Trending Upward? U.S. Home Prices Improve for Fourth Consecutive Month
RISMEDIA, July 29, 2009-Data through May 2009, released by Standard & Poor’s for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, one of the leading measures of U.S. home prices, show that, although still negative, the annual rate of decline of the 10-City and 20-City Composites improved for the fourth consecutive month in 2009.
The 10-City and 20-City Composites declined 16.8% and 17.1%, respectively, in May compared to the same month last year. These values are improvements over April’s data, which show annual declines of 18.0% and 18.1%, respectively. After 16 consecutive months of record annual declines, beginning in October 2007 and ending in January 2009, the indices have now shown four consecutive months of improvement in annual returns.
“The pace of descent in home price values appears to be slowing,” says David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s. “There is a clear inflection point in the year-over-year data, due to four consecutive months of improved rates of return, after the steep decline that began in the fall of 2005. In addition to the 10-City and 20-City Composites, 17 of the 20 metro areas also saw improvement in their annual returns compared to those of April. Looking at the monthly data, 13 of the 20 metro areas reported positive returns; and the 10-City and 20-City Composites reported positive returns for the first time since the summer of 2006. To put it in perspective, this is the first time we have seen broad increases in home prices in 34 months. This could be an indication that home price declines are finally stabilizing.”
“While many indicators are showing signs of life in the U.S. housing market, we should remember that on a year-over-year basis home prices are still down about 17% on average across all metro areas, so we likely do have a way to go before we see sustained home price appreciation,” Blitzer added.
As of May 2009, average home prices across the United States are at similar levels to where they were in the middle of 2003, indicating that the three years of appreciation that occurred from 2003-2006 were all given back in the following three years. From the peak in the second quarter of 2006, the 10-City Composite is down 33.3% and the 20-City Composite is down 32.3%.
In terms of annual declines, the numbers remain relatively somber with all metro areas and the two composites in negative territory, and 16 out of the 20 metro areas are reporting double digit declines. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, Seattle and Tampa posted their lowest index levels in May since their respective peaks. From peak to trough Phoenix and Las Vegas are the worst off, down 54.5% and 53.4%, respectively. More upbeat news is seen in the monthly data; Dallas and Denver have reported three consecutive months of positive returns. Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, San Francisco and Washington D.C. each reported two consecutive months of positive returns. Eight of the 13 MSAs reporting positive monthly returns for May were greater than +1.0%.
For more information, visit www.standardandpoors.com.
Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-07-28/trending-upward-us-home-prices-improve-for-fourth-consecutive-month/#ixzz0MfSx7bJM
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Texas Sold Team Realty CARES Blood Drive
Texas Sold Team Realty CARES Blood Drive
That is right! Cindie Stewart and the Texas Sold Team Realty, LLC Team heads to the Carter BloodCare Mobile Bus in Keller to give blood. We wanted to find a way to help our community and what way is better than giving your own blood to help our those in need.
She wasn't scared one bit! Way to go Cindie!
That is right! Cindie Stewart and the Texas Sold Team Realty, LLC Team heads to the Carter BloodCare Mobile Bus in Keller to give blood. We wanted to find a way to help our community and what way is better than giving your own blood to help our those in need.
She wasn't scared one bit! Way to go Cindie!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Take Five and Stay Alive
Take Five and Stay Alive
A Health Tip with Ingo Logé
The economy. The recession. Our jobs. Our family. War. Inflation. Traffic. Those are just some of the things that can cause stress in our daily lives. But have no fear! When the stress-monster attacks, there's something quick and easy you can do to breathe easier...one nostril at a time.
As Fitness Forever founder Ingo Logé shares in the accompanying video, "Air is invisible food." And when it comes to fitness and nutrition, Logé definitely knows what he is talking about! As a personal training and nutrition expert with over two dozen years of real-life experience, Logé's client list reads like a "Who's-Who" in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Watch the video to learn Logé's five minute breathing exercise...and then watch your stress melt away!
For more great tips from Ingo Logé, and to learn more about his products and services, visit www.myfitness4ever.com.
A Health Tip with Ingo Logé
The economy. The recession. Our jobs. Our family. War. Inflation. Traffic. Those are just some of the things that can cause stress in our daily lives. But have no fear! When the stress-monster attacks, there's something quick and easy you can do to breathe easier...one nostril at a time.
As Fitness Forever founder Ingo Logé shares in the accompanying video, "Air is invisible food." And when it comes to fitness and nutrition, Logé definitely knows what he is talking about! As a personal training and nutrition expert with over two dozen years of real-life experience, Logé's client list reads like a "Who's-Who" in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Watch the video to learn Logé's five minute breathing exercise...and then watch your stress melt away!
For more great tips from Ingo Logé, and to learn more about his products and services, visit www.myfitness4ever.com.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
July is Air Conditioning Appreciation Month
July is Air Conditioning Appreciation Month
Prepare Your Home for Hot Weather
Setting your air conditioner 5 degrees higher will save up to 20% on cooling costs.
