Mona's Changing Seasons of Real Estate!

Economic Growth?

Depending on what you read the economy is or is not growing.  Bloomberg recently announced growth news that the economy is growing at a 2% annual rate.....okay.....I always thought Bloomberg was "financial news", not political news.  Funny how the information comes out just five days before the election.  Who to believe?  Was it coincidence?

Real estate is the backbone of the economy.  Right now we are waiting for the foreclosure debacle to sterilize itself.  The big lenders are afraid of repercussions, so they have frozen foreclosures so they can make sure they are doing things "right".  Meanwhile, we have buyers who say "Whoa, I'm not getting involved in a foreclosure."  So, what is the right thing?

Real estate needs to be moving.  Let's hope this foreclosure debacle is sterilized to become germ free and let's get on with it.  I sincerely hope that the homeowners who benefit from the reviews get to keep their homes.  We all want a happy ending.....oh, and don't forget to vote!

Home Theatre on a Budget

A home theater can turn a spare room into an entertainment retreat. Before you start on your project, though, you’ll need to figure out how much you can afford. A quality home theater including the components and any extras you might need, such as lighting and soundproofing, can cost $4,000 or more.
Experts at Digital Trends.com suggest using the 55-35-10 rule when budgeting for your system. Allocate 55 percent for the video system, including the screen, cable box or satellite receiver/DVR and a Blu-ray player, 35 percent for a receiver and surround-sound system and the remaining 10 percent for high-quality speaker wire and HDMI cables.
Next, decide which extras you might need. Automated lighting can help bring the whole home theater experience together, but it can be costly. For a quick, easy fix, put your lights on a dimmer that can be controlled by a universal remote. If the room has windows, install simple, opaque drapes to block out any ambient light. Or if you are willing to spend a little more, install motorized blackout shades.
Soundproofing your theater is a must. Install soundproof doors, or apply an acoustic door seal to your existing doors to reduce sound leakage. Cushy materials, like pillows and carpeting, as well as upholstered sofas and chairs will also help absorb sound.
Your home theater doesn’t have to be built in one day. Consider an all-in-one system to start, then upgrade with individual components later. And don’t forget the remote. A quality universal remote can run $100-$200. When buying new or used equipment, be sure that the electronics supplier has a good return policy in case an item is defective.

From Bloomberg: Housing is up 2 months in a row--stabilization?? We need a longer track record. Would like to hear your thoughts.