The National Association of Realtors latest existing-home sales survey shows that sales are on the rise again. This is the third straight month of increases as well the rate rising above year ago levels. December saw a 5.0 percent rise and is now 3.6 percent above December 2010. The entire of year of 2011 experienced an overall 1.7 percent rise in existing-home sales over 2010.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said these are early signs of what may be a sustained recovery. "The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery," he said. "Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market."
Complete article.
Source: Carla Hill, Realty Times, Monday, January 30, 2012.
RSVP Today for the Year End Event
Mark your calendars and make plans now. Prudential Kansas City Realty's Year End Event is coming soon!
This year's theme is
Imagine the Possibilities. When you
work hard and commit yourself to being the best,
anything is possible.
Join us on Thursday, February 16, from 4:30 pm to 7:00pm, at the
Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom for an evening of celebration, drinks and light hors d'oeuvres as we look back on the successes, milestones and accomplishments that you helped make possible throughout 2011.
Here is an
area map which shows nearby parking, as well as directions to the venue from each of the offices:
Please RSVP to your office's administrative assistant no later than Friday, February 10. See you there!
Protect the Kansas Mortgage Interest Deduction
The Kansas Legislature is currently considering proposals to eliminate the ability of Kansas state income taxpayers to claim itemized deductions on their state income tax returns, including the mortgage interest deduction and many other tax deductions that encourage homeownership. The loss of the mortgage interest deduction alone would unfairly wipe out over $162 million in annual tax relief for over 417,000 Kansas families.
Unfortunately, the loss of the mortgage interest deduction and other tax deductions important to the housing market would have an extremely negative impact on the Kansas housing market and the Kansas economy.
Read more.
For complete details about this campaign, including the facts, resources, news media, and action center suggestions, visit
ProtecttheDeduction.com.
Source: Kansas Association of REALTORS Action Center.New Agent Joins Blue Valley Office
Blue Valley is pleased to announce Sally Chew as their newest sales professional.
Sally is a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area, living for the last 25 years in Johnson County. She has had a long time interest in residential real estate and has bought and sold four homes, however Joining Prudential Kansas City Realty marks Sally's first foray into professional real estate. Formerly she was a loan officer and bank branch manager as well as working for small companies as an accountant/bookkeeper.
We're happy to have Sally as the newest member of the PKC family.
Share Your Personalized My Home Mobile App with Buyers and Sellers
The new
My Home Mobile app gives your home buyers the most convenient resource for finding homes for sale and open houses on their touchscreen smart phone or tablet. And, it's a great tool to keep your sellers' homes in front of prospective buyers.
If you want to get
My Home Mobile leads delivered directly to you, just share your
personalized link with your prospective and active buyers, as well as your sellers via email or eCards, or consider posting it on social media sites.
Once they start using your personalized app, you'll automatically get all inquires they make about homes while using this tool.
Don't know where to begin? We've created some marketing materials to help you get started:
When you logon to the
My Home eVantage tab on PKC Agent, you'll see a new section:
My Home Mobile Users. Once you share your personalized link with buyers and they download the app, they'll appear in the
My Home Mobile Users section.
Any questions, contact
marketing@prukc.com.
New! Super Bowl eCard Available for the
Big Game
Whether you're a Giants fan, a Patriots fan or just a fan of football, you can use PREA's new Superbowl eCard to send a timely message to every gridiron geek in your address book. You can even use it as an invite to a Super Bowl get-together or for an Open House with a home theater or a large screen TV.
eCards are a free, easy and colorful fun way to stay in front of your clients – previous, current and future. To send out this eCard or any of the thousands of other designs available, just login to the eCards section of
PREA Center. If you have any questions about setting up or sending out your messages, contact your office's administrative assistant.
Super Bowl XLVI: Advertising is the REAL Big Game
Whther or not your favorite team is playing for the NFL championship or not, you can still enjoy the big specticle. No, not the numbers on the scoreboard, but the money companies are spending on one :30 ad. Here are some Super Bowl Ad Facts that hit harder than any linebacker:
1. The average rate for a Super Bowl :30 spot has
increased by 40% in the past decade. NBC is currently claiming a
$3.5 million sticker price for the 2012 ads.
2. Advertisers who have spent the most on Super Bowl ads between 2002-2011:
- Anheuser Busch: 10 years - $239 million
- Pepsico: 10 years - $174 million
- GM: 8 years - $83 million
- Disney: 10 years - $74 million
- Coke: 5 years - $76 million
3. In the last 10 years, the Super Bowl game has generated
$1.72 billion of network advertising sales from more than 125 marketers.
4. The top 5 Super Bowl advertisers in the past 10 years have spent
$636.6 million on advertising during the game, accounting for 37% of total advertising revenue.
Prudential Real Estate has heard that one of its competitors will be advertising on the Super Bowl. It is always interesting to figure the ROI on these pricey placements - not to mention the cost of producing a spot worthy of being on the Super Bowl - and does it have life after the Super Bowl?
First-Time Buyers More Willing to Compromise
When it comes to space and upgrades, first-time home buyers are more willing to compromise than repeat buyers, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2011 “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.”
While they have big wish lists too, first-time buyers seem to be most driven by finding a home that offers a reasonable monthly mortgage payment.
"Single home buyers tend to value affordability above all when they are choosing a home and a neighborhood," says Jessica Lautz, NAR’s manager of member and consumer survey research. "They also focus more on living some place convenient to friends and family, as well as entertainment and leisure activities."
Complete article.
The median age of first-time home buyers is 31, and about 26 percent are married with children.
Source: Daily Real Estate News, REALTOR® Mag, Friday, January 2012.Sign Up Now for PKC's 2012 PKC FREE CE Classes
One of best ways to ensure you are providing the best service to your clients, is to make sure you keep up with the latest developments and trends in the industry.
The Continuing Education series offered by PKC is a great way to stay up-to-date, so be sure to take advantage of it!
To register, call Elaine Cavener at ext. 1486 or by email
ecavener@prukc.com.
View the
2012 course schedule and find out how to register. Times and dates are subject to change, so check back periodically for the most up-to-date schedule.