Since peaking at 10.1 percent in March 2010, the percentage of borrowers behind on their house payments has fallen to a seasonally adjusted 7.6 percent at the end of 2011 -- about halfway to the pre-recession average of roughly 5 percent, said MBA Chief Economist Jay Brinkmann.

The percentage of loans entering the foreclosure process -- which before the downturn averaged just under 0.5 percent -- has also declined, from a peak of 1.4 percent at the end of third-quarter 2009 to 1 percent at the end of fourth-quarter 2011.

But at 4.4 percent, the percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of 2011 was not far off the all-time high of 4.6 percent seen at the end of 2010. That compares to the long-term norm of roughly 1.2 percent.

Robo-signing issues -- which lenders hope to put behind them this year as they implement recently announced settlement with state attorneys general -- have created foreclosure backlogs.

While foreclosure starts are falling, it's taking loan servicers longer to auction off or repossess homes once they enter the foreclosure process, particularly in states where courts oversee the process.

In "judicial foreclosure" states where courts handle most foreclosures, 6.8 percent of mortgages were in foreclosure at the end of 2011. In "nonjudicial" foreclosure states where most foreclosures are processed outside of the court system, loan servicers are clearing the backlog more quickly, and 2.8 percent of mortgages were in foreclosure.

The MBA survey covers 42.9 million loans on one- to four-unit residential properties, or about 88 percent of all first-lien mortgages. Extrapolating the surveys results suggests that of the 48.75 million mortgages outstanding at the end of 2011, 2.13 million were in the foreclosure process.

Five states accounted for more than half of all loans in foreclosure -- Florida, California, Illinois, New York and New Jersey. All but California are judicial foreclosure states.

Percentage of loans in foreclosure by state

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association.

The 10 states with the greatest percentage of mortgages in foreclosure were: Florida (14.27 percent), New Jersey (8.21 percent), Illinois (7.41 percent), Nevada (7.03 percent), Maine (5.92 percent), New York (5.88 percent), Connecticut (5.05 percent), Hawaii (4.97 percent), Ohio (4.94 percent), and Indiana (4.94 percent). All but Nevada are judicial foreclosure states.

The states with the lowest foreclosure rates were: Wyoming (1.03 percent), North Dakota (1.05 percent), Alaska (1.06 percent), Nebraska (1.55 percent), South Dakota (1.75 percent), Montana (1.76 percent), Texas (1.78 percent), Virginia (1.84 percent), Alabama (1.94 percent), and Arkansas (1.97 percent). Among those states, only North Dakota handles foreclosures judicially.

Source: Inman.com, February 22, 2012

The index showed that 75.9 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the fourth quarter were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,200, according to the index. That marks the highest percentage recorded in the index’s 20-year history.

"While today's report indicates that home ownership is within reach of more households than it has been for more than two decades, overly restrictive lending conditions confronting home buyers and builders remain significant obstacles to many potential homes sales, even with interest rates at historically low levels," says Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

Most Affordable Cities

According to the index, the most affordable major housing market was Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio, in which 95 percent of all homes sold during the fourth quarter were affordable to households earning the median family income of $54,900, according to the index. 

Other top affordable housing markets include:  Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.; Modesto, Calif.; Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.; and Toledo, Ohio. 

Least Affordable Cities

However, some metro areas still remain too pricey for buyers. The least affordable major housing market during the fourth quarter was New York-White Plains-Wayne, N.Y.-N.J., in which 29 percent of all homes sold were affordable to those earning the area's media income of $67,400. 

Other high-priced metro areas at the bottom of the affordability index include: Honolulu; San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif.; Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif.; and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. 

Source: National Association of Home Builders

Many home owners have been surprised at banks’ recent willingness to approve short sales.

"Initially, the home owners are skeptical," says Elizabeth Weintraub, a real estate professional in Sacramento, Calif. "The bank may have already turned down their request for a modification. Then, one day, they call and say, 'Let us give you some cash.'"

For banks, the incentives have proven to be a smarter move than letting a property fall into foreclosure.

"The first choice is a modification, but if that's impossible then a short sale is a faster, more efficient solution," Tom Kelly, a spokesman for Chase Mortgage, said. 

With a foreclosure, home owners stop making their mortgage payments and usually property taxes as well. They also often put off maintenance issues, which can cause the home to lose value even more. Foreclosed homes sold, on average, for 22 percent less than homes not in foreclosure in December, according to National Association of REALTORS®’ data. For comparison, discounts for short sales were about 14 percent.

