

August 2012   Market Update

The national housing market continues to recover, indicated by a balanced supply of inventory and increasing home prices across the country. NAR President Moe Veissi states, “The very favorable market conditions are helping to unleash a pent-up demand, which is why housing supplies have tightened and are supporting growth in home prices.”

However, rising demand has led to tight supplies of affordable homes for first-time home buyers, who now only represent 32% of purchasers. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun claims “a healthy market share of first-time buyers would be about 40%, so these figures show that tight inventory in the lower price ranges, along with unnecessarily tight credit standards, are holding back entry-level activity.”

Regardless, with the market heating up and mortgage rates continuing to hit record-lows, now is one of the most favorable times in history to buy a home.

Home Sales

in millions

While home sales declined 5.4% from last month to 4.37 million units, year-over-year sales increased 4.5%. Distressed homes (which include short sales and foreclosures that traditionally sell for 15%–20% less on average compared to non distressed homes) allotted for 25% of June sales, which is unchanged from May, but is 30% below year-ago sales. However, despite the declining levels seen from past years, it is still expected that distressed property sales will still be largely present and higher than the historic average.

Home Price

in thousands

Shrinking inventory and a decline in distressed properties on the market continue to drive home prices up. The median home price rose 5% from last month, and 7.9% compared to a year earlier to $189,400. This is the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year price gains, which hasn’t been seen since February to May of 2006, a period of peak performance in the housing market.

Inventory- Month’s Supply

in months

Housing inventory fell another 3.2% in June to a current 2.39 million homes available for sale, a 6.6-month supply. This marks the seventh consecutive month of inventory at a 6-month supply, the threshold for a balanced market, giving both buyers and sellers an equal advantage. Movement out of the three-year buyer’s market is imperative toward reaching a full-scale housing market recovery.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates at or around 3.53% continue to drop and boost home affordability. These are some of the lowest rates on record since 1971, increasing the urgency to buy now.

  InterestratesUS_July2012.jpg

This Month’s Video

Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers

With many markets heating up, home prices are rising and inventory is shrinking. This high market activity puts sellers at a strong advantage, but to ensure that your property sells quickly and for the highest price, here are some tips to turn that “For Sale” sign into a “Sold” sign:

• List at market price. Even though the market is in your favor as a seller, incorrectly priced homes will not attract buyers. If you list your home at market price, your home will be on the market for fewer days, you are twice as likely to have multiple offers, and your chances of fewer price reductions and your sales price being close to your list price are much greater.
• Condition is key. Keeping your home in excellent condition includes enhancing your curb appeal by landscaping your front yard, as well as making necessary updates such as painting and roof repair. 93% of homes that were in better condition received offers close to their list price.
  
• Stage your home.  Many buyers prefer to see a depersonalized home, devoid of the seller’s personal items, so that they can picture themselves in it. Staging can be as simple as rearranging furniture or uncluttering a room. The cost of it can be minimal compared to the benefits of more showings and, ultimately, a higher asking price.

Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.

The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources.  You should not treat any opinion expressed in This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind.  All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only.  Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.  You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.  All investments involve some degree of risk.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

The post This Month in Real Estate | August 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

The post This Month in Real Estate | July 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

Our Keller Williams professionals are on your side when you’re ready to find out which options is best for you. Contact Us today for a free consultation, and we’ll be happy to point you toward mortgage lenders we trust to provide outstanding service to our clients.

The post On your side… appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

May 2012  Market Update

The housing market and the overall economy are improving at modest rates nationally, and in some areas they have actually gained momentum. The Conference Board’s CEO confidence index is up a notable 14 points—from 49 last quarter to a current reading of 63. A reading of 50 is the threshold above which indicates an optimistic outlook and below indicates pessimism. Rapidly growing optimism is a good sign for future hiring and growth.

“The recovery is happening, though not at a breakout pace, but we have seen nine consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun 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.”

As rents continue to rise, buying becomes a more and more attractive option as home affordability, or the percent of income it takes to pay the mortgage, continues to be among the most favorable in history. The current record interest rates, which factor into affordability, cannot last forever—buyers wanting to take advantage of this unique time in history will want to act before rates rise.

