Emmanuel Fonte | Music | Art | Leadership
If music be the food of love, play on. Emmanuel Fonte website is about music, art, real estate, architecture, design and decor. Occasionally, I talk about my other passion, hockey.
The graphic depicts pricing of all homes from their ‘peak through current declines’ as per Case Shiller. This index looks at prices in 20 major metropolitan areas. Keep in mind that for what is categorized as “Seattle” is comprised of Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties.
Each market peaked at different times. Therefore, the InfoGraphic doesn’t cover one segment of time. Here is a site where you can see when each market actually peaked:
Buying a new washing machine — or any major home appliance — can feel like this.
With no warning, your washing machine has become violently mutinous. As you watch in horror, its typical spin cycle goes psycho. The entire possessed unit vibrates across the floor toward you, with the lid flung open and untold gallons of water spewing, soaking your basement and sinking your savings account. It’s probably time to buy another one.
Whether your older appliances have gone berserk or just really need updating, the used-appliance market is always an option. But it’s best to understand the pros and cons of used equipment before you spring for the first refrigerator you find on a classified ad Web site.
For starters, understand that the higher prices you pay at a retail store come with a couple of advantages, like product warranties and for larger appliances, free or discounted delivery.
What’s more, there’s a certain element of risk that comes into play every time you buy a used product, whether it’s a car, camera or dryer. We’d love to vouch for specific product categories and their general reliability on the used market. However, product quality varies so much from manufacturer to manufacturer (and even within products made by one company), that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to say that ovens, for example, are always a great deal when you find them used. That’s why you have to shop smart, be observant and always, always do your homework before you buy.
We have vital pointers to share for when you go shopping for these necessary appliances. Keep reading, and you’ll see how to replace your demonic washer with one that doesn’t leave you all wet.
Read the rest at HowStuffWorks.com
Homes in Washington state are at record high affordability, thanks to the combination of lower prices and record-low mortgage interest rates.
A report on the Housing Affordability Index (HAI) for third quarter 2011 showed a statewide index of 160.7, which means a median income family had 60.7 percent more income than the minimum needed to qualify to purchase a $225,300 home (the estimated median-price).
Comparing counties, the HAI ranged from a low of 96.4 in San Juan County, where the median priced home sold for $345,000, to a high of 459.4 in Wahkiakum County, where the median price for third quarter sales was estimated to be $62,500.
The index, prepared by the Washington Center for Real Estate Research, assumes a 20 percent down payment and a 30-year mortgage.
The HAI for counties served by Northwest Multiple Listing Service shows a range of 96.4 (San Juan County) to a high of 243.4 in Pacific County. As revealed in the chart, first-time buyers remain challenged, with the statewide index pegged at 87.4.
WCRER’s report shows a three-year downward trend in prices, including a 9.5 percent drop in the statewide median sales price for Q3 compared to same period in 2010. Prices range from King County’s high of $350,000 to a low of $62,500 in Wahkiakum County.
The WCRER was created in 1989 by the WSU Board of Regents to achieve the university’s tripartite mission of education, research and service in real estate. The Center strives to provide a wide range of useful and understandable information, analysis and knowledge using academic methods in practical context while reporting findings in common language.
HOUSING MARKET SNAPSHOT
State of Washington and Northwest MLS Counties - Third Quarter 2011
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My hometown of Montreal is a rich place for cathedrals and monumental buildings especially in historic district of Old Montreal. One of such buildings is Notre-Dame Basilica alias Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal. Special on this basilica is that is do not shows biblical scenes on its windows but scenes from religious history of Montreal. Montreal Convention Center alias Palais des congrès de Montréal, is a convention and exhibition centre. The Cathedral-Basilica of Mary, Queen of the World alias Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde is located at 1085 Cathedral Street and is the seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese. Montreal Olympic Stadium alias The Big O (some would say “The Big Owe” due to its cost) was built for 1976 Summer Olympics and is the tallest inclined tower in the world at 175 m. Christ Church Cathedral is located at 635 Saint Catherine Street West and is the seat of the Anglican Diocese. The Montreal City Hall alias Hôtel de Ville de Montréal was built in 1878.
Despite survey after survey showing that consumers expect home prices to continue to decline next year, most home owners still believe their houses are worth more than what their agents recommend.
Nearly three out of four home owners, 76 percent, believe their homes are worth more than the recommended agent listing price. By contrast, 68 percent of home buyers believe homes are overpriced, according to the latest HomeGain. Thirty-two percent said homes are overpriced by more than 10 percent.
The gap between what sellers expect and what agents recommend has actually grown slightly over the past year even though national median prices have declined about 4-7 percent this year. A year ago, some 73 percent of owners thought their homes were worth more than their agent’s recommended listing price and 69 percent of buyers thought homes were overpriced.
“The market in the Syracuse, NY area is classified as a buyers market. Sellers are still not understanding the importance of proper pricing as most sellers properties are priced 5 to 10% over market value,” said one professional.
“Seller pricing is not necessarily the problem. The issue is making it possible for buyer candidates to buy a home. More buyers equal better quality offers. The credit system needs to be reinvented,” commented another.
Forty-two percent of real estate agents and brokers and 37 percent of homeowners think that home values will decrease in the coming six months. Only 15 percent of real estate professionals expect home values to increase in the next six months, up four percent from last quarter. Fifteen percent of home owners also expect home values to increase in the next six months, up three percent from last quarter.
“Home owners and real estate professionals appear to be in sync regarding the direction of home prices. Home buyers and sellers, however, continue to remain apart as to home valuations with the vast majority of home owners thinking their homes are worth more than their agents and the market are telling them,” said Louis Cammarosano, General Manager of HomeGain.
Over 400 real estate agents and brokers and over 2,000 home owners were surveyed in HomeGain’s nationwide fourth quarter 2011 home values survey.
For more information, visit www.realestateeconomywatch.com
This rectilinear home works with its environment not through an organic shape but through a series of beautiful and tactical responses to the natural rock formations and greenery of the San Juan Islands.
Rocks frame the front view toward the water on the first level, creating a semi-enclosed channel preserving privacy as well as strategic lines of sight.
Inside, outcroppings of rock are integrated everywhere from the living-and-dining-room hearth to a beautiful bathroom sink of natural stone that connects directly to the outdoors beyond.
Exterior formations provide everything from a foundation for a patio that opens out toward the water as well as a walkway up to the green roof above.
Brought to you by Olson Kundig Architects, fans of their work will recognize the metal, glass and concrete detailing – combined with an unusual attention to natural Seattle-area surroundings.
