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New-home sales soar 11 percent in June

07-28-09
Lawrence Walsh Group

New-home sales soar 11 percent in June

Largest monthly increase in more than eight years, Commerce Dept. says

updated 1:05 p.m. ET, Mon., July 27, 2009

WASHINGTON - New U.S. home sales jumped in June by the largest amount in more than eight years as buyers took advantage of bargain prices, low interest rates and a federal tax credit for first-time homeowners.

While home prices are still falling, the figures released Monday were another sign the housing market is finally bouncing back. Data out last week showed home resales rose 3.6 percent in June, the third straight monthly increase.

Shares of big homebuilders soared on the news, with Beazer Homes USA up by more than 13 percent and Hovnanian Enterprises rising 8 percent. But with home prices still falling, these companies won't be making much money anytime soon.

The Commerce Department said new home sales rose 11 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000, from an upwardly revised May rate of 346,000.

Buyers are rushing to tax advantage of a federal tax credit that covers 10 percent of the home price or up to $8,000 for first-time buyers. Home sales need to be completed by the end of November for buyers to take advantage.

"The window of opportunity is closing," said Bernard Markstein, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders.

June's results were the strongest sales pace since November 2008 and exceeded the forecasts of economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters, who expected a pace of 360,000 units. The last time sales rose so dramatically was in December 2000.

Sales have risen for three straight months. The median sales price of $206,200, however, was down 12 percent from $234,300 a year earlier and down nearly 6 percent from $219,000 in May.

There were 281,000 new homes for sale at the end of June, down more than 4 percent from May. At the current sales pace, that represents 8.8 months of supply — the lowest level since October 2007. If that number falls to just over 6 months, analysts say, builders will feel more comfortable ramping up construction.

Fallout from the housing crisis has played a central role in the U.S. recession, now the longest since World War II. Foreclosures have spiked, homebuilders have slashed construction, and financial companies have lost billions.

But it will still be a while before homebuilders turn into an engine for the economic recovery. Construction levels are still weak because builders still have too many unsold homes sitting vacant.

 

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How To Find the Most Popular Search Terms, Specific Keywords, Hot Topics, and Phrases

07-27-09
Lawrence Walsh Group
Posted by Brad Andersohn

How To Find the Most Popular Search Terms, Specific Keywords, Hot Topics, and Phrases for your Blog.

In a previous post "How To Create A Blog Post for Customers and Search Engines" I made the comment about picking your title (something someone would search for in the search engines) and then writing your post to match the title.  Much like a song writer picks a topic or title, and writes the song or music around that title or subject.  Knowing what topics are "HOT" and which keywords and phrases are most used in the search engines could be a valuable and powerful piece to the Blogging puzzle.

The best rule-of-thumb is to always write compelling content that attracts the attention and interest of readers.  it makes a significant difference and impact when you know what key phrases and search terms people are searching for.  If you can figure out what consumers are typing (the exact keywords or phrases) then writing your Blog posts to match those searches should bring you even greater success.

Here's some Google tools and ways to find out what searches and keywords are being used.
(Be sure you take a moment and setup your FREE Google account in order to utilize these tools)

1. Google Trends

Google Trends allows you to see what's "HOT" in terms of searches currently being made on Google.  You can enter your own search terms to see how they rank and rate in different geographic areas.  Another link to visit is the Google TOP HOT TRENDS, which are the top 100 searches.  This page is updated hourly.

2. Google Insights

Google has some great tools, but they require spending some time understanding "How They Work" in order for you to maximize their power and potential.  Google Insights For Search  (in simple terms) allows you to "See what the world is searching for" with the ability to filter by content, geographic location, time frames, and categories.

3. Google Search-Based Keywords

Signing up for Google Adwords does not mean you have to use the pay per click or incorporate them into your site, but it does allow you to use some of these tools like "Google Search-based Keyword Tool" which enables you to search sites and filter keywords and terms.  I used Google.com and the term Real Estate to see what the most common searches were on Google.  This is a great tool and will really be an eye opener.

4. Google AdWords Keyword

Need more ideas for Keywords or phrases?  This is one of my favorites.  Just when you think you have covered every possible keyword or search worthy term or phrase, Google Adwords Keyword Tool suggests even more.  You can use this "keyword tool" to get new ideas by using the filters provided.  Also use synonyms to enhance your creative ideas for suggested phrases or terms.

