Town to biz improvement supporters: numbers, please
When local business owners Ed Williams, Julie Shelton and Gail Shmee took their business improvement district idea to the Town Council May 3, the council said, "Show me."
May 8, 2012
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New Home Sales Rise For 7th Month Out Of 8
The April New Home Sales report suggests that the market for newly-built homes is as strong as the market for existing ones. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold rose 3.3 percent in April to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 343,000 units sold — its second-highest reading since April 2010. April 2010 marked the...
Home Affordability Getting A Springtime Boost From Greece
Home affordability is receiving a boost from across the Atlantic Ocean this spring. For the third time in as many years, a weakening Eurozone is pushing May mortgage rates to new lows throughout Washington and nationwide. The story centers in Greece and begins in 2010. 2 years ago, it was uncovered that successive Greece governments...
8-Fold Increase In “Improving Markets” Since September
The economic recovery continues nationwide, but the recovery’s an uneven one. Some metropolitan areas are faring very well this year, posting measurable gains in both employment and housing. Other metropolitan areas, by contrast, are struggling. To help identify those markets in which growth is occurring, the National Association of Homebuilders created the Improving Market Index,...
Marrett picked to replace Jacobson at Visitors Bureau
Friday Harbor's Barbara Marrett has worn many hats in three decades on San Juan Island. Add communications manager to the list.
May 8, 2012
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Reverse Mortgages : Pros And Cons
Despite several big-name banks pulling the product from their respective home loan offerings, reverse mortgages remain a popular mortgage choice among homeowners aged 62 or over. A reverse mortgage is exactly what it sounds like — a mortgage in reverse. Rather than borrow a fixed amount of money then pay that loan balance down...
Small Repairs That Can Raise Your Sales Price
If you’re actively preparing to list your home for sale, resist the temptation to make major home improvements. Nationwide, home improvement projects recoup just 58 cents on the dollar, says Remodeling Magazine. Rather, for a better return on your time and money, focus on the minor projects instead. It’s the smaller projects in San Juan Island...
Planning For A Memorial Day Closing
Planning to close on your home at the end of May? Plan ahead. Memorial Day is coming and the holiday may delay your closing. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and the 3-day Memorial Day weekend is a popular vacation time in real estate-related industries. Real estate agents tend to take time off...
Mortgage Guidelines Resume Tightening Nationwide
Despite an improving U.S. economy, the nation’s banks remain cautious about what they will lend, and to whom. Last quarter, by a margin of 3-to-2, more banks tightened residential mortgage lending standards for “prime borrowers” than did loosen them. A “prime borrower” is defined as one with a well-documented credit history, high credit scores, and...
Visitors Bureau spring membership luncheon, May 9
This year’s luncheon coincides and also celebrates with National Travel and Tourism Week, May 5-13. And check out the bureau's new "Paid for with Tourism Dollars" stamp; order a stamp at the luncheon.
April 30, 2012
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Pending Home Sales Index Crosses The 100 Barrier
After a series of worse-than-expected data last month, the housing market appears to be back on track. The Pending Home Sales Index posted 101.4 in March, a four percent gain from the month prior and the index’s highest reading since April 2010 — the last month of that year’s federal home buyer tax credit. A...
