There have been times when I’ve been glum. There have been times I’ve been numb. And certainly times I’ve been dumb.

But I’ve almost always been hopeful.

This made for a level of scorn when I was young and my peers became sophisticated and jaded as only over-educated and under-experienced 20-somethings can. It has also lead to some particularly cynical people thinking I was “putting on” my optimism.

Recently, though, hopefulness has come less easily.

Possibly this has happened due to realizing that - contrary to my previous assumptions - the forces of gravity have not decided to spare me. Maybe it’s being the mother to mostly-fully-cooked children, thereby eliminating a portion of my identity for the last couple of decades.

Or maybe it’s been the spirit-drubbing news over the last year or so.

I mean, honestly. It’s been like a lousy screenplay. All that’s been missing are locusts and frogs raining down upon us.

But then I see a post from John Robinson, editor of the News & Record, and realize that there are exciting and energizing forces all around us.

Or I think about how our next president looks to be more than just Not-The-Current-One but to truly have a plan, a brain, a heart and a soul. The real deal.

And sometimes it’s just something as simple as looking up from my notebook to see my youngest, home from college and full of hope himself,  goofily looking at me over the screen like some modern day Kilroy.

You just gotta love that kid. He’s great. All our children are.

And I can’t help but be hopeful. It feels good to be back.

Tags: Greesboro News & Record, John Robinson

Let’s see what the numbers look like for currently listed properties in Greensboro this week.

There are a few more listings on the market this week than last *sigh* but few than the two weeks previous to that.

This week, 2871 houses on the market. Last week 2847. That’s 25 (.9%) more.  Again, still compared to 4 weeks ago were down from 2980 which is -108 (-3.6%)

For those of you who aren’t regular readers of this blog (?!!?) I’ll explain why we smile when there are fewer properties on the market.

One of the many problems with the economy is the distressed state of the housing market. And one of the many problems with the housing market is the large inventory of houses for sale. Too many houses for sale leads to prices which are stagnant at best and truly distressed in harder hit areas. This makes everyone  -  even those who aren’t trying to sell their houses but only live next door to someone  trying to sell their house  -  feel distressed.

[And you know, Dear Reader, that by "distressed" I mean "stinking like a huge pile of steaming crap from an ox with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who had asparagus and a dead skunk for lunch". But every once in a great while my children read this blog and I don't want them thinking their mother is a Potty Mouth.]

The average listing price has declined a bit, now at $228,009 down from last weeks $228,720. Again, this is an improvement over 4 weeks ago when the average listing price was $225,417, but it’s down nonetheless.

For the week of December 30, 2008:

• 2872 - Total properties for sale in Greensboro
• 2543 - Active Listings (89%)
• 329 - Pending Sales (11%)
• $228,009 - Average List Price

Of these listings, they break down by property type like this….

… and  by Greensboro zip codes ….

… and the average prices in those zip codes ….

… and, finally, the weekly average list prices within the zip codes …

As always, if you have any questions, comments or a good joke shoot me an email. I’m a full time Realtor, I love what I do and I’d be thrilled to hear from you.

* Data per Triad MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as of 12/23/2008. Isn’t it 2009 yet?!

Tags: Greensboro, Greensboro housing statistics, housing market, MLS, Multiple List, Multiple Listing Service, Triad MLS

Treadmills at the Bryan Family YMCA in Greensboro, NC

Arghh. January is coming. And we know what that means.

Resolutions.

We all know that resolutions are about as effective as those no-sew mending glues advertised on infomercials.

But it always just seems right to try for a fresh start with the beginning of each new year.

And has there been another year in recent history that we wanted to be rid of more then 2008?

So, this week’s poll asks “What goals do you hope to reach in 2009?”

Choose as many answers as you wish.

And fear not the implements of modern torture you might find when you venture into the gym.

I’m sure the walls are thick enough to muffle your cries and cursing.

Tags: Bryan Family YMCA in Greensboro, New Year's Resolutions, Weekly Poll

Here’s the weekly update on new foreclosures that have come on the market in Greensboro. As in previous posts, the information is drilled down to zip code, property type and weekly historical data

The numbers stayed relatively flat comparing the week’s new foreclosure listings (11) to the previous (10). But keep reading for some GOOD NEWS.

