Wednesday, August 7, 2013

CoreLogic: June home prices up 11.9% year over year

IRVINE, Calif. – Aug. 6, 2013 – Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 11.9 percent in June on a year-over-year basis, according to CoreLogic’s June Home Price Index (HPI) report released today. It’s the sixteenth consecutive monthly increase in home prices nationally.

On a month-over-month basis, including distressed sales, home prices rose 1.9 percent compared to May 2013.
According to CoreLogic, Florida numbers fall close to the national average. Including distressed sales, prices rose in June 11 percent year-to-year and 1.8 percent month-to-month.

If Florida’s distressed sales – short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions – are backed out of the equation, the state’s home prices rose 12.7 percent year-to-year and 2.1 percent month-to-month.

The CoreLogic Pending HPI analyzes home price changes for the most recent month. According to that analysis, July 2013 home prices, including distressed sales, are expected to rise by 12.5 percent on a year-over-year basis from July 2012 and by 1.8 percent on a month-over-month basis from June 2013. The CoreLogic Pending HPI is based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that measure price changes for the most recent month.

“In the first six months of 2013, the U.S. housing market appreciated a remarkable 10 percent,” says Dr. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “This trend in home price gains is moving at the fastest pace since 1977.”

“The U.S. housing market experienced robust price appreciation during the first half of 2013 and our forecast calls for double-digit growth through July,” adds Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Despite their rebound of late, home prices remain reasonable in a historical context, with most states near peak affordability levels.”

Highlights of June 2013

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

According to CoreLogic, Florida numbers fall close to the national average. Including distressed sales, prices rose in June 11 percent year-to-year and 1.8 percent month-to-month.
If Florida’s distressed sales – short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions – are backed out of the equation, the state’s home prices rose 12.7 percent year-to-year and 2.1 percent month-to-month.

The CoreLogic Pending HPI analyzes home price changes for the most recent month. According to that analysis, July 2013 home prices, including distressed sales, are expected to rise by 12.5 percent on a year-over-year basis from July 2012 and by 1.8 percent on a month-over-month basis from June 2013. The CoreLogic Pending HPI is based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that measure price changes for the most recent month.

“In the first six months of 2013, the U.S. housing market appreciated a remarkable 10 percent,” says Dr. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “This trend in home price gains is moving at the fastest pace since 1977.”

“The U.S. housing market experienced robust price appreciation during the first half of 2013 and our forecast calls for double-digit growth through July,” adds Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Despite their rebound of late, home prices remain reasonable in a historical context, with most states near peak affordability levels.”

Highlights of June 2013

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

If Florida’s distressed sales – short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions – are backed out of the equation, the state’s home prices rose 12.7 percent year-to-year and 2.1 percent month-to-month.
The CoreLogic Pending HPI analyzes home price changes for the most recent month. According to that analysis, July 2013 home prices, including distressed sales, are expected to rise by 12.5 percent on a year-over-year basis from July 2012 and by 1.8 percent on a month-over-month basis from June 2013. The CoreLogic Pending HPI is based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that measure price changes for the most recent month.

“In the first six months of 2013, the U.S. housing market appreciated a remarkable 10 percent,” says Dr. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “This trend in home price gains is moving at the fastest pace since 1977.”

“The U.S. housing market experienced robust price appreciation during the first half of 2013 and our forecast calls for double-digit growth through July,” adds Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Despite their rebound of late, home prices remain reasonable in a historical context, with most states near peak affordability levels.”

Highlights of June 2013

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

The CoreLogic Pending HPI analyzes home price changes for the most recent month. According to that analysis, July 2013 home prices, including distressed sales, are expected to rise by 12.5 percent on a year-over-year basis from July 2012 and by 1.8 percent on a month-over-month basis from June 2013. The CoreLogic Pending HPI is based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that measure price changes for the most recent month.
“In the first six months of 2013, the U.S. housing market appreciated a remarkable 10 percent,” says Dr. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “This trend in home price gains is moving at the fastest pace since 1977.”