5. Google Auto-Suggest


Google.com/WebHp looks like a regular Google search engine with one unique and hidden difference.  It has the "Google Auto Suggest" tool.  As you begin to type in your "keywords" or "Search Terms and Phrases" Google pulls up the most searched terms and phrases around your search terms.  As you begin to type in the search box, a list of common terms and keywords most searched automatically populates below your search terms.  These are some keywords and terms you might want to consider using in future Blog posts.


6. Beyond The Google Tool Box

Beyond the Google Tool Box, there are other sites like WordTracker, SEOTools, and CopyBlogger that offer some pretty simple and nifty solutions to finding and discovering what your "customers are searching" for.  WordTracker even offers a FREE Keyword Research Guide.  Take your time learning and understanding some of these tools, they will save you time in the long run and make you more profitable once you apply what you have learned.

Using the Best Search Terms, Keywords, Topics, and Phrases will boost your SEO, traffic, and business.

How To Create A Blog Post for Consumers and Search Engines

Create Stickiness, Increase Traffic and Get Visitors Coming Back

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Quarterly results for the Westchester, Putnam housing markets

07-27-09
Lawrence Walsh Group

The median sales price of a single-family homes in Westchester fell 16.3 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, while Putnam's median dropped 18.8 percent.

Westchester's and Putnam's housing market

This database provides a quarterly history of median and average sales prices of single-family houses, condominiums, co-ops and 2-4 family homes; inventory levels at the end of each quarter, and months of inventory.

Click here to load the database search

(Updated July 23, 2009)

Related story
Prices, sales fall in Westchester, Putnam

Related charts
Westchester’s 2Q housing prices, sales tumble
Putnam 2Q median house price falls to $325,000

See quarterly results for the Rockland, Orange housing markets

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Croton digs in as demand grows for village garden

07-27-09
Lawrence Walsh Group

Croton digs in as demand grows for village garden

Robert Marchant
rmarchan@lohud.com

CROTON-ON-HUDSON - The village is looking for a few good gardeners.

An e-mail and fliers are being distributed around the community, seeking people who want a little patch of land to call their own.

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved spending up to $4,248 to build fencing around a small plot off a village parking lot on Truesdale Avenue near Silver Lake Park that will be home to a new community garden. Another $550 will be spent for a water connection.

In about two weeks, after soil and compost are laid down, residents can set up their own garden plots.

"It could be a wonderful thing for the village," said Trustee Demetra Restuccia, who runs a landscaping and garden business.

Besides enhancing the community, Restuccia said, the garden could fill a need for apartment dwellers who don't have access to a patch of soil. Residents who live on shady lots, or can't keep deer from attacking their vegetables, also would benefit, she said.

Gardeners who sign up will be asked to pitch in for soil and compost. If demand exceeds the number of spots available, gardeners will be chosen through a lottery. The site was chosen because it had parking, sun and relatively easy access. Because of the site's proximity to the Croton River, community gardeners will be asked to abstain from using pesticides and to practice organic methods.

An organizer of the project, Niall Kelleher, met with leaders of the community garden in Nyack, a project that has been active for decades, to learn about pitfalls to avoid.

Kelleher said it seemed like the right time and the right place for the project in Croton-on-Hudson.

"Since Michelle Obama started up a garden at the White House, people are much more interested in doing a garden, raising their own food," he said, "And Croton likes to be a step ahead."

Kelleher said the project was in its early stages, but that if demand grows, other sites could be set up around the village. The community garden also could offer lectures by master gardeners and set up workshops with school groups, he said.

Kelleher, an engineer with UPS, hopes to reconnect with his roots.

"I grew up on a farm in Ireland, and I miss it - the farming experience. It's something everyone should have an opportunity to do," he said.

Residents may call the village's manager's office at 914-271-4848.

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Prices, sales fall in Westchester, Putnam

07-27-09
Lawrence Walsh Group

July 24, 2009

Prices, sales fall in Westchester, Putnam

Jerry Gleeson
jgleeson@lohud.com

The housing market in Westchester and Putnam counties last quarter looked less worse by some measures than at the beginning of the year, but industry observers stopped short of calling a bottom in the long slide in sales and prices.

