changescapeweb, Author at Sandra Meranda

April 2, 2013 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

Existing-Home Sales and Prices Continue to Rise in February 2013

iStock_000016225671XSmall-300x199 The housing market is experiencing a healthy recovery – as shown by February existing-home sales and prices according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Both home sales and home prices have been above year-ago levels for several consecutive months now.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says conditions for continued housing improvement are at play. “Job growth in the improving economy and pent-up demand are causing both home sales and rental leasing to rise. Though home prices are rising much faster than rents, historically low mortgage rates are still making home purchases affordable,” he says. “The only headwinds are limited housing inventory, which varies greatly around the country, and credit conditions that remain too restrictive.”

Existing-home prices are up 11.6 percent from February 2012. The last time there were 12 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases was from June 2005 to May 2006. The February gain is the strongest since November 2005 when it was 12.9 percent above a year earlier.

“A strong rise in home values is contributing to housing wealth recovery, which has risen by $1.4 trillion in the past year and looks to top that increase this year,” Yun says. “The extra consumer spending arising from growth in housing wealth is expected to be $70 billion to $110 billion this year.”

The time a home has been on the market has dropped to an average of 74 day, versus 97 days in February 2012.

Foreclosures and short sales still account for about a fourth of February sales, up from 23 percent in January but down from 34 percent in February 2012.

Interest rates for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage continue to hover around 3.5%

You can read more on Existing-Home Sales and Prices here.

P.S. Spring is finally here even if the weather isn’t cooperating! It is never too early to start your home search or get your home ready for the Spring market. This past year was the busiest year we had in home sales in 5 years. This year could be even better! There are large numbers of homes at below-market prices & the Interest rates are hovering around 3.5%! Contact Sandra Meranda for details today!

March 23, 2013 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

The Value of Sending a Real Handwritten Card

How many of you attend networking events with the intent to sell? How many of you ever sell at networking events? When Virginia Muzquiz of Referral Institute asks those two simple questions, almost every hand is raised at her first question & only a few hands are raised after her second question? Now, ask yourself, “Do I go to networking events to sell or buy?”

I totally agree with Virginia that attending networking events is about building relationships, not about buying or selling. If our statement is true then, “Why do so many of us continue to attend networking events over and over again and expect different results?” Another way to put it, quoting Dr. Phil is “And how is that working for you?”

During one of Virginia Muzquiz’s recent Fill Your Pipeline Workshops, she explained that following up with a note or a card is a good first step in building a new relationship. As a Send Out Cards Manager, I totally agree with Virginia that we should target only a couple of people we want to meet at any given networking event.

A new term I heard recently when referring to sending out a note or card is called ‘pinging.’ The word 'ping' comes from a submarine sonar search, meaning if you send a short sound burst and listen for an echo or a 'ping' coming back. In networking terms, when you send out a ping, whether with an email, a phone call or a hand- written note, you’re inviting that person to 'come back' and communicate with you thus beginning a relationship with that person…one that is, hopefully, mutually beneficial.

A hand-written note differentiates your business from every other business. I love sending a Send Out Cards card because I am almost guaranteed the recipient will open my SOC card and make time to read it. When was the last time you received a hand-written note from someone you met at a business setting was? Chances are if you received a card, you almost always remember who sent you that card.

I run into people all the time who thank me for a card that I sent them. Because I am always thinking of the next company, the next friend, the next prompting, I don’t always necessary remember I sent a card, until I hear those magical words, “Thanks for the card.” I see a smile or hear a smile in their voice over the phone. The ‘ping’ comes back to me & I know then that the bridge of a new friendship is being created.

The next time you are out networking, why not try following up with sending 2 or 3 personalized cards instead of a form letter or an email to 50 or 100 people you don’t know or met? Doesn’t that sound so much easier and more likely to get accomplished? (*send 2 or 3?)

SendOutCards.com builds businesses one card at a time. It’s an old fashion way of doing business with great results. If you want corn, you have to plant the seeds first. If you want to grow your business, try sending a card of gratitude and appreciation today. Just click on the link and make sure you include the referral code of 128092

Guest Blogger – Lory Fabian, Marketing Distributor for Send Out Cards, LLC

March 12, 2013 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

Tips for Correcting Smokey Fireplaces

Even though we've made it to March, we're likely to keep using our fireplaces for a few more months! So here are some tips to help prevent a smokey fireplace

Any number of conditions can contribute to smoking problems in a wood-burning fireplace. In some cases, cleaning or some relatively simple measures may improve conditions. In other cases, further evaluation and extensive repairs may be necessary.

