Tag Archives: Chappaqua NY Realtor

Chappaqua NY Realtor

Facebook CEO smart house | Chappaqua Real Estate

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave users a unique look into his home, as part of an explanation of his custom-made artificially intelligent assistant.

Building on Facebook’s internal technology for Messenger app building, Zuckerberg made an iPhone app, Jarvis, to connect the smart devices and phones around his home, similar to Amazon’s Echo. In explaining his progress in the app, Zuckerberg somewhat jokingly revealed some of the quirks of his lifestyle with his wife, Priscilla Chan.

For instance, Jarvis wakes Zuckerberg’s daughter, Max, up to a Mandarin lesson, thanks to Facebook’s visual face detection which determines when the infant is awake. This same technology helps Zuckerberg recognize who’s ringing his doorbell, he said.

We also know Zuckerberg has a pretty extensive set of Spotify playlists and someone in the family may be an Adele fan.

Zuckerberg also showed an interface to request a clean gray T-shirt — his signature look — from what he called a rigged-up ” T-shirt cannon.” He has also ginned up a special 1950’s-era toaster “that will let you push the bread down while it’s powered off so you can automatically start toasting when the power goes on.”

Creating the assistant was one of Zuckerberg’s yearly resolutions, which have also included running a mile a day, reading a new book every other week and learning Chinese.

This year’s challenge was aimed to help him learn how powerful AI can be with 100 hours of work, he wrote. For instance, Zuckerberg said that he realized texting Jarvis — especially if he was away from his home or in the middle of a task — was often more valuable than voice commands alone. That, Zuckerberg said, falls in line with trends he’s seen on Messenger and WhatsApp, where texting is growing more quickly than voice calls.

However, Zuckerberg said, with the voice bot, he learned to consider it a presence that responded more quickly and empathetically.

“It can interact with Max and I want those interactions to be entertaining for her, but part of it is that it now feels like it’s present with us,” Zuckerberg wrote. “I’ve taught it fun little games like Priscilla or I can ask it who we should tickle and it will randomly tell our family to all go tickle one of us, Max or Beast. I’ve also had fun adding classic lines like ‘I’m sorry, Priscilla. I’m afraid I can’t do that.'”

Zuckerberg said he found little bugs that showed how far AI systems are from being generalized for a wide variety of requests.

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http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/19/how-the-other-half-lives-mark-zuckerbergs-life-inside-his-bespoke-smart-house.html?__source=newsletter%7Ceveningbrief

NAR says home sales to continue to increase next year | Chappaqua Real Estate

Predictions from the National Association of Realtors, the Mortgage Bankers Association,Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac show that home sales are going to heat up in 2017, according to a blog by NAR.

NAR predicted existing home sales will reach 6 million in 2017, an increase from this year’s forecast of 5.8 million, according to the blog. MBA predicted home sales will reach 5.75 million and Fannie and Freddie forecast home sales will come in at 6.2 million.

From the blog:

A huge wave of Generation Yers, who have delayed home buying, are emerging into their key buying years. They are predicted to keep home sales and condo sales strong well into 2020, according to economists.

Meanwhile, new-home construction starts likely will tick up to about 1.5 million per year to 2024, predicts Forisk Research.

Home builders likely will continue to be more subdued, despite calls for more inventory.

As for the rest of this year, the summer housing market saw high demand next to rising home prices, but don’t expect Fall to bring any relief. In fact, it could bring the hottest fallin a decade, new data from realtor.com shows.

 

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http://www.housingwire.com/articles/38205-nar-forecasts-heated-housing-market-in-2017?eid=311691494&bid=1549805

Clintons buy adjacent Chappaqua property | Chappaqua Real Estate

While on the campaign trail in hopes of re-occupying the White House come January, Hillary and Bill Clinton have more than doubled the size of their Chappaqua sprawl with the recent $1.16 million purchase of a home adjacent to their current 15 Old House Lane compound.

