Amazing Remodel in Sandy…5 bedrooms

Posted on | June 3, 2010 | No Comments

Price: $278,000

 Type: Single Family

 Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2 Full, 1 Partial

Garage: 2

Square Feet: 2,640

This home has it all. Totally remodeled kitchen with 2 ovens, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and cabinets. New carpet, new tile and 2-tone paint throughout. New central A/C, sprinklers system, and deck. Garage has tons of storage with an oversized loft for extra space. Yard has plenty of room with a vegetable garden. This beautiful home is sure to impress!

http://www.circlepix.com/tours/5?wfrnum=965534

May House Prices Show Highest Increase Since 2006

Posted on | June 3, 2010 | No Comments

House prices climbed 6.8% in May 2010 from last year, the largest yearly increase since July 2006, according to a report from real estate data provider Clear Capital.

In June 2009, Clear Capital reported a 19.3% drop in May house prices, a “far cry” from the increase shown in this report a year later, said Alex Villacorta, senior statistician at Clear Capital. The rolling quarter-over-quarter number, which measures houses prices against those three months ago showed a 1.8% decline, an improvement from the 5% drop in April.

“We continue to see sustained price growth throughout much of the country with yearly price gains reflecting the housing recovery off of last year’s lows,” Villacorta said. “The expiration of the tax credit at the end of April has certainly contributed to the growth of prices we are observing and as more sales close before the June 30 deadline we expect that markets across the country will continue to see strengthening of prices.”

The amount of REO properties on the market seems to be dropping, too, according to Clear Capital.  The national REO saturation rate dropped to 27.8%, down from 41.7% last year.

“This dramatic shift in price trends reflects the unprecedented volatility over the last couple of years and the delicate state of local real estate markets around the country,” Villacorta said.

Building Green, New Codes unveiled…

Posted on | May 27, 2010 | No Comments

The International Code Council announced the release of Public Version 1.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) to regulate construction of new and existing commercial buildings. The IGCC aims to significantly reduce energy usage and greenhouse gasses. It addresses site development and land use, including preservation of natural and material resources. Enforcement of the code will improve indoor air quality and support the use of energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy systems, water resource conservation, rainwater collection and distribution systems, and the recovery of used water (graywater). Principals from the ICC, AIA and ASTM pointed out how the IGCC helps further the mission of their organizations and members.

We talked to communities who indicate that their voluntary green building programs reach only, but an important, 30 percent of the built environment,” said Code Council CEO Richard P.

Weiland. “This means that there is a clear need for a regulatory tool to establish a baseline to help jurisdictions meet their sustainability goals.” The IGCC emphasizes building performance, including features such as a requirement for building system performance verification and building owner education to ensure the best energy-efficient practices. A key feature of the new code is a section devoted to “jurisdictional electives” that will allow customization of the code beyond its baseline provisions to address local priorities and conditions.

Fannie, Freddie Set Appraisal Standards to Streamline Data Collection

Posted on | May 25, 2010 | No Comments

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is rolling out a new initiative at government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae  and Freddie Mac  that aims to streamline home appraisal and loan delivery data.

The effort, called the Uniform Mortgage Data Program, sets standards on data and collection processes. The FHFA previously directed Fannie and Freddie to create common data sets and standards for electronic submission and loan delivery data.

“This initiative is a major step toward meeting industry requests for uniformity in appraisal and loan data,” said FHFA acting director Edward DeMarco in a statement (download here). “Improvements in data quality will benefit all mortgage market participants and strengthen the housing finance system.”

Best priced Sandy home per square foot

Posted on | May 24, 2010 | No Comments

Price: $316,000

 Type: Single Family

 Bedrooms: 6

 Bathrooms: 3 Full, 1 Partial

Garage: 3

 Square Feet: 4,388