by: Monte Helme
In 2005 7.07 million home sales set a real estate record for fifth straight year. After five consecutive record years of existing homes for sale nationwide, key real estate industry observers are optimistic that 2006 will be the second best year in history and that the national median home prices will continue to increase, although at a slower pace that last year?s 10.5%.
Additionally, the inventory of unsold homes for sale is currently at a five-month level.
A six-month supply is generally indicative of a more balanced real estate market between buyers and sellers demand.
Consumer sentiment has also rebounded since last fall despite continued Middle East, energy home prices and mortgage rates concerns. January?s 106.3 index rating by the Consumer Board was the highest in three years. Historically, home buyer activity increases as consumer confidence
improves. Actual home sales usually close 30 to 90 days later.
David Lereah, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, predicts a slight falloff in existing home values in sales in 2006:
?This is part of the real estate market adjustment we?re anticipating, with a soft landing in sight for the housing sector. The level of homes for
sale activity is now at a sustainable level and is likely to pick up in the months ahead.? He said that overall fundamentals remain solid, driven by population and job growth. Home sales totaled
7.07 million in 2005, up 4.2% over
2004. (See charts.)
Michael Bearden, president and CEO of
HouseHunt, Inc., agrees: ?Our quarterly Current Real Estate Market Conditions surveys accurately reflect ? and in some cases anticipate -- these market changes. This knowledge gives our member agents a competitive edge as local real estate market experts
in their
exclusive marketplaces. Looking ahead, we feel very positive about our system, our positioning in the industry and the
ability of our member agents
to capture more leads and close more business.?
David Liniger, chairman of RE/MAX, said that 2005 was the best year he has ever seen and anticipates that this year will see a mild correction in both home prices and sales. He still predicts that 2006 will be
second-best to 2005 for sales.
About The Author
Monte Helme is a national public relations consultant with HouseHunt, Inc. Previously, he was vice president of public relations and publications for Century 21 Real Estate Corp.; vice president of communications for AmeriNet Financial Services (now LendingTree); assistant city editor/Orange County for the Los Angeles Times; executive sports editor of
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Real Estate Investing Basics
Real Estate Investing Basics
by: Richard Rigor
Real estate investments may not be everyone?s cup of tea, but some people who have already tried investing in real estate know that it can be profitable. Real estate investment experts say there are several keys to making significant profits in real estate investment deals. And when the deals are profitable, you will certainly be well on your way to success.
For real estate investment neophytes, don?t be afraid of the challenges and pitfalls you may encounter along the way. There is definitely a lot to learn, but in the long run after you have gained some experience, you?ll hopefully become a master at closing profitable real estate deals.
There are 5 core skills that are necessary for building a real estate investment business. These will be the key factors in creating a profitable real estate investment portfolio.
These are the 5 core skills of real estate investment:
1) You...
Real Estate Investing Basics
Real estate > Real Estate Investing Basics
Real Estate Investing - - The Key To Successful Closings
Real Estate Investing - - The Key To Successful Closings
by: Lou Castillo
If everyone always did everything they said they?d do, we?d all be a lot richer. Unfortunately, tasks are overlooked, and the ball is often dropped. If you want to have successful closings, you must have strong ?follow-up? skills to catch problems early in the process. Follow-up on everyone and everything.
We can?t begin to tell you the number of closings that almost fell apart, or would have fallen apart had we not kept a watchful eye on the entire process to make sure that everything was completed when it needed to be. Here?s a typical scenario: you?re wholesaling a house and you have just 30 days to get it closed before the contract with the Seller expires. You find a buyer who can get a loan and close before the expiration. Then a few days before closing you find out that the loan isn?t ready and closing must be delayed two weeks, but the Seller already has another...
Real Estate Investing - - The Key To Successful Closings
Real estate > Real Estate Investing - - The Key To Successful Closings
Sedona Arizona Real Estate is Red Hot
Sedona Arizona Real Estate is Red Hot
by: John R. Barker
The Sedona, Arizona real estate market is a small market but full of beautiful, luxury houses
Being a first time visitor in Sedona, Arizona is quite a glorious experience as the beautiful sites and mild weather of Sedona can easily make a strong impression on everyone who has never visited Sedona before. In time, many of these visitors will want to settle their primary residence here or maybe they will think to buy a beautiful second home for their families here in Sedona.
Houses are available here for every need and even for the most luxurious tastes. Sedona real estate market is an excellent market for investments; no matter if you invest in a single family home, in a rental or retirement property, or in a commercial area, you will be making a good investment.
If you think of buying a luxury house here in Sedona, Arizona all you have to do is search for a Sedona real estate...
Sedona Arizona Real Estate is Red Hot
Real estate > Sedona Arizona Real Estate is Red Hot
Should You Use an LLC for Your Real Estate Investing? Probably--and Here's Why
Should You Use an LLC for Your Real Estate Investing? Probably--and Here's Why
by: Stephen L. Nelson, CPA
Should you use an LLC for your real estate investing?
