First-time Buyers: Is Now the Time to Buy?

Should you buy a house? As a first time homebuyer this can be one of the biggest decisions you've ever faced. Many of the stories in the news media would have you believe that buying a home right now would be too much of a gamble. They use scary figures about rapidly rising mortgage rates. And still others make most of us feel as though homeownership is something far out of our affordability.

The truth is -- all of these issues are partial truths. The economy could go belly up and thousands could lose equity in their homes or be stuck with a home that won't sell. Mortgage rates are going to rise -- a simple lesson in economic history proves that. And yes, you probably can't afford some of the homes on the market right now, with the average home price above $200,000 in most of the country, especially if you have large amounts of student or personal loans. But homeownership is a feasible option.

There are simply several questions you need to start asking yourself.

How much debt do you have? Before you can take on a huge financial responsibility that a home is -- you need to pay down, or off, debts you have. Consider consolidating loans and getting rid of credit cards. Perhaps most importantly, you need to make sure that as you reduce debt, you increase your credit score. For more information, please contact a credit consultant.

Where will you be living in two to five years? If you are planning on being in an area for a short amount of time (less than 2 years), then renting may be a more financially feasible option for you. Buying (and selling) a home comes with fees and costs associated with closing the deal. Your house may not build enough equity in just 2 years for you to justify paying those fees twice. And if your home does appreciate in value quickly, if you live in the residence for under two years, you will probably not be eligible for a capital gains tax exemption.

What is the market like in your area? Are prices in your area rising quickly? Has the market gone into a slump? An economically sound region can expect prices to continue to rise, while prices may stall in an area experiencing hardship. After these issues, most people are faced with two options. They can rent or they can buy.

The idea behind buying is getting a head start on building up your financial future. If you are planning on being in a location for any extended amount of time -- two or more years -- then you should strongly consider the option of buying. Not only will your home be growing in value, but you'll be saving yourself money on a month to month basis. In the given example -- the mortgage payment would come out to $700 a month. That's over $200 less a month than the average renter pays.

Becoming involved in the real estate market becomes less scary when you educate yourself. There some wonderful benefits to being a homeowner, such as having a more stable lifestyle, enjoying tax benefits, and watching your investment appreciate in value. And while some locations are more high risk, the majority of the U.S. sees fairly predictable prices and rates. Since 1968, according to NAR, homes on a national scale.

For more information on this subject, click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

From the New York Times

NOTE WHAT THE ARTICLE SAYS AT THE END ABOUT THE ST. LOUIS REAL ESTATE MARKET.

Economy Shows Signs of Slowing, Fed Says

By JEREMY W. PETERS
Published: July 26, 2006
In Cleveland, demand for personal loans is declining. In New York, tourism is receding. In Boston, there are reports of eroding consumer purchasing power.
The details vary from region to region, but the big picture is becoming increasingly clear: economic growth is downshifting across the country.
In today’s Federal Reserve “beige book,” a periodic assessment of regional economic conditions, words like “modest” and “mixed’ are used to describe economic activity where just a few months ago the adjectives were “solid” and “strong.”
Reports from the Federal Reserve’s 12 regional banks “generally indicated continued economic growth during June through mid-July, with numerous individual reports pointing to evidence that the pace of growth has slowed.”
Weakening consumer spending and a softer housing market were themes everywhere.
The Fed noted that consumers were spending less in stores and auto showrooms, in part because of high gasoline prices. With the exception of luxury retailers, many stores reported weak or flat sales. Car dealers across the country reported “undesirably high” inventories of sport utility vehicles, the report said.
Residential real estate activity declined “with only scattered exceptions.” The report confirmed what recent housing data has shown: homes are taking longer to find a buyer, and more of them are sitting on the market unsold.
Two notable exceptions to the housing market’s slide were the Dallas and St. Louis regions, the report said.
The report also noted isolated cases of pressure on home builders. In Florida, for example, some developers have converted units to rental properties after encountering difficulty selling them.

