Thursday, September 21, 2006

Princeton Area Floods Now Too

Okay, the Trenton area has been experiencing increased flooding for years. Now Princeton residents had joined its neighboring municipality in flooding woes. Princeton Township residents near the Harry’s Brook stream have experienced an increase in area flooding in recent years.
"There were floodings, but ... we didn't keep track of that because it wasn't happening" that often, said Olivia Applegate, a Harry’s Brook area resident.
Harry’s Brook has experience 10 or 11 major floods in the last three years she said.
The township enacted and ordinance last year that required single-family homeowners to have drainage management in any plan that required resurfacing their property. Residents making lateral expansion of their homes or adding driveways have to manage storm water runoff. The action of requiring single family homeowners to take such measures was unheard-of and prehaps even unprecedented in any of the other municipalities. Still requiring homeowners as well as builders to manage storm water runoff is very good. Do the enacting of water management ordinances mean that Princeton homeowners will have to start thinking regionally? Hmmm...
Source: Times of Trenton



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Fed Showing Interest in Housing Market

In a press release on Wednesday, the Fed held the interest rate at 5 ¼ percent but changed in its language concerning the cooling U.S. housing market. The August 8th press release suggested holding the interest rate at 5 ¼ percent.
”Economic growth has moderated from its quite strong pace earlier this year, partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices.”
The September 20th press release has a subtle difference in its language that could suggest the Fed is paying attention to the housing market.
”The moderation in economic growth appears to be continuing, partly reflecting a cooling of the housing market.
Whether this means they are considering taking some action or are just concerned is anybody’s guess, but the Fed is known for using subtle shifts in language as a precursor to some action to slow the cooling process.



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Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Meritage Homes Admits Decline in Orders

Well, another new home builder has reported a decline in new home sales this quarter. Meritage Homes Corporation says its third quarter results to be near or below expectations. Meritage reported net new orders fell 38% below last year.
"Demand has slowed and resale inventories have risen in many markets, making it more difficult for our buyers to sell their existing homes, and in turn causing higher cancellations and inventories industry-wide," said Steven J. Hilton, Meritage CEO...
Meritage Homes joins Toll Brothers and other new home builders who have been effected by the change in the housing market. Monday we reported Builder Confidence at 15 year low.



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Monday, September 18, 2006

Housing Price Rate Increases Slowly

The selling price for houses rose to a 4.7 annual rate this quarter according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.
"Gains in home values have been a major contributor to U.S. economic growth in the past four years. Consumers who feel wealthier spend more and save less. The personal savings rate has been negative for 16 consecutive months. Many consumers have also been able to borrow against their home's rising value, pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy." write Rex Nutting for MarketWatch

Seller can expect a much different buyer than last year. Today's buyers looks to maximize the amount of house or give-backs or inclusions they receive for their dollars. It is truly a different market out there and sellers must adjust get the sale.



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Home Builders Still Cautious

The September New Home Builders’ index is expected to go a bit lower than the August index of 32. The index measures builder confidence. With real estate professionals' inventories high, mortgage rate high, and buyers expecting more for the dollar, builders are feeling less confident about being able to sell regain their investment.

The expectation is that the index will drop to 31 -- the lowest it's been since February 1991.
Source: MarketWatch



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