Accountants and attorneys love limited liability companies. But do limited liability companies?LLCs for short?really make sense for real estate investors. Probably they do for two almost unknown reasons.
The Big Legal Benefit of an LLC: Limited Liability?
The big legal benefit of an LLC is that limited liability companies provide all the same liability protection as a corporation?but with much less red tape. A regular corporation, for example, requires regular stockholders meetings, a board of directors, regular board meetings, and of course records of all these activities and bodies. But a limited liability company doesn?t.
This legal liability protection provided by an LLC can be extremely valuable. One local attorney I often collaborate with, for example, tells his...
Should You Use an LLC for Your Real Estate Investing? Probably--and Here's Why
Real estate > Should You Use an LLC for Your Real Estate Investing? Probably--and Here's Why
How To Find The Right Real Estate Agent In Cyprus
How To Find The Right Real Estate Agent In Cyprus
by: Mark Vurnum
If you are looking to buy property overseas, the process can be fraught with uncertainties and worries as you look for that dream house in an area in which, to be frank, you're not all that familiar. Here, Cyprus is no different. So, how do you go about finding the right real estate agent in Cyprus?
First off, authorised real estate agents in Cyprus need to be both licensed and registered. However, not speaking the same language as you do, and having their fees paid for by the seller, may give you serious cause to wonder whether they have your best interests at heart or the seller's! If this is the case, then your first port-of-call should be the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Association ("Association"). While the Association may not be able to give you conclusive evidence that your chosen real estate agent is either the best or worst in the business, they should speak English and...
How To Find The Right Real Estate Agent In Cyprus
Real estate > How To Find The Right Real Estate Agent In Cyprus
Real Estate Market Conditions
Real Estate Market Conditions
by: Kim Polinsky
The winter season gives real estate agent/brokers a chance to sit back and evaluate the previous season-Yes? No! These days, the chance to sit back is merely a dream. Agents and Brokers must build their business with new market niches in order to stay on top of their field.
Yes, the ?bubble? has burst. Burst into a finely tuned, quickly burning engine that has grown to a new level of expertise and profits!! Real estate marketing IS changing, and the newer, inexperienced, hungry agent/broker is finding a level playing field on the new path of real estate.
Recently, the trade is encouraged by the fact that this year, unseasonably warm temperatures found across the nation are fueling not just tourism. The warm temperatures are attracting ready and willing buyers, matched with sellers willing to turn some profit.
Mountains in Colorado, beaches in California, the list goes on and on regarding...
Real estate > Real Estate Market Conditions
Easy Ways to Build Up Your Savings
Easy Ways to Build Up Your Savings
by: John Mussi
Building and maintaining a savings cushion is vital for your financial health. Most financial experts recommend having a minimum of three months' worth of living expenses set aside in case of an emergency, but many people may find it difficult to build up that much money in savings. If you think that you might have difficulty in building up the savings that you need, you might want to consider some of the following...
Real estate In 2006 Projected U.S. Home Sales To Be Second Best In History, Key Industry Observers Predict; Consumer Real Estate Confidence Highest In Three Years student loans Easy Ways to Build Up Your Savings
Real estate > Easy Ways to Build Up Your Savings
What Do You Do When Your Printer Runs Out Of Ink And You Have A Rush Printing Job?
What Do You Do When Your Printer Runs Out Of Ink And You Have A Rush Printing Job?
by: Ismael Tabije
It is always a pain in the neck when you run out of ink while printing a very important document ? on a deadline. When everything fails, make sure you keep your cool and you know what to do next. Don?t worry! You?ll have that paper in your boss? or professor?s desk in time ? even if you run out of ink.
Undoubtedly, computer parts and accessories cost a lot....
Real estate In 2006 Projected U.S. Home Sales To Be Second Best In History, Key Industry Observers Predict; Consumer Real Estate Confidence Highest In Three Years What Do You Do When Your Printer Runs Out Of Ink And You Have A Rush Printing Job?
Real estate > What Do You Do When Your Printer Runs Out Of Ink And You Have A Rush Printing Job?
Get Your Car Ready for Winter
Get Your Car Ready for Winter
by: Marilyn Pokorney
Driving in winter conditions tests your car to the limit.
If something isn't working properly under the best
conditions it certainly isn't going to work when it's cold
and stormy. Here are some tips to keep your car running
well in the winter.
The first thing to check before the weather gets cold is the
anti freeze level. Not only how much fluid is in the
radiator, but also the ratio...
Real estate In 2006 Projected U.S. Home Sales To Be Second Best In History, Key Industry Observers Predict; Consumer Real Estate Confidence Highest In Three Years Get Your Car Ready for Winter tires
Real estate > Get Your Car Ready for Winter
Real estate
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