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Despite Fears, Owning Home Retains Allure, Poll Shows

By DAVID STREITFELD and MEGAN THEE-BRENAN

Owning a house remains central to Americans’ sense of well-being, even as many doubt their home is a good investment after a punishing recession.

Nearly nine in 10 Americans say homeownership is an important part of the American dream, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. And they are keen on making sure it stays that way, for themselves and everyone else.

Support for helping people in financial distress over housing is higher than support for helping those without a job for many months.

Forty-five percent of the respondents say the government should be doing more to improve the housing market, while 16 percent say it should be doing less. On the politically contentious issue of direct financial assistance to those having trouble paying their mortgages, slightly more than half of those polled, 53 percent, say the government should help. And almost no one favors discontinuing the mortgage tax deduction, a prized middle-class benefit that has been featured on some budget-cutting proposals.

President Obama, who has been criticized for both doing too much to help the housing market and for not doing enough, was given poor marks. Only 36 percent of those polled approve of what Mr. Obama has done, while 45 percent disapprove.

In assessing blame for the housing crash, people are increasingly seeing financial institutions as the central culprit. Amid the swirl of recent disclosures about banks following improper and illegal procedures in pursuing foreclosures, 42 percent blame lenders, while 29 percent blame regulators. When the question was asked in early 2008, as the crisis was still building, the numbers were reversed, with 40 percent blaming regulators and 28 percent blaming lenders. Only a handful of respondents at either moment blamed the borrowers themselves for taking loans they could not afford.

“I believe the financial institutions willingly and knowingly allowed people to apply and receive credit at a rate higher than they could afford and this has degraded our economy,” said Steven Goode, an environmental health manager in Las Vegas, in a follow-up interview.

Making an offer for a house, something often done in past generations with little apprehension, is now riddled with worry. Only 49 percent call it a safe investment, while 45 percent feel it is risky. In a market where prices are consistently dropping, there is no easy exit.

“For the average person, it might not be a good idea today to buy,” said another respondent, Beth Lovcy of Troutdale, Ore., who bought a year ago. The value has already shrunk, but Mrs. Lovcy is unfazed. “It works out better financially than renting now because we can claim the interest on the mortgage.”

As the housing market slumped over the last few years with a speed and magnitude not seen since the Great Depression, aspects of homeownership have been debated as never before. There are tough questions about the role the government should take. These include how much of a down payment lenders should demand, whether lenders should be restrictive or expansive in granting new loans, how much assistance to give those on the verge of foreclosure, and whether real estate will ever again be the retirement savings vehicle it once was.

While the debate has been loud, there was little evidence of people’s views that went beyond the anecdotal. This poll offers a window onto widespread opinions at a critical juncture.

Before the crash, housing was widely deemed one of the safest possible investments. Few experts thought there was the possibility of a nationwide downturn. But after it happened, the effects were widespread and painful.

Diane Sherrell, a substitute teacher in North Carolina who retired on disability, traded up to a bigger house four years ago to accommodate an adopted son. “It’s been very difficult since then and we’re barely making it,” she said.

Half of those surveyed say the market’s continuing downward spiral has affected their long-term plans. One in five people say the crisis has prevented them from moving to another city or taking a different job. Nearly one-quarter of homeowners say their home is now worth less than what they owe on their mortgage, a condition known as being underwater. Families in this predicament are much more prone to foreclosure if they suffer job losses or other setbacks.

Over all, people are bleaker about the economic outlook than those surveyed in October. While most still think the current downturn is temporary, those saying it is permanent rose to 39 percent, up from 28 percent.

In the last two years, the stock market has recovered strongly while house prices have gone sideways at best. Yet those polled dismissed stocks as a long-term savings vehicle in favor of a savings or money market account (22 percent), a house (26 percent) or a 401K or individual retirement account (41 percent).

Who should be helped to buy is another contentious issue. Whether buyers need to come up with a 20 percent down payment — the standard for decades, but beyond the reach of many families now — is hotly debated. Fifty-eight percent of respondents say lenders should require this, while 36 percent say they should not.

People who cannot pay their mortgage are foreclosed upon. If they can pay but feel that doing so is pointless on a property that has lost so much of its value, it is called strategic default. While two-thirds of Americans say strategic default is not justified, 28 percent think that it is.

When houses are abandoned for any reason, it causes trouble for the neighbors. Three-quarters of those surveyed say foreclosures are a problem in their communities.

