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Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? I moved to Amarillo and raised my children there for 20 years as I established my real estate business. In 2006, I came back to Lubbock. Lubbock has always been my “home” and I still have lots of family and friends here. The people are great. I bleed red and black and have sand in my teeth! How long have you worked in real estate? I have been in real estate for 15 years. What did you do before that? Before real estate, I lived in Amarillo and raised my two kids, who are now 24 and 26 years old. I was a stay-at-home mom and loved every minute. Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? This is a very rewarding business. I love helping people with one of the big-
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GRI, ABR
McDougal Realtors 806-793-0703 donna.isbell@mcdougal.com Where did you grow up? I was born and raised here in Lubbock. I am a Monterey graduate and attended Texas Tech University.
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Realtor Revealed Donna Isbell
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as troubled as many of the other markets in the country, and I think we will see an increase in sales in the market. Our inventory is good, and Lubbock has a variety of nice and affordable homes on the market. The interest rates are also at an all-time low and that helps buyers.
gest purchases (financially and emotionally) of their lives. There is nothing more gratifying than finding that dream home for buyers or getting the most value for a seller. I love meeting new people and making lifelong friends. I am motivated and competitive! I am passionate about my career and can honestly say I get up in the morning and think “I love my job!” I will work for you from “Sign Up to Sign Down.”
What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold? I think all properties are unique in their own way. I believe that is why our market is so diverse, because there is really something out there for everyone.
What is your specialty? I specialize in residential real estate, but my “specialty” is helping people find homes they love. What designations do you have and what does that mean for the people you work with? I have a GRI (Graduate of Real Estate Institute) and an ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative). These designations mean a Realtor has done further study in the industry, and it enables us to understand the intricacies of real estate practices and law and to better understand our clients and their needs. What are the most grati-
Donna Isbell, McDougal Realtors
fying and most challenging aspects of what you do? The most gratifying thing I get out of being a Realtor is helping people get into the home of their dreams – whether it’s their first one, second one, or they are
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transferred into a new town, making them feel comfortable and seeing them light up with excitement and joy is an amazing feeling. What do you see in the future for real estate sales? The Lubbock market is not
What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? Talk to your lender, get pre-approved and walk through the process with them. If you do this, you eliminate any surprises and are ready to find that perfect home. If you are selling, I always suggest that sellers declutter and make the house attractive to the buyers who are looking to purchase their home. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? I most enjoy being with my family and friends. I love to travel when I can. I have an 11-month-old grandson, and he is my new hobby. I love spending time with him.
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Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
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Investing in real estate saves money for families of stair-step students (LUBBOCK, TX) – Strapping back for college as you look at one child and scratching your head as you look to your second and third coming right behind? Maybe it’s time to consider buying a house. Pardon the whiplash on that last one, but the fact is, many parents are investing in real estate close to campus for their college-bound offspring. Oftentimes, it’s preferable to shelling out dormitory fees or apartment rent.
“In Lubbock, that’s definitely true. We’re right in our peak season for families whose children will be attending Texas Tech in the fall,” said Debora PerezRuiz of MoVaDe Realty and president of the Lubbock Association of Realtors. “And, the majority of parents who purchase homes have stair-step children; meaning that once one is in college, future kids from the same family will be attending college within the next few years. The cost savings
over the long run – especially for this type of family – is exponential.” And the timing is right, Perez-Ruiz added. Lubbock’s real estate market has been continuously in better shape than the rest of the state and nation – but even locally, the last three months have outshined the last year. “Parents of kids who plan to come to Tech next year have every reason to consider home ownership,” Perez-Ruiz said. “The
Get ‘buy’ with a little help BY Debora Perez Ruiz, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
Several people will play roles in the home buying process. Some of these professionals work on your behalf, some for the seller and some for the lender. Here’s a quick breakdown of the important players you may be working with and what they do. Setting The Budget An ideal first step when you’ve decided to buy a home is to visit Perez Ruiz a mortgage broker or banker. This is the person who can help you get financing. They will determine how much you can afford and work with lenders to find the best mortgage to meet your needs. One of the great things about Lubbock is the local lenders that will help you every step of the way through the approval process For What It’s Worth An appraiser typically works on behalf of the lender. They will check out the property and determine its value based on factors including the location and amenities. The lender wants to make sure the home is worth what you’re paying. On Closer Inspection A professional inspector works of behalf of you, the buyer. They will evaluate the home from roof to foundation and provide
you with a report on the home’s condition. The goal of an inspection is to find any current or potential problems so you are aware of them before you become the owner. Don’t Cross The Line Some lenders require a current survey before closing on a property, and the cost is often paid by the buyer. A professional surveyor will visit the property and determine its legal boundaries using property records and measurements. Keep It Legal Representatives from a title company help facilitate the transfer of property between owners and make sure that all of the property’s title information is correct. They research the property to ensure there are no hidden problems that may arise with the transfer of the title to your name. This ensures that you can legally buy the property. The Lead Role The most important job of all belongs to your Lubbock Realtor. They are an expert in all aspects of real estate transactions and can help you coordinate the professionals involved in the process. As a Lubbock Realtor, they have access to resources that help keep you informed and make the best decision for you and your family. And, if you’ve signed a representation agreement, you know that they are working for you and looking out for your best interests. For more information about the home buying process, I invite you to visit LubbockRealtors.com. For statewide information, visit TexasRealEstate.com.