Home Sales

In Millions

Home sales slipped 2.6% from the previous month to 4.48 million units, yet are 5.2% higher from a year ago. A strengthening economy is improving consumer confidence and drawing an increasing number of people into the market. In some local markets, there is not enough inventory of quality homes for buyers to purchase. As these markets see more new listings for their hungry buyers, national home sales could increase.

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Home Price

In Thousands

Thanks to a decline in distressed properties, which sell for a 15%–20% less on average compared to non-distressed homes, the median home price rose 5.3% compared to the previous month and 2.6% compared to a year earlier to $163,800. This is the first time in 8 months that home prices have been up by over 1% month-to-month. NAR President Moe Veissi said, “In most areas over the long term, home prices have nowhere to go but up.”

Inventory- Month’s Supply

In Months

Housing inventory remained stable from the previous month at 6.3 months supply and was 26% below year-ago levels. This marks the fourth consecutive month of inventory near a six-month supply, which is the threshold of a balanced market. Movement out of the deep buyer’s market that has persisted over the past three years is an important step that must precede a full-scale housing market recovery.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates continue to boost home affordability by remaining below 4%—some of the lowest rates on record since 1971. These rates may have begun to find a bottom as there is not much more room to go down, adding to the urgency to buy a home now while these record lows hold.

This Month’s Video

Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers

Pricing a listing at market value is a critical component to getting it sold. Here are a few of the advantages of pricing it right:

• Less Time on the Market. Homes that were priced at market value sold in half the number of days as homes that were overpriced.

• More Money. Pricing right when the home is first listed leads to sellers netting a higher percentage of their asking price, also referred to as the list-to-sell ratio.

• Less Hassle. When a home is priced right, it means that fewer buyers need to view the home to understand it is a good value—and that leads to fewer showings before getting an offer.

• Fewer Reductions. When a home is priced at market value, often it won’t need a price reduction. Depending on local market conditions, sometimes it will—either way, it will be less likely to require one if it is priced right to begin with.

• More Multiple Offers. Homes that are priced right are twice as likely to have multiple offers.  This can lead to a higher sold price and it puts the seller in the driver’s seat by providing more options to choose from.

The post This Month in Real Estate | June 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

May 2012  Market Update

The housing market and the overall economy are improving at modest rates nationally, and in some areas they have actually gained momentum. The Conference Board’s CEO confidence index is up a notable 14 points—from 49 last quarter to a current reading of 63. A reading of 50 is the threshold above which indicates an optimistic outlook and below indicates pessimism. Rapidly growing optimism is a good sign for future hiring and growth.

“The recovery is happening, though not at a breakout pace, but we have seen nine consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun 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.”

As rents continue to rise, buying becomes a more and more attractive option as home affordability, or the percent of income it takes to pay the mortgage, continues to be among the most favorable in history. The current record interest rates, which factor into affordability, cannot last forever—buyers wanting to take advantage of this unique time in history will want to act before rates rise.

Home Sales

In Millions

Home sales slipped 2.6% from the previous month to 4.48 million units, yet are 5.2% higher from a year ago. A strengthening economy is improving consumer confidence and drawing an increasing number of people into the market. In some local markets, there is not enough inventory of quality homes for buyers to purchase. As these markets see more new listings for their hungry buyers, national home sales could increase.

.

Home Price

In Thousands

Thanks to a decline in distressed properties, which sell for a 15%–20% less on average compared to non-distressed homes, the median home price rose 5.3% compared to the previous month and 2.6% compared to a year earlier to $163,800. This is the first time in 8 months that home prices have been up by over 1% month-to-month. NAR President Moe Veissi said, “In most areas over the long term, home prices have nowhere to go but up.”

Inventory- Month’s Supply

In Months

Housing inventory remained stable from the previous month at 6.3 months supply and was 26% below year-ago levels. This marks the fourth consecutive month of inventory near a six-month supply, which is the threshold of a balanced market. Movement out of the deep buyer’s market that has persisted over the past three years is an important step that must precede a full-scale housing market recovery.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates continue to boost home affordability by remaining below 4%—some of the lowest rates on record since 1971. These rates may have begun to find a bottom as there is not much more room to go down, adding to the urgency to buy a home now while these record lows hold.

This Month’s Video

Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers

Pricing a listing at market value is a critical component to getting it sold. Here are a few of the advantages of pricing it right:

• Less Time on the Market. Homes that were priced at market value sold in half the number of days as homes that were overpriced.