The 1.51-acre, three-bedroom, four-bath, ranch-style property at 33 Old House Lane shares the end of a cul-de-sac with the couple’s original 1.1-acre spread, which they acquired for $1.7 million back in 1999 (and which recently housed the Democratic presidential nominee during her much-discussed bought with pneumonia).

Coincidentally or not, the New Castle Town Board has since designated the stretch of road leading up to said cul-de-sac a local-traffic-only street, according to Statesman Journal. Shortly after, the Clintons’ secret service reportedly barricaded the street and began screening cars, though town administrator Jill Shapiro stated that the police chief had received a request for security reasons.

The Douglas Elliman listing (which is, naturally, now closed) boasted of the address’s “open floor plan, pecan wood floors throughout, [and] modern chef’s kitchen,” which “opens to an eating area with fireplace and the family room all with built-in cabinetry.”

 

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http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Clintons-Buy-Second-Westchester-Home/

Mortgage rates average 3.50% | Chappaqua Real Estate

Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate increasing to its highest level since June.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.50 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending September 15, 2016, up from last week when it averaged 3.44 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.91 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.77 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.76 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.11 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.82 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.81 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.92 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following link for the Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quote
Attributed to Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“The 10-year Treasury yield rose 18 basis points to 1.73 percent, its highest level since Brexit. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage followed suit, rising 6 basis points to 3.50 percent this week. This is the first week since June that mortgage rates were above 3.48 percent, snapping an 11-week trend.”

Homebuilders gaining confidence | Chappaqua Real Estate

Homebuilder confidence increased in August as new construction and new home sales increase, according to the Housing Market Index by the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo.

Builder confidence in the market of newly constructed single-family homes in August rose two points to 60, up from July’s downwardly revised reading of 58, according to the index.

“New construction and new home sales are on the rise in most areas of the country, and this is helping to boost builder sentiment,” said NAHB Chairman Ed Brady, a homebuilder and developer from Bloomington, Ill.

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for 30 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI categorizes builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as good, fair or poor.

The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as high to very high, average or low to very low. Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

“Builder confidence remains solid in the aftermath of weak GDP reports that were offset by positive job growth in July,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.  “Historically low mortgage rates, increased household formations and a firming labor market will help keep housing on an upward path during the rest of the year.”

In the second quarter of 2016, real gross domestic product, the value of everything a nation produces, grew at a rate of only 1.2% from last year, according to the estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

On the other hand, total non-farm payroll employment increased by 255,000 in July, far above what experts predicted.

 

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http://www.housingwire.com/articles/37782-homebuilders-gaining-confidence-as-new-home-sales-increase?eid=311691494&bid=1498035

Private Residential Construction Spending Stalls in April | Chappaqua Real Estate

NAHB analysis of Census Construction Spending data shows that total private residential construction spending for April dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $439.7 billion, down by 1.5% over the March upwardly revised estimate. Private nonresidential construction spending was also down 1.5%, the first decline in 2016.

Within private residential construction, spending on multifamily and improvements both declined in April. Multifamily spending decreased to $60.0 billion after two consecutive months of strong gains. Despite this monthly decline, multifamily spending was 21.4% higher than in April 2015. Private construction spending on home improvements fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $142.2 billion, down by 3.2% since last month. Compared to 2015 April estimates, spending on home improvements decreased 3.5%. Single-family spending stood at $237.5 billion, virtually unchanged since March but up by 12.9% year over year.

The NAHB construction spending index, which is shown in the graph below (the base is January 2000), illustrates the strong growth in new multifamily construction since 2010, while new single-family construction and home improvements spending have drifted upward at a more modest pace. NAHB anticipates accelerating growth for new single-family spending over the rest of 2016.

Slide1

The pace of private nonresidential construction spending retreated after three consecutive monthly increases. It fell 1.5% on a monthly basis, but was 3.4% higher than the April 2015 estimate. The largest contribution to this year-over-year nonresidential spending gain was made by the class of lodging (25.3% increase), followed by office (24.4% increase) and amusement and recreation religious (11.9% increase).