Use fans to make indoor temperatures feel cooler, most ceiling fans use less energy than a light bulb.
Have your A/C unit serviced to cut up to 15% of your cooling cost.
Don't try to cool the great outdoors! Seal cracks, gaps, leaks and add insulation and/or radiant barrier to save up to 20% on home cooling cost.
Investments for Summer Energy Savings
Have your ducts professionally sealed to save up to $190 per year.
Install programmable thermostats and only cool the house when you're home-it can save up to $180 a year!
Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL's or the new LED's to save on lighting AND cooling bills. 90% of the energy used by old incandescent bulbs produces heat, NOT light.
If your old AC breaks down, consider a high efficiency replacement. Replacing a 10 year old central AC unit with an Energy Star qualified model can cut 20-40% off your cooling costs.
Choose a Programmable Thermostat That's Right for You!
To decide which model is best for you, think about your schedule and how often you are away from home for regular periods of time-work, school, and other activities. Then decide which of the three different models best fits your schedule.
7 day models are best if your daily schedule tends to change, say if children are at home earlier on some days. They give you the most flexibility, and let you set different programs for different days.
5+2 day models use the same schedule every weekday, and another for weekends.
5-1-1 models are best if you tend to keep one schedule Monday through Friday, and another schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.
A/C Filters - The MOST Important Maintenance Task!
The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean it's filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly.
Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your filters every month or two during the cooling season.
Prepare Your Home for Hot Weather
Setting your air conditioner 5 degrees higher will save up to 20% on cooling costs.
Use fans to make indoor temperatures feel cooler, most ceiling fans use less energy than a light bulb.
Have your A/C unit serviced to cut up to 15% of your cooling cost.
Don't try to cool the great outdoors! Seal cracks, gaps, leaks and add insulation and/or radiant barrier to save up to 20% on home cooling cost.
Investments for Summer Energy Savings
Have your ducts professionally sealed to save up to $190 per year.
Install programmable thermostats and only cool the house when you're home-it can save up to $180 a year!
Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL's or the new LED's to save on lighting AND cooling bills. 90% of the energy used by old incandescent bulbs produces heat, NOT light.
If your old AC breaks down, consider a high efficiency replacement. Replacing a 10 year old central AC unit with an Energy Star qualified model can cut 20-40% off your cooling costs.
Choose a Programmable Thermostat That's Right for You!
To decide which model is best for you, think about your schedule and how often you are away from home for regular periods of time-work, school, and other activities. Then decide which of the three different models best fits your schedule.
7 day models are best if your daily schedule tends to change, say if children are at home earlier on some days. They give you the most flexibility, and let you set different programs for different days.
5+2 day models use the same schedule every weekday, and another for weekends.
5-1-1 models are best if you tend to keep one schedule Monday through Friday, and another schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.
A/C Filters - The MOST Important Maintenance Task!
The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean it's filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly.
Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your filters every month or two during the cooling season.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Area Fire Works and Festivities
Area Fire Works and Festivities
Fort Worth
Jul. 4, 2009 - Fort Worth's Fourth
Come celebrate Fort Worth's Fourth, Saturday, July 4, 2009, with an evening of free music and family fun along the Trinity River behind LaGrave Field. Jet Skis, watermelon, trolley rides, water wars and Battle of the Bands hosted by 95.9 The Ranch Radio. Watch the Cats play until fireworks start around 9:30 p.m.. It all starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. For more information visit www.streamsandvalleys.org or call 817 926-0006
Grand Prairie
July 3 & 4, 2009 - Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration. Enjoy two full days of exciting live Thoroughbred racing and fun activities for the whole family including pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, games, clowns, and more followed by our 20-minute fireworks spectacular choreographed to music. Plus, enjoy live music by Incognito on Friday, and Maiden Texas on Saturday in our Courtyard of Champions from 5p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Gates open early at 3 p.m. each day and the first live race begins at 5 p.m. Details may be found at www.lonestarpark.com
Bedford
Jul 4, noon-11 p.m. Concert, food, family activities, a parade, and fireworks will be at the Bedford Boys Ranch at 2801 Forest Ridge Drive in Bedford. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers. No alcohol, please. Admission is free, but there is no parking at the Bedford Boys Ranch, except for those with handicap signs or plates. Park at Pennington Field at 1501 Central Drive in Bedford and catch the shuttle for $3 per person.
North Richland Hills
Jul 4, 9:30 p.m. Twenty minutes of fireworks will take off at the North Richland Hills Village Center, 6351 Boulevard 26 in Richland Hills at the intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 183 inside Loop 820.
Irving
Jul 4, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The Irving Symphony Orchestra will put on a concert starting at 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available. No coolers or alcohol permitted. Admission is free. The concert and fireworks will be at Williams Square Plaza (5215 North O'Connor Boulevard) in Las Colinas in Irving.
