Tag Archives: Waccabuc NY Homes

Lower consumer confidence and real estate | Waccabuc Real Estate

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LOWER consumer confidence could put a dampener on a housing market, which had shown strong improvements since the start of the year.

The latest consumer sentiment data from Westpac and the Melbourne Institute revealed that consumer confidence had fallen for the fourth consecutive month.

RP Data research director Tim Lawless said the index did move around a lot from month to month, so as a result following the trend was more important than the monthly result.

“However we have seen the index move lower over five of the past six months which indicates a softening consumer mind set,’’ he said.

Mr Lawless said consumer confidence and housing market conditions were highly linked.

“If a consumer is lacking confidence in their household finances they aren’t going to be as prepared to make a high commitment decision such as purchasing a property,’’ he said.

Mr Lawless said if consumer confidence continued at similar levels in the coming months, he thought the “exuberant’’ housing market conditions would taper off.

He said at the moment even though confidence levels had eased, consumers still viewed the housing market as a ‘wise’ place for their savings.

“Consumer confidence can be fickle, and we may see the consumer mind set bounce back to a more optimistic position if the jobless rate stabilises and economic data flows improve,’’ he said.

 

http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/lower-consumer-confidence-could-put-a-dampener-on-the-market/story-fncq3era-1226858156877

Innovation and Personal Branding | Waccabuc Real Estate

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about personal branding, in part because I’m about to begin a new commissioned white paper and so I’ve been re-visiting my popular white paper for Innocentive – Harnessing the Global Talent Pool to Accelerate Innovation, and what I wrote about personal branding there:

“… the world continues to move away from being a place where employees expect to have jobs for life, and fight against any change to this paradigm, to a world where portfolios, personal branding, and project-based work will become more common in an increasing number of industries. The evolving world of work is becoming a world in which individuals will need to be really good at collaborating and playing well with others, while also honing their skills at standing out from the crowd. At the same time, the external perception of your network value will expand from a focus on internal connections to also include the talented minds you might know outside the organization that can be brought in on different projects or challenges.”

So, let’s dig in…

The power of the individual versus the power of the collective. This is a tension that has been around longer than the practice of human resources and talent management as an occupation. While the organization is concerned with achieving success for the collective, too often we forget that the collective is made up of a collection of unique individuals, and that each of these individuals have a collection of unique skills, talents, and abilities that may or not directly fulfill the needs of their role and the organization’s goals and brand promise:

“To build a brand, you must start a conversation with your customers. Your customers have to know that you stand for something and that they can count on you to deliver upon your brand promise.” (April 20, 2012)

While the role of the individual in helping to fulfill the organization’s brand promise is often not considered, it should be, at the same time that the organization considers whether its chosen individuals adequately fill the defined job requirements that the organization believes are necessary to fulfill the collective’s mission to achieve revenue and profits for its shareholders, value for its clients and donors, or benefits for its constituents (depending on whether you’re talking about a for-profit, non-profit or governmental organization).

 

http://socialmediatoday.com/braden-kelley/2239866/innovation-and-personal-branding?utm_source=smt_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&inf_contact_key=08d33df30dcb3fe8f7c700078bccc195e73b4a1551c81703caab70a7e0b1d8f0

Which housing regions sailed and which failed so far in 2014? | Waccabuc Real Estate

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Economic growth is modest and moderate but steady, according to the latest and somewhat sunny-side Beige Book, the comprehensive economic report published by the Federal Reserve that covers all 12 Fed districts — but housing markets across the 12 districts varied from poor to hopeful.

Economic conditions continued to expand from January to early February, according to the Beige Book researchers.

Fully eight districts reported modestly improved levels of activity. New York and Philadelphia experienced a decline in economic activity, which was mostly blamed on cold weather.

Growth slowed in Chicago, and Kansas City reported that conditions remained stable during the reporting period.

Nationally, residential real estate markets continued to improve in several areas but as the Fed was quick to underscore – modestly.

Boston and New York saw mixed home sales, and Philadelphia, Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Kansas City reported a definite decline in sales.  Several of the 12 fed districts cited low inventories of housing and continued home price appreciation.

Residential housing markets among the 12 districts were mixed, and the regional reports didn’t even list real estate activity as a notable industry in the Beige Book.

