Moreover, Yun said the second half of this year could be even better than the first, in part because of continued increases in rental costs and record affordability of homes. “Renters are getting squeezed, and they don’t want to rent anymore,” Yun explained. “This could be the year we see the release of pent-up demand.”

Home prices have been skipping along the bottom for about a year now, Yun said, a trend that has drawn investors into the market. These investors have helped housing through a couple of difficult years and partly mitigated the dysfunctional mortgage market.

“Right now is the time to buy low,” he said. “Investors are coming in to take advantage. Second homes started to recover nicely last year because of investors.”

However, home values are poised for a rebound as more traditional buyers move back into the market, Yun said. In fact, this has already started to happen in areas such as Phoenix and Miami, which have seen year-over-year (March 2011 to March 2012) double-digit percentage increases in home prices.

As real estate improves, consumer psychology around homeownership will change, he added. Coupled with the recent – if relatively modest – job growth and stock market gains, conditions are right for a sustained housing recovery.

Challenges

Nonetheless, there are issues that could restrain a turnaround in housing. Mortgages are still too hard to come by, the shadow inventory – while declining – remains historically high, and price inflation is rising “above the Fed’s comfort level,” Yun said.

To address that last problem, the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates in 2013 and 2014, though Yun contends a modest rise in interest rates wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for the housing market because it would cause financial institutions to focus their mortgage servicing departments on purchase loans instead of refis.

The biggest housing market challenge, however, is uncertainty caused by the murky political and regulatory environment, – particularly the repeated threats from legislators and policymakers to alter or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction.

And the country is racing toward a “fiscal cliff.” On Jan. 1, 2013, a federal budget compromise must be approved. If delayed, there will be automatic government spending cuts, which would probably create a fallout effect in the financial markets.

Source: Brian Summerfield, Realtor® Magazine

© 2012 Florida Realtors®

A friend who used her solar lights inside at night when her current was off during the hurricane. She stuck them in a jar or bottle and said they gave off plenty of ‘free light’. She put one in each room and would put them back outside in the daytime and bring them in at night as long as the current was off. They are safe to use and cheaper than batteries. Bring in a solar light one night and test it.

Due to a thunderstorm, we lost power for about 5 hours. We were scrambling around in the darkness, looking for matches, candles, flashlights, etc. We looked outside, and noticed our solar lights shining brightly all around our patio, stairs, dock, etc. They were beautiful. My wife walked outside, and brought several of the solar lights inside.

We stuck the solar light pipes into plastic drink bottles containers and they made the nicest, brightest, safest, lighting you could ever imagine.

We put one in the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, etc. There was plenty of light. There are all types of solar lights available. We bought ours at Harbor Freight. We put them all around our yard. They look nice and they do not attract flying bugs like the outdoor lights around our doorway.

The lights we have fit into the small (20 oz) water bottles and they also fit into most of the larger liter bottles. If you need a weight in the plastic bottle to keep them from tipping over, you can put a few of the pretty colorful “flat marbles” that they put in aquariums, and vases. (you can also use sand, aquarium gravel, etc., whatever you have available).

The lights we have were perfect inside our home. They burn all night long if you need them.

The next day, you just take your solar lights back outside and they will instantly recharge and be ready for you to use again any time you need them.
Perfect for power outages, hurricanes, etc.

I never thought of it, and now you don’t have to. —–

1.Maintain your furnace and air conditioning units: This is one area that homeowners can tend to disregard. Yet, just like conducting routine repairs on your automobiles; it is just important to keep up with these items. It’s only necessary once per year! In fact, the amount of money you can save in the long run by avoiding more significant maintenance or losing a unit well before it’s time makes this worth it. You will maintain a higher efficiency and experience cleaner air too.

2.Standby power: Did you know that many items around your house such as your TV, entertainment system, Wii, computer, microwave, etc. are constantly drawing electricity even when they are not powered on? In fact, items throughout your house such as these typically can account for approximately 10% of your total energy consumption! Simply by having certain items plugged into a power cord that can be switched off when not in use may have a significant impact.

3. Invest in a programmable thermostat: Installing one of these can be fairly inexpensive and is extremely useful for families that are always on the go! Simply set the meter to fluctuate a few degrees during key time frames, and the savings will start to add up.

4.Decrease your water heater’s temperature: By switching the temperature down to the lowest setting can impact your energy bills from 5-10%.

5.Change you appliance settings: Many dishwashers, washers, and dryers have advanced settings that could also be increasing your utility bills. Consider turning off those extra bells and whistles such as the heated dry, automatic sensor settings, or wrinkle shield. Also, you can wash with cold water and only do larger loads when necessary.

6.Dimmer switches and motion detectors: Another tip is to replace your current fixtures or switches with these energy efficient alternatives. Even if you do not install these items, get in the habit of shutting off the lights in any room that is not occupied.
By following these 6 simple steps, you will begin to save more money and consume fewer resources.

For more money saving tips check back often.

 A program is available in Pinellas County that may make it easier and more affordable to buy a new home in 2012.
The interest rate for the Home Key 1st Mortgage is at 3.75 percent and is available to first-time homebuyers in Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties. A similar program, the Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage, helps with down payments and closing costs and is also available in all three aforementioned counties.
The programs are available to buyers who have never owned a home, have not owned a home in the last three years or are veterans. Certain area and income eligibility requirements apply. To qualify, buyers must have a minimum credit score of 620 and must take a homebuyer education class.
“There is a great variety of homes available and prices are lower than we’ve seen in a long time,” said Anthony M. Jones, executive director of the Housing Finance Authority, in a press release.
For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/community/hfa, or call (800) 806-5154 or (727) 464-8210.