"I've seen a lot of foreclosures for sale where it would cost a lot more than $20,000 to get them into condition to sell again," says John Hayton, a short sale specialist in Orlando, Fla.

Source: “Banks Pay Delinquent Borrowers $35,000 to Sell Their Homes,” CNNMoney (Feb. 10, 2012)

When budgeting how much home you can afford, it’s important to understand and anticipate the costs of owning and maintaining a home. Here are a few things that some first-time buyers forget to include.

Private Mortgage Insurance

This is added on to your mortgage when the down payment is less than 20 percent. You can buy a home with less money but you’ll pay the PMI which covers the lender should a homebuyer default on the loan. As you build up equity, your PMI drops off.

Taxes

Property taxes generate revenue for municipalities, counties, and schools. It’s an expense that can vary across the U.S. However, on average, it’s 1.38 percent of the home’s value. Back East tends to have the highest property taxes.

HOA Fees

Homeowners’ Association fees (HOA) can add several hundred dollars to your monthly household expenses. These HOAs help to maintain common areas, typically within condominium complexes. They also govern what can be done to the unit and the surrounding area. While there is an up side to HOAs, some buyers prefer to have more freedom over their property, perhaps, until the neighbor paints his house turquoise with red accents.

Homeowner’s insurance

Lenders require homeowner’s insurance on your property. The amount you’ll pay depends on many variables including: where you live, the age, type, size of your home. For example, older homes can cost more to insure due to the fact that they may require more repairs than newer homes. Also, high-hazard areas can cost more to insure and some insurance companies may not offer an insurance policy for your home, if you’re in a high-risk area.

Utilities and appliances

These areas can be overlooked because, often, when people are renting the appliances are taken care of. When you own your own home, be sure to consider expenses such as the water heater or dishwasher breaking down. While, you can’t exactly figure out when an appliance is going to quit working, you can set a monthly allowance aside to start establishing a household repair fund. Just don’t touch the account or when you really need it, you’ll find it’s not there for you.

Inspections, appraisals, and closing costs

Many buyers understand they will have closing costs but they fail to budget for other items such as a home inspection. Sometimes inspections are paid for by the seller but it’s usually the buyer who pays for the inspection. And, even if the homeowner recently had a home inspection and has the report, a buyer still might want to pay for an inspector to have another look to compare the findings.

Depending on the home, there may also be other inspections such as for lead paint, pests or radon gas.

While the extra expenses do add up quickly, if you carefully budget and plan ahead, the goal of homeownership is achievable and very satisfying.

Source: Realty Times, February 10, 2012

Curb appeal is your home's first impression to buyers and neighbors alike. It can say a lot about how you respect your home and property.

Ask yourself these questions: How do you feel about a home with an overgrown lawn? Do you prefer flower beds that are empty and full of weeds or beds that are planted with new Spring flowers? The answers are easy! We all prefer yards that are well-kept. That includes buyers.  

When a buyer makes an offer on your home they are buying the idea of a lifestyle as much as the structure itself. This is why it is so important to start off on the right foot. You want buyers to think of your home as the perfect home with the perfect, charming yard.  

Here's are the top ten flower to include this year:  

1.  Knock-Out Roses. Traditional roses usually have a few week blooming period. And while those blooms can be fragrant and spectacular, it means limited time when the color is out. Instead opt for these high-powered performers.  

2.  Hostas. While a hosta isn't a "flower" per sae (though they do flower), it can be a perfect addition to beds that beg ground cover. They work great in shady areas and as an added bonus come back year after year.  

3.  Geraniums. These colorful flowers bloom all summer long (when you pick off dead blooms) and pack an added bonus. Their fragrant scent is a natural mosquito repellant. Geraniums come in a wide array of colors so let your creative side come out to play when choosing your hues this year.  

4.  Petunias. There are lots of colors to choose from and these growers look great in hanging baskets. Pick complimentary colors for your house. Red with green, orange with blue and so on. Keep them watered and they'll bloom well into Fall.  

5.  Violets. These low growing purple flowers are also perennials and can add a lovely border edge to any bed.  

6.  Impatiens. These little beauties are another shade-tolerant plant that looks great in beds around the base of trees as well as along borders.  

7.  Marigolds. These golden-hued bloomers are hardy. This means even those with a black thumb may have a hard time killing them! Just like their color implies, these flowers love full sun.  

