Happy Fall!
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending Be Green in Bryan's Greening Your Home 101 workshop, upstairs at the Bryan Public Library. Taught by Mary Strauss, the City of Bryan's Sustainability Program Coordinator, the workshop provided ten realistic, helpful suggestions that will help our environment and save you money.
I'm about to throw a lot of links at you. Most go to information located on BeGreenInBryan.com, which is a site worth visiting. On that site, if you click on the symbols on the left side of the page for a wealth of information on each subject.
Ten things YOU can do in the home to help our environment and save money.
Cut junk mail. Americans pay $320-$370 million per year to dispose of junk mail. Save 1.5 trees/person/year by visiting http://optoutprescreen.com or http://mailstopper.tonic.com.
Stop accepting or using plastic grocery bags. We throw away 100 billion polyurethane bags annually. Despite appearances, these bags are so cheap that they offer nothing to break down, and actually end up in landfills. If you have extras, the Brazos Valley Farmer's Market is happy to take and reuse them.
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle - On average, American consumers purchase 500 million beverage bottles and cans every day. Only one in three get recycled. Bryan's drop-off recycling center is located in the Wal-mart parking lot. You don't even need to get out of your car!
Rid your home of pesticides - Over 80% of human contact with pesticides occurs indoors. 90% of those tested had traces of 5-16 pesticides in their bodies. Check out http://beyondpesticieds.org.
Green the Garden - Use compost instead of synthetic fertilizers. The Bryan Compost Facility sells compost for $21/ton and mulch is FREE! Concentrate on native plants and perennials. You can find a selection at the Brazos Valley Farmer's Market.
Turn off lights and unplug appliances when possible. Reduce phantom power or energy vampires - Up to 40% of the power used by home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Standby power consists of 10% of our total power consumption.
Replace standard light bulbs with CFL's and LED's - CFL's use 50%-80% less energy and last up to ten times longer. Some LED's have a 60,000 hour useful life.
Look for EnergyStar Appliances - These appliances use 2-10 less power than their conventional conterparts. Check out http://energystar.gov.
Reduce Water Consumption - Look for leaks, and make sure all faucets have aerators for indoor conservation. Consider low-flow toilets. Catch rainwater for outdoor use.
Replace household cleaners - Over 90% of reported poisonings occur at home, with the leading reported cause being household cleaners. Many chemicals found in household cleaners are known carcinogens. Natural alternatives are in most stores. Why? They are more economical, biodegradable and more healthy for you!
Now, some of these suggestions are easier said then done, but the point is to work on what you can, when you can, and keep moving in a more sustainable direction.
To help us along the way, Mary had the back of the room set up as an organic household cleaner factory, complete with ingredients, fragrances and delivery systems. We got to see and feel how to make these very inexpensive cleaners, and knew what to look for when shopping.
I give the City of Bryan credit for having Mary on board. She is an expert in her field, and charged with several different tasks, all benefiting both the environment and our pocketbooks.
This workshop was the third in a series of five for 2009. I missed the first two, Rainwater Harvesting 101 and Worm Composting 101. There are two more:
You can view the flyer and register here.
Sustainability makes sense. We can do small things that make a difference. I'll visit more about this later.
Blue skies,
Sam White
SamWhiteRealty.com
979.446.0031
Bryan's Green Team
Why?
During the winter months, finding good photographs to use in marketing a property becomes a frustrating task. Even my best photographer has problems with exterior shots because the surroundings are brown, grey and pale blue; the colors of winter.
Those who follow me on twitter or facebook know that I've been banging the drum for two weeks, hoping that folks will take a moment to grab a camera, step outside, and take a few exterior photos of their home while the grass is still green and there are leaves on our trees. Don't forget the backyard.
Our time to do this here in the Brazos Valley is very limited, and it's already too late in many parts of the United States, unless you are after "that fall look."
If there is ANY possibility you will be selling your home, ANY possibility, PLEASE TAKE PICTURES! Even if you have no intention of marketing your home in the near future, take some photos anyway. You never know when they might come in handy.
Busy? No camera? I'll be out and about with our good camera (as I always am), and I'd be happy to swing by and take a few exterior shots for you. Just call, text (979-574-0626) or email sam@samwhiteproperties.com .
Blue skies,
Sam White
SamWhiteRealty.com
979-446-0031
(Click an underlined title to see the appropriate chart.)
Dear clients,
Ouch. The season ends, and although it could have been much worse, it wasn't pretty.
We started behind, as many sellers kept homes off the market, peaked low, and we've begun the historical fall slide.
Those who listed their homes saw days on market and price comparable to 2007 & 2008. Basically, if your agent priced your home correctly, it sold.
Sellers who kept homes off the market, or worse, priced their home out of the market, didn't do very well.
Total Monthly Sales peaked in June
After peaking in June, Total Monthly Sales began their annual "fall" a month early this summer. August sales were off $8 million, or 15%, from both 2007 & 2008 at just over $44 million.
Historically, sales free-fall this time of year, with average September sales in the $20 million range. They hover there until the small bump we get (hopefully) in December.
After peaking in July at 303, Units Sold are off 18% for August at 249. This graph will also nosedive, hopefully leveling off above 100 before the Christmas bump.
Prices = Good News
Our Average Single-Family Sales Price was up over $10,000 from July, at $176,772, which is $13,000 over 2007 and $3,000 short of 2008. This graph declines as we move into the winter, although at a much gentler rate.
Average Days on the Market in the norm
After surpassing 2007 & 2008 numbers in July, Average Days on the Market are closely bracketed in August at 108.