 

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/29197-which-housing-regions-sailed-and-which-failed-so-far-in-2014

The Dirty Little Secret About Guest Blogging | Waccabuc Real Estate

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So I was doing my daily blog reading routine when I encountered a  certain post. In it, the author was complaining about receiving a lot of guest  posts with clear “client links” in the bio boxes. In other words, guest posts  where the author wanted to promote a third-party company or website instead of  their own personal brand.

The blogger in question was kind of angry that these guest authors “would dare” to send such posts, instead of wanting to “share with the community  naturally.”

So the main question is this: Is guest posting on your client’s  behalf bad?

(Well, you can see my point of view in the headline, but I’m  curious to learn yours, so feel free to comment.)

Anyway, I’m going to tell you exactly why guest posting for clients  isn’t bad at all, and also, what you can do when dealing with bloggers declining  your posts just because your link points to a client.

Reality of guest blogging

There’s a lot of guest blogging advice circulating around. Most of  it portrays the whole practice as a fairy tale. The preachers use words like: “when you guest post, you get to add to the community, reach out to other  people, be part of something bigger than yourself.”

True.

But it’s not the whole truth.

Guest blogging is always an exchange between the writer and the  host.

The host gets a free post (unless they pay for guest posts, ekhm).  The writer gets an audience to speak to, the possibility to spread their brand,  and the chance to link some website of their choice. In a word, they get to grow  just a tiny little bit thanks to the guest post.

Now here’s the kicker, I honestly believe that if there was some  international law forbidding guest bloggers to link to their projects, we’d see  at least a 90% drop (not that I’ve done any research) in the volume of guest  posting done worldwide. And I’m not trying to judge whether it’s good or bad,  that’s just what would likely happen.

Now, since the above pretty much explains that most of guest  blogging is done to achieve the writer’s goals and pursuits (in other words,  it’s a case of “me marketing”), let’s move on to the next thing.

Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/03/04/the-dirty-little-secret-about-guest-blogging/#muLSQhzkk9A4duHJ.99

Fixed Mortgage Rates Continue Gradual Climb Higher | Waccabuc NY Real Estate

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Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average mortgage rates mixed with the fixed-rate products moving higher for the fourth consecutive week, while adjustable rate mortgages eased.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.37 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending February 27, 2014, up from last week when it averaged 4.33 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.51 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.39 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.35 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.76 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.05 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.08 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.61 percent.
  • 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.52 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.57 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.64 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 links for the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quotes Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“Mortgage rates edged up with new home sales exceeding expectations and rising to a seasonally adjusted pace of 468,000 units in January, the strongest annual rate since July 2008. The 9.6 percent increase in new home sales for January followed an upward revision of 13,000 units in December. The S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city composite house price index rose 13.4 percent over the 12-months ending in December 2013.”

This modular wall unit holds an entire kitchen | Waccabuc Real Estate

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It’s common to see a hideaway bed change a living room into a bedroom easily, but now Resource Furniture wants to make kitchens covert with its new line of Stealth Kitchen modules. Each unit contains full-size appliances hidden within seemingly normal cabinetry; some of the modules are as small as six feet wide and they all can hold a refrigerator, freezer, sink, dishwasher, microwave, oven, countertop, and extra drawers and cabinets for storage.

Modular furniture isn’t a new trend, but it has become even more popular for its space-saving qualities in the wake of the micro-apartment boom in major cities. Resource Furniture seems to get that, specializing in furniture that does much more than it seems to at first glance, such as a multi-use table that extends from 17 inches to 115 inches, and chairs that become stepladders. The company also made an entire micro-apartment exhibit called Launchpad for the Museum of the City of New York last year, but the Stealth Kitchen seems to be its first crack at an entire room in one piece that you can actually buy.

 

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/25/5445358/resource-furniture-modular-stealth-kitchen

World’s 10 most spectacular university buildings | Waccabuc Real Estate

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If the memory of your university is a somewhat hazy mix of missed lectures, cheap food, empty beer cans and cold, concrete classrooms, you won’t recognize this list.

Hamburg-based architectural data company Emporis recently released a report on what it’s calling “the world’s most spectacular university buildings.”

“Lecture halls at dizzying heights, libraries with glass-domed roofs or crooked seminar rooms with slanting walls — it is not just in the field of learning that universities have plenty to offer, but on an architectural level, too,” the report stated.

