Tag Archives: Cross River NY

June Concludes Best Spring Home Shopping Season in Almost a Decade | Cross River Real Estate

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As the weather warmed up this spring, so did the national housing market, shaking off a relatively sluggish start to the year to register the highest annual rate of home value appreciation in any second quarter since 2004.

The U.S. Zillow Home Value Index rose to $161,100 as of the end of the second quarter, up 5.8 percent year-over-year and 2.4 percent from the first quarter, the largest annual gain since August 2006 and largest gain in any quarter since the fourth quarter of 2005. National home values rose just 0.25 percent during the first quarter.

Additionally, not only did the pace of home value appreciation quicken in the second quarter, but the recovery also fully took hold nationwide. Markets in some areas of the Northeast, Midwest and Southeastern U.S. that had previously been slow to turn the corner began to appreciate, which helped boost the overall national market. All of the top 30 largest metro areas covered by Zillow experienced annual appreciation as of the end of the second quarter, and all have hit their bottom. Metros with the largest annual gains in the second quarter included Sacramento (29.5 percent), Las Vegas (29.4 percent) and San Francisco (25.5 percent).

Home values are expected to rise another 5 percent over the next 12 months, according to the Zillow Home Value Forecast. Of the 30 largest metro areas, 29 are expected to show home value appreciation in the next year. Metros expected to see the highest appreciation rates through June 2014 include Sacramento (18.9 percent), Riverside, CA (16.6 percent) and Phoenix (11 percent).

Only the New York metro is expected to show home value depreciation over the next 12 months (-0.8 percent). One possible explanation for expected depreciation (however slight) in the New York metro area is because New York is a judicial foreclosure state, with all foreclosures requiring judicial review before completion, which can lengthen the foreclosure process. Because foreclosures take longer to work through the system, they continue to drag home value appreciation rates down, according to Zillow economists. This could also help explain why large metro areas in other judicial foreclosure states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois, are expected to show only modest appreciation over the next year.

As home values continue to rise along with mortgage interest rates, and different kinds of buyers and sellers enter and exit the market, the landscape is expected to change.

“The U.S. housing market as a whole is currently not experiencing a bubble, but in many places it sure must feel like one, with some markets experiencing annual home value appreciation approaching 30 percent. Homeowners are feeling a sense of whiplash after years of depreciation, but this kind of market behavior won’t last,” said Zillow Senior Economist Svenja Gudell. “Investors are starting to pull out of some markets and regular buyers are coming back, and more inventory is slowly but surely coming on line, both of which will contribute to slowdowns in appreciation. Additionally, in some overheated markets, rapid home value increases coupled with rising mortgage rates will lead to housing prices and financing costs outpacing local income growth, which will also contribute to a moderation of the market. Combined, all of these factors will help the market in the second half of 2013 and beyond normalize and become much more steady than it has been in these past six months.”

 

 

June Concludes Best Spring Home Shopping Season in Almost a Decade | Zillow Blog.

8 Reasons to Consider Marketing with Google+ | Cross River Real Estate

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When Google+ was launched there were mixed reactions.8 Reasons for Marketing with Google+

The responses ranged from people with social media fatigue who thought “not another social network! “. There were also those curious personalities who said “I wonder if Google will offer a true competitor for Facebook?”

As Google watched the rapid rise of Facebook, Twitter and the social web, it realised that it couldn’t ignore this important internet evolution any longer. It invested over $550 million in the platform and its supporting technology and offered incentives for its executive management to make Google+ a success.

On June 28, 2011 Google+ was launched and proceeded to make an impact and inroads into the social media world.

The Google+ advantages

Google plus had several advantages over Facebook that had commenced six years earlier.

  • Google had started with a fresh design and a clean sheet (Facebook’s interface after launching in 2004 was looking dated)
  • Deep pockets to fund the technology
  • It was designed for a mobile web (Smart phones and tablets didn’t even exist when Facebook launched)
  • Created for a more visual online environment

Facebook had to respond and it quickly launched a range of upgrades and acquisitions (Instagram) that met the competitive challenge.

So what are the numbers?

After just two years the numbers are in and they are compelling, but not many people are aware of the penetration and popularity of Google plus.

  • 602 million registered users
  • 359 million monthly active users according to a GlobalWebIndex study
  • Its active users base grew by 33% from June 2012 through to March 2013

Marketing is always about fishing where the fish are and Google+ has a lot of fish .

8 reasons to consider marketing with Google+

With most marketers comfortable with using Facebook for their primary social media marketing tactics they quite often don’t see the other opportunities.