Here’s how it breaks down…

For Greensboro’s foreclosure listings during 12/15/08 - 12/21/08*:

Total new foreclosures listed: 11

• single-family: 9
• townhouses:    0
• condos:           2

by Greensboro zip code:

And if we look at those zip codes comparing the most recent 3 weeks:

The aforementioned good news comes when we compare “rolling 12 week periods”. The numbers for those 12 week periods show a downward trend.

Could this be a result of the holidays? Maybe, but unlikely. Misery doesn’t take holidays.

Could this be a result of a foreclosure moratorium?  (Citibank, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac advised they would halt foreclosure proceedings on homeowners in specific circumstances into January 2009)

Again, maybe. It’s hard to know how many of those owners fall under requirements set out by those lenders.

Frankly, it doesn’t matter why. If it is a result of the moratorium, great. It’s helping the inventory situation, which helps all sellers, as well as helping those borrowers who have a reprieve from foreclosure.

If the reduction in the number is just the natural result of what is inevitable - that is, that the housing market will reach ‘bottom’ and start turning upwards from there - even better. That may be wishful thinking, but I’m a positive type of gal.

Time will tell. Keep checking back with this blog and we’ll see whether I’m a cock-eyed optimist, or just cock-eyed.

Good or bad, you’ll see it here.

If you have questions, comments or a good joke to share shoot me an email.  I’m a full time Realtor®, I love what I do and would be thrilled to hear from you.

* All data from Triad Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

Tags: Citibank, Fannie Mae, Foreclosure Moratorium, Foreclosures in Greensboro, Freddie Mac, Greensboro, MLS, Multiple Listing Service

For the 2nd week in a row there are FEWER houses on the market this week than last.

Last week there were 2939 houses on the market. This week 2864. That’s 75 (2.6%) fewer. And this follows last weeks drop in listings on the market of 41 (1.4%).

This is moderately good news. Now, it can be argued that listings often are taken off the market during the holidays, but this year that may be less true.

Why? Because most properties that have been listed over the last several months are being sold because the sellers needs to sell, not because they think it would be a hoot. These sellers still need to sell.

And the prices? After last week’s slight uptick, there was a very slight down tick this week, ending up almost exactly in the middle. The average list price as of 12.23.08 is $228,270, compared to $230,757 on 12.16.08. The week prior to that the average list price was $225,417.

Some more details:

For the week of December 23, 2008:

• 2864 - Total properties for sale in Greensboro
• 2534 - Active Listings (88%)
• 330 - Pending Sales (12%)
• $228,270 - Average List Price

Of these listings, they break down by property type like this….

… and  by Greensboro zip codes ….

… and the average prices in those zip codes ….

… and, finally, the weekly average list prices within the zip codes (some up, some down)…

We’ll take a closer look at specific zip codes in future posts. Also, we need to break out foreclosures from non-foreclosures. But for now we’ll take solace in the fact that there has been a drop in inventory in Greensboro and prices are remaining fairly steady.

Small steps, small steps, as we look for the fabled “bottom” and hope for the turn back upwards..

* Data per Triad MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as of 12/23/2008. Ho, ho, ho.

Tags: Greensboro real estate prices, Multiple Listing Service, weekly Greensboro housing statistics

This was what the fridge looked like AFTER a full day's worth of eating.

We are a fortunate family, and on so many levels. And we were all able to be together this past weekend as our newly married daughter came with her husband for a pre-Christmas visit, our older son took the train from Raleigh and traveled into the lovely Depot in Greensboro and our youngest is home for break after his first semester at college.

And we are doing okay throughout this frightful economic time. We all have jobs (except for Mr. College Student. His job is … college), we have roofs over our heads, we’re healthy, and we have food in the fridge.

Lots of food.

Too much food.

Buñuelos cooking in a cast iron dutch oven

We did it again this year and over bought and over cooked for the gastric needs of the family. Celebration is great.  But this was almost obscene.

It happens every December. The yummy treats baked by our daughter who has just started her own baking business, the great foods prepared by my Colombian husband (arepas, buñuelos, Sudado de Papas, arroz con aliños, beans, patacones. Ahhh patacones…..)

