We have certainly noticed the upward trend in home prices in Ventura Real Estate as we watch the local market and preview new properties coming on to the market.  Homes that are priced well move quickly as buyers are taking advantage of record low interest rates.  These observations seem to be reflected in many markets across the nation.

The national median existing single-family price was $176,900 in the second quarter, up 1.5 percent from $174,200 in the same period of 2009. The median is where half sold for more and half sold for less. Distressed homes accounted for 32 percent of second quarter sales, down from 36 percent a year ago.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the correction in home prices appears to have ended in 2009. “All year we’ve been seeing relatively flat national home prices, which appear to be supported by market fundamentals,” he said. “Prices in some areas remain below replacement construction costs, so even with an elevated supply of existing homes on the market we don’t expect any consequential movement in home prices for the foreseeable future. Very low inventory of newly built homes also will help to support home values.”

NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz., said record low mortgage interest rates will help cushion a summer slowdown. “As expected, sales are slowing down now that the home buyer tax credit has expired, but record-low mortgage interest rates, along with stable and affordable home prices in most areas, provide opportunities for buyers who weren’t able to take advantage of the credit,” she said.

via Broad Stabilization in Second Quarter Metro Area Home Prices with Strong Sales.

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Broad Stabilization in Second Quarter Metro Area Home Prices with Strong Sales is a post from: GaryandLisa.com

Is Tax Time a scramble to get your paperwork together? Once your taxes are filed, do you shove those important papers in a drawer or box? This year, why not break this habbit of disorganization, and use tax time as an opportunity to permanently give order to your personal and financial affairs?

In the case of papers and belongings that are valuable or irreplaceable, the best storage is in the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) classified fire-resistant storage container.
Items to keep in your fire-protective container indefinately are: Birth and Death Certificates; Deeds; Health Records; Home and Property Inventory (and updates); Marriage Certificate, Divorce, Custody and Adoption papers; and Wills.

Items to keep for 6-7 years are: Contracts; Bank and Credit Card Records; and Tax Records.

Items to keep for 3-4 years: Mortgage loan papers (3 years after pay-off); Insurance Policies (4 years after expiration date) and stocks and bond certificates (4 years after sold).

Getting Organized at Tax Time May Save Time and Money is a post from: GaryandLisa.com