8.  Vincas. These delicate little flowers can add just the touch of charm to sidewalk borders. They are low maintenance and will add color all season.  

9.  Grasses. Do you need to add some height to your flower beds? Pampas and other ornamental grasses can be real statement plants. They "bloom" in a variety of colors. Just keep them away from your house since dry grasses in the Fall can be a fire hazard.  

10.  Zinnias. Does your region get blistering hot summers? Do half of your plants die every year? This sun lover with bask in the heat and keep on blooming.  

Once the risk of freeze is passed in your town your local home improvement stores will start offering your favorite blooms and buds for sale. Remember the simple rule of thumb that annuals are here for the season and then gone, while perennials come back year after year. When the time for planting comes to your region, give some thought to the curb appeal of your home and how plants can help you make a statement.

Source: Realty Times, February 8, 2012

Some signs are already there: Housing inventories are declining, housing affordability is at record highs, mortgage rates are at all-time lows, and the job market is improving. 

Existing-home sales have been edging up in recent months, and for-sale housing inventories were at nearly 2.4 million units in December, reaching its lowest point since 2005, according to National Association of REALTORS® data. 

NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says home prices are beginning to stabilize in many markets. 

Also, NAR’s Housing Affordability Index is at its highest level since the 1970s, which indicates that for the average family housing is very affordable. 

The National Association of Home Builders is also predicting an improvement this spring among the new-home sector. NAHB is predicting that home sales will increase 18 percent this year, that’s after facing their lowest on record in 2011. 

However, threats to a housing recovery still loom this spring. Strict mortgage lending is keeping some buyers on the sidelines, and foreclosures continue to put downward pressure on overall home prices in many markets.

"The signals are a little hard to extrapolate, but ultimately by the end of this year we should see the housing market on more solid footing," says Celia Chen, senior housing economist with Moody’s Analytics. "So an improvement but off of very, very weak activity." 

Source: “Real Estate: A Buy or Bust This Spring Selling Season?” Investor’s Business Daily (Feb. 2, 2012)

Overall, the trend right now is replacement over remodeling–swapping out the old for the new rather than doing a total gut job, which can be much more costly.

This year’s Cost vs. Value report found that exterior replacement projects–such as new garage doors and a new entry door–offer some of the best returns at resale, allowing home owners to recoup close to 70 percent or more of the costs of the project at times of resale.

The following are the top, mid-range projects from this year’s report, based on what home owners stand to recoup at time of resale:

1. Replacing the entry door to steel

Estimated cost: $1,238

Cost recouped at resale: 73%

2. Attic bedroom (converting unfinished attic space into a bedroom with bathroom and shower)

Estimated cost: $50,148

Cost recouped at resale: 72.5%

3. Minor kitchen remodel (including new cabinets and drawers, countertops, hardware, and appliances)

Estimated cost: $19,588

Cost recouped at resale: 72.1%

4. Garage door replacement

Estimated cost: $1,512

Cost recouped at resale: 71.9%

5. Deck addition (wood)

Estimated cost: $10,350

Cost recouped at resale: 70.1%

6. Siding replacement (vinyl)

Estimated cost: $11,729

Cost recouped at resale: 69.5%

Source: Styled, Staged & Sold, January 25, 2012

As an official "Super Celebration Site," Zionsville's "ZBowl" will feature an exclusive series of special events and activities that will kick off on Thursday, February 2, and run through Sunday, February 5 - just before the big game! We look forward to seeing you in our unique town.

BUY TICKETS HERE for all the ZBowl festivities. 

Get a FREE RIDE: See the ZBowl charter bus schedule and details below:

BUS SCHEDULES
Thursday 2/2/12:
11:00am to 10:00 pm

Friday 2/3/12:
11:00am to 10:00 pm

Saturday 2/4/12:
11:00am to 10:00 pm

The boarding spot in Zionsville is the corner of Main Street and Cedar Street in front of the Prudential Building.  The boarding spot in Indianapolis is the Indiana Government Center Parking - along the north side of Washington Street between West Street and Capitol Avenue.  The Z'ride bus drop zone is the furthest west, between West Street and Missouri.  

You can text the word ZBOWL to 86132 for up to the minute info on the buses.

Riders are advised that the buses are first come first served. There is no reserved seating, in either direction.

Visit www.zbowl2012.com for more info and a schedule of events!!

Source: ZBowl 2012

But in some markets, you can snag homes for under $100,000.

The following cities have some of the cheapest housing based on December 2011 median list prices.

