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Foot Traffic Up 27% - Strong Indicator of Future Home Sales

03-13-12
Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch: Real Estate Brokerage in Cape Elizabeth, ME
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  • Office: (207) 770-2200
  • Mobile: (207) 370-0012

Foot traffic provides a strong indication of future home sales. SentriLock, LLC. provides NAR Research with monthly data on the number of showings.

Year-over-year foot traffic levels have grown steadily in the area covered by Main Real Estate Information Systems, Inc. Foot traffic rose 27% in February of this year relative to February of last year

Improvements in employment and consumer confidence coupled with record low mortgage rates are helping to drive steady interest in housing.

For more information on this data and its use, see the economist’s commentary, “Foot Traffic – Getting a Step Ahead”.

By: Ken Fears, Manager, Regional Economics

http://economistsoutlook.blogs.realtor.org/2012/03/13/foot-traffic-maine/

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US Economic Confidence Is Now The Best It's Been In Four Years

03-13-12
Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch: Real Estate Brokerage in Cape Elizabeth, ME
  • view my blog
  • Office: (207) 770-2200
  • Mobile: (207) 370-0012

By: Dennis Jacobe, Gallup/Economy

U.S. economic confidence improved sharply to -18 in the week ending March 11 from -25 the prior week -- the highest since the week ending Feb. 13, 2011, when it was also -18. The -18 readings this year and last are the highest weekly levels Gallup has recorded since it started tracking confidence daily in January 2008.

eonomic confidence index weekly average since january 2008
Americans' economic confidence had declined recently from -20 in the week ending Feb. 12 to -25 for the week ending March 4. This brief deterioration in confidence may have been, at least in part, a response to increasing gas prices at the pump. However, the government's positive unemployment report out last Friday appears to have given economic confidence another boost, as seemed to be the case following January's unemployment report.Gallup Daily tracking reveals that Americans' confidence in the economy increased Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after the government report came out.The Gallup Economic Confidence Index is an average of two components: Americans' ratings of current economic conditions and their perceptions of whether the economy is getting better or getting worse. Improvements in both dimensions led to the sharp increase in overall economic confidence for the week ending March 11.
economic confidence sub-indexes weekly averages since august 2011
The percentage of Americans saying the economy is "getting better" increased to 43% last week, while the percentage saying it is "getting worse" fell to 53%. Both of these measures are at their best levels since the 43% "getting better" and 52% "getting worse" of the week ending Feb. 13, 2011.In a separate question, consumers' "poor" rating of the economy is now at 39%. This is the lowest "poor" rating for current economic conditions since the week ending March 9, 2008.Bottom LineAmericans' confidence in the economy surged last week, at least in part as a result of the positive unemployment report from the government, which it released Friday. The government reported 227,000 jobs were added in February and the unemployment rate held steady at 8.3%. Many viewed these numbers as a continuation of the good news on jobs in January. Some economists and many on Wall Street also saw the recent unemployment report as an indication that the U.S. economy may be doing better than previously thought.This improvement in consumer perceptions is taking place despite sharply higher gas prices at the pump. In this regard, Gallup data find gas prices would need to climb to more than $5 per gallon before consumers would need to significantly alter their lifestyles. Of course, increasing gas prices may have a negative effect on consumer economic perceptions far before they reach the $5 per gallon infliction point.It is important to note that Americans' confidence in the economy was similar last year around this time. However, Americans' hope for improvement in the overall economy during the months that followed the momentary surge in confidence early last year did not materialize. In fact, by last summer, the economy appeared to be near another downturn as politicians in the nation's capital did battle over raising the federal debt ceiling.It appears economic confidence is at another possible turning point, with gas prices on a pace to reach record highs in the summer. Further, it is not clear if the government can continue to report more good jobs news given modest economic growth.For now though, it appears that higher gas prices have not been enough to keep Americans' economic confidence from matching its highest weekly level in four years. However, if job increases slow, gas prices may quickly be perceived as an even more important threat, not only to Americans' economic confidence, but also to the overall economy in the months ahead.
This post originally appeared at Gallup.

