Without the benefit of a crystal ball, I'm going to make a prediction and recommendation.  Due to the sudden and ever increasing demand on building materials and petroleum based products (as a result of Hurriane Katrina), I recommend locking in a price on a new construction home as soon as possible.  This doesn't mean I am necessarily recommending building a new home, but if you are seriously considering a new construction home, you should definitely consider making a committment (at a guaranteed price) as soon as possible.   

We are already hearing about rising costs in the Wenatchee real estate market area and, as recovery efforts get into full swing through the hurricane ravaged area, the cost of new construction everywhere is sure to go up, up, up.    As prices for new construction rise, resale homes (prevously lived in) could become a more attractive value.  As prices increase on new construction, existing homes will likely increase as well although, most likely, at a somewhat slower pace. 

Whether you're interested in researching available inventory on existing homes, or the possibility of having a new home built, call me for up-to-date information.    In the meantime, if you'd like to do some of your own research, please visit my primary real estate website. 

I have just read that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has removed all their foreclosure properties from the market in Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky and Tennessee.  This is being done to help fill the critical need for housing for those who have been displaced from Hurricane Katrina.   What a great idea!  Two thumbs up for HUD. 

Here is a post I had permission to "borrow" from my fellow Real Estate Blog Squad friend, Frances Flynn Thorsen.  If there are others out there who can offer help or have ideas, please speak up.  Thank you so much!  Carol
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"Real Estate Agents Have No Homes;
Need Licensing, Shelter, New Market Areas

Click onimage to enlargeThe new Real Estate Blog Squad website has been launched, and the Blog Squad is on patrol for news.   The original intent of this group was for bloggers from around the country to gather in an historical effort to share news, views, and and clues surrounding the annual convention and exposition of the National Association of Realtors, which will be held in San Francisco in late October. 

Please send us your ideas for what you'd like to see covered on this blog.  We have "reporters" from across the country and I will be reporting in late October from the Solihull area of the beautiful England countryside.

Naturally, much of the focus of The Real Estate Blog Squad blog at this particular time is on the Gulf Disaster but, eventually, we will get back to the business of real estate across the country and, specifically, the issues surrounding the upcoming convention, those who attend, and those who are served by real estate professionals. 

In the meantime, let's count our blessings and do what we can for those in need!

Have a wonderful day!
Carol
(Badge #7)

 

If you want to help with disaster relief, here are some links to websites where you can gather more information and/or make contributions to the relief effort. 

The National Association of Realtors has set up a disaster relief fund.  The nice thing about this fund is that the Association is absorbing all administrative costs, so you know ALL of your donation will go to help those in need... no administration fees deducted!

Here are some other charitable organizations to consider. 

For those who wish to help with the Katrina relief effort,
here is a link to some charitable donation sites.