The Pew Research Center conducted a nationwide poll which indicated that despite recent slumps in the housing market, most U.S. homeowners are optimistic about the value of their properties.  About 55 percent expect the value of their homes to go up a little, while 26 percent expect values to take a plunge.

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has launched a national advertising campaign to urge potential home buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines to act now before prices gain traction. The campaign includes full-page newspaper ads running in six of the nation’s leading newspapers.

The advertisement points out:

q       Interest rates have fallen seven months in a row and are near 40- year lows.

q       Inventories of existing homes are higher than they have been in decades.

q       Home prices have stabilized.

“Homeownership is a safe, secure way to build long-term wealth, “the ad reads.  “The national median price of homes bought 10 years ago has increased 88 percent.  The number of U.S. households is expected to increase 15 percent during the next decade, creating a continued high demand for housing.”

Access MRMLS Mobile Free-of-Charge!!!!!  Members of MRMLS, if you have an Internet plan on your cell phone or wireless device; you can get free wireless access to listings using MRMLS Mobile.  To test if your wireless device is compatible, go to http://www.google.com.  If the site loads, including the Google logo, then your device should also be compatible with MRMLS Mobile.

To sign up, go to http://www.imrmls.com/mobilereg, fill out and submit the registration form.

Household income growth continues to be weak at a time when fixed costs like housing and energy remain high.  According to the most recent U.S. Metro Economics report released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors indicated that the problem could be especially bad for those who have adjustable-rate mortgages, because they could face even higher housing costs if interest rates increase.

The top five states for housing costs as a percent of income in 2005 were: California, Nevada, New Jersey, Florida, and Hawaii.  The experts see increases in home ownership costs especially in California, Nevada, and Arizona as a result of a high percentage of Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs), according to Global Insight, an economic forecast firm that prepared the report for the conference of mayors.

Eighty-three percent of sellers use full-service brokerage services while 9 percent use limited-service brokerage and 8 percent use minimal-service brokerage, such as listing a property in the local MLS, according to the 2006 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

The “Call Home Act of 2006” has been passed by the House and Senate and awaits the signature of President Bush.  The “Call Home Act of 2006”, directs the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), in coordination with the Department of Defense, to seek to reduce phone rates for Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas.

The legislation authorizes the FCC to take actions necessary to reduce phone bills for troops deployed overseas, including waiver of government fees, assessments, or other charges.  The legislation also directs that new technologies, such as Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) be evaluated and means to reduce surcharges imposed by foreign governments be implemented.

Safety Tip of the Week:  Keep doors open while you show a property.  When you are showing a property, always leave the front door wide open while you and the client are inside.  As you enter each room, stand near the door.