TEN POINTS FOR SELLERS IN THE WINTER

If your home will be for sale this winter, it is important that you understand some seasonal issues that are less significant or even non-existent at other times of the year.

Here are 10 points to know when selling your home in the winter:


1.  Let Those Lights Shine: The best way to combat winter’s short and frequently cloudy days is to turn on your house lights. For a showing, every single light in the house must be on, even in the closets and utility/mechanical rooms. Make sure all the bulbs are working, and stock up on all the right bulbs for lamps and fixtures so burned out bulbs can be replaced immediately. Also, it’s a great idea to keep the lights on in the front of the house even if no showings are scheduled. People are always driving past the house, and keeping it lighted makes it look happy and welcoming. You should also consider opening the drapes and blinds during the day to let in light and let visitors enjoy the view.

2.  Provide Convenient Parking: It’s vital that buyers have a convenient place to park. They won’t want to walk very far in cold weather or be forced to climb over a snow bank to exit their vehicle. Because parking is often more restricted around condominiums, sellers should make sure their agent can pass along parking details to buyers.

3.  Make It Easy to Enter: Winter showings can get off to an awkward start if prospective buyers arrive with snow or salt on their shoes. Make it easy for buyers to deal with their shoes when they arrive. Put a festive area rug at the front door for a great first impression and so visitors can wipe their feet. Have slippers or disposable booties available, along with a bench or chair, if there is room for one, where a visitor can sit and easily remove or put on their boots.”

4.  Keep Odors Under Control: Any home tends to be stuffy in winter when windows are opened rarely. That can allow odors to build up, which can be a turn-off to buyers.
Pet odors can be especially worrisome in winter. Use a room fragrance if needed, but nothing too strong, and I recommend that in winter sellers clean more often. For example, change the cat litter daily, rather than every third or fourth day, or even consider using an air purifier.

If pets are in the house, consider setting the thermostat control so that the furnace fan runs constantly during the day to keep air moving through the house and dissipate odors. Also try to avoid strong cooking odors, especially if a showing is scheduled that day.

5.  Cultivate a Festive Look: Appropriate decorations for Christmas and even St. Valentine’s Day help give a home a cheerful look during the winter months. Holiday decorations can help homes sell, but don’t go to excess. Keeping small, decorative white lights on trees and bushes pretty much through the winter season is fine, but other decorations should be taken down quickly once the holiday passes.”

6.  Don’t Ignore the Outdoors: Make a good first impression on buyers with a neatly maintained yard. Walks and steps should be kept clear, especially of snow and ice.

7.  Look after Condo Common Areas: If the home you are selling is a condominium, your job as a seller may be relatively easy in winter, with no snow to shovel or yard work to worry about. However, that is only the case if your condominium association does its job well. If the association isn’t doing it, the homeowner may have to take responsibility for keeping the entrance area and hallways clean. If the association isn’t getting snow shoveled promptly, consider buying some de-icing salt and sprinkling it judiciously around the building entry.

8.  Don’t Roast Buyers: We all tend to prefer a specific temperature for our homes during the winter, but don’t blast buyers with hot air. Keep the temperature at a comfortable 65 degrees for all showings. Remember, buyers are likely to be wearing their coats even as they walk through the house.

9.  Keep Seasonal Clothing under Control: One major challenge of selling a home during the winter months is the overabundance of cold weather gear that must be stored. A buyer doesn’t want to find the mudroom filled with boots or the hall closet overflowing with heavy coats. Shift some winter coats to another closet and put anything not needed in the closet into storage. To keep gloves and scarves from piling up in the front hall or mudroom, put a special container for them, such as a decorative chest, where the family typically enters the home.

10.  Encourage Day Time Showings: A home shows to its best advantage during daylight hours, which are relatively scarce in winter. Encourage your agent to show your home before 3 p.m. and have it ready to show by 9 a.m. if you want the best results. 

Despite the special challenges of marketing a home during winter, there also are benefits. Buyers who are out looking at homes in December or January are, as a group, quite serious about buying. Therefore, sellers tend to benefit because each showing is more productive, and fewer showings are needed to sell the property.

SHOULD I TAKE MY PROPERTY OFF THE MARKET DURING THE HOLIDAYS?

When you look at your holiday calendars you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.

It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded by enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?

But wait! Top-selling Realtor Jennie Ling says taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. A vice president of Virginia Cook REALTORS® and the number one sales person in her company for almost every one of her more than 35 years in the real estate business, Ling exclaims, "The house sure isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things."

"The holidays are my best-selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. I showed homes on New Year's Day last year. I like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together."

Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:

• Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Ling believes the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" period. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.
• Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.
• Relocating families often don't have a choice in when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68 percent of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either before the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
• At Christmastime, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.
• When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.
• With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have all the members of the MLS on your team. You may find you have more showings than you would if your marketed your home during a busier time of the year.
• If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. "Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time," Ling says. "Possession and closings are are very negotiable."

By: The Realty Times Staff
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE:  http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20111125_holidays.htm

THE HOUSING MARKET IS GREAT: IF YOU ARE RICH!

NEW YORK–It's starting to feel as if there are two housing markets. One for the rich — and international buyers — and one for everyone else.

Consider foreclosure-ravaged Detroit. In the historic Green Acres district, a haven for hipsters, a pristine, three-bedroom brick Tudor recently sold for $6,000 — about what a buyer would have paid during the Great Depression.

Yet just 15 miles away, in the posh suburban enclave of Birmingham, bidding wars are back. Multimillion-dollar mansions are selling quickly. Sales this August were up 21% from the previous year. The country club has ended its stealth discounts on new memberships. And Main Street's retail storefronts are full.

"We're getting more showings, more offers and more sales," says Ronnie Keating, a real estate agent with Sotheby's International.

Think of this housing market as bipolar. In the luxury sector, the recession is a memory; sales and prices are rising. Everywhere else, the market is moving sideways or getting worse.

In the housing market inhabited by most Americans, prices have fallen 30% or more since the peak in 2007. That's a steeper decline than during the Depression. Some people have had their homes on the market for a year without a single offer.

Almost a quarter of American homeowners owe more on their house than it's worth. Another quarter have less than 20% equity. About half of homeowners couldn't get a mortgage if they applied today, says Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist for Capital Economics.

Then, there is the other housing market, occupied by 1.5% of the U.S. population, according to Zillow.com.