One gallon of my husband's fantastic salsa

But even as the jeans are swapped out for elastic waist pants and we swear we’ll be ill if we take one more mouthful of anything, there is something so great about our holiday rituals.

This leads to this week’s poll: How do you approach the indulgences of the holiday season?

Take the poll. It won’t burn many calories, but it might be the only thing you do this month that won’t impact your carb count.

Tags: Greensboro, holiday eating, Weekly Poll

Here’s the weekly update on new foreclosures that have come on the market in Greensboro. As in previous posts, the information is drilled down tozip code, property type, weekly historical data as well as the current status of foreclosures that have come on the market.

The good news: There were fewer new foreclosures that came on the market the last week than the previous AND fewer in the rolling 12 week period ending 12/14/08 than the 12 weeks ending 12/7/08.

Let’s hope this trend continues.

For Greensboro’s foreclosure listings during 12/8/08 - 12/14/08*:

Total new foreclosures listed: 10

• single-family: 8
• townhouses:    4
• condos:           0

by Greensboro zip code:

• 27401: 1
• 27403:
• 27405: 4
• 27406: 2
• 27407: 2
• 27408:
• 27409:
• 27410: 1
• 27455:

And of those they break down by property type:

• Single-Family: 130 (81%)
  
• Townhouses:    19 (12%)
  
• Condos:           11  ( 7%)

Over the last 12 week period: (10 fewer listings than the previous week. *yeah!*)

Comparing rolling 12 week periods for foreclosures listed since 9/15/08:

Total foreclosures listed since 9/15/08: 327

• Active: 216 (66%)
  
• Pending: 72 (22%)
  
• Closed: 39 (12%)

* All data from Triad Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

If you have questions, comments or a good joke to share shoot me an email. I’m a full time Realtor®, I love what I do and would be thrilled to hear from you.

Tags: Greenboro housing statistics, Greensboro foreclosures, Triad MLS

Man does not live by bread alone, and a real estate blogger can’t write about real estate only. So indulge me as I digress. And now, for something completely different. (Sorry, Messrs., Palin, Cleese, et al.)

Waving Santa at Friendly Center in Greensboro, NC

This giant Santa has been a prominent site at the Friendly Avenue entrance to Friendly Shopping Center for as long as I can remember. I know that I first saw him when my late father walked me from our home in Sunset Hills to the then very different retail center when I was about 6 years old.

Of course, the Santa was MUCH LARGER then. At least 4,000 feet tall.

As I have grown, he has shrunk.

But he still makes me smile when I see him every year. I’m sure my children remember him. They’ll all be in town this weekend. And in addition to the familiar Santa, there will be our Christmas tree.

Looking at that tree, standing in our den in front of the window, I realize that there are few repositories of family history more valuable than the tree. Even while the lights of my childhood - the giant bulbs that use enough energy to get a Prius from Murphy to Manteo and could spontaneously combust a too dry fir - have given way to the strings of LED lights we currently use, some things have returned year after year.

Some ornaments have traveled more than I, having come to the house with my mother when she came to with us. They were part of my family before I was.

Some were made by our children throughout their school years: paper doilies with the faces from school photos glued on, folded into angel shape and affixed with gold foil pipe cleaners for halos; Candy canes made from flour and water “clay”.

Some are just signs of their times:

Justin was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan....

As our daughter and her new husband start their own traditions, we’re grateful for their trek over the mountains to spend some time with us. Our older son has his own home but has not yet started his own family. Our youngest is in college and seems glad to be home.

We’re happy for all of them.

We’re also wistful thinking of all the years spent planning and laughing and pretending to be making coffee on Christmas morning, making the kids wait at the top of the stairs to increase the anticipation.

All wonderful.

And this year when there is so much to make us cringe it is a blessing to have some things that remind us we can smile.

Tags: Friendly Shopping Center, Giant Santa in Greensboro, Waving Santa

Back in the day, if you wanted to get some information about a house like, say, this little beauty…

Gorgeous home in Greensboro (Listed by Yost & Little Realty)

…you would make note of the for sale sign in front and call the listing company. Then you would say something like,

“..Yes..I was on may way to work this morning and wanted to know about the house listed at 700 Country Club Drive. I was wondering how much they’re asking for it..”