Read more: http://www.gallup.com/poll/153209/Economic-Confidence-Matches-Best-Four-Years.aspx#ixzz1p1371xiq

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The Mobile World of Real Estate

03-13-12
Jeff Mateja - Southern Maine Real Estate
Jeff Mateja - Southern Maine Real Estate: Real Estate Agent in Portland, ME
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  • Office: (207) 553-1332
  • Mobile: (207) 233-2420
  • Secondary: (207) 553-2605


In today's real estate world, technology is everything. 95% of home buyers begin their search online, so it's imperitive that realtors stay up to date and current on all the latest advances.

Speed, photo-capturing ability, and security are crucial aspects to consider when purchasing a mobile device for real estate use, according to realtytimes.com. As busy realtors, you need to be able to access all the information and tools you need quickly and on the go. Understanding trends in today's technology world will help you do just that, and manage your time more efficiently.

Jeff Mateja is the CEO of Universal Properties at Keller Williams Realty in Portland, ME. For information about Portland homes for sale, or if you have questions about buying and selling real estate, contact Jeff at 207-553-2605.

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There's A Real Live Person Not Robot Wearing That REALTOR Blue And Gold "R" Right?

03-13-12
Andrew Mooers | Northern Maine Real Estate / Aroostook County Broker
Andrew Mooers | Northern Maine Real Estate / Aroostook County Broker: Real Estate Agent in Houlton, ME
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  • Office: (207) 532-6573
  • Mobile: (207) 532-8960
  • Secondary: (207) 532-7005

Transparency helps if there is something real, honest, genuine behind the Maine real estate agent, broker that a property buyer, seller can relate with. houlton maine realtor office

Connection, engagement with other people, to begin a relationship.

Like starting a conversation and learning who the cat on the other end is and what you have in common.

Our MeInMaine blog post on open house porches this morning.

Surface relationships are not nearly as helpful as deeper, richer from the heart communication with the Maine real estate buyer, seller too.

It's not the sticks and bricks alone in our job as a Maine real estate broker. It is the people, the communities we deal with. The folks outside of Maine wanting a piece of Vacationland to call their own.

The motivation to own some Maine real estate driven by emotional needs. A getaway log cabin on a Maine lake. A Victorian Maine house with the turret and butler's pantry, summer kitchen, sleeping porch and wrap around antebellum open porch. A mom and pop grocery store to buy a job, make what you are worth. And finally be the boss controlling your own destiny.

Investment and the best hedge against inflation make low cost Maine real estate always the best case scenario winner.

Starting over after a nasty divorce. A burning desire to spend more time outdoors in Maine. Less time pinned to the inside walls by an office desk with a restricting, too tight flashy power tie cutting of air all build a strong case for Maine.

Own some Maine real estate.

And tap tap, watch and listen to our Maine real estate videos. The hands down easiest way to stop, look and listen to property listing information and local community events.

Head To A Maine Lake | ME Log Waterfront Property Listing Video Home Tour.

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Properties In Northern Maine | Homes, Farms, Land, Waterfront, Business Listings

03-12-12
Andrew Mooers | Northern Maine Real Estate / Aroostook County Broker
Andrew Mooers | Northern Maine Real Estate / Aroostook County Broker: Real Estate Agent in Houlton, ME
  • view my blog
  • Office: (207) 532-6573
  • Mobile: (207) 532-8960
  • Secondary: (207) 532-7005

Northern Maine residential properties are not all we list, sell at Mooers Realty.

My Dad had an expression growingsnowy victorian houlton me home up about not being able to sell meat from an empty wagon.

Maine real estate inventory in all price ranges, property listings in all types is needed in Aroostook County marketing.

We start by listening to learn of your Maine real estate need, the property that will help your situation.

Then suggest property listings that could and should be considered, tried on.

Until the glass slipper effect happens.

More a matchmaker than a Maine real estate salesman.

Check our our Maine property listings array.

Call, click, call today.

Tap in to our deep selection of Maine real estate videos. The easy way to toggle the player, sit back and watch, listen, learn. Follow our Me In Maine blog.

Maine Farm With 130 Acres For Sale Video.

I'm Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

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