Calculating Your Own Mortgage!

What is a mortgage calculator?

This calculator, which come in many forms, is a helpful tool that allows you to calculate your own mortgage. More specifically it is a program used to help homebuyers determine the monthly payment on a mortgage using principal, interest rate, and term as the variables.

Tools such as these make buying your home less scary and gives you, the buyer, more control. Click here, for all the information that you need to use these many variety of calculators.

This link is found on our home page at http://www.noltingrealestate.com/. For more information on this subject and for all your real estate needs contact us at 636-391-9997.

Tips and Advisories Related to Power Outages and Hot Weather

St. Louis County Emergency Operations Center would like to remind Citizens about being safe as we all work toward recovery from the recent storms. There are many hazards around our homes, neighborhoods and community that we need to be aware of.

1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Please be careful and aware that generators are gas operated motors that generate carbon monoxide (CO). With power outages, many people are using generators at their homes. Please make sure that generators are not inside buildings and that the exhaust is directed away from homes. Many homes with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors may not work without electricity. Also be careful not to overload generators with multiple extension cords and excessive amounts of electric appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners.

2. Fire Safety: While the electric is off, many homeowners are using candles and other combustible light sources such as oil and kerosene lamps and lanterns. Along with the carbon monoxide hazard, fire is a danger. Please monitor all open fire hazards. Be sure that you have a working smoke detector that operates on a battery. Please be fire safe!

3. Electrocution Hazards: As electric is restored to your community, do not approach or touch any downed electric lines. Downed electric lines may become energized and present a life threatening hazard.

4. Debris: Please be careful moving around any debris that may have many hidden hazards that could harm you and your family members. Loose boards, boards with nails exposed, and tree limbs covering downed electric lines could harm you.

5. Spoiled Food: With many homes not having electric power, perishable food has spoiled and posseses a health hazard should anyone still try to consume it. If there is any doubt, dispose of the questionable food rather than risking illness by eating spoiled food.

6. Heat & Medical Conditions: We have had a short break in hot weather, but the forecast calls for temperatures to rise again in the next day or so. Please watch for heat issues with your family, neighbors and friends. If they are affected, move them to a place with electric and air conditioning or to a local cooling center. Also watch over those with medical conditions. Some medical problems can be worsened by heat.

There are many more hazards that can harm you and your family. Please be safe and look for obvious hazards and mark them or point them out to you family to avoid.

For more on this subject, click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Tree And Tree Branch Removal Information

Several St. Louis area cities and towns have announced information for fallen tree and tree branch removal as a result of recent storms.If you have any updates or additional information, please fax information to 314-444-5164.

MISSOURI

Glendale - Public works department will pick up all limbs and brush left at the curb.

Pacific - Brush and leaves picked up first week of every month. For more information, call 636-271-0500.

St. Charles - City is picking up fallen trees and branches.

St. Louis County - Place storm debris, such as tree limbs, or any type of yard waste near a public roadway. The St. Louis County Public Works Department will pick up the debris.

Troy - City is picking up fallen trees and branches.

Union- Place tree limbs on curb for pick up every 2nd and 4th Wednesday.

Washington - Recycling center at 400 Recycle Drive or place curbside for pick up the week of July 24.For more information, call 636-390-1032 or 636-390-1030.

Jefferson City - Two sites for recycling tree branches:2606 West Edgewood Drive2229 Christy Drive For more information, call 573-634-6409.

For more information on this subject, click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Missouri Under a State of Public Emergency!

If you have looked out your window recently in Missouri you most likely have witnessed the "storm of the century." This storm has left us in a precocious situation - no power, no electricicty, spoiled water and limited cell phone use. Many of us were not prepared for this storm and were quite ovewhelmed with the aftermath.

