Are McMansion's Loosing There Appeal?

LIVING SMALLER

Thursday, January 18, 2010

Are McMansion's loosing there appeal to the masses?

Is the small cottage with the white picket fence making a comeback?

It looks like home buyers are able to live in a smaller space and fix it up with all the bells and whistles. Many homeowners are paying attention to what buyers want and what the design shows are telling viewers; light, tranquil colors look best in smaller spaces. Homeowners are learning to work within their space to give it a modern appeal with a comfortable feel.

The average home sizes are declining. This may have to do with the current tax credit being offered, many first time home buyers are jumping into the marketplace. Someone purchasing their first home is most likely going to be buying one that is a modest price and size. Whether first time buyer, divorcee's, aging baby boomers, or just downsizing on size & mortgage payment; many are finding creative and beautiful ways of taking their smaller space to a whole new level.




LIVING BIG IN A SMALL HOME
"Although the average square footage of a new house is still double what it was in 1960, in the last year, it decreased slightly to 2,215 square feet from a high of 2,277 square feet in 2008, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. While the decrease doesn’t approach mid-20th century levels, it is the first drop in house size since the recession of the early 1980s." Read More.....

Article Source: Realtor Magazine
Issue: February 2010
By: Maggie Sieger

Will There Be Snow for Christmas?

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS?
Nicholas K. Geranios---Lexington Herald Leader---November 26, 2009

The National Climatic Data Center studies the chances of a white Christmas in various U.S. cities. For the period 1988-2005, the agency found that the probability of having an inch of snow on the ground on Dec. 25 ranged from 100 percent in Fairbanks, Alaska, to 1 percent in Phoenix.

For Lexington, the probability is 10 percent, the lowest among Kentucky's largest cities. Covington and Paducah are highest, at 17 percent, followed by London, 16 percent; Bowling Green, 14 percent; and Louisville, 13 percent. Read More

Merry Christmas!

Melissa Simms
RE/MAX Associates
MelissaSimms@remax.net

Need a Quick Appetizer or Dinner for Two?

SHRIMP PESTO PIZZA

This is the best recipe to make for an appetizer or dinner for two.
It's filling, healthy, and packed with flavor.
It's quick, easy and delicious.
Impress guests with this gourmet pizza!

1/2 pkg frozen shrimp (1 lb bag)
4 oz goat cheese
1 thin crust pizza dough
1/2 jar pesto
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp crushed red peppers


1. Thaw shrimp in medium warm water. Let sit approx 5 minutes.
2. Pull tails off shrimp. (and de-vein if necessary)
3. In a small bowl, toss shrimp with garlic powder, garlic salt, black pepper, oregano & basil. Set aside.
4. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray non-stick on a jelly roll pan. Open refrigerated thin crust tube and roll out onto pan.
5. Pre-cook crust for 5 -10 minutes.
6. Take crust out of the oven. Spread on pesto leaving approx 1/2 inch around the edges.
7. Spread shrimp evenly on crust & crumble goat cheese over top.
8. Sprinkle entire pizza with crushed red peppers.
9. Cook for 5 to 10 more minutes, making sure not to overcook shrimp or crust.


Check Your Pantry for Other Things to Add Like:
*Sun dried tomatoes
*Proscuitto or Canadian bacon
* Onions

Melissa Simms
RE/MAX Associates
Louisville, KY
MelissaSimms@remax.net

Louisville Real Estate Effected By New Downtown Arena

LOUISVILLE REAL ESTATE NEWS:

Economic Impact Study Shows More Activity Than Expected Near Arena Site

BY: John R. Karman, III- Staff Writer
Courtesy: Business First of Louisville
Monday, October 26, 2009

The results include a finding that 30 projects either have been completed, are under construction or are scheduled to begin soon, largely because of the $238 million, 22,000-seat downtown arena. The facility’s bowl has taken shape over the summer, and its parking garage is nearing completion.

Read more.....

Behind the Scenes

REALTORS WORKING TO EXTEND THE TAX CREDIT

September 22, 2009----Some people are unsure of what the job description of a Realtor entails. Maybe we just show homes to buyers and hold open houses every other weekend or so. Maybe we just stick the sign in the yard and go home to eat bon-bons until someone calls. I can assure you, both of these are not the case.

As a Realtor, we are constantly working with the local, state and national governments to make sure policies are not implimented that will harm those who own real estate. Afterall, do you still want to write off the interest from your home on taxes? Well, guess what, it has come up time and time again where this benefit of owning real estate has been "on the fence". We, as Realtors, want to keep every benefit, safeguard and option open to current homeowners or future buyers. Real estate is the #1 generator of wealth for Americans.

Check out these articles on how Realtors are working RIGHT NOW to extend the $8,000 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit.

Money Watch: Realtors Issue Call to Action

NAR: Realtors Urge Congress to Act Now


Melissa Simms

Realtor

RE/MAX Associates-Louisville, KY
MelissaSimms@remax.net

Protect Your Investment

SURVEYS: DO I REALLY NEED TO PURCHASE ONE?

September 15, 2009----So you’ve found a home that is perfect. You’re ready to write an offer up on the home with your real estate agent. Some agents have different opinions on this, but it has come through my learning that you should always reserve the right to have a survey completed on the property when writing up the offer.

Now, ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you planning on building a fence?
2. Are you planning on making additions to the home sometime during your period of ownership?
3. Is there already a fence on the property?
4. Have the owners built anything on the property after they bought it (i.e. swimming pool, storage shed)?


If you can answer any of these with a definite yes or even a maybe, you want to get a survey. It is best to spend the $400.00 or so expense upfront so that if any issues arise with the property lines then you can still get out of the contract and move on to a different home. You don’t want to pay for the mistakes of a previous owner.

PLEASE, don’t assume that the owner at the time had a survey on the property prior to making their addition. After all, you don’t want your neighbors swimming in your in-ground pool whenever they like just because it’s 12 inches on their property.

Something to Note: Ask your agent to write in the contract for seller’s to provide a recent survey if one has been completed. Make sure that there have been no additions to the home and lot after this survey was completed.


Melissa Simms
RE/MAX Associates
MelissaSimms@remax.net