Here, houses have outdoor kitchens and in-home spas, his-and-her boudoirs and closets the size of starter homes. This market is not local but global, with international buyers bidding in cash. And the gyrations of the stock market are cause for conversation, not cutting expenses.

In this land of luxury properties, the Great Recession seems over. Prices of $1 million-plus properties have risen 0.7% since February, according to Zillow. Prices of houses under $1 million have fallen more than 1.5%.

Normally, these two segments of the housing market rise and fall together. Now, they're moving in opposite directions.

"Luxury is the best performing segment of the housing market right now," says Zillow.com chief economist Stan Humphries.

After every recession since World War II, housing has led the economic recovery. Not this time. The renewed vitality in the comparatively small market for luxury homes is not enough to power a full-blown recovery.

This bifurcation in the market is yet another reason Michelle Meyer, chief economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, says her housing outlook is "increasingly downbeat."

The phenomenon is not limited to real estate. You can see the same split elsewhere in the economy. Sales at Saks vs.Walmart. Pay on Wall Street vs. Main Street. Corporate profits vs. family balance sheets.

The divide also is making credit a perk of the rich. Mortgage rates are the lowest in decades. But what good are absurdly cheap rates if you can't get a mortgage?

Banks aren't granting credit to anyone "who even has a smudge on their application," says Jonathan Miller, founder of real estate consulting firm Miller Samuel. Applications for new mortgages are at 10-year lows.

Across the U.S., prices on high-end homes fell after the subprime crash in the fall of 2008. The price on the $25 million mansion became $20 million, then $15 million. Such "bargains" are pushing luxury buyers to commit to more deals.

There are other factors, too. In Detroit, a recovering auto industry is helping propel high-end sales. All those car executives who helped turn around the auto industry used to rent homes. Now they are using their performance bonuses to buy.

Wall Street's recovery has brought back the market for mansions in the Hamptons, on Long Island, where the number of real estate closings has returned to the 2007 level, and for luxury co-ops in New York City. And because of social-network riches in Silicon Valley, twice as many homes have sold for $5 million or more this year than last.

But in the other housing market, an apartment tower built in 2007 in San Jose, Calif., recently converted to all-rental. The building had not sold a single unit.

In Miami, a city that exemplifies the foreclosure epidemic, idle cranes dot the skyline. Unemployment shot up again this summer from 12% to 14%, a level not seen since the energy crisis in 1973. There are so many two-bedroom condos in gated communities with golf courses, private pools and jogging paths that you can pick one up for $25,000, 66% off the price five years ago. But luxury condos priced at $1 million or more are selling as rapidly as they did during the boom.

"In the 20 years that I have been in South Florida real estate, I have never seen a greater divide between those who have and those who have not," says Peter Zalewski, founder of the real estate firm Condo Vultures.

One big factor in the divide in the real estate world is foreign cash. For international buyers, U.S. real estate is the new undervalued asset, the new fire sale, and foreigners are big buyers of luxury properties. International clients bought $82 billion worth of U.S. residential real estate last year, up from $66 billion in 2009. In states like Florida, international buyers account for a third of purchases, up from 10% in 2007.

"Luxury properties are drawing buyers from all over the world," says CoreLogic's chief economist, Mark Fleming.

That's true even in such seemingly all-American enclaves as Detroit. Step off a plane at the city's futuristic new airport and the internationalization of the Motor City is obvious. All the signs — as well as the announcements on the public address system — are in both Chinese and English.

In the middle of the terminal sits a five-star Westin Hotel, the better to serve the global executive class that jets in and out as the U.S. auto industry regains its footing. Many of them are buying in Birmingham, Mich.,, where home values are up 3.1% this year, according to Zillow.com.

In Birmingham, store owners say business is as good as it was during the boom years last decade. Chasta Fase, who owns Old World Olive Press, a boutique shop that sells $30 bottles of olive oil from around the world, says business "has been just awesome" since she opened in November. And since April, she says, customers have been spending more than ever.

Real estate agent Keating says the same is happening to her sales. In June, she sold a lakefront mansion in Birmingham to a Russian entrepreneur. He had purchased a local steel company that he plans to turn around.

"They're coming from all over," says Keating, who for the past 30 years has sold most of the car barons their homes, from Roger Smith, former CEO of General Motors, to former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli. "I don't know who any of them are anymore."

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

HOUSE ON THREE ACRES IN COPAKE-HILLSDALE AREA - $175,000.

This ranch-style home is strategically located on a mostly open three acre parcel to catch the best views of the nearby hills. The house was built in 1967 by the current owner and is being offered for sale for the first time. It has 1,000+ square feet of living area that includes three bedrooms, 1 full bath, triple-pane thermopane windows for energey efficiency, oil hot water heating, ceramic tile and carpeted floors, covered porch to enjoy the great views, and a 2-bay detached garage/barn with electric service and workshop. Total Annual real estate taxes are only $3,150. This house is in excellent, ready-to-move-in condition.

The property is located only a few minutes away from Catamount Ski Center, New York State Parks, Bash Bish State Park, and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail goes right by the property. You can also walk to the hamlet of Hillsdale for shopping and fine dining. More land is available.

For more information call John Wallace at 518-392-7062 or email him at John@GrayRider.com



FARM LAND RUSH IN THE USA

“It’s a feeding frenzy out there,” says Renee Harvey, ALC, of Century 21 Harvey in Paris, Texas. Farmers, private investors, and institutional owners are bidding up cropland prices to record highs, fueled by commodity prices that rose 29 percent in the year ending March 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In the Midwest alone, prices rose 23 percent during 2010, according to the Federal Reserve of Chicago, and have since spiked higher. Total returns for farmland were 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2011, up 1.3 percent from a year ago and the strongest first quarter return since 2006, according to the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries Farmland Index.

The eye-popping prices and impressive returns, in large part, reflect the relative scarcity of land for sale. Amid rising food prices, owners aren’t inclined to sell. “There’s just not much on the market and finding property for buyers takes a lot of networking,” says Ray Brownfield, ALC, of John Greene Land Co. in Oswego, Ill. In fact, the 2010 annual report of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers found that 57 percent of the farmland sold in the state came from estate sales. With relatively few sellers, transaction volume has stayed low, despite liquidity in the market. Data from the Farmers National Credit Services of America, an Omaha-based lender, found that transaction volume on crop and pasture land in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming dropped 54 percent in three years from 2,326 sales in the first quarter of 2008 to 1,074 sales in the first quarter of 2011.