According to the Red Cross there are many ways that we can be prepared for such situations by preparing a "Disaster Supply Kit." There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container. Here is a small example of items that are vital for times such as these;

1. Water

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*
  

2. Food

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

3. First Aid Kit

• Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
  

4. Non-Prescription Drugs

5. Tools and Supplies

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type

6. Sanitation

• Toilet paper, towelettes
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Personal hygiene items
  

7. Clothing and Bedding - Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear

The actual kit is quite extensive - for the full list, click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Saving Money on Homeowners Insurance

Did you know that you can save money on homeowners insurance a number of ways? Discounts from your insurance company are available for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from the type of building material used to build your home to how close you live to a fire station. These discounts will vary by state and insurance company.Here are some specific ways you can save money on your homeowner’s policy:

• Shop around - Check with many different insurance companies to get rate quotes. Do your friends or family members like their insurance company?
• Raise your deductible -The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance kicks in. Be careful to make sure you can afford to pay the higher deductible out of pocket if something should happen. Typically, deductibles start at $250. For instance if you increase your deductible to: $500 and save up to 12% on your premiums/ $1,000 and save up to 24%/ $2,500 and save up to 30%/ $5,000 and save up to 37%.
• Buy your home and auto policies from the same company - Many companies will give a multi-line discount if you buy both homeowners and auto coverage from them.
• Insure your home, not the land - While your home and its contents are at risk from fire, theft, windstorms and other perils, the land your home sits on is not. Don't include the value of the land in deciding how much homeowners insurance you need to buy.
• Improve security and safety - Items such as deadbolt locks, burglar alarms and smoke detectors usually can bring discounts of 5% each, depending on the company. Your insurance company may also offer a significant discount of 15% or 20% if you install a sophisticated home-security system.
• Stay with an insurer - If you've kept your coverage with a company for several years, you may receive special consideration. Several insurers will reduce their premiums by 5% after staying with them for three to five years; and some companies will discount you as much as 10% after six years.
  

For more information on this subject, click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at http://www.noltingrealesate.com/ and/or 636-391-9997.

Home Buyer's Scouting Report

When you like what you do, you get excited over the little things. After years in the real estate business, I get excited over the little things.

And when big changes happen, I can hardly contain myself.

The Home Buyer's Scouting Report has arrived -- this is a big thing. The Home Buyers Scouting Report® service is a fantastic free password protected, online solution to finding your new home! The Report is customized to your price range, home styles, neighborhoods, bedrooms and more. It even offers all the available listings that match your personal search criteria from area real estate companies, complete with pictures, prices, directions, maps and more. You can be the first to see new properties because you'll receive ‘Quick Alert'™ emails of new listings as they become available. With a click of a mouse, you can even schedule a property showing. Basically, you have all of the same tools at your fingertips that a Realtor has at his.

I am promoting this service because it will change the industry. It will allow you to become an educated consumer. Then, when you are ready to view a property, make an offer, and negotiate a contract, I can step in as your representative. The HBSR will empower you to be a knowledgable buyer.

Click on the link, and give it a whirl...

Dow shoots up after Bernanke's comments

"Stock prices rallied Wednesday on remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that economic moderation "now seems to be under way" and that inflation remains contained. The Dow Jones industrial average shot up more than 100 points."
It seems that the recent raising of interest rates is keeping inflation in check. We should also note that these raises are helping to cool in white hot housing market.

So what does this mean to the consumer? It means that we should see interest rates remaining pretty constant. We should see the appreciation of housing to level off to a more normal level.

Now it should be noted that the St. Louis real estate market did not experience the incredible growth of many other areas around the US. Therefore, I think we will not see a depreciation in housing sale prices. I think we will just see less of an appreciation.

Dressing Up Your Driveway

What is the first feature that visitors notice about your home? It is probably your driveway and by making it eye-catching and instilling it with character, you can present a warm, inviting feeling to welcome your visitors. The following are a couple ideas that you can give your driveway a refreshing makeover that complements your home and personality.

