Thursday, August 24, 2006

Opportunity's At the Window

Housing sales continue slide

While it is true housing sale continue to slide and there is an increase in the incentives and terms that sellers and builders are offering buyers and
Indexes extend losses
the stock market is showing concern over the speed of the housing slump houses are continuing to sell.
Mortgage rates fall for 5th week
It looks like there is a window of opportunity opening for buyers now that interest rates have fallen for the fifth week. How long the window will be open or how wide it will get is anybody’s guess. We just have to hope the Fed's economists don’t run scared and shut the window too soon. Still it is a fine economic lesson for those of us watching predictions and interdependences that make up our economic system.



Technorati: , , , , , , ,




For more information on Real Estate in New Jersey visit here.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Kudos to the Governor

Gov. Corzine and Commissioner Ryan

Corzine announces flood-control plan

Well it's cheers for Governor Corzine (seen above with Commissioner Kevin Ryan of the Department of Children and Families). Seems the Governor is really going to tackle some to the problems New Jersey residents have faced for years. First he is forcing the legislature to do something about property taxes and now he has proposed a flood-control plan that includes things like doing something about the flooding that happens on Route 29, restricting building around rivers and creeks for a much as 300 feet, and making builders bring-in and take-out equal amounts of fill. Now if the plan gets some tough penalties and strict enforcement maybe New Jersey can continue to be the Garden State even when it rains.

Here's the press release too!



Technorati: , , , ,





For more information on Real Estate in New Jersey visit here.

Monday, August 21, 2006

Tip of the Day: Homeowners’ Insurance

Watch out on your homeowners policy

After all the post-Katrina publicity, most people know that homeowners insurance may not cover flooding expenses but there are other gaps in insurance coverage worth noting. New Jersey residents might want to check their policies and make adjustments. Most important is replacement costs as opposed to actual depreciative value. Replacement insurance is more expensive than the cost of actual depreciative value which is the standard coverage. Replacement insurance is meant to replace the item rather than a company assigned depreciative value. Oftentimes there is a cap placed on the replacement costs. If there is a cap make sure it is set at 150% to 200%. The article is worth a read for homeowners.



Technorati: , , , , , , , ,




For more information on Real Estate in New Jersey visit here.

Disturbing Practice Reported

The Times of Trenton ran a story today that is not available online entitled, “Practice hides real deal on homes for sale”. The story talks about a practice that just may undermine public trust in Realtors. The practice is designed to hide from buyers how long a house has been on the market and how far the price has fallen in that time. One broker even said it was a “marketing strategy”. If it is a marketing strategy it is dishonest because its primary purpose is to hide the truth about a property. A realtor is skilled negotiator. Doing that job should compensate for length of time a house is on the market or the number of price reductions.
That the market is cooling means buyers are going to be more reluctant than last year to pay the seller’s price. Price reductions are expected. Tougher negotiations are expected too. I would hate to think my colleagues don’t want to earn their commission. It is my hope those doing this stop before any other action becomes necessary.



Technorati: , , , , , ,




For more information on Real Estate in New Jersey visit here.