Sales of single-family houses in both counties fell by double-digit percentages in the second quarter, year over year, according to the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service, but the declines were smaller than those of the first quarter.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales of housing of all kinds in Westchester rose 12 percent over the first quarter, the MLS said. It was the first significant break in buckling sales figures since early 2007.

http://www.lohud.com/article/99999999/DATABASE10/310280006/"> DATABASE: Sales, median sales price of single-family homes fall at record pace in Westchester

For sellers, the good news ends there.

Prices continued to drop across all markets. A single-family house in Westchester had a median price of $565,000, down 16.3 percent year over year. In Putnam, the median price hit $325,000, down 18.8 percent.

Inventories of housing of all kinds were lower at the end of June. The MLS attributed much of the decline to discouraged sellers who were disinclined to enter an unpromising market.

For buyers, the long wait for more affordable pricing is bearing fruit.

Joseph and Andrea Raetzer have rented a house in Briarcliff Manor for more than a year as they watched the market change. The couple have been shopping for a house of their own for several years.

Joseph Raetzer recalled brokers telling him in the heated market of two years ago, "Make an offer now before prices go up."

"Now the line is, 'Make an offer now. This is the opportunity of a lifetime!' " he said.

Nationally, the housing market showed more signs of life as sales of previously occupied homes rose for the third straight month in June, according to the National Association of Realtors.

But prices are expected to keep falling well into next year because of a backlog of foreclosures that have yet to come on to the market. The median sales price was $181,800 last month, down 15 percent from last year but up from $174,700 in May.

In Rockland County, sales of houses fell 16.8 percent last quarter and the median price was $420,000, down 7.39 percent.

The Westchester-Putnam MLS said that this year's sales performance would match that of the early 1990s if the second-quarter trends continued. But economic benchmarks in the region provide a mixed picture of what's ahead.

Sharply higher unemployment - it reached 7.5 percent in the Lower Hudson Valley last month - would dampen the desire of some consumers to close on housing deals, the MLS said.

But the stock market is rising, which breeds a greater sense of financial security among some, the MLS added. Foreclosures and short sales are higher, but not at levels that are threatening market fundamentals as they are elsewhere in the country. Mortgage rates remain at historically low levels, running between 5.5 percent and 5.8 percent for a 30-year fixed conforming loan.

Issues involving appraisals are sidetracking some housing deals, said Chris Meyers, chief operating officer at Houlihan Lawrence. A new federal rule requires lenders to obtain valuations through a clearinghouse instead of by contracting directly with appraisers, he said.

Some appraisals are coming in at levels below what the buyer and seller agreed on, Meyers said. About 10 percent to 15 percent of deals are affected. It has pushed back some closings as buyers are forced to scramble to raise a larger down payment, and in some cases deals fall apart, he said.

The overall market is improving, he said, but he didn't expect to see improvement in sales until 2010.

Greg Rand, managing partner of Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty, said he didn't expect a bottom in the local market until next year, followed by several years of flat results.

"The recession has to end, and we have to get our appetite again," he said.

Some sellers feel frustrated by the pace of the market.

Joan Ponzini, a retired teacher, lives in a new development in Ossining. She said she put her three-bedroom house with Hudson River views on the market about two years ago for $835,000. She has since lowered her price to $689,000, but has received no offers.

The house is one of six that have been on the market in her development for the past year. Only two have sold, and those deals were handled by relocation companies affiliated with the sellers' employers, she said.

"Buyers have always been demanding," said Ponzini, 62. "I guess they expect a lot more now."

Joseph Raetzer said he and his wife are hoping to find a house to buy in the $700,000- to-$750,000 range. Prices that were "astronomical" two years ago are better now, although the couple haven't found what they are looking for yet, he said.

One issue is job security, said Joseph Raetzer, 34. The New York City attorney is concerned about layoffs at his firm.

The couple, which had their third child about a week ago, are prepared to stay in their rented house until they find the house they want at a price they are comfortable paying, he said.

"It seems like sellers are still disconnected," he said. "For whatever reason, they're not coming down."
Additional Facts
On the Web

Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service report
www.wcbr.net

More area housing data
www.lohud.com/data

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