Here are some compelling reasons to register and start using a Google+ page to complement your Facebook page, your social media and digital marketing activities.

1. Google+ hangouts

Google+ hangouts have been an important part of the Google+ platform since day one. They allow you to create online meetings that are limited to 10 active users but it allows you to stream YouTube video to an unlimited number of viewers.

Hangouts provide a way to engage with small groups of customers that you may want to share important information and/or educate.

2. No update filtering

Google doesn’t need to make money from Google+ as its major revenue (over $30 billion) is from its Google adwords and search advertising. It doesn’t need to force you to pay to be visible on Google+.

Facebook has increasingly applied its Edgerank technology that filters the updates that are seen by people that have liked your brand’s “Facebook page”. Some research shows it at less than 15% and shrinking.  This is so they can force you to spend to advertise on Facebook to get attention.

It has become “pay to play”

Google plus does not filter (censor) your updates to followers that are following your page.


Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/07/22/8-reasons-to-consider-marketing-with-google/#rYGw8zOzDwBqKZTS.99 

 

 

8 Reasons to Consider Marketing with Google+ – Jeffbullas’s Blog.

Water Pressure Regulators and HOA Document Contingencies | Cross River Real Estate

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Water pressure valve regulators

Hi Leonard — I’ve recently read about water pressure that goes into houses and how it should be like 60-80 PSI. I understand that it can cause damage to pipes if it is much higher. I bought a tester, and my pressure is about 110 PSI, even though I have one of those pressure regulators on my house? I think it might be dead? Help! Bob M., Las Vegas

Hi Bob — Yes, the pounds per square inch (PSI) — and check with your local water authority — should be 60 to 80. You probably bought a $15 tester at the store, unscrewed an outdoor hose attached to your property, then screwed on the tester, turned on the water and found the higher 110 PSI. Good job for doing a little DIY test!

OK, you can reduce that pressure with the water pressure regulator; and you noted you have one on your house, but it doesn’t seem to be doing the job. Those regulators only last 5-7 years, so yours probably is dead if your house is older. To test a little more, you can carefully turn the screw at the top of the pressure regulator, while your tester is on the hose bib, and see if the pressure changes. If not, you need to replace the regulator, and they’re about $85.

If you can find an exact match and size, and your main water shut-off is in line from the city’s water supply and before the regulator, then you might be able to just shut off the water, unscrew the old regulator with a crescent or pipe wrench, and install a new one — if you are handy. If not, have a plumber come test the water PSI and install a new regulator for you.

For non-handy people, parts and labor will probably cost $350-$500 for the install, depending on whether the water main shut-off is easily accessible. Do a little more research on the Internet and make sure to have a couple of plumbers give you an estimate. Good luck.

 

 

Real Estate Q&A: Water Pressure Regulators and HOA Document Contingencies | Zillow Blog.

Support for ‘patent troll’ legislation builds | Cross River Real Estate

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A push for legislation cracking down on so-called “patent trolls” is gathering steam on Capitol Hill, potentially spelling relief for many businesses, including those in the real estate industry.

Last week, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., introduced the “Patent Litigation and Innovation Act of 2013″ (H.R. 2639) in the House, which is related to the “Patent Abuse Reduction Act of 2013″ (S. 1013) introduced by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in May.

The White House has also issued a series of legislative recommendations and executive actions to tackle the issue. The executive actions will require patent applicants and owners to disclose the true owner of a patent, train patent examiners to flag overly broad patent applications, and offer a website educating consumers and small-business owners about what to do if they are targeted, among other things.

Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez last month urged the commission to use its authority to collect more comprehensive information about the business models and scope of “patent assertion entities” — the formal name given to companies that are focused primarily on purchasing and asserting patent claims against companies with products currently on the market.

“These entities are driving the increase in patent litigation and targeting firms in a growing slice of the economy,” Ramirez said. Patent trolls have moved beyond their original primary targets — information technology firms — and are going after financial services providers and retailers, she said.

“Even hotels and coffee shops are not immune,” Ramirez said, and the costs to consumers “appear increasingly tangible and direct.”

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/07/17/support-for-patent-troll-legislation-builds/#sthash.Fb1QAAW4.dpuf

 

Support for ‘patent troll’ legislation builds | Inman News.

Memphis real estate market continues improvement | Cross River Real Estate

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The rebound in the Shelby County housing market continued in the second quarter.

Total home sales in the quarter were up 11 percent from previous year levels, with a total of 4,226 total homes sold in the county. According to Chandler Reports,total sales volume was up 21 percent as well.

