Although real estate tends to slow during November, news remains good as pending home sales have risen for 17 consecutive months on a year-over-year basis. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, existing-home sales in 2012 will total close to 4.6 million, an increase of 9% over 2011. With reports of lower unemployment rates, sales of existing homes are projected to rise at an average of about 9% next year too.

Prices are rising in many areas of the United States. With a shrinking housing inventory, Yun predicts that the national median price for existing-homes is expected to increase 6% this year and 5% in 2013.

If you are looking for a great buy, now may be the time to shop. Holiday sellers are usually motivated and closing before the year ends may be a benefit. Please feel free to call me during the holidays with any questions.

Q: How do I know if the home I am interested in has building code violations?

A: Building codes change. New requirements are added to address safety issues and make homes more energy efficient. Below are just a few examples of changes that may be worth researching when you buy:

• Wiring standards now prohibit aluminum wiring in most residential construction and require ground fault circuit interrupters near wet locations.
• Changes have been made to wind and snow load requirements to strengthen structure of homes and prevent damage in extreme weather.
• The use of insulated HVAC ductwork may be required in some areas of the US.
• Water heater braces are now required in most areas.

To make sure the house you’re looking to buy is up to code, consider a trip to our local building inspection office or zoning and building department. Talking with the original builder can also yield valuable information. I always recommend having a professional inspection, but taking these extra steps may be worth your time too.

Did you know that the average adult in America receives over 40 pounds of unwanted mail every year? To decrease your clutter and minimize the impact on the environment, there are companies that help you opt out of unwanted catalogs, fliers and other kinds of “junk” mail.

www.catalogchoice.org – Claiming they’ve saved 793,563 fully grown trees, Catalog Choice is a free service that lets you opt out of mailings from companies of your choice. You can also pay $35 a year for an upgraded service that works with data brokers and mailing list companies to help you receive even less junk mail.

www.41pounds.org – This company contacts dozens of marketing organizations on your behalf to halt unwanted mail. The service costs $35 for five years, with $10 of this fee going to a nonprofit of your choice.

This holiday, consider giving our environment a gift by opting out of unsolicited mail.

On Thanksgiving, millions of Americans from every religious and cultural background come together with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings of life. Consider these words as we begin a season of gratitude:

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)

I am especially grateful for your business at this time of year and wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.