market’s stable, homes are available and the cost is good.” As the owner of a campus house, Perez-Ruiz explained, the goals are similar to those of any landlord. You want a property that you can keep fully occupied and that will produce rental income to at least cover your costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance). You also want to be sure you have signed
leases and security deposits from every renter. What scares many parents – and keeps the dorms full – are the unknowns. What if I can’t rent it? What if my kid drops out? What if the housing market suddenly flatlines? What if? What if? “The question should be, how much growth is there in the community?” Perez-Ruiz said. “The ideal situation is
a town like Lubbock, where we’re not too big and not too small – yet the student population is growing.” Additionally, a house you own and can keep full still beats paying thousands each year for student housing. And, Perez-Ruiz said, don’t forget the tax breaks on mortgage interest, property taxes and a percentage of utilities and maintenance (if you collect rents).
Local Real Estate News
Top honors for three local commercial agents Three local commercial real estate agents were named in the very prestigious Silver Circle of Distinction Award by Coldwell Banker Commercial. Parker Carroll, Scott Womack, and Beau Tucker were honored to be named in this top category for their production of commercial transactions in Carroll 2011. They also ranked 3rd (Parker Carroll), 4th (Scott Womack), and 5th (Beau Tucker) in all of Texas for total production in Coldwell Banker Commercial for 2011. With this production, they were also honored to be named in the top 2 percent of all commercial real estate agents globally in the entire Coldwell Banker
Womack
Tucker
Commercial system. Coldwell Banker Commercial Rick Canup, Realtors is located at 4924 S. Loop 289 in Lubbock and is a commercial real estate and investment management company dedicated to providing commercial real estate solutions for Lubbock and Texas.
Lubbock’s Coldwell Banker Commercial awarded #1 in Texas Coldwell Banker Commercial recently honored Coldwell Banker Commercial Rick Canup, Realtors as the #1 commercial office in Coldwell Banker in Texas for 2011. “This is truly an amazing accomplishment and with great pleasure I congratulate the Lubbock, Texas team!” said Fred Schmidt, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Commercial. “This achievement is
a testament to the Lubbock team’s dedication to the profession and commercial industry as a whole, and is admired and respected by all in commercial real estate.” Coldwell Banker Commercial Rick Canup, Realtors is located at 4924 S. Loop 289 in Lubbock and is a commercial real estate and investment management company dedicated to providing commercial real estate solutions for Lubbock and Texas.
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Brighten your kitchen with a few new fixtures and dimmers (NewsUSA) – The high “price tag” on groceries and gas do not have to put a damper on your plans to remodel your kitchen this year. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), just merely changing out the decorative lighting fixtures over the breakfast nook or center island can have a big visual impact, creating a fresher, more upto-date look – and it is considerably less expensive than replacing the cabinets or countertops. If your kitchen’s only source of lighting is from recessed cans, consider adding a few fixtures to serve as aesthetic and functional focal points in the room over the casual eating area and/or the island. To make all your lighting as efficient, effective and attractive as possible, dimmers are a must-have update.
“The greatest benefit of installing dimmers in an existing kitchen is that the quality of the resulting light will inevitably appear much more comfortable and flexible than what you had before,” explains Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. Todd Phillips of Quoizel, a leading lighting manufacturer, keeps track of the latest trends in kitchen design. “Transitional is still the operative word,” says Phillips. “What’s popular right now is what I would describe as Cleaned Up Americana. This is representative of the classic, familiar shapes and elements we all recognize, but with a bit sleeker appearance and on-trend finishes such as bronze and brushed nickel.”