“Our home is worth much less now because houses are foreclosing around us,” said William Mack, an assembly line worker in Taylor, Mich.

Beyond all these ills, however, a persistent belief endures that the market will eventually improve and housing will regain its traditional importance.

Donna Boyd, a transportation supervisor in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, acknowledged “it might take a long time” for property values to go back up.

“But I don’t think I’m throwing my money away,” she said in a follow-up interview. “I rented for years when I was younger, and I just don’t like the idea of putting money in someone else’s pocket for something I will never own.”

The nationwide telephone poll was conducted June 24-28 with 979 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points for all adults.

Is your roof ready for spring & summer??

RISMEDIA, March 29, 2011—If your asphalt shingles are curling or your wooden cedar shake shingles have rotted out, it’s time to look for a new roof. This major home improvement investment requires research and an understanding of roofing material options to make the best selection for your home.

“There’s only one type of roof I know of that is backed by a 50-year warranty and helps you save on homeowner’s insurance, and that’s synthetic slate and shake roofing tiles,” says Mark Clement, host of MyFixItUpLife.com radio show and website. “My own home is 100+ years old, so when it was time to replace our shingles, I researched every option available.

“The DaVinciRoofscapes slate roofing tiles I installed look better than natural slate tiles. The look is so realistic that people pass by and can’t tell the difference between them and real slate. They always bet me that these are real slate shingles. I come up a winner every time with these eco-friendly roofing tiles.”

As Clement discovered, synthetic roofing tiles have many advantages over asphalt shingles, cement tiles and even real slate. “I appreciate the thickness and realistic look of the synthetic classic slate for our home’s style, but I could just have easily chosen the Bellaforte snap-fit synthetic slate,” says Clement. “Both are made from 100 percent pure resins and have inorganic colors and pigments infused throughout each tile. The idea that I could get a custom color to match my exterior really got my attention.”

Clement chose the Aberdeen color blend for his roof that includes shades of tans, purples and neutral colors. The free online DaVinci Color Tool located at www.davinciroofscapes.com allows homeowners to create their own customized roofing tile blend from 49 different tile colors. A blend can contain between two and five colors, providing additional detailing and appeal to the home.

While Clement—a professional contractor—chose to install synthetic slate tiles, the cedar shake style also caught his attention, as testing shows these roofing tiles last two to four times longer than real cedar shakes. “Given that type of protection for the home, I can’t see why anyone would select a real wood product that is subject to damaging weather conditions, insects and rot,” notes Clement.

The recyclable synthetic roofing tiles are environmentally-friendly and can be requested in EcoBlend colors that actually help make the home more energy efficient. The award-winning EcoBlend products have been rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) to reflect sunlight and heat away from the home.

Focus on Customer Satisfaction Earns CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE CENTURY 21® System’s National Quality Service Award

Lancaster, Pa (Grassroots Newswire) March 16, 2011 — Century 21 Real Estate LLC, franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization, has announced that CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE is a recipient of the 2010 CENTURY 21 Quality Service Office award for its commitment to providing quality customer service to its clients.

“Receiving this award is a great honor and a testament to the focus and attention we commit to our clients in ensuring that they understand each and every step of the home buying and selling process,” stated John Fox, owner of CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE.  “This award is the collective result of the efforts of each and every member of the CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE staff.”

Based on customer feedback received from the CENTURY 21 System’s Quality Service Survey (QSS), the award recognizes those CENTURY 21 System offices nationwide that earn a minimum customer satisfaction index of 85 percent or better on real estate transactions they closed from January 1, 2010 – October 31, 2010.   The Internet-based survey is e-mailed to consumers immediately after the purchase or sale of a home through a CENTURY 21 System office.

“A commitment to quality customer service is crucial in today’s competitive real estate market,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate LLC.

“CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE has demonstrated the dedication to the consumer is the hallmark of the CENTURY 21® System’s franchise offices.”

The systems now available have allowed each agent to not only provide more information, but to provide that information in a timely manner. Century 21 Unlimited Real Estate has focused on developing these systems and refining them to produce the best experience possible for both our buyers and sellers. This award is testament to these efforts.

Located at Route 611 in Tannersville, CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE is a full service brokerage firm specializing in Residential property listings.

About Century 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE

CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE provides outstanding real estate services to the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania, including the mountain villages.  Our award winning offices in both Tannersville and Mountainhome are staffed with licensed Realtors.