The appeal is easy to understand. “High-quality farmland can generate a 3 to 4 percent annual cash-on-cash return with low volatility,” says Murray Wise, ALC, of Murray Wise Associates, headquartered in Champaign, Ill. Compare that to a yield of less than 1 percent on six-month Treasuries, and you can see why income-hungry investors love farms.

Rising rents have also kept returns high despite higher land prices. In Illinois, for example, the cash rents for the mid-third range of leases on excellent farmland rose from $183 per acre in 2007 to $319 in 2011, according to a survey by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. More owners are negotiating flexible profit-sharing agreements to capture rising commodity prices, says Winnie Stortzum, ALC, GRI, a land broker and appraiser at Farmers National Co. in Arcola, Ill.

Six Keys to Farm Land Value
Farmland investment income rests on crop production for much of its return on investment. What makes for a productive farm?
-Soil quality
-Water availability and control
-Fertilizer requirements
-Topography
- Percentage of tillable land
- Proximity to transportation

Another draw is land's inverse correlation with the stock market, says Jeff Conrad, president of Hancock Agricultural Investment Group in Boston. “You really saw that in 2008,” he says. Investors worried about inflation like that land is a tangible asset.

But even with strong investor activity, there are doubters. Yale University economist Robert Shiller, famous for predicting the fall in housing prices, cited farmland as his “favorite dark horse bubble candidate” over the next decade in a spring 2011 article in Slate. Some investors are already pulling back, especially in the hot Midwest farm belt. “When land reached $10,000 an acre in the first quarter of 2011, it was a mental stopping point for some cash in­vestors,” says Mark Goodwin, Goodwin & Associates in Shorewood, Ill. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also reporting slight drops in income streams from such major crops as cotton, oilseeds like soybeans, and feed grains for the first quarter of 2011. Part of the challenge is that “the agricultural industry doesn’t set its own commodity prices; that’s done by traders and speculators,” says Kirk Goble, ALC, with The Bell 5 Land Co. in Greeley, Colo.

Many agriculture brokers agree that there may be a 5 percent drop in land prices, but “as long as people from developing countries want to increase the quality of their diets and their protein consumption, commodity prices and land prices will remain very strong,” says Mac Boyd, ALC, GRI, of Farmers National Co. in Arcola, Ill.

Another factor that mitigates a sharp drop in agricultural land prices is the low debt-to-asset ratios for most farmers today, says Conrad. “Farm debt is the lowest it’s been in 30 years. That’s not the sign of a bubble.” Brownfield agrees: “The average mortgage debt load for farmland purchases today is less than 20 percent.” Many current buyers are coming in with all cash. Those who do use debt are putting 40 or 50 percent down.

Does that mean that farmland investment is bulletproof? Not quite. Government policy—particularly anticipated changes in farm subsidies in the 2012 farm bill—could have “a significant impact on what goes in the farm market,” says Stortzum. While subsidies aren’t as critical when commodity prices are high, land ownership would get much riskier without some sort of federal backstop, notes Brownfield. A rising dollar could soften demand, while higher interest rates could pull investors away to higher returns elsewhere.

Flexibility Counts

Given the high prices and retreats in commodity prices, are there still opportunities in farmland investment? Yes, but only if you’re savvy and flexible, say land experts. Finding willing sellers is the toughest part, since only about 1 percent of U.S. farmland turns over every year, says Wise. His tip: If you do find a farm, be ready to make a cash offer in 24 hours. Other buyer-finding advice: Check tax rolls for absentee owners, who may have inherited farm property and now live far away.

Bargain hunting can also pay off. “It’s an imperfect market. Sometimes there aren’t any aggressive buyers at an auction, and the land sells for less than the perceived market,” says Randy Hertz, alc, of Hertz Farm Management Inc. in Nevada, Iowa. Another way to get a better buy: Look beyond the top cropland markets of the central Midwest to somewhat less fertile, but more affordable, land in states like South Dakota, he says. The Mississippi Delta, similarly, hasn’t been bid up as high, suggests Bob Turner, alc, with Southern Properties LLC in Cordova, Tenn. “Prices per acre are averaging $2,500 to $3,500 in our area,” he says. Another option: Focus on commodities that are soft at the moment, like wine grapes and cranberries, suggests Conrad. When these products rebound, land prices will rise, too.

A Comeback for Ag

The strength of farmland prices is even pulling some undeveloped transitional land back into the farming fold, says Nancy Surak, ALC, CCIM, of Eshenbaugh Land Co. in Tampa, Fla. With prices on bank-owned transitional land down as much as 80 percent from the peak of 2005, “ag may be the highest and best use,” she says.

Farmers in the collar counties around Chicago are following a similar pattern, says Goodwin. Those who sold to developers for $75,000 an acre a few years ago are now buying it back for $15,000. “They’ll farm it for five to 10 years and sell it to a developer again,” he says. Much of this land is REO from larger banks, which seem more ready than smaller ones to take write-downs, he says.
In some cases, this farming or grazing use is a temporary way to qualify for lower agricultural tax rates. “You can get a fence up and cattle on a property in two weeks and substantially lower your ­carrying costs,” Surak says.

Comparably lower prices on build-ready land are also attracting buyer interest. “We sold almost 1,000 finished lots last year, every one we had listed,” says Surak. Homebuilders who have cash as well as regional investors are snapping them up at 40 percent of the average $25,000 replacement cost, she says. Other buyers for build-ready land include state and local governments and local housing authorities, which have used federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds to buy bank-owned land for new construction.

Even recreational land is getting the farm bug. “The biggest trend in recreational land is multiuse opportunities, including farming, timber, and habitat development,” says Derrick Volchoff, manager of Cabela’s Trophy Properties, a network of more than 250 independent real estate affiliates based in Sidney, Neb. Income helps to offset carrying costs as buyers remain hesitant in a weak economy.
Like all real estate, agricultural land prices are ­cyclical—so the highest of today will decline at some point. But as the world’s population grows and needs to be fed, the future looks bright for U.S. farmland and for those who sell and manage it.

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http://realtormag.realtor.org/commercial/feature/article/2011/09/farm-land-rush

HOW WILL THE U.S. CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADE IMPACT HOUSING FUNDAMENTALS?