“Handcrafted, hand-forged designs are also gaining in popularity,” Phillips continues. “The key word is clean. Finishes are still neutral, simple and clean. Along with beige, white, bronze and brushed chrome, I’m starting to see more polished chrome. I also find the more custom designs are a bit bolder in their use of color in the kitchen and in the lighting,” he adds. For help selecting the most appropriate, efficient and economical decorative lighting for your decor, visit an ALA-member lighting showroom. To find your closest showroom and to learn more about the latest lighting styles, visit www. AmericanLightingAssoc.com or call 800-BRIGHT IDEAS (800-2744484).
Hang pictures the professional way Dressing up rooms is easily achieved by hanging artwork on the walls. However, hanging them at the right height, ensuring they’re straight and avoiding errant holes in the walls
can prove more challenging than many would like to admit. Some people hang pictures at the wrong height. Others miss the stud in the wall and have to keep
trying over and over to get the picture to stay vertical. There are some tips to follow that cut down on needless work and make the process a bit easier. Using templates is one
Sprouting seedlings in a windowsill garden is a great garden project for children. Let them start the seeds in a sunny window, then translate the young plants to an outdoor garden or containers on a patio.
Growing windowsill garden great project for kids (ARA) – A child’s awe while watching a seed germinate and grow into a healthy plant with beautiful flowers or a delicious vegetable is something very special. Their sense of accomplishment expands when the flowers they grew are arranged in a beautiful bouquet or their vegetables are shared in a family dinner. This accomplishment illustrates how windowsill gardens encourage learning from plants at home. With an indoor container garden, children can watch the tiny seeds they tenderly planted germinate and grow into much larger plants. Make the experience educational by encouraging your children to journal how much water is needed to keep the plants healthy, how fast the plants grow and even when new leaves or flower buds appear. They will be surprised by the growth process happening every day. The Miracle-Gro Kids Windowsill Greenhouse kit, available in Flower and Vegetable Garden varieties, includes everything for children to start planting immediately. The kit provides an optimal environment for indoor seed starting, and the greenhouse environment helps the seedlings grow strong until ready to transplant. Once seedlings are large enough for transplanting, children can use these simple tips to find their green thumbs and keep their gardens growing strong: • Containers – All sizes and shapes of containers can become new homes for seedlings once they’re too large for the greenhouse. Whether placed in a sunny area indoors or out, any clean container with drainage at the bottom will work. Consider using colorful buckets, painted clay pots, old chipped porcelain or ceramics from the kitchen – even an old tool box can add a bit of creativity to the garden. Go vertical with pocket gardens and hanging baskets. • Soil – Quality soil is a must to help plants grow big and strong. Fill containers with Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, and gently pat down so soil is loose, allowing
roots to grow and spread easily. Be sure to keep soil moist by watering frequently. Smaller containers dry out easily and may need to be watered more. • Light – Container and windowsill gardens tend to grow better with southern exposure, where the light is the strongest. Remind children to rotate the pots to encourage plants to grow straight, rather than bending toward the light coming in the window. Think about placing container gardens on window ledges, front stoops, balconies or back patios – any warm, sunny area where children can watch them grow. • Labels – Put craft time to good use in making labels for each container. Provide children with photos of the plant for them to draw on the labels or tags to stick into the soil for easy identification. Children might even want to name their plants or containers. Let the creativity run free. If the containers are growing flowers, once blossoming, harvest the blooms and encourage your child create a beautiful arrangement to decorate your home for admiring friends. Teach your child how to press or dry the blooms and create cherished art. Photography is another great way to preserve the memories. Photos make great keepsakes and, tucked into a journal, serve as excellent reminders of what your child planted and can grow in his garden again next year. If your children planted vegetables, help them find a fun recipe or two that incorporate their produce. Get kids involved in making dinner by cleaning the vegetables for chopping, and stirring into the stew, sauce or salsa. When the dinner bell rings, your child will be proud to serve the meal they grew – right there in your home. Visit www.miraclegro.com/kids for delicious kid-friendly recipes. Promote life learning and a green thumb for your children and watch their knowledge and pride grow alongside the flowers and vegetables that are started from seed. It will be an exciting project that can last for weeks and months on end.