“The U.S. housing market experienced robust price appreciation during the first half of 2013 and our forecast calls for double-digit growth through July,” adds Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Despite their rebound of late, home prices remain reasonable in a historical context, with most states near peak affordability levels.”

Highlights of June 2013

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

“In the first six months of 2013, the U.S. housing market appreciated a remarkable 10 percent,” says Dr. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “This trend in home price gains is moving at the fastest pace since 1977.”
“The U.S. housing market experienced robust price appreciation during the first half of 2013 and our forecast calls for double-digit growth through July,” adds Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Despite their rebound of late, home prices remain reasonable in a historical context, with most states near peak affordability levels.”

Highlights of June 2013

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

“The U.S. housing market experienced robust price appreciation during the first half of 2013 and our forecast calls for double-digit growth through July,” adds Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Despite their rebound of late, home prices remain reasonable in a historical context, with most states near peak affordability levels.”
Highlights of June 2013

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

Highlights of June 2013
• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+26.5 percent), California (+21.4 percent), Wyoming (+16.7 percent), Arizona (+16.2 percent) and Georgia (+14.3 percent).
• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

• Including distressed sales, only two states posted home price depreciation: Mississippi (-2.1 percent) and Delaware (-1.1 percent).
• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Nevada (+23.6 percent), California (+18.7 percent), Arizona (+14.1 percent), Utah (+13.8 percent) and Florida (+12.7 percent).
• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in June.
• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).

© 2013 Florida Realtors®

• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-44.3 percent), Florida (-38.6 percent), Arizona (-33.9 percent), Rhode Island (-31.7 percent), and Michigan (-31.1 percent).
© 2013 Florida Realtors®

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=5&id=294972



Bipartisan bill encourages saving for downpayment

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Aug. 6, 2013 – U.S. Representatives Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), John Carney (D-Del.), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Joe Heck (R-N.V.) announced the introduction of H.R. 2929, the “Creating Homeownership Opportunities Act,” bipartisan legislation that would create a pre-tax savings program – similar to a Health Savings Account – for the purpose of saving toward a downpayment on a first home.

“As difficult economic times persist, families are continuing to struggle to save enough money to make the necessary downpayment on a home,” said Congressman Webster. “The Creating Homeownership Opportunities Act I introduced with a bipartisan group of my colleagues last week facilitates and rewards responsible saving by allowing dollars set aside for a first home to accumulate tax free. This tax relief will make responsible homeownership for Central Floridians more attainable now, and lessen their debt burden in the future.”

First-time homebuyers would be eligible to make annual contributions up to $10,000, indexed for inflation. Qualifying purchases would include the downpayment on a primary residence, as well as closing costs and fees associated with the purchase of that home. Non-qualified disbursements would be subject to income tax, as well as a 20 percent penalty – a structure mirroring that of a Health Savings Account. An account balance may be rolled over into an IRA to supplement retirement savings if an account holder reaches 55 without purchasing a home, maintains the account for 20 years without purchasing a home, or purchases a home and has a remaining balance in the account.

Other members of the bipartisan coalition of cosponsors reiterated the importance of this bill to potential homebuyers and our economy:

“Purchasing a home is the foundation of the American Dream, but many families are having trouble saving enough money for a downpayment,” said Congressman Carney. “This legislation allows families to set aside a tax-free portion of their earnings to use toward their first home purchase. As the economy continues to struggle, we need to jumpstart the housing market and encourage American families to save money and take on less debt.”

“Homeownership is a critical facet of American culture that should be encouraged because it increases the standard of living and improves local economies,” Rep. Heck said. “Purchasing a home is a major financial commitment, but many young and low income families are struggling to save for a downpayment on their first home. We should allow individuals and families to responsibly prepare for that commitment by providing them access to a savings plan that encourages larger downpayments and less debt. The Creating Homeownership Opportunity Act is exactly the kind of step Congress should be taking to restore the health of the housing market in Nevada and the nation. I look forward to working in a bipartisan way with Congressman Carney and the rest of the bill’s sponsors to get this important bill passed.”