• Detroit, Mich.: $80,000
• South Bend, Ind.: $99,700
• Toledo, Ohio: $104,900
• Dayton-Springfield, Ohio: $105,900
• Fort Wayne, Ind.: $107,000
• Las Vegas: $120,000
• Springfield, Ill.: $122,700
• Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.: $128,000
• Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, Ohio: $129,900
• Akron, Oio: $129,000
• Ocala, Fla: $129,000

Source: Realtor Magazine, January 30, 2012

New-home sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 307,000 in December — less than half the 700,000 pace that economists consider healthy for the sector. 

In 2011, 302,000 new homes were sold nationwide, overtaking 2010’s 323,000 sales that had previously marked the worst year for sales on record. 

The new-home sector continues to struggle to compete against discounted distressed properties that are plaguing many markets and have put downward pressure on home prices. Builders also say tighter lending standards are preventing some home buyers for qualifying for financing, and appraisals of new-homes are coming in lower on the agreed upon purchase price, causing more deals to fall through. 

In December, the median sales price of a new-home was $210,300, according to the Commerce Department. 

Turnaround Coming?

Despite the latest numbers from December, new-home sales rose in the overall final quarter of 2011. Home construction for single-family homes increased in the final three months of 2011, and an index measuring homebuilder sentiment showed builders are more positive about where the market is heading too. 

"Although this [December] decline was unexpected, it does not change the story that housing has likely bottomed," Jennifer H. Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, told the Associated Press.

Source: “New Home Sales 2011: Worst Year on Record,” Associated Press (Jan. 26, 2012)

Like most housing markets, Indy's 13-county metro area housing market has been playing catch-up since 2006.

Fortunately, when the New England Patriots and the New York Giants roll into Lucas Oil Stadium for Superbowl XLVI on Feb. 6, Super Sunday will give the town something to celebrate.

The Super Bowl brings in a throng of football fans, creating an opportunity for the town and its housing market to get some much needed exposure.

Centrally located, in Indiana, Indianapolis is the county seat of Marion County, with a population of about 840,000. It is the most populous state capital east of the Mississippi and, as quite a sporting town, the perfect venue for the Super Bowl.

Attractions include an array of amateur and professional sporting teams and events, including the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500 and NASCAR events. Indy is also headquarters of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), USA Gymnastics, USA Diving, US Synchronized Swimming and USA Track & Field.

It's also home to several colleges serving up a heavy diet of sports, including Marian University, the University of Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and Butler University.

"Indianapolis has so much to offer its residents. The economy is strong and growing. The housing is affordable and the schools are wonderful. It is a safe, clean, friendly city. We have every professional sports team, wonderful museums and parks. It is a great place to raise a family," says Janet Jernigan, an Indianapolis-area real estate agent with Platinum Realty Group, reporting to RealtyTimes.com Market Conditions.

Unfortunately, the area's housing market has been dropping back to punt every year since 2006.

Traditional seasonal swings, with sales peaking mid year, then giving way to deep sales troughs by year's end, reveal an overall downward trend, year after year, as graphically charted in the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors' (MIBOR) December 2011 Monthly Indictors report.

Metro area closed sales for 2011, 21,723, were up only 1.2 percent from a year ago, when they were 21,463, but down 8.6 percent from 23,770 in 2009.

For the month of December in 2011, closed sales were at about 1,700, up from 1,500 a year ago, when the sales market appears to have hit rock bottom. However, the 1,700 sales in December weren't much better than sales as far back in December of 2005.

The median sales price in December 2011, $121,000, was flat, up only 0.8 percent compared to the $120,000 median a year earlier.

Joyce L. Moore an associate broker with J. L. Moore Realty in Indianapolis, reporting to RealtyTimes.com Market Conditions says there are signs of improvement in the area's housing market, but they are limited.

"Reports of the housing market rebounding are still somewhat premature. We still have a long way to go before we see real progress, but there is progress. Part of the problem is that mortgages are very hard to obtain," Moore reported.

Indianapolis remains a buyers market with homes selling for only 87.3 percent of the list price in December 2011, down from 89.3 percent a year earlier, according to MIBOR.

"Buyers are in control and can afford to be very picky, however, neither the mortgage holders nor sellers are willing to 'give away' their properties. The average time for homes to be on the market is reported to be between nine to 12 months. Sellers need take this reality to heart when listing their homes and they need to make sure all of the cosmetics are taken care of before putting their home on the market, or be willing to suffer the consequences," Moore added.

