Hello Friends

Are you wondering what the minimum household income needed is to purchase an entry-level home? C.A.R.’s First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index (FTB-HAI) measures the percentage of households that can afford to purchase an entry-level home in California. Entry-level housing affordability reaches 64 percent


Quick Facts:
· C.A.R. First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index stood at 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009 compared with 55 percent (revised) in the third quarter of 2008
· The median price of an entry-level home in California was $247,150 in the third quarter of 2009
· The estimated monthly payment including taxes and insurance was $1,450 in the third quarter of 2009
· The minimum household income needed to purchase an entry-level home in California in the third quarter of 2009 was $43,500
Link:  http://www.car.org/newsstand/newsreleases/2009newsreleases/q3ftbhai/

 

Should I stay or should I go ? No it's not lyrics from a song but it is the question more Americans are asking as the housing market continues to drag. The Wall Street Journal has a very interesting article about the options available and what the possible consequences are.

A growing number of people in Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada, where home prices have plunged, are considering what is known as a "strategic default," walking away from their mortgages not out of necessity but because they believe it is in their best financial interests.

Save a little coin and energy - C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week:  Clean your fridge’s coils. Cleaning the back of your fridge--the coils and electric circuitry--increases energy efficiency.  A refrigerator with dirty coils works harder, and uses 25 percent more energy compared with a fridge with clean coils.   To clean the coils: Disconnect the power; pull the unit away from the wall; remove the grill covering the coils; and use a vacuum cleaner or a bottle brush to clean.

For more green real-estate-related tips and discussion, visit C.A.R.’s green blog (http://blogs.car.org/) and C.A.R.’s Green Web site (http://green.car.org/).

 Having troubles with your short sale listings? Let me help you and your seller! Contact  me at 530-872-5444 team line, 530-876-8292 www.stevewilliamsteam.com or Steve@SteveWilliamsTeam.com DRE #00771153