The average sales price in Shelby County was $141,303, a 9 percent improvement over the $129,316 average sales price in the second quarter of last year.

The 38017 ZIP code in Collierville saw the highest number of sales in the quarter. A total of 290 homes were sold in that area alone.

 

Memphis real estate market continues improvement – Memphis Business Journal.

Greenwich, Take Steps To Avoid Mosquitoes And West Nile Virus | Cross River Real Estate

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The discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus in Norwalk last week renews the summer fear of insect bites.

The Connecticut Mosquito Management Program advises the best way to avoid the West Nile virus is to lower your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.

Here are steps to take to avoid the annoying summer pests, according to the Mosquito Management Program:

  • Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect babies when outdoors.
  • Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when outdoors.

Restricting mosquito breeding habitats can greatly lessen the potential for West Nile virus to become a significant human health threat, the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program says.

To protect you and your family from mosquitoes and the West Nile virus, it advises you:

  • Reduce the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding around your home.
  • Empty standing water from used or discarded tires, including tire swings, that may have accumulated on your property.
  • Dispose of cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by vegetation.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside. Drainage holes on the sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters annually. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
  • Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used regularly.
  • Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. Change water in birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
  • Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they stagnate.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, even if not being used. A swimming pool left untended during a vacation can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Mosquitoes may breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
  • Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes can develop in any puddle that lasts more than seven to 10 days

 

Greenwich, Take Steps To Avoid Mosquitoes And West Nile Virus | The Greenwich Daily Voice.

Hot Real Estate Market Causes Unexpected Glitch For Buyers, Sellers | Cross River Real Estate

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The real estate market in the Boston area has been crazy lately and that’s adding up to trouble for both buyers and sellers.

 

Demand is way up and inventory is way down. That means buyers are all chomping at the bit to bid on the few houses that are on the market. “I’ve had clients this spring who have offered on properties without even seeing them,” explained realtor Kerrianne Ciccone.

 

In the most popular neighborhoods, sellers are routinely getting multiple offers above the asking price. While that may sound like great news for Ciccone’s clients like Neil Maniar, it can create some problems. “You never quite know what you are going to get into when you sell your house,” Maniar said.

 

One of the biggest unknowns in the current market is the appraisal. If a bidding war pushes the price above asking, the appraisal may come in too low.

 

 

Appraisers use recent sales to set the value of a home, but prices have been rising so fast that sales from a few months ago are out of step with current rates. That, according to Boston realtor P.T. Vineburgh, can put both buyer and seller back to square one. “It could completely create an inability for someone to secure financing,” he said. “Our company has definitely lost deals,” he added.

 

New rules to avoid another mortgage meltdown are also causing problems. Banks can no longer hire their own appraisers and that means appraisers are sometimes sent to unfamiliar territory. Vineburgh says he almost lost a deal because an appraiser from the Cape was sent to evaluate a condo in the Back Bay.

 

“He valued the parking space at like $20, 000,” he said. You may recall a parking space in that neighborhood recently sold for $560,000.

 

If you are a buyer and your appraisal comes in low, here are a few things to try.

 

Put more money down. The bank is more likely to sign off if you improve the loan-to-value ratio.

Renegotiate the price with the seller. They may be willing to come down rather than start from scratch.

Find another bank and hope the appraisal comes back higher.

Everything worked out for the Maniars, but it was a stressful time. “There certainly were a couple of knots in our stomachs,” he said.

 

Rising interest rates could put a damper on this frenzied market, but as long as inventories stay low, there will still be stiff competition for the few homes that are available.

 

Hot Real Estate Market Causes Unexpected Glitch For Buyers, Sellers « CBS Boston.

Innovations in ‘big data’ set to take off | Cross River Real Estate

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The sheer volume and types of real estate data available may be akin to drinking from a firehose, but the technology available to wrangle that data is rapidly becoming cheaper and easier to use.

“In the past three years, costs have gone through the floor. The cost of doing (data) integration is so cheap now. The ability for you to integrate and pull in data now from (different sources) has completely changed. You can build something in an afternoon,” said Jack Miller, chief technology officer for the The Goodlife Team, an Austin, Texas-based boutique brokerage.

Miller spoke on a panel about how to work with real estate data at today’s Real Estate Connect San Francisco conference.

Miller noted that data is becoming normalized and “making everybody’s life easier.” He pointed to the Spark API from multiple listing service software provider FBS as an example. The API allows authorized MLS members and developers access to MLS data standardized according to the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Data Dictionary, which includes some common vocabulary for fields used to represent real estate data in MLSs.