• More Money. Pricing right when the home is first listed leads to sellers netting a higher percentage of their asking price, also referred to as the list-to-sell ratio.

• Less Hassle. When a home is priced right, it means that fewer buyers need to view the home to understand it is a good value—and that leads to fewer showings before getting an offer.

• Fewer Reductions. When a home is priced at market value, often it won’t need a price reduction. Depending on local market conditions, sometimes it will—either way, it will be less likely to require one if it is priced right to begin with.

• More Multiple Offers. Homes that are priced right are twice as likely to have multiple offers.  This can lead to a higher sold price and it puts the seller in the driver’s seat by providing more options to choose from.

Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.

The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources.  You should not treat any opinion expressed in This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind.  All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only.  Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.  You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.  All investments involve some degree of risk.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

The post This Month in Real Estate | May 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.

April 2012  Market Update

Now three months into 2012, both the housing market and the overall economy are improving at modest rates. These improvements have inspired confidence in consumers, demonstrated by a 9.2% increase in pending home sales in February from the year prior.

Both home prices and sales are expected to increase in 2012.  Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, stated, “Falling visible and shadow inventory [bank-held properties], combined with a dearth of new-home and apartment construction during the past three years, assure that rents will continue to rise, with likely home price increases in 2012.”

As rents continue to rise, buying becomes a more and more attractive option as home affordability, or the percent of income it takes to pay the mortgage, continues to be among the most favorable in history. Trulia’s Winter 2012 Buy vs. Rent Index, which measures the relative cost of renting compared to asking prices of homes found that in 98% major metropolitan areas sampled, it was more affordable to buy than to rent.

Home Sales

In Millions

Home sales dipped 0.9% in February to 4.59 million units, yet are 8.8% higher from a year ago. A strengthening economy is improving consumer confidence with an increasing amount of people in the market. Additionally, as the market shows signs of improvement, more people are feeling the urgency to buy while prices and interest rates are still at some of the most affordable levels in history.

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Home Price

In Thousands

After slipping a bit at the beginning of the year, median home prices rose to $156,600, up 0.3% from a year ago. NAR President Moe Veissi said, “People realize that home ownership is an investment in their future. Given an apparent overcorrection [dropping prices as an overreaction to market conditions] in most areas, over the long term home prices have nowhere to go but up.”

Inventory- Month’s Supply

In Months

Housing inventory rose 4.3% in February to 2.43 million homes, representing a 6.4-month supply, up from 6.0 in January. There are several factors driving this increase in the inventory of homes. First, banks have settled major lawsuits regarding fraudulent foreclosure practices with state governments, which has enabled them to start moving many foreclosures off their balance sheets and into the market.  Pending sales are up, and home building is starting to show signs of life again after three years of low new-housing construction.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

30-year fixed mortgages continued to improve home affordability by dropping to 3.89% in February, the lowest on record since 1971. Indications are that these rates may have begun to find a bottom as well, as they have shown rising levels in Freddie Mac’s weekly index, adding to the urgency to buy a home now while these rates continue at record lows.

This Month’s Video

Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers

Home buying is often exciting, but packing up and moving is almost always stressful. Below are a few tips to help make the move a smooth one.

• Special Boxes for Special Items. Dish barrels help protect dishware, and long flat boxes help protect artwork. Wardrobe boxes, which have a metal bar to hang clothes on, can simplify and speed up packing your closet.
• Paper, the Secret Weapon. Packing paper, or unprinted newsprint, can be used several different ways. Use it to protect fragile items or crunch it up to use as padding. Remember, ink on regular newspaper can rub off and stain. Use Bubble Wrap for extra- delicate items.
• Tape It Securely. Masking and duct tape don’t stick to cardboard as well as brown packing tape.
• Tape It Quickly. Tape guns help you assemble boxes faster.
• Mark It Clearly. Clearly label boxes. Marking the sides instead of the top is best as the tops are covered when boxes are stacked.
• Protect the Big Items. Protect furniture with pads and put mattresses in plastic bags to prevent damage during the trip.
• Lighten the Load. The help of a dolly or handcart can save your back and speed up the moving process.

Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.

The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources.  You should not treat any opinion expressed in This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind.  All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only.  Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.  You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.  All investments involve some degree of risk.  Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

The post This Month in Real Estate | April 2012 appeared first on Luxury Estates Plus Market News Blog.