of the easiest ways to hang pictures. Simply trace the outside of the frame onto a piece of paper or cardboard for each picture that will be hung. Then use a tape that isn’t very tacky to temporarily hang the templates on the wall. Play with placement so that an idea of layout and the finished product can be realized. This is particularly helpful if multiple framed photos or artwork will be displayed. This method enables homeowners to step back and view the entire picture, instead of having one hand on the picture frame while eyeballing placement. Plus, it eliminates the need to punch holes into the wall only to find the frame is not placed where one desires. After the placement is finalized, hang the actual frames, one by one, removing the templates in the process. Another key tip to remember is that it isn’t essential that a wall beam is tapped into when hang-
ing a picture on the wall. While homeowners should certainly attempt to locate a beam when hanging heavy items, sometimes the stud doesn’t fall where it will be aesthetically pleasing to hang the frame. In such instances, expandable wall anchors can provide more stability. There are different anchors available depending on need. Some are plastic and can be pushed into a hole in the drywall. Once a screw is used in the anchor, the anchor will fan out and grab onto the backside of the drywall. Metal anchors may be spring-loaded and provide even more strength. Here are some other pointers to keep in mind. • Try grouping four pictures together in a square or rectangle to create the illusion of one larger picture. • Always hang pictures at eye-level. • When hanging a picture or artwork over the sofa, only leave a few inches so the picture is the focal point.
• Keep scale in mind. Don’t place one small picture on a large wall. Conversely, don’t put a large picture on a small wall. • Consider the use of similarly hued picture frames or ones all of the same style to lend a cohesive look to the photo arrangements. • When hanging art over a piece of furniture, it should not be longer than the width of the furniture. • Think about illuminating the artwork. An upward or downward facing spotlight can make the picture pop in the room. • Use an art shelf to display photos and other knickknacks. It will take up less space on the wall and can offer a contemporary feel to the room. • Pictures can be hung diagonally going up a staircase or anywhere there is a natural progression of height. • Hanging pictures vertically gives an air of refinement and looks good next to a doorway.
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Featured Floorplan – Trey Strong Custom Builders
4011 112th Street – Orchard Park T
ake an opportunity to come and see this brand new garden home under construction by Trey Strong Custom Builders in one of the most popular neighborhoods in Lubbock. Finish out this custom home with your personal taste and make it your own! Located on 112th Street in Orchard Park, this elegant home has a front and side yard with a beautiful outdoor living area. Call it a second living area – with a large fireplace, outdoor grill, vaulted ceiling, privacy shutters, and plenty of space for outdoor dining and relaxing. This three bedroom, three bath, three-car garage home has all the qualities one would look for in a garden home. At 3,100 square feet, it has an open dining room, great room with lots of windows, and a large kitchen with an island and eating bar. The kitchen is perfect for entertaining with a gas range and side-by-side built-in
refrigerator/freezer. The master suite has a large bath with great closet space and a privacy door to the laundry room. The private guest bedroom located at the front of the house has its own bathroom, and the third bedroom could be used as a study or office. Having this home would be perfect for accommodating the occasional guest or holiday feast without giving you the feeling of “too much house.” Keep the elegant feel, but not the overwhelming size and you will have found the perfect home! Call Trey today at 806-548-2070 to set up an appointment to tour and discuss finish-out details of this beautiful home. Learn more about Trey Strong Custom Builders at treystrongcustomhomes.com. This week’s Featured Home is sponsored by the West Texas Home Builders Association in cooperation with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
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Local Real Estate News – West Texas Home Builders Association
The ‘not-so-obvious’ benefits of buying new
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BY Trey Strong, President West Texas Home Builders Association
Prospective home buyers have the choice of two types of houses on the market: resale or new. Home buyers planning to buy a brand-new house or condominium often cite energyefficiency, open layout, a warranty, and being able to Strong select appliances, flooring, paint colors and other design elements as factors driving their choice. But builders say that buyers can be drawn to a new house for reasons that aren’t so obvious.