Congress’ last-minute accord to raise the nation’s debt ceiling and avert a default wasn’t enough to save the United States’ AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s. The market’s reaction to the news could have an impact on Treasury yields and with these yields closely tied to mortgage rates, on homebuyers’ borrowing costs.

[Editor’s Note: As the day unfolded, following publication of this article, investors responded to the news with a Treasury bond buying spree, resulting in a 13 basis point drop in 10-year Treasury yields.]

The international ratings agency downgraded the long-term sovereign credit rating of the United States to AA+ late Friday night. That’s a grade level just below the AAA rating the U.S. had held for 70 years, going back to 1941 when S&P began assigning ratings to countries.

S&P said the fiscal plan that Congress and the administration agreed to last week “falls short” of what its analysts believe is “necessary to stabilize the general government debt burden by the middle of the decade.”

The agency also said the wrangling that went on in Washington – namely the use of the impending threat of default as a political bargaining chip – makes near-term progress on curbing public spending or reaching an agreement to raise revenues “less likely than we previously assumed.” S&P says the debate “will remain a contentious and fitful process.”

White House and Treasury officials fired back at S&P for basing the downgrade on what they said was a “math error of significant consequence.” The administration says S&P misquoted estimates from the Congressional Budget Office by $2 trillion in projecting the deficit over the next 10 years. S&P has since acknowledged the error but says that doesn’t change its decision.

So what does all this mean for the housing and mortgage markets?

Mortgage financiers Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and 10 of the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks also had their senior debt issue ratings cut from AAA to AA+ by S&P Monday morning. (The Federal Home Loan Banks of Chicago and Seattle were already rated AA+ prior to the U.S. sovereign downgrade.)

S&P says the downgrades were the result of the institutions’ “direct reliance on the U.S. government.” The agency warned back in April that the rating of the U.S. would have a direct impact on the ratings attached to the debt of these government-sponsored entities.

Reuters notes that a downgrade of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could also affect billions of dollars of debt issued by public housing authorities, debt that is secured by federally guaranteed mortgages.

The markets are bracing for an eventful week ahead, with expectations that the value of the dollar will slip and Treasury yields will begin to rise. The trajectory of mortgage rates typically goes hand-in-hand with Treasury yields.

But market participants point out that mortgage rates are already at historical lows, and it still hasn’t done much to boost demand from homebuyers.

Economists and housing experts alike were expecting mortgage rates to head higher later this year, even before the rating downgrade.

According to Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist for the research firm Capital Economics, “[A]ny spike in Treasury yields and/or fall in the dollar should be relatively short-lived. Once the dust settles, attention will turn back to the economic fundamentals, which are certainly consistent with low Treasury yields.”

The analysts at Barclays Capital don’t expect the ensuing shock to the market to run very deep.

“Treasuries are not going to sell off…but longer-run the fiscal problems are likely to mean a weaker dollar,” Barclays said.

The firm also stressed that for many observers, it was really a question of when the downgrade would happen rather than if it would since S&P had been very clear about its expectations.

“But it is yet another milestone in the ongoing financial crisis: another once-unthinkable event has taken place,” Barclays said. “For decades the 10-year U.S. government bond yield was the definition of the long-run risk-free interest rate; now that has been declared a less than top-notch credit risk.”

S&P is the only one of the three major ratings agencies to downgrade the United States.

Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings both confirmed their AAA ratings after the debt deal was reached last week.

By Carrie Bay
www.DSNews.com

TWO BEDROOM COUNTRY COTTAGE - ONLY $198,000.

This two Bedroom, two Bath, 1960's Cottage is located on 2.04 acres of mostly wooded land on County Route 24 (Red Rock Road) in the town of Canaan. It is in excellent condition, has oil hot water heating, 1,136 square feet of living space, double-hung windows, enclosed porch, seasonal stream at property border, 1-car detached garage, and plenty of storage.

For more information and/or an email brochure, please email John Wallace at: John@GrayRider.com

or call him at 518-392-7062

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING IN CHATHAM, NEW YORK

PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING IN CHATHAM - $425,000.

Professional Office building fully leased. Excellent tenants with current leases. New rubber roof in 2010, new furnaces and hot water heaters. This 5,000 square foot professional office building was built in 1962. It sits on 3.8 acres of land on a side street in the Village of Chatham. It has waiting rooms, reception/office areas, 5 baths, and ample parking in both the front and the rear of the building. Tennants pay for heat and electric. There is a total of 4 furnaces (including backups) and the building is air conditioned. Total Annual Real Estate taxes are approximately $11,732. per year. Gross income is approximately $81,000+ per year. Owners pay the real estate taxes and tenants pay approximately 91% of the common charges.

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Survey: 87% of First-Time Homebuyers Don't Foresee Payment Troubles

Prospective homebuyers cite worries about future unemployment, concerns about property affordability, and the local economic outlook as issues that hold them back from jumping into the market, according to an industry survey commissioned by Genworth.

But the Virginia-based mortgage insurer says these economic concerns have not translated into excessive mortgage stress among recent U.S. homebuyers.

According to the survey, 87 percent of Americans who bought their first home in the past 12 months expect to easily meet their mortgage repayment obligations in the coming year.

Genworth debuted its new International Mortgage Trends Report Friday based on a global survey of current and aspiring homebuyers aimed at gaining local insight into key world markets. More than 9,000 respondents were interviewed from Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The company says the U.S. is the most optimistic among all the markets surveyed about buying a home. According to the findings, nearly two-thirds of Americans polled believe now is a good time to buy a home.

Genworth says indebtedness colors how households around the world view their financial situation and how they approach buying a home. Western countries tended to have higher levels of debt, but were also more comfortable taking on debt.

Of the many factors that influence the decision to buy a home, Genworth notes that consumer confidence is one of the most important.

The company’s survey found that homebuyer confidence has eroded due to property market instability and worries about personal finances, leading consumers to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

Still, nearly two-thirds of Americans surveyed believe now is a good time to buy a home for those who can afford it.
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Article by Carrie Bay - www.DSNews.com

FLANDERS CORP COMING TO COLUMBIA COUNTY

The news that the Flanders Corporation will move into Columbia County is a welcome sign that the changing dynamics in New York State are starting to reap benefits.

The Flanders Corporation has picked our region to expand its growing air filter manufacturing business which is based out of North Carolina. The Company will be creating 180 jobs and investing approximately $7 million in the former Kaz plant. The collaboration between state, county and local officials helped make this a reality and I was pleased to be a part of this economic development team.

