No

Isn't it amazing how adding just a single word to a sentence can completely change it meaning? I was reminding of fact recently through an encounter with our 3 year old granddaughter.

Our 3 year old granddaughter was visiting when we were just a hour away from dinner. She asked if she could have some ice cream so I sent her into the living room to ask her father knowing full well what the answer would be.

Sure enough- from the living room I could hear him respond firmly "Tell Grandma I said, NO"- She cheerfully skipped back into the kitchen, smiled broadly and said "Daddy says 'No....problem'!"

See, I told you one word can make all the difference!

Food Traditions

With all 12 of our children home for the Christmas holiday, plus 8 spouses, 15 grandchildren and several boyfriends and one fiancé, the cooking and feeding of this crew becomes a monumental task.  For years I insisted on doing it all myself- I suppose in an effort to maintain control of the menu and the “traditions”.

Finally, out of necessity, I relinquished to my daughters and daughters-in-law their repeated offers to contribute to the family meals.  This year we were treated to Laura’s tasty roasted vegetables, Sarah’s savory sausage stuffing, Tricia’s tangy homemade cranberry sauce, Kristen’s yummy beer bread and dip, and Amber’s delectable crab dip.  I should have given them the all carte blanche rein over the menu years ago.  Recipes anyone?

Real Estate- Top 10 Predictions for 2012

     1.     Low interest rates will continue.

2.     Stable house price movement – Slightly lower early, and then up.

3.     Increased overall sales of homes.

4.     Rising inventory of homes for sale – mostly due to foreclosures.

5.     50% of sales will be distressed property.

6.     We will see a better short sale process from lenders.

7.     Home ownership will be lower, rentals up.

8.     25% of buyers will be investors.

9.     More reliance on REALTORS.

10.    Use of mobile technology and social media to increase.  DAVE LINIGER, RE/MAX

The momentum of buyer numbers is growing.  Great time to buy, Great time to sell if you need to.

Real Estate – Impact of low interest rates

With all this domestic stuff, business is good considering the holidays and standard time back.  Your referrals keep coming in and we deeply appreciate them. 

Interest rates continue to hover around the 4% level for 30 year fixed loans – less for 15 yr. loans.  For every $100,000 loan amount @ 4%, 30 year amortization, that translates to $477.42 per month payments.  Taxes and Insurance can add $200+/month to the total.

What this means is that your home is now more affordable to more buyers and it’s a great time to make a move.

 That exactly what’s happening! The market is quite active.

“It’s going to be the last warm day!”

With that forecast, I set aside yard work and other urgent events; sold my spouse on the idea, and ventured onto the golf course – it has worked about 6 times this fall!

Barb was hosted by our daughters to a trip to Florida in early November – worth 2 more “last warm days”. 

Without excuse over the Thanksgiving holiday, we cleared the garage – simple job you know; moved boxes for 6 hours, oh, that bedroom stuff we found for upstairs needs painting: dresser, end tables, headboards; took a load to the Riverside trash dumpster(thanks Chris), gave away shirts, sweats, hoodies to 3 kids (two big bags for the thrift store), found some real treasures for Barb and me – carried those back into the house - spent 1 hour looking at interesting stuff in Sarah’s cedar chest – with Sarah – swept the floor – admired our work – moved the car in – admired our work.   Looks like some “last warm days” weather next week!

Real Estate- Calculating Absorption Rates

There are only a certain number of houses that will sell in any market in any given period of time. Would you like to see the odds of your house being one of them?

If 12 homes sold in the last 12 months in a given market that means that the market will absorb 1 house per month on average.  If there are 10 homes currently on the market there is a 10 month supply.  A 6 month supply is a balanced market, less is a seller’s market and more is a buyer’s market.  We can calculate the absorption rates for your specific home and market and provide price and staging parameters. 

Thanks to all of you for your many referrals!   Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Birth Weeks

Ever heard of Birth Weeks?  That is a birthday celebrated by spreading the parties over 7 days! I swear our girls have this down to a science.  Last week was another one or should I say one and counting; friends, family, work, siblings only, best friends, boyfriend, etc.

The first volley was our family gathering after the Chief’s game.  Oh, yes, Sarah was it this time.  We were blessed to be joined by Tom Skorupa who is staying with us through mid December.  With grandkids playing in a large leaf pile, great food by special birthday request and a song of joy, the birthday tradition of our household was repeated.

We know each of you have family birthday traditions; we would like to hear from you.  Send your experiences to b@barbarasnyder.com or our mailing address with a note.  We will share some of those with you after the first of the year.

Barbara’s brother lost 75 pounds on Slim 4 Life so we decided we could do this.  Barbara enrolled and I mimicked her (Actually the menu changed and I complied).  So far between us – down 50 pounds.  You will be seeing less of us.  God’s gifts keep coming in surprising ways.

I mentioned Tom living with us now.  He is a faith filled individual who works tirelessly for St. Therese Church on Faith Formation and many other critical functions.  Tom is moving to Albuquerque, NM where Jan is already working.  We look forward to the brief daily interactions with Tom before he begins each marathon day.  We wish him the very best.