• Add Foliage - Planting trees and bushes along your driveway creates an interesting border that's sure to attract attention. By mixing plant types, you can add a beautiful array of color and fragrance to your yard.
• Create a Brick Driveway - If you're up for a completely new look, change the paving material. Although brick entails more work-and money-than other choices, it creates an elegant entryway to your home and can be purchased in many colors and sizes to match most any color scheme. Lay the bricks in a variety of designs, including circles, waves or checkerboard to personalize your driveway.
• Plant a Privacy Bed - If you share your driveway with a neighbor, plant shrubs and flowers between the entryways to create a small but colorful privacy wall.
• Install Lighting - Landscape lighting creates an impressive effect that can alter the look and feel of your home. You can insert lights to resemble a runway design that borders the sides of your driveway, or stagger two or more lamp styles for a more creative approach.
• Redesign the Shape -The ultimate driveway makeover involves completely changing the contour of your driveway. Add a curve or two to create the look of an inviting country road. A circular driveway makes it easy for visitors to come and go and provides a great centerpiece location inside the circle for an eye-catching water fountain or statue.

For more information on dressign up your driveway, click here. For all your real esate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Our Team is Growing

Today, I want to welcome some new members of our team – Braden Story, Seth Hutcherson, and Hannah Wood. Also, some old members of our team have changed positions – Richard Nolting, founder of Nolting Real Estate, has returned in the role of our Vice-President, and Gwen Becker has become a licensed salesperson.

Russell T. Nolting, Broker/President-- Russell Nolting is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in Town and Country. He holds a BA from Miami University and a MA from St. Louis University. He is currently pursuing further graduate studies toward an MBA degree. Russell has been a licensed real estate broker for 10 years. Nolting Real Estate was started in August 1984 by Russell's father, Richard A. Nolting. As current President of Nolting Real Estate since January 2001, Russell has increased annual sales in the past three by more than 300%. By focusing on excellent customer service and cutting edge technology, Russell seeks to maintain a customer base that not only uses Nolting Real Estate for its purchases and sales but also refers clients to the business.

Richard A. Nolting, Vice-President—Richard founded Nolting Real Estate in 1984. A lifelong St. Louis native, he has been active in real estate development and sales since the early 1970s. Richard continues to work primarily in our land development business, providing oversight and years of experience in the day to day operations of this part of our business. In January 2001, Richard turned over the role of President of Nolting Real Estate to Russell Nolting.

Paige Knerr, Salesperson-- Paige Knerr is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in Town and Country. She holds a BA from Samford University and a MA from Covenant Theological Seminary. Paige joined the sales team at Nolting Real Estate after working in the St. Louis area as a licensed counselor. She is a licensed real estate salesperson and serves as both a buyer´s and seller´s agent. She has been working for Nolting Real Estate since September 2004 and focuses on providing clients with personalized service. Paige holds the ABR (Accredited Buyer´s Representative) designation.

Braden Story, Salesperson-- Braden Story is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in the Cambridge Crossing subdivision in St. Charles. He graduated from Parkway West High School and received a BA from University of Missouri-Columbia. Braden comes to Nolting Real Estate after working for 8 years in IT corporate sales. He is a liscensed Realtor, serving as both a buyer's and seller's agent, and specializes in St. Charles county real estate. In his free time, Braden is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing.

Gwen Becker, Salesperson/Relocation Coordinator-- Gwen Becker is a St. Louis native and currently resides in Warson Woods. She holds a BS from Missouri State University and has worked in accounting and office management for 10 years. Gwen has worked for Nolting Real Estate as a Relocation Coordinator for 3 years. Recently, she has also become a licensed buyer's agent.

Seth Hutcherson, Salesperson -- Seth Hutcherson is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in St. Charles. He holds a BS in Business from the University of Missouri St. louis. Seth comes to Nolting Real Estate after 5 years in sales. He is a licensed Realtor and serves both buyers and sellers in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. In Seth's free time, he enjoys golfing and playing music.