Painting a rosier picture, shorter term statistics seem to belie the longer, seasonal rise-and-fall trend. From the third to fourth quarter last year, closed sales rose 11.7 percent, the median sales price was still flat rising only 0.7 percent, but inventories shrunk 8.9 percent during the quarter-to-quarter period.

"While closed sales for the year were up just 1.2 percent, the six-month review shows an 18.3 percent increase over the same period last year. As a result, inventory levels in many locales have been driven down. For the month of December, the months supply of inventory ranks in at 7.7, by far, the lowest number in over a year," MIBOR reported.

If the short term numbers continue, it could bode well for sales and prices in the coming year, especially if interest rates remain low long enough.

"Ultimately, the upcoming spring market should be a major tell about the future direction of housing. Sellers are seeing multiple-offer situations; buyers are seeing sub-4 percent loans; supply-demand trends are more balanced. That's a stable foundation and a far cry from 2009," according to the MIBOR December report.

Robert Sharpe, the Indianapolis Real Estate Examiner for Examiner.com says market conditions bearing down on the area's housing market indicate recovery will be tough.

Central Indiana has an unemployment rate hovering about 9 percent with employment growing slowly since 2009, gas price hikes weigh heavily on consumer confidence and after two years of low interest rates, they could rise.

"Unemployed people don't usually buy houses...it's easy to understand why there are so few buyers in the market," writes Sharpe.

Source: Realty Times, January 26, 2012

Although supply ended 2011 at a four-year low, it remains to be seen whether it is a sign of a recovery — especially when considering there is a backlog of foreclosed homes that has yet to hit the market and some sellers are delaying sales until prices rise again. 

In the 145 markets tracked by REALTOR.com, only Springfield, Ill., registered a year-over-year increase.  Inventories plunged 49.7 percent in Miami, 49.1 percent in Phoenix, and 46.6 percent in Bakersfield, Calif. 

Meanwhile, the national median price edged up 5 percent year-over-year; and asking prices climbed 32.5 in Miami, 21.7 percent in Naples, 21.5 percent in Fort Myers-Cape Coral, and 19.4 percent in Punta Gorda.  However, asking prices were down 11 percent in Detroit, 10 percent in Chicago, 7.6 percent in Las Vegas, and 7 percent in Sacramento.

Source: "Housing Inventory Ends Year Down 22 Percent," Wall Street Journal (01/19/12)

Two for One: Indianapolis Home Show
and
Home & Flower Show Combine

 Visit two shows, offering the best of home and garden products and ideas, at one price!

JANUARY 20 - 29, 2012

We are pleased to announce that in 2012, the Indianapolis Home Show will combine with its companion show, the Indianapolis Home & Flower Show, for attendees to visit two great shows at one price.

Celebrating its 90^th anniversary, the 10-day Indianapolis Home Show is the nation’s oldest and the Midwest’s largest home-focused extravaganza at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Since the Home Show was founded in 1922, it has become a tradition within the community, offering generation after generation the best in home products, decorating, construction and remodeling ideas. It is the largest consumer home event in Indiana, attracting crowds of homeowners primarily interested in home improvements and renovations.

And now the show is bigger and better than ever, offering those attendees primarily interested in gardens and outdoor living their own feature areas. An additional building in the South Pavilion will offer 25,000 square feet devoted to landscaping and gardening, with more than 20 lavish, landscaped feature gardens. From lovely lilies and ravishing roses to dazzling dahlias and jazzy jasmines, the gardens will offer a grandeur of greenery.

Purchase tickets here and save $2.  Check here for times and location.

Source:  Indianapolis Home Show

Source: WTHR.com

It’s bold, bright–and orange. Tangerine Tango is this year’s color of the year, according to the Pantone Color Institute. The reddish orange color takes the place as this year’s hot hue replacing last year’s reddish pink Honeysuckle.

Need an extra energy boost or an attention-getter in a room? Then Tangerine Tango is your pick, according to Pantone.

Yet, “sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a statement. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Orange has grown in popularity the last few years in fashion. But before you start swapping out orange for everything in home interiors so you can be on trend, recall some of of our previous posts at Styled Staged & Sold: “Orange You Glad You Removed the Carpet?” or “Is That House Orange?! Eyesores Reach New Levels.” This year’s color of the year is best done in moderation when it comes to home interiors.