New Listings up sharply in June, then subside
Last month I reported "new listings jumped drastically again in July, up 25% from May's record low," but it appears I lied.
Revised numbers for July reveal New Listings in a steep descent after peaking in June. It is obvious that many sellers kept properties off the market this summer.
There were 295 New Listings in August, down 33% from 442 in 2008.
The folks who did list their house, properly priced, sold it on time and for their asking price. You can't sell a property that's not on the market.
What does "properly priced" mean?
My properties sell quickly and at the top of their price bracket because I price them properly before I put them on the market. Period.
My properties aren't discounted.
The goal is for the buyer's agent to tell their client, "Sam's priced this property just above the market, and we should make an offer."
No matter how much you think of your home, you can't sell it if you don't get any offers.
Buyers -
Don't forget, the U.S. Government is offering an $8,000 buyer's credit for only a few more days! Call me or your mortgage broker.
Mortgage loans are available for qualified borrowers, and if you aren't qualified now, we can help you on the path to home ownership.
Bryan & College Station market information is updated daily at MarketReports.SamWhiteRealty.com. There, you'll find links to opinions, charts and statistics.
Follow us on twitter, twitter.SamWhiteRealty.com, or @bcshomes, where we update market and Multiple Listing Service information several times daily.
For links to Brazos Valley events and "happenings," as well as real estate articles from local and state media, visit my facebook fan page, facebook.SamWhiteRealty.com.
I'm always happy to answer questions personally at 979-574-0626 or sam@samwhiteproperties.com.
Best regards,
Sam White
979.446.0031 direct office line
979.574.0626 voice & text
sam@samwhiteproperties.com
Dear friends,
Bryan and College Station's real estate market ground through the month of July, not really getting better, and thankfully not much worse.
Click an underlined title to see the appropriate chart.
Total Monthly Sales still remain below 2008
Total Monthly Sales were down only slightly from June, almost equaling the dip of 2007at $49.8 million, which is down 17% from 2008's record $61.8 million.
Units Sold climbed three units over June at 303, which also equals the area's 2007 number. We'll hope we see this chart peaking in August.
Prices are off slightly
Again, the Average Single-Family Sales Price seems to be following 2007 statistics, losing $5,000 from June's price of $168,909, or about 2%. 2009 prices are down around 6% from prices one year ago.
Average Days on the Market a long-week slower than 2008
Average Days on the Market are up 3 over June, and it taking 9 days longer to sell a property this year versus 2008.
New Listings up sharply in June and July
New Listings jumped drastically again in July, up 25% from May's record low, as sellers realized the market was still relatively strong, and they raced to get properties on the market late. August will tell us whether the market punished them for their tardiness.
You can't sell a property that's not on the market. Listen to your Realtor.
It is STILL a Good time to become a homeowner
Although Bryan and College Station real estate values have remained steady thus far; it's still a great time to buy. Our inventory is good, values are stable and the U.S. Government is offering an $8,000 buyer's credit. Mortgage loans are available for qualified borrowers, and if you aren't qualified now, we can help you on the path to home ownership.
Visit my Market Reports Website often
Bryan & College Station market information is updated daily at MarketReports.SamWhiteRealty.com. There you'll find links to opinions, charts and statistics, as well as twitter.SamWhiteRealty.com, where we update the local and weather and Multiple Listing Service information several times daily. For links to real estate artless from local and state media, visit Facebook.SamWhiteRealty.com.
I'm always happy to answer questions personally at 979-574-0626 or sam@samwhiteproperties.com.
Blue skies,
Sam White
Dear friends & clients,
The good news from the June 2009 Bryan / College Station residential statistics is that there are no surprises. Most indexes remain below 2008-2009 figures, but trending in the right direction.
Total Monthly Sales remain below 2008, but climbing
June Total Monthly Sales increased 11% over May at $50.9 million, which is down 17% from 2008's record $61.8 million.
Units Sold climbed 12% over May, from 266 to 300, and are only 2% below 308 units in 2008. Both of these charts are climbing, and should continue the climb through July.
Prices are holding their own
The Average Single-Family Sales Price dropped 1% from May to $168,909, and is 2.9% below 2007-2008. 2008 actually saw higher prices in August and September, while 2007 was slightly lower.
Average Days on the Market remain low and steady
Homes sold one day faster last month, with Average Days on the Market in June on par with 2007 at 112 days. Homes sold slightly faster in 2008, with and ADOM of 105.
New Listings up sharply in June
After missing the usual May bump, New Listings in June jumped 21% to almost tie June 2007 at 403 units. May new listings were down 32% from 2008 as sellers remained out of the market, but many sellers have realized that with the end of the season fast approaching, that you can't sell a property that's not on the market.
Good time to become a homeowner
Although Bryan and College Station real estate values have remained steady thus far; it's still a great time to buy. Our inventory is good, values are stable and the U.S. Government is offering an $8,000 buyer's credit. Mortgage loans are available for qualified borrowers, and if you aren't qualified now, we can help you on the path to home ownership.
Visit my Market Reports Website often
Bryan & College Station market information is updated daily at MarketReports.SamWhiteRealty.com. There you'll find links to opinions, charts and statistics, as well as twitter.SamWhiteRealty.com, where we update the local and weather and Multiple Listing Service information several times daily. For links to real estate articles from local and state media, visit Facebook.SamWhiteRealty.com.
I'm always happy to answer questions personally at 979-574-0626 or sam@samwhiteproperties.com.
Blue skies,
Sam White
SamWhiteRealty.com
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With 25 years of depth in the Brazos Valley, I provide quality, premium service and excellent communication. I'm happy to be promoting and supporting sustainability in our community.
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