Sun City Huntley Newsletter_Electronic Version

Rich's Real Estate Report

Sun City Huntley Months of Inventory

The "number of months of inventory" is a statistic that real estate professionals use to measure the strength of the housing market. It is an estimate of the amount of time it will take all of the properties currently on the market to be sold. When the number of months of inventory is relatively high, as it is now, homes will, on average, take longer to sell, and there will be downward pressure on sales prices. Knowing this number helps real estate professionals determine competitive pricing. I ran the following calculations for Sun City Huntley detached and attached homes listed in the Multiple Listing Service as of August 6, 2008.
For Detached homes:
Active Listings as of 8/6/08: 120
Pending Listings as of 8/6/08: 3
Number Closed, last 12 Months: 101
Number Closed, last 6 Months: 49
Number Closed, Last 3 Months: 24
Number of Months Inventory: 15
For Attached homes:
Active Listings as of 8/6/08: 30
Pending Listings as of 8/6/08: 0
Number Closed Last 12 Months: 36
Number Closed Last 6 Months: 17
Number Closed Last 3 Months: 7
Number of Months Inventory: 12.88

Consult a Certified Residential Specialist

There are few agents in this area that have met the requirements necessary to achieve the CRS Designation. To do so, REALTORS^® must demonstrate outstanding professional achievements including high-volume sales and pursue advanced training in areas such as finance, marketing and technology. With only 4% of all Realtors having the designation, it is a mark of professionalism. Why not work with a CRS?

Universal Design Principles

Our homes at Sun City incorporate many features of universal design such as lever-style door handles and wide doorways. These features enable people to live comfortably and safely as they get older.

AARP offers some additional simple upgrades homeowners can make to create a safer, more comfortable residence for people of any age.

•· Install handrails on both sides of all steps (inside and outside).

•· Secure carpeting and area rugs with double-sided tape.

•· Install easy-to-grasp handles for drawers and cabinet doors.

•· Use brighter bulbs in all settings.

•· Install nightlights in all areas that host nighttime activity.

•· Add reflective, non-slip tape on all
non-carpeted stairs (such as basement).

•· Place a bench near entrances for setting down purchases and resting.

Disposing of appliances and fixtures

When replacing appliances and fixtures, you can dispose of used but still-functioning ones by donating them to a favorite charity rather than sending them to a landfill. Another alternative is to visit www.Freecycle.org to find out how you can donate them to individuals who can use them.

Appliances and fixtures that no longer work can be recycled. For recycling information, contact the Steel Recycling Institute at
www.recycle-steel.org, or visit www.earth911.org for local options.