Now, you may or may not have been in the market for a house. And you may or may not have been in a position to pay the $4.85 million dollars being asked. You would have spent another 90 seconds inquiring about bedrooms, bathrooms, size of the pool house (!) and all the other questions someone asks when they are - or want to appear to be - seriously interested in a house.

You would then either try to make an appointment to see it or tell the person on the other end of the line that you would be back in touch.

You would then move on to the next telephone number on your list and start the process all over.

Or you may not have had a specific address in mind but wanted to know what was on the market meeting your criteria. For that you might have scoured neighborhoods, the local newspaper, The Real Estate Book. All good sources.

Nowadays, though statistics state that over 80% of home buyers look to the internet when searching for a house.

You want to to know about the house at 700 Country Club Drive? You go to a online website and search. Or use the price, size, zip code parameters provided by the sites to drill down to the houses that are possible maybes.

There are MANY sites from which to choose. Some are pretty dead on with their data. Others, not so much.

Let’s take a quick look.

The data from most of these sites is pulled from various Multiple Listing Services (MLS). Every market is part of a MLS. That means that when a house is listed by a Realtor®, that property’s details are entered into the local MLS. (The Greensboro market is part of the Triad MLS). *

These feeds from the various MLS’s are what you see when you search a site. The breadth of MLS feeds and frequency of those feeds are what differentiate online real estate search sites.

• Realtor.com is the behemoth of the national network of MLS’s. All MLS’s in the country feed into the site and are updated every 24 hours.
• Yahoo! Real Estate is a popular site. Hmmm. I have issues with it.
• Homes.com - I have even more issues with it.
• Trulia.com
• Zillow.com
• listingbook.com - This is a great site not yet available to the entire country. It’s data is updated, at least from our MLS, every hour.

I performed a decidedly unscientific experiment. I looked to our local MLS and searched for properties listed in Greensboro zip code 27410. No other parameters.  Ther result was 499 listings. I then went to each of these sites and searched for the same sole criteria - 27410 zip code.

Here are the results, in order of accuracy:

• listingbook.com (498)
• Realtor.com (551)
• trulia.com (553)
• yahoo! (631) several properties were listed twice
  
• homes.com (55) I have no idea where the data feed is from
  
• zillow.com (4459) …..!!? I couldn’t make it drill down to the one zip code.
  

The point of all this is not to discourage using the internet to start the search for a house. I use the internet to search for everything from appliances to martini glasses. But know that some sources will have outdated or unclear information.

I may be missing a trick on a couple of these sites, but I tried to approach the process as would any other consumer.

In the end, what you want to do is make sure you’re getting the full picture on what’s available to you so you can make an educated decision. Just as you would if buying a washing machine.

Or martini glasses.

* There are sites that pull data only from their own company’s listings, some show public record information or show properties which are listed as For Sale By Owner (FSBO) where there is not a real estate agent involved.

Tags: homes.com, houses online, listingbook.com, real estate searches, real estate site comparison, Realtor.com, trulia.com, Zillow.com

Our weekly peak at the three main types of residential properties for sale in Greensboro (single-family, townhouse and condo) shows us that not much has changed since last week. That is, roughly the same ratios.

• Single-Family - 2102 (72%)
• Townhouse - 439 (15%)
• Condominium  - 398 (13%)

Let’s get graphic:

Greensboro Actives & Pendings by Property Types*

* Data per info from Triad MLS (Multiple Listing Service) after passing through the tortured “sort, subtotal, Ctrl-c, Ctrl-v and other voodoo that I do so well.

Interestingly, to me at least, is that within these three types, the ratio of active to pending listinga is almost identical. For single/townhouse/condo, the percentage of active units are 85/88/85.

Sounds like my fat dog, Piper’s, measurements…

Again, these numbers are essentially unchanged from last week.

Since a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds  - or so wrote Emerson -  I’ll not dwell on this further. Just an interesting tidbit.

Tags: Greensboro housing statistics, Greensboro real estate, Multiple Listing Service