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4th Qtr 2011 Statistics

Do I sense a whiff of recovery in the local real estate market?

Although we continue to be inundated with conflicting data, news articles, and opinions, AND we still cast a wary eye towards Europe which could throw a real spanner back into the works, there seem to be elements which could be considered optimistic. In most areas inventories are significantly down from "early bust year highs," and in several neighborhoods available homes for sale are rather sparse. There are, of course, different indicators in different neighborhoods. There are locations (under $250,000) where we are seeing multiple offers. We are seeing some solid demand for properties in desirable locations up to $500-600K areas and in most cases demand for higher end properties is still slow. (You can get a good idea of what is happening in these various "local segments" in my VIP update. Check out the VIP Market update. I believe it is still much to premature to "bet the ranch" on real estate as we will have another wave of foreclosures hitting the market and the "economic recovery" is still so fragile, but correctly positioned, priced and marketed, are selling AND buyers are looking.

Do-It-Yourself Home Security Systems that Cost Less and Work Great

Just how much home security protection is enough — and how much do you need to pay for it? Many security companies advertise alarm systems for less than $100, including installation. But that requires that you sign a multiyear alarm-monitoring contract costing perhaps $25 to $35 per month, which promises that the monitors will alert police if the alarm is triggered. You can avoid that monthly bill by installing your own unmonitored alarm system. Systems just like the one supplied by security companies can be purchased for less than $300. Today's wireless technology makes them easy to install without having to drill holes and run wires through your walls.

While traditional security systems usually alert the security company when they detect a problem, self-installed alarm systems generally call the home owner's cell phone (or some other phone number), then the home owner calls the police. This not only saves the monthly monitoring fee, it often improves home security. The false-alarm rate with professionally monitored alarm systems is so high that busy police departments often make responding to alarm company calls a low priority. The police generally arrive faster when the home owner calls.

For less than $100, it's possible to reduce the odds that a burglar will target your home. Among these low-cost security products:
Motion-activated floodlights. Burglars generally steer clear of homes that light up as they approach. Motion-activated floodlights are widely available for less than $30.
Fake TVs. These produce a flickering colored LED light that effectively replicates the light emitted by a television. One of these should convince anyone lurking outside at night that someone is home, awake, and watching TV.
Security company yard signs and window decals. The security industry doesn't like to publicize this, but you can reduce the odds of break-in by perhaps 50% just by posting signs warning that you have an alarm system, even if you don't really have one.

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I often "borrow" (with his approval) material for this newsletter from a good friend and fellow Rotarian, Ed Pierce, past editor of the Sarasota Herald Tribune. It is extracted from Ed's column for The Rotary Club of Sarasota's weekly SMILE newsletter. Here is another...ENJOY!

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an Optical Aleutian.

The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it will still be stationery.

Two silkworms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

A hole has been found in a nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

One of the most requested services I receive is for referrals for trusted service personnel and craftsmen. Besides having a list of reputable individuals and companies, I have decided to routinely announce those companies that have performed above and beyond the call of duty AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE DROPPED THE BALL. These are from my experiences as well as from my clients. Please let me know when somebody does a superb job OR you want to vent and let me know when they do a horrible job. ( Tom@TomZahn.com )

When calling for service make sure that you mention
that Tom Zahn, your Realtor, referred you.

Painting services — I recently had two clients, Eileen Lucke in The Anchorage and the Ellis's who reside in Charleston but own investment property here, use Kelly's Painting Services, 941-225-0944. Both raved about the quality of their work, the customer service and attention to detail, and the competitive pricing. If anticipating a painting job in the near future whether large or small you should give John Kelly a call.