Heather J. Nolting, MLS Specialist/Buyer's Agent-- Heather Nolting is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in Town and Country. She holds a BS from Webster University and a MS from Washington University. Heather is a licensed real estate salesperson and has been working in real estate for 8 years. She serves as a buyer’s agent and specializes in custom homes searches and investment properties.

K. Kelly Wallace, Salesperson-- Kelly Wallace is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in Arnold, MO. She holds a BA from Baptist Bible College in Southern Missouri. Kelly is a certified residential real estate appraiser and a licensed real estate salesperson. Formerly, she worked for more than 24 years in the residential mortgage industry. Currently, she serves as both a listing and buyer´s agent for Nolting Real Estate.

Roger K. Nolting, Salesperson-- Roger Nolting is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in Chesterfield. He has a BS and a MS from Washington University in St. Louis. He has 15 years of experience working in the real estate industry and specializes in the sale of large homesites for custom construction.

Edward S. Slawin, Salesperson-- Edward Slawin is a St. Louis native and a homeowner in Ballwin. He has a BA from St. Louis University and a MEd from Washington University in St. Louis. He has 25 years of experience in the real estate industry and specializes in the sale of development properties

Pamela Wells, eMarketing Specialist-- Pamela Wells is a St. Louis native and currently resides in Richmond Heights. She holds as BS from Samford University and is presently pursing graduate studies at Covenant Theological Seminary. Pamela worked in the healthcare industry before coming to Nolting Real Estate in July 2005. She specializes in e-marketing and web presence.

Hannah (Hager) Wood-- Hannah Wood is a St. Louis native and currently resides in Webster Groves. She holds a BS from Covenant College and is pursuing graduate studies at Covenant Theological Seminary. She specializes in e-marketing and web presence.

How To Help Your Agent Sell Your House

Here are some great tips on how you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. By taking the following steps you will help us sell your home faster!!

• Make the Most of that First Impression - A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.
• Think Safety - Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.
• Make Room for Space - Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
• Consider Your Closets - The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
• Make Your Bathroom Sparkle - Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.
• Create Dream Bedrooms -Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
• Open up in the Daytime - Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.
• Lighten up at NightTurn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.
  

For more great tips on how to help sell your house, click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Tips On How To Create A Low Maintenance Garden

Would you like to enjoy an attractive and colorful garden that is low-maintenance?

It can be done, and all it takes is some knowledge about the right plants and techniques. Find out about easy-care trees, shrubs, and perennials before you plant--and you'll save time and money well into the future. Here are some basic tips--in order of importance--that will help you plan low maintenance into your garden:

• Choose plants that are known to be reliable and problem-free for your area and that won't outgrow the space you are working with.
• Reduce the size of your lawn or eliminate it entirely.
• Prepare the soil well before planting so plants get a strong start.
• Mulch to reduce weeds and conserve soil moisture.
• If you live where watering is a necessity, install an automatic system, possibly a drip line.

And here are eight easy and widely available plants that incorporate this low-maintenance approach.

1. Korean boxwood (Buxus microphylla koreana 'Winter Beauty')
2. Dwarf Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus chinensis procumbens 'Nana')
3. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris)
4. Japanese holly (Ilex crenata 'Convexa')
5. Weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies 'Pendula')
6. Bird's nest spruce (Picea abies 'Pumila Nigra')
7. Dwarf Serbian spruce (Picea omorika 'Nana')
8. Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty')

For more on this subject click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Tax Breaks For Your House

Your home offers a score of tax deductions and credits designed to help offset the cost of housing and to keep the housing market fueled with new buyers. Here's a look at the Top 10 Tax Breaks, On The House. Visit the Internal Revenue Service Website more details on each item. Here are just a few of the tax breaks that you can take advantage of;