As challenging as this past budget process was, my Republican Senate Colleagues and I remained steadfast in our commitment to deliver an on time budget that contained no new tax increases. A signal that New York can be competitive in attracting and maintaining businesses and jobs.

I am hopeful the Flanders Corporation is the first of more businesses who will see the region full of potential to establish or expand a business.

Posted by State Senator Steve Saland

SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES SEE A BOOM IN THE USA

Seven years ago, real-estate developer Greg Smith purchased a failed nursing home in Danbury, Conn., with an eye toward converting it into residential condominiums.


When a friend suggested instead a senior housing strategy known as assisted living Mr. Smith initially wasn't enthused. "I didn't even know what assisted living was," Mr. Smith says.

Now he knows. His company Maplewood Communities LLC has developed and is operating three assisted-living communities including the one in Danbury and has three others under development. Moreover, Maplewood also just cut a deal with Aviv REIT Inc., one of the country's largest landlords of skilled nursing facilities, under which Aviv will provide capital for future growth, initially $60 million.

"We're talking about getting 15 to 25 communities under our belt," Mr. Smith says.

Assisted-living housing is growing into a bigger business in the New York region. While development is slow of most commercial property types—like office buildings and retail centers—a number of developers are moving ahead with plans to provide facilities that occupy a middle ground between standard apartment buildings and nursing homes.

Assisted-living tenants typically are elderly people who are generally healthy and can take care of themselves, but the facilities provide services like nurses, aides, dining and memory care. Average rents at Maplewood are $4,700 to $4,900 per month.

The New York metro area has the second lowest number of available assisted-living units in the country with 2.6 units for every 100 households with seniors aged 75 years and older, according to the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry. The number of units has grown only 3% in the last five years in the region compared to 7.4% nationally, according to the center.

But the region's population is aging. People 75 years and older constitute nearly 20% of all households in the metro area, compared to 14.7% in the U.S. overall, according to the National Investment Center.

"We see that demand [is growing] as baby boomers start to climb" in age, says Mr. Smith. "The amount of [new] supply over the last 10 years has been virtually nonexistent."

The strategy so far has paid off for Maplewood. For example, it spent $11.5 million to buy the Danbury property and convert into an assisted-living facility equipped with a manmade waterfall in the dinning area. Today, it's roughly 90% occupied, has an annual income of $1.5 million. Mr. Smith estimates its worth at $18 million.

Altogether, Maplewood has invested about $35 million for its three existing properties. For the properties under development, it has invested about $45 million with a total of 225 units. Mr. Smith estimates that "conservatively" they're worth $55 million.

Other regional operators also are expanding. Benchmark Senior Living, which is Connecticut's largest owner of assisted living with 15 facilities, is expanding into northern New Jersey and suburban New York as well as New England, according to Thomas Grape, Benchmark's chief executive. He declined to elaborate citing competitive concerns.

The regional activity reflects a national trend. The biggest real-estate mergers so far this year involved national health- care landlords seeking to expand their senior housing exposure including Ventas's $5.8 billion acquisition of Nationwide Health Properties in February several months after it acquired Atria Senior Living, one the biggest regional operators in the New York region. In addition, Health Care REIT recently enters a partnership with Benchmark Senior Living involving 34 assisted living facilities in New England.

Jeff Theiler, an analyst at Green Street Advisors, says there are nearly 2 million assisted living units in the U.S. and on average, the number has increased 5% every year for the past 25 years. "Because of that resiliency, there has been a big …interest in the property type among the health care REITs," Mr. Theiler says.

To be sure, assisted living isn't without its pitfalls. Although rents have risen in recent years, the growth hasn't been robust. During the recession, many seniors or their children couldn't sell their homes or didn't have viable employment to pay for assisted-living accommodations, which are relatively expensive.

Mr. Smith started in commercial real estate by developing and acquiring office and hotel buildings more than 10 years ago. But, after he purchased his first assisted living facility in Danbury he decided to focus on this sector. He even recruited family members to live in the Danbury facility, including his great aunt and grandmother who died last year. "They fell in love with it. My grandmother was the matriarch of the community," Mr. Smith said.


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Article written by A.D. PRUITT, Wall Street Journal

Picture of Maplewood Community by Anton Troianovski/The Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703864204576311443059330956.html#printMode

CLEAR CAPITAL: HOME PRICES HAVE OFFICIALLY DOUBLE-DIPPED



The national home price index from Clear Capital has officially entered double-dip territory.

The company says data through the end of April has pushed its reading of national home prices 0.7 percent below the prior low recorded in March 2009, as markets have become saturated with bank-owned properties.

Clear Capital’s report shows prices have fallen 11.5 percent over the previous nine-month period. A rate of decline this rapid has not been seen since 2008.

All the major metropolitan statistical areas tracked in Clear Capital’s report showed quarter-over-quarter price declines. The company says it’s a “sign of the continued volatility and fragility of home prices.”

At the regional level, home prices in the West, Northeast, and South regions have all crossed into double dip territory to record their lowest prices since the downturn began.

Clear Capital says the fact that the Midwest is the only region yet to double dip is largely a reflection of magnified gains it experienced during the last two years of tax credit activity.

Dr. Alex Villacorta, director of research and analytics at Clear Capital, says he continues to see evidence of an increase in the proportion of distressed sales taking hold in markets nationwide.

“With more than one-third of national home sales being REO, market prices are being weighed down as many markets have not regained enough footing to withstand the strain of the high proportion of REO sales,” Villacorta said.

“In light of the compounding effects of winter’s seasonal slowdown and increased distressed sale activity, the market now faces the true test of whether prices can rebound in the historically active spring season,” according to Villacorta.

While spring typically brings with it a resurgence in home sales – and home prices follow – Clear Capital warns that markets have entered uncharted territory since this spring homebuying season will be the first since 2008 without any tax credit incentive.

“A note of caution to those looking for a strong end to 2011: The last time no incentives were in place and distressed inventories were this high, home prices fell sharply,” Clear Capital said in its report.

The company’s home price report last month noted the subtle but rather ominous trend that distressed sales activity in the West, as a percentage of total sales, had climbed after a prolonged 18-month period of general improvements, and in turn, home prices in the western part of the country hit the double-dip mark in March.

