April 30, 2010
Consumer Confidence Index in April of 2010 rose to the highest level seen since September of 2008, according to The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, a private research group located in New York. The Consumer Confidence Index is a closely watched index that determines how American shoppers feel about the job market, businesses and the economy as a whole.
A reading of 100 indicates a strong growing economy, in April the reading increased to 57.9, the highest reading since September of 2008! All time low reading of 25.3 was reached in February of 2009.
Although April’s reading is far from a good reading, it is a small sign that consumers concerns about the economy are beginning to ease up.
According to Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, “Looking ahead, continued job growth will be the key in sustaining positive momentum.”
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April 29, 2010
February’s home prices showed the first annual increase since December of 2006, this reflects a 3% rise from the rock bottom prices reported in May of 2009, according to Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index. This is a small symbol of hope for homeowners that are “underwater” on their mortgages, as rising prices help to rebuild the equity in their homes.
A rise in home prices can also affect consumer confidence, bringing confidence to homeowners as the equity begins to rise in their homes again. After an all time low of 25.3 in February of 2009, the Consumer Confidence Index increased to 57.9 in April (a Consumer Confidence Index reading above 90 reflects a stable economy).
This in no means suggests that the real estate market is recovering; it does however show just one more step in the right direction.
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April 28, 2010
The Hernando Beach dredge project will be able to take one more step forward now that Hernando County has the updated plans and will make the April 30, 2010 permitting deadline, according to David Russell, Hernando County Commissioner.
The project has been stalled for nearly three months, due to a contract responsibility dispute between the contractor, Orion Dredging Services, Inc and the consultant-engineer, The Halcrow Group. Russell claims that the project will resume in 60 days as long as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) finds the revised plans acceptable.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has provided $5.5 million in grant money towards the project and has offered a preliminary approval for a one year extension deadline for matching the funds to help pay for the project.
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April 27, 2010
Eight years ago, the Hernando County Commission created a mandatory curbside recycling program in the Spring Hill, Hernando County, Florida area. At the time, many residents felt that the program was forced on them, according to Jeff Stabins, Hernando County Commissioner.
Recently the county changed the program from once a week to once every two weeks in an effort to save the county some money; this prompted an onslaught of phone calls to the county officials. However, only 20% of the residents in the mandatory recycling area adhere to the program while 80% do not use the program at all.
Today Hernando County Commission is considering changing the program, while Stabins says that he still supports recycling, he would prefer to change the mandatory program to a voluntary program around the county. The program will be a focus on May 4 during a workshop at 9:00 a.m. at the commission chambers, located at 20 N. Main Street, Room 263, Brooksville, FL 34601
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April 26, 2010
April 23, 2010
Here is the most recent video providing information on Amendment 4 and why we need to vote NO.
Click here to go to the FAR website to watch the video!
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Existing home sales in Florida are still on the rise, according to the Florida Realtors, increasing by 24% in March in an annual comparison. That reflects a total of 16,294 homes that were sold across the state of Florida during the month of March 2010.
If you ever thought purchasing a dream home in Florida was out of your reach…check out these statistics! According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), in February the median sales price in California for existing homes sales was $279,840, in Maryland; $237,446, in Massachusetts; $271,950, in New York, $225,000 and in Florida $131,300! The median sales price is rising though, during the month of March it was $137,000 in Florida.
Now is the time to buy that dream home!
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April 22, 2010
In honor of Earth Day, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is offering a new Green MLS Tool kit in an effort to make marketing green homes a bit simpler by placing an initiative to their local MLS.
The Tool Kit was created by a number of associations and organizations, including the NAR, which have experience with “implementing a green MLS initiative”. Included in the Tool Kit is strategies, outlines and a list of resources that will help assist in the implementation of “greening” the MLS.
According to Ken Wade, CEO of Neighbor Works America, “By identifying which homes contain energy efficient and environmentally friendly characteristics, the Greening MLS Tool Kit will help all home buyers – especially first-time and low- and moderate income home buyers – make more informed choices about the cost of their housing and where upfront payment may lead to long-term saving.”
If you’re looking for more information on the Green MLS Tool Kit visit the NAR Website.
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April 21, 2010
Today’s home buyers have likely heard of mold and radon. These are a couple of issues that can have an effect on air quality. It is said that poor air quality can cause asthma, lung disease and upper respiratory congestion to name a few. As a result, indoor air quality (IAQ) can play an important role when home buyers are making decisions. Detecting IAQ is much easier than it once was. Last year the EPA actually created a program called Indoor airPlus. Today, there are several “Green” home builders who are using Indoor airPlus. If a home is to receive the airPlus label, it must meet ENERGY STAR requirements as well as an additional 30 design and construction features. All of the requirements that must be met protect homes from factors that negatively affect air quality. To find out more information regarding Indoor airPlus you can go to http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/
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On Saturday April, 24, 2010 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm The United Way of Hernando County along with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service will be hosting a “Get the Facts” workshop. Get The Facts is geared towards educating and aiding families that are facing foreclosure or looking for answers in regards to their financial situation.
Topics that will be discussed will include: Learning How to Work with Your Lender, Identifying the Players, Understanding the Alternatives to Foreclosure and Defining Delinquency. You will have an opportunity to meet with HUD certified counselors as well as local housing authorities.
The workshop will be located at Career Central, 7361 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, Hernando County, Florida. The workshop is free and no reservations are needed. For more information feel free to call 1-800-864-8368 ext. 8368
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