• Mortgage Loan Interest: The biggest of all tax breaks, because interest payments comprises a large portion of your mortgage payment in the early years of the loan's term, mortgage interest on a maximum of $1 million in mortgage debt secured by a first and second home is deductible. Deductions reduce your taxable income against which your taxes due are calculated. The $1 million level applies to joint tax filers. You get half the deduction if you file single or separately.
• Home Improvement Loan Interest: The interest on a home improvement loan is also deductible, but calculated differently. You can deduct all the interest on a home improvement loan provided the work is a "capital improvement" rather than repairs, maintenance or cosmetic upgrades. Capital improvements typically increase your home's value (say, because you added a room), prolong it's life (a new roof) or adapt it to new uses (universal design improvements to assist older people or people with disabilities). You get tax benefits from repair work (painting, repairing, etc.) only when you sell your home but you can use a home equity loan to make repairs and deduct the interest -- up to the limits.
• Capital Gains Exclusion: Home buying investors' best tax shelter comes from provisions in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 which allows married taxpayers who file jointly to keep, tax free, up to $500,000 in profit on the sale of a home used as a principal residence for two of the prior five years. The amount is halved for those filing single or separately. You can use the benefit as often as you qualify.
• Moving Costs: A move triggered by a new job comes with some deductible moving costs. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements including, moving within one year of starting your new job, moving 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job was and working full-time at the new job for 39 of 52 weeks following the move. Deductions include travel or transportation costs and expenses for lodging and storing your household goods.
  

To find more tax deductions for your home, click here. For all your real estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Web Resources for Finding News and Information Fast

Our website at http://www.noltingrealestate.com/?ContactID=2739515&ElementID=126374 has up-to-the-minute real estate news. I wanted to write to share with you some of our favorite other sites for local news, sports, business and weather, as well as some of our favorite utilities that make web browsing more productive.

For local news:You can go to ABC News and choose from a number of local news headlines options.

For weather:At Accuweather.com, you can enter your ZIP code for local weather, both long term and hourly, and see satellite and radar maps.

For economic news:When I want expert commentary on economic news, I get it straight from the source at the Wachovia Securities economic commentary site.

For cheap gas prices:By entering your ZIP code at GasBuddy.com, you can find the gas stations offering the cheapest gas in your area.

Our favorite web browser add-on is the Google toolbar. It’s a snap to install, lets you search Google, the Web’s number one search engine, right from your browser, and — best yet — it includes a state–of–the–art popup ad blocker that’s absolutely free!

Most of all, I hope you won’t forget to visit http://www.noltingrealestate.com/?ContactID=2739515&ElementID=126374 for all your real estate needs!

Pending Home Sales Index Leveling Out

According to the National Association of Realtors (America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries) the index of pending home sales rose slightly in May which is an indication that the market is stabilizing. Specifically the Pending Home Sales Index bases, based on contracts signed in May, was up 1.3 percent to a level of 113.4 from an index of 111.9 in April, but was 10.1 percent lower than May 2005.

The Pending Home Sales Index is derived from pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed and the transaction has not closed; pending sales typically are finalized within a month or two of signing.

An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, the first year to be examined, and was the first of five consecutive record years for existing-home sales. David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, said the index appears to be moderating. “The slight change in pending home sales indicates the market is beginning to level out,” Lereah said. “This is consistent with our forecast, which is showing a soft landing for the housing sector. We are entering the second phase of the transition period from the housing boom, in which sellers are becoming more realistic about their expectations – sales are stabilizing and annual home price appreciation is returning to historic norms.”

• Regionally, the PHSI in the South was down 1.7 percent in May and was 7.3 percent lower than May 2005.
• In the Northeast, the index was down 0.6 percent in May and was 7.8 percent below a year ago.
• The index in the Midwest was up 0.6 percent to 100.9 in May but was 13.6 percent lower than May 2005.
• The index in the West rose 9.9 percent to 110.1 in May but was 12.9 percent below a year earlier.

For more information regarding this topic click here. For all your real estate needs please contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

How To Settle In After A Move....