Plano
Jul 4, 9:30 p.m. The city of Plano will have a fireworks show at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve at 2801 Spring Creek Parkway. Some food and beverages will be available for purchase. Free parking will be at Collin County Community College and First United Methodist Church of Plano. Radio station KLAK 97.5 will have a simulcast during the fireworks show.
Frisco
Jun 27-28. Pizza Hut Park in Frisco plays host to Celebrate Freedom 2008. For two days, three stages will be full of Christian rock groups and speakers. VeggieTales characters, inflatable rides and slides, jump rope demonstrations, dance teams, and cheerleaders are just some of the entertainment available. Admission is free, but parking is $10-15. Pizza Hut Park is at the intersection of Dallas Tollway and Main Street in Frisco, near the intersection of Dallas Tollway and Eldorado Parkway.
Granbury
Annual 4th of July Celebration - Hometown America
Start Date: July 4, 2009 8:00 am
Location: Granbury Historic Downtown Square
Contact Name: Chamber of Commerce Contact Number: 817-573-1622 Website: www.granburychamber.com
Description: Art & Craft Booths, Hometown Parade, Tom Ward Memorial Decorated Bike Contest, Live Entertainment at the Granbury Square Plaza, rockin' Rods Car Show, Old Fashioned Games at Shanley Park, Bulls and Broncs Rodeo at the Reunion Grounds. Talley Amusements Carnival Rides and Fireworks over Lake Granbury.
Fort Worth
Jul. 4, 2009 - Fort Worth's Fourth
Come celebrate Fort Worth's Fourth, Saturday, July 4, 2009, with an evening of free music and family fun along the Trinity River behind LaGrave Field. Jet Skis, watermelon, trolley rides, water wars and Battle of the Bands hosted by 95.9 The Ranch Radio. Watch the Cats play until fireworks start around 9:30 p.m.. It all starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. For more information visit www.streamsandvalleys.org or call 817 926-0006
Grand Prairie
July 3 & 4, 2009 - Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration. Enjoy two full days of exciting live Thoroughbred racing and fun activities for the whole family including pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, games, clowns, and more followed by our 20-minute fireworks spectacular choreographed to music. Plus, enjoy live music by Incognito on Friday, and Maiden Texas on Saturday in our Courtyard of Champions from 5p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Gates open early at 3 p.m. each day and the first live race begins at 5 p.m. Details may be found at www.lonestarpark.com
Bedford
Jul 4, noon-11 p.m. Concert, food, family activities, a parade, and fireworks will be at the Bedford Boys Ranch at 2801 Forest Ridge Drive in Bedford. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers. No alcohol, please. Admission is free, but there is no parking at the Bedford Boys Ranch, except for those with handicap signs or plates. Park at Pennington Field at 1501 Central Drive in Bedford and catch the shuttle for $3 per person.
North Richland Hills
Jul 4, 9:30 p.m. Twenty minutes of fireworks will take off at the North Richland Hills Village Center, 6351 Boulevard 26 in Richland Hills at the intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 183 inside Loop 820.
Irving
Jul 4, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The Irving Symphony Orchestra will put on a concert starting at 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available. No coolers or alcohol permitted. Admission is free. The concert and fireworks will be at Williams Square Plaza (5215 North O'Connor Boulevard) in Las Colinas in Irving.
Plano
Jul 4, 9:30 p.m. The city of Plano will have a fireworks show at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve at 2801 Spring Creek Parkway. Some food and beverages will be available for purchase. Free parking will be at Collin County Community College and First United Methodist Church of Plano. Radio station KLAK 97.5 will have a simulcast during the fireworks show.
Frisco
Jun 27-28. Pizza Hut Park in Frisco plays host to Celebrate Freedom 2008. For two days, three stages will be full of Christian rock groups and speakers. VeggieTales characters, inflatable rides and slides, jump rope demonstrations, dance teams, and cheerleaders are just some of the entertainment available. Admission is free, but parking is $10-15. Pizza Hut Park is at the intersection of Dallas Tollway and Main Street in Frisco, near the intersection of Dallas Tollway and Eldorado Parkway.
Granbury
Annual 4th of July Celebration - Hometown America
Start Date: July 4, 2009 8:00 am
Location: Granbury Historic Downtown Square
Contact Name: Chamber of Commerce Contact Number: 817-573-1622 Website: www.granburychamber.com
Description: Art & Craft Booths, Hometown Parade, Tom Ward Memorial Decorated Bike Contest, Live Entertainment at the Granbury Square Plaza, rockin' Rods Car Show, Old Fashioned Games at Shanley Park, Bulls and Broncs Rodeo at the Reunion Grounds. Talley Amusements Carnival Rides and Fireworks over Lake Granbury.
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