Previously, vendors had to tailor their products to the standards of different MLSs, which stymied innovation in the industry as a whole and allowed other industries to innovate faster, Miller said.

“Now that things are normalized, new tools can come to the market and spread much, much faster,” he said.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/07/10/innovations-in-big-data-set-to-take-off/#sthash.yaN6KaCf.dpuf

 

Innovations in ‘big data’ set to take off | Inman News.

Reorganize Your Fridge, Revitalize Your Diet | Cross River Real Estate

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If finding something as simple as ketchup in your refrigerator is akin to reaching into astorage unit of forgotten mysteries, it’s probably time to rethink the way you’re storing food. Not only does a well-organized fridge make for a more pleasing kitchen environment overall, but you’ll never again find yourself frantically searching for green onions halfway through cooking dinner. Here are some easy ways to reorganize your fridge and streamline the way you cook and eat, for the better!

Organize by expiration date and throw items away weekly

Unless you’re planning on hunkering down for the next year or so, there’s no need to hoard food or keep leftovers for longer than 2-3 days. Judiciously throw away any foods that are expiring, or close to expiring, at the end of every week. This allows you to start each week with a clean slate — a great motivational tool if you’re following a specific diet plan or just trying to eat healthier.

Invest in quality storage containers

It’s easy to forget which leftover came first when you’re looking at five different to-go boxes. To solve this problem, invest in quality see-through containers such as Tupperware or Pyrex, and label with the contents and date. Clear space in your freezer as well by getting rid of unnecessary box packages, and instead keep everything in airtight plastic containers or bags.

Take advantage of your fridge’s storage

Your fridge comes with drawers and compartments for a reason — they’re optimized for certain foods. Meat should go into the deli drawer. If your fridge doesn’t have one, place meat in the shallowest drawer, which happens to be one of the colder areas in your fridge. Also make sure your vegetables are in the drawer with the highest humidity (most fridges will come with a fruit and vegetable drawer). Be careful with your eggs: They absorb odor, so put them in the airtight egg bin if your fridge has one, or in the centermost area.

Don’t rely on the the refrigerator door

While you may be haphazardly piling various food and drink items into the door of your refrigerator, don’t forget that most foods should be stored in an area that maintains a stable temperature. The frequent opening and closing of your refrigerator door can actually be damaging to many foods and cause them to expire faster than their regular shelf life.

Some foods are better left unrefrigerated

Some foods just do not belong in the fridge. These include potatoes, onions, tomatoes, avocados, peaches and honey. Some foods, such as bread, nut butters, bananas and apples, do not need to be refrigerated, but can be. Additionally, be careful of storing fruits that emit ethylene gas in close proximity with other ethylene-sensitive foods. Apples, for example, release ethylene gas, which will end up spoiling nearby fruits and vegetables.

 

Reorganize Your Fridge, Revitalize Your Diet | Zillow Blog.

Countertop materials that stand up to years of abuse | Cross River Real Estate

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When shopping for kitchen appliances you’ll see a dizzying array of choices, from basic models to ones loaded with features. But your countertops might outlast your appliances by years, maybe decades, making this decision one you’ll live with for some time. Consumer Reports tested 14 materials and found that except for recycled glass, there wasn’t much difference among competing brands, but there were big differences in materials. Here’s a look at our tests and what’s new in countertops.

Crazy about quartz. This synthetic material is becoming more popular and some mimics stone, although may look too uniform to be realistic. Quartz also comes in vivid colors such as Caeserstone’s Apple Martini and Red Shimmer. Quartz was tops in our tests, whether polished or matte finish. Sharp knives, abrasive pads, hot pots, and most stains didn’t damage it plus it’s easy to maintain and doesn’t require sealing. Silestone’s suede series is designed to have a leathery finish with little reflection, but their website warns that this finish may require extra care.
CR tip: Edges and corners can chip and repairs aren’t a DIY project. Rounded edges help.

Granite’s rock solid rep. It’s been rumored to be on its way out for years but granite is still among the most desirable or must-have kitchen features, according to a recent study from theNational Association of Home Builders. No two slabs are exactly alike, giving your kitchen its own look, and unlike marble, limestone, and soapstone, granite is the only real stone that’s practical enough for heavily used areas. It performed similarly to quartz in our tests and new suede and leathered finishes skip the high sheen and offer a softer look.
CR tip: When properly sealed, matte finish and polished granite fended off most stains, so reseal periodically to maintain resistance. Chipped edges and corners are a possibility and only a pro can repair them.

 

 

Countertop materials that stand up to years of abuse – Yahoo! Homes.