Shalizi Real Estate would like to congratulate Baro Shalizi on his appointment as the US National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) President’s International Liaison to India.

In his capacity as International Liaison, should it be necessary, Baro, in conjunction with the NAR Regional Liaison, will act as a mediator between NAR and the Indian National Association of REALTORS®. In addition, he will host the President, Executive Director and/or any REALTOR® delegations visiting the United States from India and in general will be responsible for growing and deepening the bonds of goodwill and co-operation between the US National Association of REALTORS® and the Indian National Association of REALTORS®.

SFAR August Stats 09

The good news about statistics is that they can be manipulated to say what you want to say. As a result, knowing that all of my readers are intelligent and well educated, I will not insult you with creative interpretations of the statistics.

It seems like the market is still trying to decide where it is or what it is doing.

In the July 09 statistics we saw that overall sales in the City and County had improved from July of 2008. Sales of all residential units, single family, condo/townhouses, duplex/multi-plexes and mobile/manufactured housing had risen modestly from 112 in ’08 to 119 in ’09.  However, the key indicator, single family homes were still slightly down, 88 had sold in the City and County for July ’09 compared to 93 in ’08. Median prices on the other hand were pretty stable for single family homes, $387,100 in ’09 and $390,000 in ’08.

In August, we see a more dramatic drop in overall sales of all combined residential sales in the City and County, i.e., single family, condo/townhouses, duplex/multi-plexes and mobile/manufactured housing. They dropped from 140 in August ’08 to 104 in August ’09. On the one hand, single family homes sales evened out, 84 in August ’09 compared to 85 in August ’08. On the other hand, median prices for single family homes dropped dramatically, $295,968 in ’09 compared to $427,500 in ’08.

This is not bad news per se, all it means is that the stimulus packet is having the desired impact and first time home buyers are taking advantage of it, thus generating more sales in the lower end of the market and bringing median prices down.

Do you have one area in your house you just can't figure out? Maybe it's too small or oddly shaped or just not in the right location in your home. Don't let it turn into dead space. There are plenty of ways to turn unusual home spaces into comfortable, functioning living areas that appear as if they were built for a purpose.

If large enough, divide the space into individual "rooms," so that one area can be used for one purpose, leaving the rest of the area open for a different use. The possibilities are endless: a library or reading nook, an office, a crafting room, or a yoga or art studio.

If the room is particularly small, remember to use furnishings that fit the space. For example, an overstuffed couch won't do well in a room meant for two chairs. Go curvy: Round furnishings in hard corners or plants placed strategically can help. To give the illusion of space in a small area, choose glass tops or chairs. Curtains that run floor to ceiling create height and flow in a  small space. Other things to consider: Painting an "odd" wall in a different color, and using it to display art or photos will also lessen its awkward effect on the room; and an area rug in the center of the room will bring the eye to the middle of the space, rather than focusing on its unusual shape or size.

Source: HGTV and The Residential Specialist

THIS MONTH' FEATURED HOME

1002 Hickox

$312,900

Don't miss this newly remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, semi-attached adobe home on a corner lot. This charming house has two main entrances. One bedroom could be converted to an office as it has a separate entrance. The house has a kiva fireplace, carpeted bedrooms, laundry room and basement. Outside the house there is a walled-in garden with fruit trees. This home has new exterior stucco and two off-street parking spaces.

Special Days and Events in October         Family History Month                            National Apple Month October  2 – Peanuts Comic Strip First Published in 1950 October 11 – Eleanor Roosevelt's Birthday October 12 – Columbus Day                                                                               October 16 – Boss's Day                                                                                      October 16 - World Food Day                                                                             October 19 – Star Spangled Banner First Sung in 1814             October 24 – United Nation's Day                                                                    October 24 - International Red Cross Organized in 1863 October 26 – Standard Time Begins at 2:00 a. m.                             October 27 – Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday October 29 - National Organization of Women founded in 1966 October 31 - Halloween October 31 - Juliett Gordon Low's Birthday, Started Girl Scouting in the US in 1912 The October flower is the calendula and the birthstone is the opal. Do you know someone who is thinking about buying or selling a home? Please mention our names.