© 2011 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® Is A Registered Trademark Licensed To Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Ongoing Commitment to Service Earns CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE Sales Associate Quality Service Pinnacle Award

THAD GILMORE Recognized for Ongoing Commitment to Customer Satisfaction
Tannersville, Pa (Grassroots Newswire) March 15, 2011 — John Fox, owner of CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE announced today that Century 21 Real Estate LLC, franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization recently recognized sales associate  THAD GILMORE with the  CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award  for 2010.

“The Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award is an integral part of the CENTURY 21 System’s commitment to excellence and recognizes Thad’s dedication to making each and every client interaction a positive one,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC.

The annual award is based on results from the CENTURY 21 Quality Service Survey (QSS) which is e-mailed to consumers immediately after the purchase or sale of a home through a CENTURY 21 System office.  To earn the CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award, an agent must receive completed customer surveys for at least 30 percent of their transactions from January 1, 2010 – October 31, 2010, with an average survey score of at least 95 percent or better for 2 consecutive years.

“Thad provides His clients with knowledge and advice related to their real estate transaction and offers them peace of mind and confidence during what may be the most significant purchase of a lifetime,” said John Fox, owner of CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE.

Gilmore will receive a customized glass trophy, in addition to being recognized at the CENTURY 21 International Convention.

Thad was a million dollar producer in 2010.

CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE is a full service brokerage firm headquartered in Tannersville, Pa specializing in Residential property listings.

About Century 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE

CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE provides outstanding real estate services to the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania, including the mountain villages.  Our award winning offices in both Tannersville and Mountainhome are staffed with licensed Realtors.

© 2011 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® Is A Registered Trademark Licensed To Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Greater Pocono Home Show Brings in Spring

[Stroudsburg, PA – March 3, 2011] – Analysts have recently shown that home improvement spending will climb at a double-digit pace through the first half of 2011, which can be directly attributed to the fact that American homeowners are more active, financially savvy, and cost-conscious than ever. As a result, the Pocono Builder’s Association’s annual Home Show is anticipated to be the biggest in over 10 years, thanks to the surge of homeowners seeking out energy efficiency, landscaping and home remodeling. Builders, plumbers, electricians, design professionals and kitchen and bathroom specialists will all be exhibiting the newest products and services.

“The event, designed for homeowners in all stages of home decorating, remodeling and landscaping, includes hundreds of exhibits with merchandise, product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior options,” said Akantha Susko of True North Advertising & Marketing. “With a combination of new products and expert advice from the pros, this annual Home Show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on how to enhance their home’s comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value.”

The Pocono Home Show is the Pocono’s only building and home renovation expo, having been staged annually for over a decade. No other event attracts the same number of quality visitors and exhibitors interested in businesses that serve the Poconos and surrounding areas. This year’s Title Sponsors include Bathfitters, the Real Estate Book of the Poconos, and F/J Hess & Sons Plumbing, Heating and A/C.

The show will be held at the Koehler Field House at East Stroudsburg University March 12th – 13th, 2011. Admission is free, and children’s activities, including the Home Depot Kids Workshop, are available.

Hours for this year’s event are as follows:

March 12th, Saturday -10am to 7pm

March 13th, Sunday – 11am to 5pm

The show is held in by the Pocono Builders Association, which is dedicated to the collective creation of value for its members. For more information, visit wwww.PoconoHomeShow.com or call the Pocono Builders Association at 570-421-9009.

About True North Advertising & Marketing

True North Advertising & Marketing produces and manages many successful marketing projects in the area such as the Greater Pocono Home Show at ESU, True North Maps’ Carbon County Map, Monroe County Map (coming 2011) and Senior Style Magazine. They are also closely affiliated with the Real Estate Book of the Poconos, the Pocono Where To Book and Golfing Guide.

About the Pocono Builders Association

Pocono Builders Association is dedicated to the collective creation of value for its members. The Pocono BA is the unified voice of the Pocono Mountain’s building industry. The organization promotes economic development while respecting the environment and community. To find out more about the PBA visit www.PoconoBuilders.org. For more information on exhibiting or attending the Pocono Home Show email info@PoconoHomeShow.com.

Maurer Team Takes Top Award at Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates

Bushkill – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates announced Friday that the Carl Maurer Team was number one in the company in sales for 2010.  The announcement was made by Dominick J. Sacci, President, in an interview at the Corporate office.