Nationally, Clear Capital says a similar trend has formed with REO saturation climbing to a current level of 34.5 percent after it declined to near 20 percent in mid-2010. Strikingly similar, the company says, 2008 saw REO saturation grow from near 20 percent early in the year to 32 percent by the end of 2008.

Looking at home price trends during these same two periods ties together similarities, Clear Capital explained, with a 15.6 percent price decline for the 2008 timeframe compared to the 11.5 percent decline for the mid-2010 through April 2011 period.

“This comparison leads to concern over home price declines through the rest of 2011,” Clear Capital said in its report, noting that the trends of 2008 were quickly reversed with the introduction of stimulus measures.

“[T]he housing market still faces many challenges that will only be solved through increased buying activity or a reduction in the distressed segment ― neither of which is assured in 2011,” according to Clear Capital.


Written by Carrie Bay - http://www.dsnews.com/

1810 COLONIAL AND GRIST MILL ON 8 PLUS ACRES IN GHENT, NEW YORK - $595,000



Circa 1810 Center Hall Colonial with 5 Bedrooms and 3 Baths, with early addition. Period charm with modern amenities. 8.32 surveyed acres along Kline Kill Creek. Early (1800's) 3 story Grist Mill (Brookside Flour and Feed Mill) with many artifacts still remaining. 1,100 sq. ft. shop/garage plus a 6,000 sq. ft. commercial building with elec., water, & heat, currently rented to marine repair facility. (all out buildings have electric). Wonderful property for both residential or commercial uses. Come take a look. Additional 16.73 acres available.

For additional information, click on the following link:

www.GristMillForSale.com 

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS PREPARE FOR BEST BUYER'S MARKET IN RECENT HISTORY

RISMEDIA, March 18, 2011—While affordable housing prices, ample inventories, and historically low interest rates signal ‘buyer’s market’ for investors or move-up buyers in many U.S. markets, inexperienced first-time buyers may not know if the time is right to make a move into real estate.

“It’s not about timing the market. It’s about time in the market,” says Steve Berkowitz, chief executive officer at Move, Inc., a leader in online real estate. “Once you know how long you expect to own a home, look at the historical value performance of properties in the neighborhood. Be confident about your own job security, down payment resources and tolerance for upkeep, as well as the lifestyle you want today and in the near term. While homeownership may not be for everyone, it is the right choice for hundreds of thousands of people. Today’s housing market, especially for first-time buyers, makes it almost impossible not to think about the possibilities.”

To help first-time buyers know if they’re ready to look for the home of their dreams as we head into this year’s home-buying season, the experts at Move have created a ‘reality checklist’ designed to help them decide if the time is right.

Get your financial house in order

Before you decide to buy a home, it’s essential to make sure your credit is in good shape and repair any damage previously done. Know your credit score: thirty-five percent (35%) of successful buyers recently reported they didn’t know their credit score when they went house shopping, according to a national survey fielded for MortgageMatch.com. Having enough money set aside for a down payment is a key component to making sure you are ready to purchase a home. Also, it’s important to not put all of your money in the down payment as other fees or unexpected expenses often arise after closing.

Don’t fall in love with a house you can’t buy

Find out how much you can afford: establishing your purchase power upfront, including how much money will be required for a down payment and closing costs, is a must for first-time buyers. Look for special loans available from FHA and government sponsored loans for first-time home buyers that reduce the amount of money required to get into a home.

Learn the lingo

Since first-time buyers are new to the market and will finance a significant portion of their purchase, it’s important to get familiar with the processes and terminology associated with home-buying. Here are a few key terms from MortgageMatch.com to add to your vocabulary:

Bait rate: Misleading mortgages with low rate promises and no contingencies generally for those with extraordinary credit. Rates are based on: credit, debt-to-income and loan-to-value ratios, the size and type of loan, property location and the day you lock your rate, etc. The loan isn’t locked until the application is accepted. By then, it may be too late to find a better rate from another lender.

Basis point: A term used in the mortgage industry which simply means 1/100th of 1%.

Closing costs: The fees required to process and close your loan. They’re a cash obligation running from 3-5% of the purchase price. Motivated sellers might pay a portion of these costs.

FHA: Federal Housing Administration, the Federal Government Agency that oversees the U.S. Housing market. FHA Loans are loans insured by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

FRM and ARM: A Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loan (FRM) is a loan where your interest rate stays the same for the life of the loan. ARMs are Adjustable-Rate Mortgages with variable interest rates that fluctuate based on an agreed-upon index.

GFE: The Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is a document explaining all costs involved in getting a loan.

TIL: The Federal Truth-in-Lending Form is a document that spells out the costs and fees of the loan.

Lis pendens: An official notice that there is a pending lawsuit over real estate.

Per Diem interest: Interest you pay per day, from the day you close to the last day of the month.

Underwriting/underwriting fees: Underwriting is a process the lender performs to qualify a borrower for a loan and the fee is what you pay the lender at closing to cover evaluating the risk involved with loaning you money.

Warranty deed: A legal document guaranteeing the seller has a right to sell a property, which is very important if you are considering a distressed or discounted property.

Mortgage Knowledge

While national rates on 30-year-fixed-rates mortgages have risen slightly this year, they are still at historic lows not seen since 1980, according to Freddie Mac. “Buyers who prepare themselves financially before they start looking for a home will have a better chance of succeeding,” says Sue Stewart, senior vice president for Move, Inc. “If you want to land the best mortgage that fits your needs, start early, educate yourself on your financial situation, get your documentation together and find a lender you trust.”

Find a REALTOR® and go shopping

For those ready to buy, REALTOR.com® has the tools and tips to help you find a REALTOR® and, ultimately, the right home. Finding a licensed real estate professional in your area will make the process smoother and easier to understand. Once you find an agent, share your realistic budget and what you’re looking for in a home. Stay in constant contact with your agent and look for homes whenever you have a spare moment.

First-time home buyer resources

For more tips designed to help the first-time buyer navigate the home buying process, the experts at Move have provided an abundance of helpful information that’s just one click away:

-Reality checklist – Are you sure you’re ready to buy? Here’s how to know.

-How-to Guide: Buying Your First Home – Everything you need to know about buying a home

-Get Prequalified Now – Get prequalified for a mortgage before you begin shopping

-Realtor.com Blogs– Connect with REALTORS® to help you navigate the market

-MortgageMatch.com News – Answers questions about finances and mortgages

-Move.com Home Finance – Equips first-time buyers with tools, guides, advice, and more

If now isn’t the right time, prepare for your future purchase

If now isn’t the right time to buy a home, make a plan with a target date for when you expect to be ready. Improving your credit, paying down debt, stabilizing your work history and calculating exactly how much you can afford, are the best ways to prepare for your future home purchase. It’s also important to refrain from making any new large purchases or applying for new credit.

