How’s Real Estate?

Record low mortgage interest rates attracts much of the conversation.   Last week you could get     3 7/8% fixed rate on a 15-year mortgage or          4 3/8% on a 30 year.  That’s the lowest in almost 50 years!

Even with record low rates, the market remains quiet.  Job market and credit woes have many buyers on the sidelines.  Competition with bank sales and short sales exists in almost every price range and subdivision.  Sales prices are returning to the pre-subprime prices of 10 years ago.  If you have a good job and need a home, it’s a great time to buy.

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Shelby County is great place for crape myrtle!  Everywhere you look you see the beautiful displays of color.  Crape myrtle, per Wikipedia, has around 50 species of trees and shrubs and are native to India, southeast Asia and northern Australia.  The plant is famous for its colorful, long lasting flowers that are crinkled and of a crepe-like texture.  The common crape myrtle from China and Korea was introduced circa 1790 to Charleston, South Carolina, by French Botanist, Andre Michaux.

In-ground pool ... walk to Craigmont 6-12

1. •4 bedrooms (2 masters),  3 baths
   

2. •Formal living & dining rooms
   

3. •22’ den with fireplace & built-ins
   

4. •Wood deck
   

5. •Extra large 26’ garage
   

6. •Approx. 2,600 sq. ft.
   

7. •$148,000
   

Recipe

 

1 lb. ground chuck   

1 cup cooked rice

¼ cup chopped onion   

¼ cup A-1 sauce

1 12 oz. can drained whole kernel corn   

6 large green peppers

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce  

salt & pepper

Brown meat & onion until done.  Pour off drippings and stir in corn, tomato sauce, rice and A-1 sauce.  Cut off tops of peppers and remove seeds.  Spoon meat mixture into peppers in 9 x 9 x 2 baking pan.  Bake at 350˚ for 30 to 35 minutes or until done.

       

From the kitchen of Julia Russell

Sales Today vs. 10 Years Ago

How do real estate sales numbers compare in 2010 with the 10 years before?  Here’s a look at January through April year-to-date totals for 2010 and 10 years back.

                Sales January

    Year    through April

    2000    3,679   

    2001    3,637

    2002    3,623

    2003    4,184*

    2004    4,856*

    2005    5,060*

    2006    5,618*

    2007    5,155

    2008    4,378

    2009    3,661

    2010    3,596

We are returning to sales totals similar to 2000, ’01, ’02 … before subprime lending sent sales rising to consecutive year records in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006*.

Buzz Bait Lunker

Our son, Will, visited Kentucky Lake over the July 4th weekend.  Fishing from a pontoon boat, he caught this 5 pound largemouth casting a chartreuse buzz bait in the late afternoon shadows.  He and his friends enjoyed a holiday fish fry that night.

What Clients Say

“Thanks again for all your help.  I not only appreciate your expertise but the fact that you are a first class guy.”

              Lynn Phillips

Thought for the Month

“Opportunities are never lost.  The other fellow takes those you miss.”

            Anonymous