Kids Nights On Broadway – February 5th – 9th

Kids Night On Broadway

What a great incentive to go into New York City.  Buy one adult ticket and get one kids ticket free. Some shows are already sold out but there are still quite a few available. 
Click on the photo or check out the link: http://kidsnightonbroadway.com/

A Perfect Cape Cod Style Renovation

Reblogged from Rivertowns Real Estate News:

1820s home gets new life with beloved collections, new storage solutions and lots of natural light HOUZZ.COM: In spite of an extensive renovation, this 1820s petite Cape in Vermont still maintains a petite footprint. “The house is quite small by today’s standards,” says Pi Smith, the project architect. “All of the spaces we designed are working really hard.” The client had owned the home for 15 years, dreaming of and planning for a kitchen renovation for every one of them. While she waited, she filled her …

20 Weekend Projects for Every Room

It’s the first full weekend after all the holiday hubbub — a perfect time to settle down and get the apartment whipped into shape for the coming year. We’ve collected 20 useful posts, from room to room, to instruct and inspire. Delve into 2012 clutter-free and ready to go!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/20-weekend-projects-for-every-164043

Consumer Confidence Levels Beat Expectations

According to the Conference Board, the Consumer Confidence Index for December hit 64.5, up from 55.2 in November. December confidence levels beat analyst’s expectations that the index would rise to 58.9 and consumer confidence is now at its highest level since April. The proportion of consumers expecting the business climate to improve over the next six months rose to 16.7 percent from 13.7 percent, while those expecting business conditions will worsen declined to 13.4 percent from 16.1 percent.
Respondents that believe jobs are “plentiful” increased to 6.7 percent from 5.6 percent, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” decreased to 41.8 percent from 43.0 percent.
Those that plan to buy a home within six months improved slightly, those that plan to buy a vehicle fell to the lowest level of the year, and people planning on taking a vacation hit hits highest level for the year.                                                       

Read The Full Article at: http://agbeat.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/consumer-confidence-levels-beat-expectations/

Average 30-year mortgage rate a record 3.91 pct.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to a record 3.91 percent this week, the third time this year that rates have hit new lows.

Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average on the 30-year home loan fell from 3.94 percent the previous week. The 3.91 percent rate is the lowest average for long-term fixed mortgages on records dating to the 1950s

The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage was unchanged this week at 3.21 percent. That’s also a record.

Low rates offer a historic opportunity for those who can afford to buy a home or refinance. But many Americans either can’t take advantage of the rates or have already done so.

Rates have been below 5 percent for all but two weeks in 2011. Even so, this year is shaping up to be one of the worst ever for home sales.

Rates could fall further still. Many economists think the yield on the 10-year Treasury note could creep lower in 2012. Long-term mortgage rates tend to track the 10-year Treasury yield.

Should the Federal Reserve launch a new program of bond purchases in the coming months to try to help the economy, it could further drive down mortgage rates.

Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, has said that despite the super-low loan rates, foreclosures and falling home values have created obstacles for would-be buyers.

But builders could see more interest from buyers in the coming months if mortgage rates stay low. The low rates contributed to a modest 2-point increase in builder sentiment in the latest National Association of Home Builders survey released this month, said Yelena Shulyatyeva, an analyst at BNP Paribas. Those rates, coupled with falling prices, could draw more people into the market, she said.

Sales of previously occupied homes are just slightly ahead of last year’s dismal sales figures. New-home sales appear headed for their worst year on records going back half a century.

Mortgage applications fell about 2.6 percent last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Refinancing fell 1.6 percent. And loan applications to buy homes fell nearly 5 percent. Over the past four weeks, the level of mortgage applications has been relatively unchanged.

Some lenders have reported an increase in applications through the Obama administration’s refinancing program. That program was broadened in October to allow up to 1 million more homeowners lower their mortgage payments. But the MBA said such government-assisted loans account for just a small portion of refinancing.

High unemployment and scant wage gains have made it harder for many people to qualify for loans. Many Americans don’t want to sink money into a home that they fear could lose value over the next few years.

To calculate the average rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country Monday through Wednesday of each week. The average rates don’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

The average fee for the 30-year loan fell to 0.7 from 0.8; the average on the 15-year fixed mortgage was unchanged at 0.8.

For the five-year adjustable loan, the average rate fell to 2.85 percent from 2.86 percent. The average on the one-year adjustable loan declined to 2.77 percent from 2.81 percent.

The average fees on the five- and one-year adjustable-rate loans were unchanged at 0.6.

Just Listed: A Fabulous Value in Portchester

31 Barrett Lane

A beautiful scenic drive leads you to this lovely home with many updates in desired Tower Hill area. Offers elegant design and features with an expansive living room and dining room with bay window, crown molding, hardwood floors and a great flow for entertaining. Spacious MBR, updated baths, eat-in kitchen w/ granite counters, new windows and new patio.Semi-finished basement with family room,laundry area and lots of storage.Corner lot with lush manicured lawn. The perfect place to call home.

See The Full Listing at: http://www.randrealty.com/agent/427/Sherry-Wiggs/NY/Property/1013977/31-Barrett-Ln-Port-Chester-NY-10573/

Visual Tour at: http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer2/viewer.asp?t=2648444&sk=200

Brand New Multi-Family Investment in Yonkers

Beautifully maintained Multi-Family home in the sought after Park Hill area. Spacious apartments with 3 oversized BR’s, 1.5 Baths in each unit. Main level unit has a patio and yard space, upstairs unit also has a private patio. Finished basement with a separate entrance, bath, living area, bedroom and kitchen area.Was previously a legal in-law. Great for the extended family or live in one and rent the other.
More info at:
http://www.randrealty.com/agent/427/Sherry-Wiggs/NY/Property/1012908/174-Park-Hill-Ave-Yonkers-NY-10705/

Visual Tour at: http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?t=2643834&prt=10003

Is the Internet giving you your homes correct value?

Jason Gonsalves worked hard to turn his 6,500-square-foot stucco-and-stone home in the suburbs of Sacramento into the ultimate grown-up party pad, complete with game room, custom wine cellar and an infinity-edge pool overlooking Folsom Lake. When interest rates fell recently, Mr. Gonsalves, who runs a lobbying firm, looked into refinancing his $750,000 mortgage. That’s when he got startling news—the home had dropped more than $200,000 in value while he was renovating.
Read more;

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204554204577026131448329006.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_News_BlogsModule

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Savings Time is ending! Don’t forget to “Fall Back” and set your clocks back 1 hour BEFORE you go to bed this evening!

And, since you are changing your clocks, it’s a great time to change the batteries in your home’s smoke detectors too.

Own a Home in Dobbs Ferry/Ardsley Schools for under $1,400 per month.

Own this fabulous Colonial home with additional income producing 2 bedroom duplex apt and pay under $1,400 per month. Based on 20% down, rental income of $1,800 per month, 4.5% interest.(approximate depending on credit) Includes mortgage and tax. Added bonus: Seller will pay $5,000.00 toward closing cost if in contract by Dec. 1st . Great investment opportunity. Oversized lot that can be subdivided. Won’t last. Fabulous Colonial home set on almost 1 2 acre in the Ardsley school district. Enjoy spectacular wooded views from the two over sized decks. Three bedrooms, 1.5 baths and the spacious basement offers extra living space potential as well. Many new updates including tile kitchen floor, carpeting and powder room. New roof and water heater. Two car garage. Also includes a private attached two bedroom, one bath cottage which can be legally rented. A unique opportunity.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/53-Allen-St-Dobbs-Ferry-NY-10522/33019698_zpid/