For more information, visit www.move.com [2] and www.Realtor.com [3].

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com [4].

Have you heard about RISMedia’s Real Estate Information Network® (RREIN)? RREIN is an elite network of leading real estate companies dedicated to providing consumers and their agents with leading real estate information, and committed to the belief that Information Share Equals Market Share. Having only launched this past June 2010, the RREIN network is already comprised of 40 leading brokerages, which make up 575 offices, 30,000 agents, 167,000 closings and represents over $41 billion in transactions. How can RREIN help your recruiting efforts and differentiate your company today? For more information, email rrein@rismedia.com [5].
Copyright© 2011 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished without permission from RISMedia.

Obama Administration Lays Out Plan for Winding Down Fannie and Freddie

The Treasury Department released the Obama administration’s plan Friday for reforming the nation’s housing finance system and winding down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Officials say the reform measures will shrink the government’s footprint in the mortgage market, fix “fundamental flaws” in the system, increase transparency for investors, and improve underwriting and mortgage servicing standards.

On a conference call with the media, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner stressed that “realistically, this is going to take five to seven years” for full reform to be implemented.

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan added, however, that there are short term steps that don’t require legislation, which can and need to be taken immediately to return private capital to the market.

“We are going to start the process of reform now, but we are going to do it responsibly and carefully so that we support the recovery and the process of repair of the housing market,” Geithner said.

The first item on the administration’s laundry list of reform measures is phasing out the nation’s two largest mortgage companies. With the financial crisis, private capital retreated from the housing market, leaving the government to guarantee more than nine out of every 10 new mortgages. Both Geithner and Donovan underscored the fact that the plan for winding down Fannie and Freddie is centered on returning private capital to the market.

The private sector must fill in the receding role of the government and “should be the primary source of mortgage credit and bear the burden for losses,” according to a Treasury statement.

The administration recommends ending what it called “unfair capital advantages that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac previously enjoyed” by requiring them to price their guarantees as though they were held to the same capital standards as private lenders. Although the pace of increasing guarantee fees will depend largely on market conditions, the administration says it wants to bring Fannie and Freddie to a level playing field with the private market “over the next several years.”

The administration is also recommending Congress allow the temporary increase in conforming loan limits to reset as scheduled on October 1, 2011. The limits for GSE loans, as well as for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), were raised to $729,000 to allow for greater market support. Unless Congress extends the temporary increase, the limit will revert back to $625,500 in the fall.

The report also advocates a 10 percent down payment requirement for any mortgage than Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee. The proposal suggests a “gradual increasing,” but does not set a target date for hitting the 10 percent mark.

In addition, the administration’s plan calls for scaling back Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s investment portfolio at an annual rate of no less than 10 percent per year.

“We believe that under our current Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements, there is sufficient funding to ensure the orderly and deliberate wind down of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,” the administration said in its report.

While much attention has been centered on what will become of Fannie and Freddie, the proposal covers many elements of the housing finance system beyond the GSEs, including FHA, which currently accounts for about a third of the mortgage market.

The report recommends increasing FHA’s annual mortgage insurance premium by 25 basis points – a change the administration wants to see go into effect in April.

Additionally, the plan will help provide targeted support to creditworthy but underserved families that want to own their own home, as well as affordable rental options.

In the report, officials note that “[a]ny responsible reform effort that addresses the flaws in the pre-crisis housing market will make credit less easily available than before the crisis.”

For months now, economists have been debating the government’s decades-long push to provide the American Dream of homeownership to every citizen and whether or not that modus operandi served to fuel the housing bubble and lax lending standards that put so many borrowers into unsustainable mortgages.

Donovan stressed that the government must ensure a “better balance of homeownership and renting.” He said the proposal includes measures that would expand FHA’s capacity to support financing of affordable rental and multifamily housing.

The administration is also throwing its weight behind several immediate and near-term reforms to correct problems in mortgage servicing and foreclosure processing. These include:
•Putting in place national standards for mortgage servicing;

•Reforming servicing compensation to ensure servicers have proper incentives to help borrowers avoid foreclosure;

•Requiring that mortgage documents disclose the presence of second liens and define the process for modifying a second lien; and

•Allowing primary mortgage holders to restrict additional debt secured by the same property.

Beyond the administration’s specific recommendations, the report also puts forward three longer-term reform choices, ranging from a government role that is limited to just the FHA, to an FDIC-type insurance guarantee for certain mortgage securities. We cover these three options in more detail in a separate article on DSNews.com.

The administration’s proposal has been delivered to Congress. Donovan says the options outlined in the report should “deepen debate and dialogue” among lawmakers as they decide the best route to take to move forward. A copy of the full 32-page report can be accessed here.

Article Written by Carrie Bay - DSNews.com

©2011 DS News. All Rights Reserved.

U.S. CENSUS: 11% OF HOMES IN USA ARE VACANT

Data continue to mount showing that the housing sector remains depressed. First came news from the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index that home prices fell 1.6 percent in the year through November.

\Now, the Census Department reports that vacant home totaled 18.4 million in the fourth quarter, meaning 11 percent of all housing units are vacant year-round, according to CNBC.

The country’s home ownership rate, after holding steady for months, dropped to 66.5 percent in the fourth quarter from 66.9 percent in the third quarter. That's the lowest level since 1998.

“Homeownership is falling at an alarming pace, despite the fact that home prices have fallen, affordability is much improved, and inventories of new and existing homes are still running quite high,” writes CNBC real estate columnist Diana Olick.

Much of the problem is that the nation is still recovering emotionally from the housing crash of the past four years, she says.

“Younger Americans have seen what home ownership has done to their friends and families, and many want no part of it. Credit has become very nearly elitist.”

Ace economist Nouriel Roubini says housing is in the midst of a double-dip recession. “Demand is falling, and supply is increasing because there is a shadow inventory of millions of not yet foreclosed homes. Therefore, prices are going to fall even further,” he tells Forbes video.

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© Moneynews. All rights reserved.

Article written by Dan Weil - MoneyNews.com

IS A SOLAR-THERMAL HOT WATER SYSTEM FOR YOU?