 

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http://eyeonhousing.org/2016/06/private-residential-construction-spending-stalls-in-april/

Mortgage rates average 3.64% | Chappaqua Real Estate

Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing mortgage rates ticking higher for the first time in two months.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.64 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending March 3, 2016, up from last week when it averaged 3.62 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.75 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.94 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.93 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.03 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.84 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.79 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.96 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following link for theDefinitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quote
Attributed to Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“The market turbulence that kicked off the year subsided at the end of February, providing at least a temporary break in the flight to quality. Treasury yields approached their highest level in a month, boosting the 30-year mortgage 2 basis points this week to 3.64 percent. Despite this welcome breather, Fed officials have been highlighting the downside risks to the economic outlook, and the market expects the Fed to refrain from any further short-term rate increases for now.”

Rates average 3.97% | Chappaqua Real Estate

Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing mortgage rates mixed with the 30-year fixed-rate falling back below four percent to start the year.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.97 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending January 7, 2016, down from last week when it averaged 4.01 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.73 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.26 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from 3.24 percent last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.05 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.09 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.08 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.98 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following link for theDefinitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quote
Attributed to Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“Concerns about overseas economic developments have dominated financial markets to start the year. U.S. Treasury bond yields fell amidst a global equity selloff and flight to safety. In response, the 30-year mortgage rate dipped 4 basis points to 3.97 percent.”

Housing starts fall 3% in August | Chappaqua Real Estate

Housing starts in the United States fell 3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,126,000 in August of 2015, following a downwardly revised 1,161,000 in July and missing market forecasts. Housing Starts in the United States averaged 1445.58 Thousand from 1959 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 2494 Thousand in January of 1972 and a record low of 478 Thousand in April of 2009. Housing Starts in the United States is reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.

United States Housing Starts

 

ActualPreviousHighestLowestDatesUnitFrequency
1126.001204.002494.00478.001959 – 2015ThousandMonthly
Volume, SA
Housing Starts refer to the number of new residential construction projects that have begun during any particular month. Estimates of housing starts include units in structures being totally rebuilt on an existing foundation. This page provides the latest reported value for – United States Housing Starts – plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Content for – United States Housing Starts – was last refreshed on Thursday, September 17, 2015.
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http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/housing-starts

Builders Sentiment Weakens Slightly | Chappaqua Real Estate

The March NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index dropped two points to 53 from February, the third consecutive monthly decline in the index. While softening during the winter months, the index has remained above 50 since July 2014. Furthermore, of the three components to the index, the expectations for future sales remained steady at 59 (from the downwardly revised February of 59).

The HMI decline was primarily driven by a decline in builders’ judgment of current sales where the index fell three points from 61 to 58. While a reading of 58 is well above the tipping point of 50 where more builders rate the market as good rather than poor, it is the lowest reading in that component since June 2014. New home sales up through January have been moving up.

New Home Sales & HMI Current Sales Component
Builders continue to face challenges finding labor and lots. Lot prices are rising and making it more difficult to remain within buyers’ expectations for the final new home price. Adding labor also means forcing up wage rates while potential buyers remain very price sensitive. Appraisals have also hindered sales particularly at lower price points where supply cost increases have the greatest impact on the final price. A number of comments in this month’s survey mentioned buyers’ desire for bargaining in the face of rising home prices.

Regional changes were in both directions. The three month moving average was down in the Northeast, South and West two, two and seven points respectively but up two points in the Midwest. Monthly regional indicators, often more erratic, were up 13 points in the Midwest but down seven points in the Northeast, two points in the South and 11 points in the West. The more dramatic declines in the Northeast and West align with the larger negative changes in existing home sales in January.

 

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http://eyeonhousing.org/2015/03/builders-sentiment-weakens-slightly/