Tips on branching out and meeting one's neighbors

You've arrived, unpacked and begun to settle in. Perhaps many of your arrangements have been made—schools have been selected for your kids, your new house or apartment is set up—but that doesn't quite make it home...yet.Home, as you know, is about people as much as anything, and relationships with friends, neighbors, teachers and grocery store owners. Relocating is stressful, and part of that has less to do with the boxes and arrangement than the new relationships you'll need to make...and, well...that feeling of "home" that only time can deliver. So be patient, but be active!Is there a way to fertilize the soil a bit and get those taproots growing? Consider these tips:

• Push yourself slightly beyond your basic comfort level. Coach yourself each week to do something you wouldn't naturally do. This may be as simple as deciding to walk your dog every morning in a park crowded with pet owners instead of along lonely streets.
• Community service and volunteerism may be one of the best ways to create meaningful new ties. Find opportunities through local community centers or gardens, your job, churches, or schools, or online.
• Join a club! Salsa dancing, rock climbing, chess? You name it! Try to find affinity groups in your area. Immediately resume one or two activities you did before moving. You'll meet people with common interests right off the bat!
• Buy a map and start exploring. Or just get on a bus and let yourself be driven around. Seeing your new place is fun and right away gives you something in common with other people. And you'll start developing your favorite haunts—a true sign of home!

For more information call Russell Nolting, Broker/President of Nolting Real Estate at 314.267.2636. Or visit us on the web at http://www.noltingrealestate.com/.

The mission of the Nolting Real Estate Team

The mission of the Nolting Real Estate team is to invest in the lives of homeowners by providing reliable, innovative, and personalized service to maximize the economic and personal value of their real estate investment and to earn their trust in order to build lifelong business relationships.

How do you “maximize the economic…value” of your clients’ real estate? The concept is really quite simple. Let me start with an example from my business.

When I first started in the family land-development business, my father taught me an important lesson. He taught me that we do not make our money by selling our fully developed homesites. We make our money when we purchase the raw land that we intend to develop. The idea is simple: to make money in real estate, you must buy low. It doesn’t matter how much you sell for, the real trick to making money is to buy the real estate at a good price. If you buy low, you are almost guaranteed to come out alright.

At Nolting Real Estate, we help our clients by using our knowledge of the St. Louis market to enable them to make good offers on real estate. We use our negotiation skill to help the contract move toward acceptance. We help our clients with financing by recommending lenders that are fair and honest.

We know the importance of making the buying process easy. And we will work hard to ensure that our clients make sound financial decisions.

For more information, call Russell Nolting, Broker/President of Nolting Real Estate at 314.267.2636. Or visit us on the web at www.NoltingRealEstate.com.

What Did You Do Over the Fourth?

Most of you would not answer that you made yourself an easy target for burglary! Well statistics show that those homeowners who left their houses over the fourth of July and other such holidays were easy targets for home break-ins. According to FBI statistics, the majority of burglaries occur between the months of June, July and August (those times when are vacationing). There are easy things to do to prevent making your home an easy target. Such as,

 Canceling newspaper delivery
 Placing timers on lamps to make it appear that you are home
 Having a neighbor take in the mail
 Making sure all doors and windows are locked & dead bolted


Over 1.2 million burglaries that occur every year may be avoided by burglarproofing your home. Please take the necessary precautions to save yourself both the emotional and financial devastation that burglary leaves.

In order to learn more about preventing such burglaries, click here. Also contact Nolting Real Estate at www.noltingrealestate.com and/or 636-391-9997 for all your real estate needs.

Your Family's Largest Investment

"For most families, choosing a new home is the biggest financial decision they will ever make. There are many complicated decisions involved in choosing your new home. To protect your interests and assure that you make the best possible decisions, it's important that you have an agent on your side who is an expert in the local real estate market.

So many buyers make the mistake of trying to handle the buying process themselves. I encourage you to take advantage of all the resources you have. Call me at any time and we can discuss your needs and decide what the best options are for you and your family." ~ Russell Nolting, Broker/President of Nolting Real Estate

To meet the agents at Nolting Real Estate and learn more about their committment to exceptional customer service, visit our website at www.NoltingRealEstate.com.