Below are a few more benefits of a brand-new home that you may not see in the sales brochure. Building a Community Together A brand-new community is one of the built-in benefits of many new homes. When families move in to a subdivision at the same time, often lasting bonds of friendship and neighborliness are formed right away. Nobody is the “new kid on the block,” and many home builders host community block parties in new developments to help owners meet and connect. Popular amenities like pools, walking trails and courts for tennis and basketball offer additional opportunities for interaction among neighbors of all ages. Often new communities are comprised of home owners in the same stage of life, such as young families or active retirees,
so neighbors can get to know each other through carpools, PTA meetings, tennis matches or golf games. Entertaining Throwing a party in an older home can be a challenge because smaller, distinct rooms make it difficult to entertain guests in one large space. Builders are responding to today’s home buyer preferences with layouts featuring more open spaces and rooms that flow into each other more easily, like the popular great room. While you are in the kitchen preparing dinner, you can still interact with guests enjoying conversation in the family room without feeling closed off. The feeling of spaciousness in today’s new-home layouts often is enhanced the higher ceilings and additional windows that bringing
in more light than you would find in an older home. A Clean Slate For some buyers, parking the car in a sparkling-clean garage or being the first to cook a dinner in a brand-new kitchen is part of the appeal of new construction. In addition, you won’t have to spend time stripping dated wallpaper or repainting to suit your own sense of style. You can create your own home décor from the get-go! The advantages of being the first owner of a home extend to the outdoors. Instead of inheriting inconveniently or precariously placed trees, or having to tear up overgrown shrubs, you can design and plant the lawn and garden you want. Outlets, Outlets Everywhere! Homes built in the 1960’s and
How to hide the TV when it’s not in use People have a love affair with their electronics, which play an integral role at households across the globe. Statistics from Nielsen’s Television Audience Report indicate that the average American household has 2.86 television sets, despite having just 2.5 people. It is also estimated that those in the U.S. will have watched the equivalent of 9 years’ worth of TV by the age of 65. Canadians spend 1,500 hours each year watching TV, and 128,000 Canadians have a TV in the bathroom. Though TVs are located throughout the typical household, homeowners don’t always appreciate the look of a TV and how it fits in with their design scheme. That is why many seek ways to camouflage a television when it is not in use. There are many ways to mask a television when not in use. Homeowners can explore different options, depending on their particular budget and the available space. • Furniture: Television armoires and cabinetry are some of the most basic ways to hide a TV. The unit is housed behind doors that are closed when the TV is not on and can be opened and recessed when it’s time to watch a show. These pieces of furniture can match other items in the room and create a flawless appeal. • Cover up: Wall-hung flat screen televisions can be camouflaged with a piece
earlier were wired much differently than houses today. Builders had no way of anticipating the invention of high-definition televisions, DVRs and computers that we enjoy today — and the very different electrical requirements they would introduce. New homes can accommodate advanced technologies like structured wiring, security systems and sophisticated lighting plans, and can be tailored to meet the individual home owner’s needs. Anyone who has ever lived in an older home can also attest to the fact that there are never enough outlets, inside or out! New-home builders plan for the increased number and type of electronics and appliances used by today’s families, so you can safely operate a wine cooler, Christmas lights or your computer.
Single-family housing starts virtually unchanged in March Single-family housing production held virtually unchanged in March as a double-digit decline in the more volatile multifamily sector brought combined nationwide starts activity down 5.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 654,000 units, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. “While more consumers appear to be seriously considering a new-home purchase, builders remain very cautious about starting new projects until they see more actual sales materializing,” said Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “At the same time, in places where buyers are ready to go forward with a purchase, access to credit for both builders and buyers and difficulties in obtaining accurate appraisals are persistent challenges that continue to slow that process considerably.” “While combined U.S. housing starts lost some ground in March, this was almost entirely due to typical month-tomonth volatility on the multifamily side,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “The fact is that single-family and multifamily starts and permits were all stronger in the first quarter of 2012 than they were in the fourth quarter of 2011, indicating that the market continues to slowly strengthen, albeit in fits and starts.”
Remote-operated devices can raise or lower a television into position depending on need. Different concealment strategies, including furniture and tracks which allow the TV to swivel out of sight, can help mask a TV when it is not in use. of artwork or another wall decoration. Many times the TV is recessed into the wall, and the canvas or mirror is mounted on a device that can move it out of the way to reveal the screen. • On the move: There are mechanisms that can lower or raise a TV from a hidden location, whether in the floor or ceiling. The TV can descend or ascend vertically, or a hinged device can flip the TV up or down, depending on need, much like a small LCD television that mounts on the underside of a kitchen cabinet. • Under the bed: People have long embraced the under-the-bed storage options, but what about
using that space for a TV? Homeowners who have $10,000 lying around can purchase a mounting device that stores the TV under the bed, and then raises it into position at the foot of the bed with the touch of a remote control. • Track TV: With a system of trackwork, a television can swivel out of a hiding spot in a closet, cabinet or soffit and move into position on a pole connected to the track. Both manual and motorized tracks can be installed for a few hundred dollars. • Canvas cover: A less expensive option than some of the motorized devices available, a shade or tapestry
on a manual device (think the window shades that you tug and the shade rolls up onto itself) can also conceal a television. Lower or raise the shade as needed. • Smaller scale: Smaller TVs are easier to camouflage. Think scale when placing a TV in a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. Simple decor accessories may do the trick of hiding the TV from view. Although most people can’t get enough of their television viewing, the caveat is they don’t want the television to be an eyesore when not in use. Different concealment strategies can help mask a TV when it is not in use.
