CFR News – Issue 3 – August 2009
Improve Energy Efficiency
by Offering Carrots, Not Sticks,
Say Realtors®
Washington, June 11, 2009
Improving the energy efficiency of the nation’s homes and buildings can be best accomplished with incentives and education, according to the National Association of Realtors® through the approach and overarching goals behind the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act, H.R. 2336.
H.R. 2336 would establish incentives to encourage energy efficient building, rehabilitation and upgrades. In addition, the bill provides a loan fund for states to implement renewable energy projects and would encourage a number of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development demonstration and pilot programs that would provide best practices and great experiences for promoting energy efficiency in housing.
“We know that many of today’s consumers want homes and communities that are sensitive to the larger environment, and we are pleased that the GREEN Act would offer resources and incentives to homeowners to help them improve the energy efficiency of their homes,” said Realtor® David Wluka, a member of NAR’s Global Climate Change Presidential Advisory Group who spoke on behalf of the association. “The consumer education efforts funded by this legislation would also increase public awareness of the availability of energy efficient mortgages and encourage movement toward green housing.”
The National Association of Realtors®, (NAR) “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
All Connestee Falls Realty’s agents are members of NAR. Go to www.ConnesteeFallsHomes.com to learn more about the area, see our featured homes and search the Western North Carolina MLS.
The Market is Getting Stronger
All real estate is local and that means all markets are different. There are opportunities for buyers. The Homebuyer Tax Credit was updated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. First Time Home Buyer Purchasers are eligible for a credit of $8000 which does not need to be repaid. The credit is available through December 1, 2009, meaning qualified buyers only have a short window of opportunity to take advantage of this
special program.
Recovery for existing-home sales is expected in 2009. Pent-up demand, coupled with an abundance of safer mortgage products, will lead to near-term market improvements.
In a RISMEDIA article dated 080409 titled,
Is the Real Estate Bear Market Beginning to Bottom Out?, it speaks about if history is a reliable guide, it may be safe to say that we have entered the beginning of the end of the housing bear market.
There was an important piece of economic news that has HUGE significance for real estate and housing, yet received minimal coverage on TV and in print.
The Conference Board’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators, widely acknowledged as the most accurate predictor of future activity and output in the U.S. economy, rose by almost a point in June.
That was the third straight month of positive growth. But more importantly, it was the first time since 2004 that the index has increased for three consecutive months.
Inquiries, showing traffic and genuine interest in purchasing a home in Transylvania, Brevard and/or Connestee Falls are on the rise. The Market is GETTING Stronger & The Real Estate BEAR Market IS Beginning to Bottom Out!
Give us a call today and We Will Move Mountains to Make Your Dreams of owning a home in the mountains Come True!
Box Score
Homes sold as of 07-31: 2009 2008 2007 2006
in Connestee Falls 15 25 42 58
in Transylvania County 110 152 264 366
Residences for Sale in Connestee Falls as of 8-04-2009 – 151
Prices of Residences sold: (Price) (Price)
Range Median Average Ave.Days Mkt
2008 $123,000 – $845,000 $329,000 $366,000 185
2007 $159,000 – $872,999 $399,850 $419,457 108