“The recession and sluggish recovery has pushed the dream of homeownership out of reach for too many Americans,” said Rep. Peter Welch. Our bill will provide a real boost to families at a time when they need it most by providing an incentive to save for a downpayment on their first home. I’m proud to work with this bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce a common sense solution that provides real relief to hardworking Americans.”

Copyright © 2013 Federal Information & News Dispatch Inc.
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=1&id=294956

Layoff Memos We hope to Never Receive


In the news yesterday was #Fab CEO #Jason Goldberg. Last week, Fab had announced that with the increased focus on US business they would have to cut off 100 people from their Berlin office.  The memo that was distributed internally was out of the norm, "ludicrous" method of communicating the news to the staff. There was no intention to soften the news or reassure the ones staying. Instead, it went like this:

"Directly after this meeting you will learn what category your job falls into and whether you will have the opportunity to start your new job search immediately or if you will consider working with us through a multi-month transitional period during the fall and winter."


How many of us would like to read this as our good-bye message? "Opportunity to start your new job search"! At least he uses a positive word-opportunity-to describe the stressful process of finding a new job.  It always breaks my heart to hear news of large employee cuts. 

To read more about this article, visit http://www.businessinsider.com/fab-ceo-firing-memo-2013-8

Monday, August 5, 2013

Bar Drinks

Being the country where Alcohol is at its cheapest, it comes to be me as a great shock to hear of news of bars switching booze or adding non-alcoholic ingredients. I recently read an article on Philly.com about nation wide brand restaurants switching booze in their bars.  Although the story took place in New Jersey, it still made me question what I have been drinking.

In an article titled "Rubbing alcohol, dirty water found in some N.J. bar drinks" on Philly.com, under the Operation Swill, investigators found rubbing alcohol, dirty water and food coloring in open bottles throughout 29 bars. The names of the companies were not realesed. But in another article, couple franchised locations of TGIF found to be switching premium brands with cheap booze.  This dishonest ruse to increase profits has resulted them in lost trust and bad publicity.  

I hope that this Operation Swill will serve as a warning to any who is engaged or willing to engage in such fraudulent activities.  It will need more investigation to put my mind at ease. 


Introduction

Hello, and welcome to Locally Miami Beach. This is going to be my first time attempting to blog-better late than never, right? First a little about me:

My name is Tugba (tu-ba) Cakmak (chuckmak).  The name is already enough to raise some eyebrows and question marks.  I have relocated to Miami Beach from a quiet town in New Jersey.  I have spent most of my life up North, where my family still is.  I went to school at Fox School of Business, Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, majoring in Human Resources Management and International Business.  Not knowing at the time, Temple University's extremely diverse community was preparing me for life in Florida.  Where I am from in NJ was a small mixture of cultures and races, predominantly Caucasian and African Americans.  Here, however, it was mainly Hispanic and Latinos. Because of my skin tone, I can easily pass for Hispanic. In fact, many at first refused to believe me when I said I don't speak Spanish.  I went through some culture shock but adapted to it quickly.

With the move came the career change.  I have obtained my Real Estate Associate License in Florida, serving as a Sales Agent for Macken Realty, INC located in Aventura.  South Florida seems to be the best location to dive into this industry. With locals, you also have the tourists interested in buying or investing in Florida.

You might be asking yourself, how is she going to blog about being a local when she has not even been here for so long? My first year in Miami Beach was like that of a tourists'. I visited sites, museums, art shows, tried out different restaurants, took advantage of the sun and the beautiful beaches, etc... A year is a long time to be vacationing, so it made it easy to find out a lot about the city.  Then came living like a resident everyday.  I realized as a resident, I devoted less time going to the beach, exploring new restaurants, trying new hobbies.  I don't think I will ever stop exploring in South Florida. As I do, I plan on sharing the details with everyone.