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Best of my Blog The Emotion of Color
October, 2009
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I can't remember where I read it, but I remember reading that yellow houses sell faster than blue houses. I have certainly found that to be the case in my realtor experiences. A blue house seems to be a really tough sell. It's ironic. Blue is ranked as one of the favorite colors of both men and women.
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"We've got a lot of analysis floating around these days about whether the housing market recovery is strong, at what speed housing will recover and how high prices could rise again...
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Housing may never come back
- MSN Real Estate
"Neither major-party presidential candidate talks much about foreclosures, underwater mortgages, housing or home loans. At best, those subjects are mentioned in passing in the candidates' stump speeches..."
Where The Candidates Stand on Housing
- Bankrate.com
"The news is finally good: Consumer sentiment in housing is at the highest level since the recovery began...
The housing crisis is over, right?"
- Realty Check, CNBC
"Investors and homeowners got mixed messages about the nation's housing market ... That good-news-bad-news report increases the odds that the nation's housing struggles could be a major theme in the home stretch of the presidential campaign-especially since several "swing states" that could play a crucial role in the election have particularly weak property markets."
Will housing 'misery' swing the election
- Market Watch
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Greetings!
Welcome to "How's the Market?"
November -- election month. It's this time of year that I can't stop thinking about my mom. She LOVED politics. Her father had served as Adjutant General to Missouri Governor Lloyd Stark in the '30s, so Mother spent her high school years in seeing state government up close and personal in Jefferson City. She even met Harry Truman! I think it was that experience that hooked her for life.
When I was very young, she was a precinct captain in New Trier Township. In high school, she was a campaign manager for someone running for congress. And well into her eighties, Mother would get up at the crack of dawn on election day -- as she always had done -- to serve as an election judge at the polls. Right up until her death two years ago, Mother was a precinct captain in Shields Township... she had my nephews out helping her deliver brochures to everyone in her precinct. So, in honor of my mom, I added a few political articles to the mix.
As for real estate, November is a time when things slow down a bit. This fall has seemed a little slower -- probably because of the election and approaching holidays. Feels a bit like wait and see.
With clear skies outside, I am feeling lucky to be living in the midwest as I watch with sadness what is going on with our neighbors to the east. Ironically, the damage from the storm will probably be a boost to the housing construction industry in those areas hardest hit. November continues to be a special month for me -- probably because of my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving. With all that is going on I am reminded to count my blessings: a wonderful family, great friends, nice clients, terrific colleagues at my office, a lovely place in which to live and so much more...
Here's hoping that your November is a good month. And, don't forget to vote! |
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Just the facts..
I always think of Halloween as sort of the end of the housing market for the calendar year. Few people want to make a move over the holidays.
That said, people who are looking and active this time of year are great buyers --they want to move and they are ready to go. I always encourage my sellers to keep their houses listed in the MLS this time of year -- no telling who is out there looking and more importantly, there isn't as much competition.
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The North Shore's Highest Sales in October
Lake Forest - 780 Lake Road
List - $5,180,000
Sale - $4,850,000 (94%)
Total Days on Market - 263
(Listed in 2009 for $5.8M with a market time of 165 days.)
Glencoe - 515 Longwood Road
List - $4,500,000
Sale - $4,500,000 (100% of asking)
Total Days on Market - 25
Wilmette - 3 Canterbury Lane
Original List Price - $4,825,000
List - $2,900,000
Sale - $3,000,000 (103%)
Total Days on Market - 775
Total Days on Market at Final List Price - 14
Total of 3 homes closed for over $2,000,000 during the month of October:
Glencoe - 1
Lake Forest - 1
Wilmette - 1
(There are currently 183 homes for sale over $2,000,000.)
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Housing and the Foreclosure Crisis Are Missing From the Campaign Conversation
 And we turn to another kind of look at the election. We call it Missing Issues, important topics on the American agenda that neither candidate is spending much time discussing.
Sales of new homes are up this fall, but a third of U.S. homeowners are underwater with their mortgages, and swing states have some of the highest foreclosure rates. Jeffrey Brown talks to The Opportunity Agenda's James Carr and Cato Institute's Mark Calabria for why housing hasn't been discussed in the presidential campaigns.
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Easy Fall Prep for a Warm and Cozy Home
Fall means vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage, lots of pumpkins, and refreshingly cool temps. But, it also means winter isn't far away. Here are a few projects-from looking after your exterior to maintaining your heating system-that can help your home brace for the cold and save you ...
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10 Thanksgiving Vacation Deals for 2012
Looking for an alternative to turkey-centric family festivities this Thanksgiving? The long weekend is a great opportunity to get away without heading home for the holiday.
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Wanted you to know...
2012 Holiday Boutique
Come to the Women's Board of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Annual Holiday Boutique!
Enjoy the spirit of the season while shopping unique gifts from dozens of vendors-including designer jewelry, purses and accessories, specialty foods, children's toys, clothing and books, handmade ornaments and exquisite gifts.
Preview Party
Wednesday, November 14, 2011: 6:00pm to 9:00pm For information and reservations Holiday Boutique
Thursday, November 15, 2011: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 16, 2011: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 17, 2011: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (General admission tickets are $10.00 and include unlimited free admission.) 400 Hastings Road
Lake Forest, Illinois
All proceeds benefit the extraordinary healthcare provided by Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.
Hope to see you there -- I'll once again be at the Harbor Sweets booth!
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As always, if there is any way that I can assist you with your real estate needs, please don't hesitate to call or write!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Ann
R. Ann Jones,
Broker Associate
Prudential Rubloff Properties
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