Carpe Diem- Thought leadership & December Real Estate Newsletter from your trusted advisor

December 2014

Home Sales On the Up and Up Existing-home sales nationally rose in October for the second straight month, surging ahead of 2013 sales for the first month this year, according to the National Association of Realtors®.  Midwest sales are 2.5% higher than last year, reaching their fastest annual pace since September 2013. Home buyers have been encouraged to enter the market due to the continued low interest rates, rising levels of inventory, and strength in the job sector.   2015: The Year of the First-Time Home Buyer First-time home buyers have been at low levels in the past 30 years. Some factors that have contributed to low levels have been prospective buyers having student loan debt and struggling to find the right home amidst low inventory. However, with stronger employment, increased salary wages, increased inventory and continuing low mortgage rates, an article from the National Association of Realtors® suggest that 2015 could be the year that the number of first-time home buyers increases.  KoenigRubloff Cares Foundation Announces $40K Grants for 2014 The KoenigRubloff Cares Foundation has announced plans to grant $20,000 to the Sunshine Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer, and $20,000 to Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that helps people to work towards affordable homeownership.  This sets a new record for us.  We are grateful for the opportunity to support these organizations, and appreciate the generosity of agents and employees.  good to know Keeping Your Green Thumb During Winter  The cold weather and winter season can cause some avid gardeners to miss seeing their plants and vibrant perennials blooming. However, house plants are a terrific reminder that gardening skills can be maintained through growing beautiful greenery indoors! HGTV.com shares their top eight keys to success when growing houseplants including tips on lighting and water intake plants should receive. To read the full list, please click here. Ways to Be Prepared for a Winter Wonderland While there are measures to take in protecting your home from the inside during winter, there are also many steps you can take outdoors too! Centers for Disease and Control give a number of tips such as home materials you can spread on icy patches aside from salt, how to prepare your car for harsh winter conditions, and how to be fully equipped for a possible emergency! To read all of the tips, please click here.

Ron Goldstein Luxury Broker Associate RGoldstein@koenigrubloff.com 3127717190 www.chicagoluxuryrealty.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group | 980 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 900 Chicago, IL 60611

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