The Carl Maurer Team consists of Carl Maurer, Assoc Broker, Dennis Farrelly, Realtor, James Martin, newest member of the team and Donna Sorrentino, Maurer’s licensed Administrative Assistant.  Collectively, they handle over 15 banks, various lenders and REO companies including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in listing and selling foreclosed properties.

Said Carl Maurer, “While the market is still a bit depressed, we were pleased with our overall numbers for the year.”  Maurer has been with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates since 1998 when he joined the company as a Realtor.  Maurer comes from New Jersey where he’d been in the bank and REO business for 20 years.

The Carl Maurer Team closed or sold over $14.7 million in real estate for 2010. Their closed sales figures do not include rentals which also are handled by The Carl Maurer Team through James Martin.

The Carl Maurer Team has been located at the Bushkill office for the past 5 years and just recently expanded to add Martin as a Buyer’s Broker.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates services the entire Pocono Mountains, North Pocono/Moscow area, historic Milford and all towns in between. Better Homes and Gardens Realtors handle listing, rentals and sales of primary, vacation and starter homes, as well as estate and farm properties. Buyer services include first and second home buyers, relocation buyers and transferees. Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates on line at www.wilkins1.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates Announces Top 5 Realtors That Produced Most Business For the Independent Family of Home Buying Services

Stroudsburg – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates announced the top 5 Realtors® that produced the most business for the Independent Family of Home Buying Services, a program unique to the Wilkins organization.

The top five Realtors® were James Martin, Todd Hallman, Mike Meilinger and Sylwia Sacci of the Stroudsburg office and Barbara Nannery of the Bushkill office.

The five were announced by Dominick J. Sacci, President.  The criteria for being named as a top producer of the Independent Family of Home Buying Services focused on those agents that most successfully used the Family members which include Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Pennsylvania First Settlement Services, “Get-Connected” and Small & Son Insurance.

“These top agents understand the benefit to the buyer and the speed by which we can close a transaction when the agent makes sure that the buyer utilizes all of the Family services. It makes for a very smooth transaction.” stated Sacci.  “We’re expecting the Independent Family to be even stronger in 2011 than it was in 2010 because of its success in 2010.”

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates operate 2 offices and cover the entire Northeast Pennsylvania region.  All offices are open 7 days per week.  For more information visit them at www.wilkins1.com.

Better Homes and Gardens Wilkins & Associates Welcomes Lorena Morton

Stroudsburg –Lorena C. Morton has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Wilkins & Associates and will be working out of their Stroudsburg office, announces the company’s President, Dominick J. Sacci.
Lorena graduated from the Pocono Real Estate Academy in May of 2010. She is also a National Certified Medical Assistant and has prior work experience as a Medical Assistant/Supervisor in Phlebotomy.
Originally from Panama City, Panama, Morton has lived in Mount Pocono for the last 7 years. Lorena is a proud member of the Virtous Women Ministry Hospitality Outreach Committee. She was recruited by the company’s Associate Broker/Sales Manager/Recruiter, Dennis Mooney.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates is one of the largest realtors servicing all Northeast PA. In addition to real estate sales and rentals, they own and operate a management company, title company, vacation rental department and a full time relocation department. Visit them on line at www.wilkins1.com

The Poconos- One of THE TOP 10 PLACES TO BUY A HOME IN 2011

Last decade’s bipolar housing market is over. The ups, the downs, the thrills, the spills — largely behind us. Yes, prices and sales are stuck in neutral in large swaths of the country.

But let’s ring in the new decade optimistically, with Walletpop’s Top 10 List of the Best Places to Buy a Home in 2011. This mostly unscientific and partially biased list is based on a grab-bag of lifestyle priorities and, yes, thorough reporting.

Here we go, in no particular order:

Austin, Texas: Best all-around city
Population: 799,267
Median home price: $122,921

Why here: Texas’ capital and a great college town, Austin is beautiful and the 12th-most-affordable American metro area. Job growth from 2000 to 2010 was 14.1 percent, according to Trulia; unemployment currently is 7.1 percent, compared with 9.8 percent nationwide. The city’s population is growing too. These positive indicators are expected to continue in the coming decade. Fortune 500 companies abound here; it’s home to more than 2,000 tech companies. Home prices are reasonable for the $73,747 median family income and let’s face it, nobody does BBQ better than Texas.

Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Most affordable town with a view
Population: 74,584
Median home price: $89,400

Why here: There may be cities with lower median prices (not many), but I’m guessing you need a down coat to live there. This burg comes complete with year-round warm weather and beachfront properties that not too long ago cost a bundle ($400,000+). It’s close to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, where residents can go for professional sports and cultural events.

Broomfield County, Colo.: Best jobs
Population: 55,000
Median home price: $239,000

Why here: Jobs! It also doesn’t hurt that the county is tucked between Denver and Boulder, so the scenery is nice too. Job growth in this area exploded 50% during the last decade. High-tech giants Oracle, Ball Corporation and VMware employ lots of folks, and IBM and Avaya are nearby. If you’re college-educated, you’re in good company: About 38% of the county’s residents hold a bachelor’s or higher degree, according to the Broomfield Economic Development Corporation. If you ski and hike, we’re talkin’ bliss!

Durham, N.C.: Best city to retire in
Population: 223,284
Median home price: $174,900

Why here: Since we’re talking about retiring, first on the list of pluses is Duke University’s renowned medical center. Also, Duke’s popular senior learning program offers 100 courses every term, on campus. So if golf’s not your game, but mathematics is, there you go. If, however, golf is your game — you’ve got that too. Plus Broadway hit shows, concerts and lots of places to hike. Home prices are a steal for what you get.

Woodbury, Minn.: Best place to raise kids
Population: 58,515
Median home price: $245,000

Why here: There are so many great places to raise kids, but this suburb 10 miles from St. Paul has a lot going for it. Yes, winters are cold (not a small thing), but it’s Minnesota — we’re talking thousands of lakes. Woodbury has 100 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and is a stone’s throw from thousands of acres of parkland. The schools are great, including the Math & Science charter school. 3M employs multitudes, as does state government. What’s not to like? OK, the winters. Deal with it.

Warner Robins, Ga.: Best military town for the buck
Population: 53,629
Median home price: $124,900

Why here: Located midway between Atlanta and Savannah, Warner Robins’ housing affordability is the big draw. The median price of a home is $110,000, while the median family income is about $63,000. That leaves some extra dough to hit the local aviation museum, motor speedway and golf club. The city’s main employer is the military (home of Robins Air Force Base), bringing engineers and employees from around the globe, so the population is eclectic. The city fared well during the recession.

Madison, Wis.: Best college town
Population: 562,000
Median home price: $199,900

Why here: A gem of a city located between two lakes, Madison is where it’s happening in the Midwest. Home of the state’s capital, it’s got a top-rated, Big 10 university (with all the sports and cultural events that come with it); affordable housing; tons of eateries and shopping; smart people; friendly atmosphere. You don’t have to be a student or the parent of one to buy a home here. A never-ending supply of renters keeps your investment solid. You may end up living here yourself.

Pocono Mountains, Pa.: Best vacation-home location for the price
Population: 340,000 for the whole region
Median home price: $78,000 for Pocono Lake; prices vary throughout the region

Why here: Year-round playground, with skiing in winter, equestrian activities in spring, summertime sailing and hiking in autumn. You can get a two-bedroom home with 1,256 square feet for $99,999 in Mount Pocono; a three-bedroom cottage in 1,255 square feet is listed for $139,000 in Pocono Pines, according to HomeAwayRealEstate.com.

Portland, Ore.: Best city for Gen-Y
Population: 551,302
Median monthly rent: $1,200

Why here: It’s green (literally and figuratively) and it’s gorgeous. Rents are a bit higher, but some big companies pay well, such as Intel, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Legacy Health System, Fred Meyer Stores. The attitude is way-laid back and there are tons of venues for merry-making: music clubs, coffee shops and art galleries. When it’s not raining, you can bike through the city, hike Mt. Hood and hit the zillions of hiking trails nearby.

San Francisco: Best city, period, price be damned
Population: 815,358
Median home price: $682,800

Why here: If you have to ask … The Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, the Bay, the hills, the views, the museums, street cars, cable cars, clubs, nightlife, architecture, coffee houses, bookstores for bibliophiles (City Lights, anyone?), hiking and biking everywhere, Tony Bennett (OK, just in your head), famous hotels and restaurants. Yes, it’s foggy in summer, but who cares?

Sources, median home prices: trulia.com and zillow.com

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