Playsets: 10 tips for parents (NAPS) – Few things work as well as an outdoor playset to get kids out of the house and into the fresh air. There are several things to keep in mind: 1. Placement. Find a spot with at least a six-foot space around the playset so kids don’t swing, jump or fall into or onto anything dangerous. Loose fill materials such as mulch, wood chips or reground plastic should be placed under the playset to cushion falls. Also, the set should be placed where parents can monitor children’s activities. 2. Lumber. Look for a naturally decay- and weather-resistant lumber, such as cedar, which is also a natural insect repellent and blends well with any backyard. 3. Assembly. Consider your options. Should the playset be hand-built? Will the lumber be hand-picked and the playset built with a kit? Or will the playset come ready to assemble? 4. Cost. Most playsets are built to last whatever the price, but features vary. A playset is something to be enjoyed for years, so be sure it can grow with your family. 5. Safety Railings. Safety features must be put in place during assembly. All elevated surfaces, such as platforms, need guardrails, and sit-down bars should be above the slides. Most quality sets will have an arched entrance area to protect little heads. 6. Anchoring. Make sure the entire structure is anchored to avoid tipping.
The 5.8 percent decline in overall housing starts in March was mostly due to a 16.9 percent decline on the multifamily side, which brought that sector’s annual production pace to 192,000 units, seasonally adjusted. Meanwhile, single-family starts held virtually flat for the month with a 0.2 percent decline to 462,000 units. Regionally, while the South registered a 15.9 percent decline in combined starts activity in March, the Northeast posted a 32.8 percent gain, the Midwest posted a 1.0 percent increase and the West reported no change in the pace of new housing production for the month. Permit issuance, which can be an indicator of future building activity, gained 4.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 747,000 units in March – the fastest pace since September of 2008. This gain was due to a 20.8 percent increase on the multifamily side to 285,000 units, while single-family permit issuance declined 3.5 percent to 462,000 units. Regionally, permit issuance gained 23.4 percent in the West, 1.7 percent in the Midwest and 0.3 percent in the South, but fell 6.0 percent in the Northeast this March.
Builder confidence slips three notches in April Builder confidence in the market for newly built, singlefamily homes declined for the first time in seven months this April, sliding three notches to 25 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, released today. The decline brings the index back to where it was in January, which was the highest level since 2007. “Although builders in many markets are noting increased interest among potential buyers, consumers are still very hesitant to go forward with a purchase, and our members are realigning their expectations somewhat until they see more actual signed sales contracts,” noted Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “What we’re seeing is essentially a pause in what had been a fairly rapid build-up in builder confidence that started last September,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “This is partly because interest expressed by buyers in the past few months has yet to translate into expected sales activity, but is also reflective of the ongoing challenges that are slowing the housing recovery – particularly tight credit conditions for builders and buyers, competition from foreclosures and problems with obtaining accurate appraisals.”
A backyard playset can be healthful fun for the whole family.
7. Maintenance. Preventative maintenance helps keep kids safe and the warranty in effect. Every season, tighten any loose supports, anchors, bolts and screws and replace any missing nuts, bolts or protective caps. 8. Everyone Plays. Playsets should be developmentally appropriate, so consider the ages of the children who will play on it. Size depends on how many children will play on the set, as well. Consider how many swings and how many features you need for a fun and safe environment for all.
9. Warranty. Playsets should last a long time, so seek a warranty with long-term protection. 10. Features. Decide if you need an infant swing, a hammock or a twoperson glider. Accessories like a buoy ball, rock wall, gangplank, hammock or ship’s wheel create a fun play experience. With most quality playsets, accessories can be added later. Taking these small steps toward a safer play area can make a big difference when it comes to long-term safety.
Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for 25 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores from each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor. Each of the index’s components registered declines in April. The component gauging current sales conditions and the component gauging sales expectations in the next six months each fell three points, to 26 and 32, respectively, while the component gauging traffic of prospective buyers fell four points to 18. (Note, the overall index and each of its components are seasonally adjusted.) Regionally, the HMI results were somewhat mixed in April, with the Northeast posting a four-point gain to 29 (its highest level since May of 2010), the West posting no change at 32, the South posting a three-point decline to 24 and the Midwest posting an eight-point decline to 23.
SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2012 A10
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SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
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