The 10 buildings include Lomonosov Moscow State University, the world’s tallest university building at 240 meters; Swanston Academic Building in Australia, which “catches the eye with its wavy and jagged façade”; and Bradfield Hall at Cornell University in the United States, which is “almost entirely windowless.”

The report also describes how old school university buildings are gradually being replaced.

“One by one, chunky relics of the ’60s and ’70s are being torn down,” it states, citing the demolition of the AfE‑Turm in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, which was brought down earlier this month in Europe’s largest inner-city controlled blasting.

 

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/19/travel/spectacular-university-buildings/index.html?hpt=wo_bn2

The Most Common Home Decor Mistake You’re Probably Making | Waccabuc NY Real Estate

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1. IF YOU’RE A QUIET TYPE

A quiet retreat

 

Bracketed by a dining-height banquette and a comfy seat, a 3′ oval pedestal table creates an eating spot for four-or five when the stool is pulled alongside. Across the room, a narrow 4 1/2′ library table flanked by armchairs is a serene reading area that can be used for dining when friends stop by.

If you find yourself not using your dining room that often, try rethinking its function. This scheme is great for casual dinners and lazy weekends over coffee and the paper.

 

A room for the quiet typeA room for the quiet type

 

2. IF YOU’RE A PARTY THROWER

A room fit for endless parties The pair of 42″ round drop-leaf tables allows two small groups to sit facing each other. A mirrored chest and a large buffet store linens and tableware; during meals, they hold food and drink, or can be laid with platters so guests can self-serve. When you’re not entertaining, fold one table in half and move it against the wall, to avoid the feel of an underpopulated restaurant.

Round tables facilitate conversation-and lively dinner parties. (Plus, they make it easy to squeeze in extra guests)

 

Optimized for endless parties

 

3. IF YOU’RE A SERIOUS COOK

Maximize for entertaining spaceMaximize for entertaining space

A wide 3′ x 7′ table means there’s room for two generous wing chairs to anchor each end; a set of six side chairs fits neatly along the length. A pair of demi-lune accent tables topped with mirrors provides depth and a calming symmetry that’s pleasingly offset by a potted topiary tree in the corner.

This formal yet comfortable arrangement practically demands long, leisurely meals that linger well past dessert.

 

http://shine.yahoo.com/at-home/most-common-home-decor-mistake-39-probably-making-141300635.html

 

Swiss Housing Market Bubble Looms Closer | Waccabuc NY Real Estate

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Switzerland’s property market is at greater risk of overheating, raising the question as to whether authorities have done enough to curtail the boom.

The UBS Swiss Real Estate Bubble Index rose to 1.23 points in the fourth quarter from 1.2 points in the third, according to a statement from UBS AG (UBSN) today.  A reading above 2 indicates a bubble.

“The potential for correction has increased further,”Matthias Holzhey and Claudio Saputelli at UBS in Zurich said.

The Swiss National Bank (SNBN)’s policy of zero rates, in place since August 2011, has kept down the cost of taking out a mortgage. Coupled with high immigration from neighboring European countries that has fueled a strong increase in real estate prices in Switzerland.

Growth in mortgages has exceeded that of economic output since 2009, and last year price gains of homes and apartments outstripped advances in incomes, according to the central bank.

Concerned Switzerland could fall victim to a real estate crisis similar to that of the 1990s, the government last year forced banks to build up a countercyclical buffer of 1 percent of mortgage-related assets. After that failed to prevent a further deterioration of the mortgage market, it last month doubled the requirement to 2 percent. Even so, it refrained from raising it to the maximum 2.5 percent. Banks have until June 30 to comply.

 

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-05/swiss-housing-market-bubble-looms-closer-ubs-says.html

One thing you should do before refinancing | Waccabuc NY Real Estate

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Thinking about refinancing? Before you do, put some time and effort — and some money too — into sprucing up.

For anyone selling a home, sprucing up is a no-brainer. Repairs, upgrades, painting and landscaping can raise the sales price. But homeowners who are staying put and refinancing often don’t bother with these improvements. If you’re not looking for a buyer and have years to get around to these things, why bother?

Because the home’s condition will be reflected in the lender’s appraisal, which will determine whether you get the new mortgage and how large it can be.

 

http://realestate.msn.com/blogs/listed-homerefinancing.aspx?post=8b61048d-904f-4407-add8-695be3ff8d74