The first step in most cases is to arrange for an inspection or cleaning of the chimney flue. A certified chimney sweep is usually the appropriate professional person to contact for chimney cleaning or investigation of fireplace or chimney problems. Many sweeps now have equipment to take a video of the chimney flue so that you can see exactly what problems may truly lie within the flue, as well as to confirm if it was cleaned properly.

Here are some possible practical solutions to aggravating smoke problems:

Raise the hearth. A fireplace opening that is too large compared to the opening of the chimney flue can lead to poor drafting (the movement of the gases that result from the burning wood up the chimney). By building up the base of the fireplace, the opening will be decreased. To experiment with this approach, a sheet metal hearth can be supported on bricks placed on the existing hearth. If this change improves the draft, the hearth can be raised using firebrick masonry. The hearth extension can also be built up to the same level.
Add a canopy hood. An experimental model of a canopy hood can be made of sheet metal and temporarily attached over the top of the fireplace opening. Try various designs and sizes. If the hood works well, a permanent metal hood can be installed.
Extend the chimney. The higher the chimney, the better the draft. A good draft is usually provided by a chimney which is 20 feet or more higher than the hearth. If the existing chimney is short a good draft may just not be able to develop. One or more metal chimney sections can be temporarily installed on top of an existing chimney to test whether the draft is improved before a more permanent (and expensive) fix is tried.
Trim surrounding trees. Wavering smoke patterns above the chimney may indicate that tall trees are causing a downdraft (air forced down the chimney by the wind). The surrounding trees should be trimmed and/or the chimney flue height extended to prevent this condition.
Add a chimney cap or flueguard. If a downdraft appears to affect the exhaust gases, adding a chimney cap or flueguard of metal or stone may help deflect the air before it entering the chimney.

These suggestions for correcting smoking fireplace conditions may be only the first step in some situations. If there are major fireplace deficiencies or the chimney is deteriorated, more drastic measures will be needed. The only practical options in severe cases may be to rebuild the fireplace and/or chimney. A less expensive option would be to retrofit a masonry fireplace or chimney with a gas-fired fireplace coupled with a new metal flue inside the defective chimney – or to use an electric fireplace and seal off the old chimney. Simply maintaining a small fire may help as well.

Note: These tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.

P.S. Spring is just around the corner! It is never too early to start your home search or get your home ready for the Spring market. This past year was the busiest year we had in home sales in 5 years. This year could be even better! There are large numbers of homes at below-market prices & the Interest rates are hovering around 3.5% !! Contact me for details today!

March 7, 2013 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

Keep Your Heating System Fit

Both new and old forced warm air systems need some attention to help keep them running smoothly and efficiently during the season. Even though you may have a relatively new system, a regular check and maintenance is important. With the sensitivity and complexity of modern controls, even small changes in a setting can have a significant detrimental effect on the function and life of a unit.

To conserve energy during the active part of the day, it is best to set the thermostat at a reasonable comfort level and leave it alone rather than continuously adjusting it.
To further conserve fuel, install a electronic programmable thermostat to automatically raise and lower temperatures according to your family’s schedule while everyone is out during the day and while sleeping at night.
Check the filter at least monthly during the heating (and cooling) season. Permanent, cleanable filters should be cleaned often; disposable type filters should be replaced when dirty.
Make sure all heat supply dampers on room registers are in the open position and not blocked by furniture or drapes. While a properly designed and installed heating system should provide uniform heat distribution throughout the house, in some cases a diverter or booster fan may be needed to improve distribution.
Consider an annual service contract with a local utility or service company, especially if your system is fueled by an oil burner. A qualified service technician will clean the burners and the heating surfaces; check for back drafting (which can create a carbon monoxide hazard), check for balanced air distribution; check safety controls; and lubricate motors and fan if required.

Note: These tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.

February 28, 2013 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

Pending Home Sales Up in All Regions

WASHINGTON (February 27, 2013) – Pending home sales rose in January, and have been above year-ago levels for the past 21 months, according to the National Association of Realtors®. There were healthy monthly gains in all regions but the West, which is constrained by limited inventory but was slightly improved.

In the Midwest the pending home sales index increased 4.5 percent to 105.0 in January and is 17.7 percent above a year ago. This increase is do to affordable home prices and job growth.

Read the full January pending home sales article.

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