 
We Americans take our hot water for granted—we love our soaker tubs, and many of us just can’t start the day without a vigorous shower. But it’s not free. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, on average we spend about $308 per year, per household, just to have hot water ready at the twist of a faucet handle. But you could slash that figure in half, or more, with a solar-thermal system—a proven renewable-energy technology that enables the rays of the sun to heat your home’s hot-water supply.

THE FUEL IS FREE

Both solar-thermal systems and more costly solar-photovoltaic panels—which use the sun to generate electricity—can make a significant dent in your utility bill. But with a solar-thermal system, instead of generating energy, you’re saving it.

“When compared to solar-electric panels, it is a lower-cost option,” says Monique Hanis, a spokesperson for the Solar Industries Association. “A system for a home would run anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000, and that could take care of a good chunk of your hot-water needs.”

Those ballpark figures don’t include the across-the-board federal tax credit that knocks 30% off the cost of a system, plus there are additional state and local-government incentives that can trim set-up costs even more. (Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency for relevant programs in your area.) Maintenance is minimal, and collectors should last for 20 years or more.

HOW SOLAR-THERMAL WORKS:

All solar-thermal systems feature glassed-covered boxes or sets of tubes that contain fluid-filled piping. The systems can be divided into two basic categories—direct and indirect.

In an indirect system, a pump continually circulates an antifreeze solution between the collector mounted on your roof and a heat-exchanger coil located inside your home’s hot-water tank. A pump circulates the antifreeze solution between the solar panel—where the sun heats it—and the coil, where it raises the temperature of the water in the tank.

The second type of solar-thermal system, called a direct system, circulates household water directly through the solar collector. This setup is only appropriate for regions, such as Hawaii and Florida, that don’t experience winter freeze-ups.

Either type of thermal collector is so efficient that it will produce hot water even on a cloudy day—though a snowfall will bury and temporarily disable a collector until warmer temperatures melt the snow off.

HOW MUCH YOU WILL NEED:

A solar contractor/installer will evaluate your property’s potential for capturing solar radiation throughout the year, but your house is likely a good candidate if one side of its roof faces south, without too much shading from tall trees and structures. A pair of 4-by-8-foot collectors will significantly reduce the cost of heating hot water for a family of four.

How much you’ll save depends on where you live. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has researched the degree to which a solar-thermal system can reduce a homeowner’s energy bill in various regions of the country. The lab expresses this savings via a rating known as a “solar fraction.”

Put simply, a solar fraction is the percentage of a home’s water-heating energy needs that could be met with a rooftop collector. For example, a solar fraction of 60% means that the solar-thermal hot water system would reduce the amount of energy a home used to heat hot water by 60%. In Harrisburg, Penn., Albany, NY, and Eugene, Ore., the solar fraction is 50%. In Fort Worth, Texas, and Tampa, Fla., it’s a whopping 75%.

RESEARCHING SOLAR-THERMAL COLLECTORS:

Last fall, the U.S. Department of Energy added solar-hot water systems to its EnergyStar program. You can browse approved solar water heaters on the Energy Star web site, and discuss which model best suits your needs with an installer. Bear in mind that solar-thermal collectors are not do-it-yourself projects. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners certifies solar-thermal installers. As of late 2009, the group’s web site lists 97 professionals across the country who sell, install, and service the systems.

If you’re interested in saving energy and harnessing the free power of the sun, a solar-thermal water-heating system is an attractive option.

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Article written by James Glave. James Glave is the author of “Almost Green: How I Saved 1/6th of a Billionth of the Planet.” He has been reporting on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable development full-time since 2005.

HOME OWNERSHIP REALLY DOES MATTER

As a real estate professional, I know that America is a nation of homeowners—67% of American households are owner-occupied. And housing is a key driver of our economy, accounting for 15% of our Gross Domestic Product in general. Research shows that for every home purchased, $60,000 is pumped into the economy for furniture, home improvements and related items. Plus homeowners pay 80-90% of individual federal income taxes, contributing to federal programs that benefit all Americans.

Yet some of our politicians question the value of homeownership and whether it is worthy of the tax benefits currently available. Some media reports even contend that changing federal policies and eliminating tax incentives that support homeownership, such as the Mortgage Interest Deduction, might even be in the public’s best interest.

For more than 100 years, REALTORS® have championed homeownership as a fundamental part of the American Dream. Now more than ever, we must stand up for homeownership. And with the help of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (NAR’s) I have pledged to spread the word about the value of homeownership to my clients, community and elected officials.

“There are some, mostly in academic circles and in the media, who have been questioning the value of homeownership and the importance of incentives for homeowners,” says Pamela Geurds Kabati, vice president of Public Affairs and Consumer Media. “They ask whether we wouldn’t be better off as a nation of renters. As an industry, we have to stand up and say, ‘Absolutely not.’ We need our voice to be loud and clear to influence the court of public opinion and policymakers. Homeownership provides homeowners, their communities, and our country with so many benefits.”

HOME OWNERSHIP MATTERS:

Homeownership has a significant, positive impact on net worth, educational achievement, civic participation and overall quality of life. Owning a home is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. In the past 12 years, a typical homeowner’s net worth has been 31-46 times that of a renter. Plus, most homeowners enjoy stable housing costs. In fact, studies show that fixed rate mortgage payments typically stay the same, while rent has increased at an average rate of approximately 3% per year in the last 10 years.

The National Association fo Realtors believe that homeowners contribute more to their communities by voting and volunteering more. They do not move as frequently as renters, bringing stability to neighborhoods, which helps reduce crime and support upkeep.

And it has been shown that homeowners enjoy a better quality of life. They tend to be happier and healthier, and feel a greater sense of control over their lives. They are free to redecorate, renovate and modify their homes as they wish. And their children tend to do better in school and stay in school longer, according to a recent white paper by NAR titled “The Social Benefits of Home Ownership.”

To learn more about why Home Ownership Matters, visit www.REALTOR.org/homeownership where you’ll find everything you need to keep you current on the debate, including articles, stats and data, blog posts, videos, and webinars.

NAR will continue to fight to preserve this important institution through advocacy and outreach to lawmakers, consumers and the media. NAR will continue to lobby policymakers in Washington, DC, and its consumer website, www.Houselogic.com, will help reinforce the benefits of homeownership.

So spread the word. Because homeownership really does matter.