For example, patterned home accessories featuring the color can add an extra pop to pillows, bedspreads, or tabletop accessories. Or, some home owners are even choosing the orange color for kitchen appliances for an extra colorful touch. Or, Pantone suggests, maybe even a painted accent wall in Tangerine Tango can create “a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway, or hallway.”

Source: Styled, Staged & Sold, January 16, 2012

Like the fashion industry, gardening is making terrariums the IT thing to do this winter.  These mini landscapes are a great addition to desktops or coffee tables and add a little green to our Indiana winters. Make it personal by placing a memory in your terrarium.

Click here for a step by step Plant a Terrarium.  Happy Planting!

Source: Altums

Source: IBJ, January 11, 2012

For the fifth consecutive week, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have averaged below 4 percent, which was unheard of until a few months ago. 

"Fixed mortgage rates started the year a little lower this week just as recent data reports indicate the housing market and manufacturing industry are showing signs of improvement,” Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said in a statement. Pending home sales for existing-homes soared 7.3 percent in November — its strongest pace since April 2010, the National Association of REALTORS® recently reported. Construction spending also increased in November by 1.2 percent — all serving as positive signs that housing is on the rebound.

Here’s a closer look at rates for the week ending Jan. 5: 

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.91 percent, with an average 0.8 point, matching its previous record low that it set a few weeks ago. Last week, 30-year rates averaged 3.95 percent and a year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.77 percent. 
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.23 percent, with an average 0.8 point, dropping from last week’s 3.24 percent average. Last year at this time, 15-year mortgages averaged 4.13 percent. 
• 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.86 percent, with an average 0.7 point, dropping from last week’s 2.88 percent average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.75 percent. 
• 1-year ARMs: averaged 2.80 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, inching up slightly from last week’s 2.78 percent average. A year ago, 1-year ARMs averaged 3.24 percent. 

Source: Freddie Mac

With just a few tips, tricks, and a little planning you can show buyers the true potential of your home. If you live in an area that stays green (hello, Hawaii), then count your lucky stars! The rest of the nation isn’t so lucky. Don’t worry, though. These tried and true tips can help you close a sale as well!

First, plant frost hardy plants. Many plants keep their color and leaves during the winter and can add a splash of color to your otherwise brown yard. One frost tolerant plant to consider are pansies. Pansies look great as a border in beds or in a pot. For future planning be sure to plant plenty of evergreen shrubs and trees, such as cedar, pine, boxwoods, and holly.

Next, be sure that your yard is nice and tidy. Brave the cold and be sure that trees are trimmed, beds are weeded and mulched, and summer furniture and toys stores away.

Be proactive about showcasing all that your outdoor spaces have to offer. Many sellers forget that yards are a big selling point even in the winter.

For this reason be sure to do lots of outdoor staging. Set up a simple chiminea and wooden benches on your patio. If you have a covered porch, set up a table with tablecloth and outdoor dishes (if weather permits). Toss throws on chairs along with a book and a cup of hot tea.

Add seasonal decor -- just a touch -- for a sense of whimsy and seasonal charm. Wreathes, welcome rugs, and seasonal plants such as poinsettias are perfect accents for your front step.

Finally, make the indoors an oasis. Buyers are stepping out of the cold and into what should be a warm and welcoming home. Be sure your home is warm for showings. Consider having the fireplace burning, candles scenting the air, and warm throws and rugs that look inviting.

You can also create this indoor oasis by filling your home with beautiful, oxygen rich houseplants. Everyone misses green during the dead of winter. Include one or two plants in each main room to add a punch of life. Many houseplants bloom during the winter as well. Consider investing in a few peace lilies or Christmas cactus to add some color.

The bottom line is your home has lots of potential even in the Winter. Your yard is a selling point whether it is color, warm, rain, or shine. Take a little extra time to help buyers see what your yard and home can offer.

Source: Realty Times, January 5, 2012

On the other hand, others are more optimistic: 15 percent of real estate professionals and 15 percent of home owners expect home values to increase in the next six months. Where are real estate pros and home owners the most optimistic about home prices rising? 

The following are the 10 states where real estate agents say they think home prices will rise in the next six months, according to the survey: 

• Michigan
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Florida
• Texas
• Wisconsin
• California
• Maryland
• Washington
• Ohio

The following are the states where home owners say prices will likely go up in the next six months, according to the survey: 

• Colorado
• Massachusetts 
• Virginia
• Arizona
• Michigan
• New York
• Tennessee
• New Jersey
• Texas
• Florida

Source: HomeGain