California home sales highest in over three years - The Move Channel

California home sales highest in over three years - The Move Channel

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Source: Ivan Radford

California's housing market continued to improve in May, with home prices posting solid gains for the third straight month and home sales well above last year's pace, according to the California Association of Realtors.

"California home sales were strong in May, continuing the gradual recovery of the California housing market," said C.A.R. President LeFrancis Arnold.  "First-time buyers are recognizing that the housing market has hit bottom and are now seeing a sense of urgency to take advantage of ultra-low interest rates and advantageous home prices.  Additionally, trade-up buyers are returning to the market after sitting it out for the past few years to get in on favorable home prices."

May sales surged 21.5 percent from May 2011's revised 470,910 pace, marking the highest year-over-year sales increase since May 2009.   The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2012 if sales maintained the May pace throughout the year and is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

The May 2012 sales pace was the highest since February 2009, when 598,770 homes were sold at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate.

Home prices appear to be stabilizing, with the median home price posting both month-over-month and year-over-year gains for the third consecutive month. The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home was $312,110 in May, the highest since September 2010.

May's price was up 1 percent from a revised $309,050 in April and 6.6 percent from a revised $292,850 recorded in May 2011. The May 2012 figure was 27.3 percent higher than the cyclical bottom of $245,230 reached in February 2009.  The median price has posted above the $300,000 level for the second straight month after remaining below that mark for 15 months. 

The increase in the median price can be attributed to the strong sales increase in the higher-priced coastal regions, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, where job growth is strong and the economy is growing faster than other areas of the state. 

California's housing inventory sank lower in May, with the Unsold Inventory Index for existing, single-family detached homes dropping to 3.5 months in May, down from 4.2 months in April.  May's housing inventory was down from a revised 5.7 months in May 2011.  The index indicates the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.  A 7-month supply is considered normal.

"Low housing inventory continues to be the critical issue in the California market," said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. "Inventory levels have not been this low since December 2005, when the supply matched the current level. The Bay Area has the greatest shortage of homes for sale, with inventory levels in the two- to three-month range for Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties."

Source: www.themovechannel.com

Great Estate Roadshow Tour to Stop in Mason, Ohio and Florence, Kentucky - YAHOO!

Great Estate Roadshow, the nation’s premier buyer of antique goods, collectibles and precious metals, announces it is coming to Mason, Ohio and Florence, Kentucky on June 19 through June 23, 2012. A member of the Better Business Bureau, Great Estate Roadshow offers free evaluations with no pressure to sell.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) June 18, 2012

Antique collectors and treasure hunters alike are thrilled with the recent announcement that the Great Estate Roadshow has added visits to Mason, Ohio and Florence, Kentucky on June 19 through June 23, 2012. The Great Estate Roadshow is one of the nation’s premier buyer of antique goods, collectibles and precious metals and visits up to 50 cities per month and over 500 cities per year in nearly every state in the U.S.

As a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Great Estate Roadshow is dedicated to upholding the high standards of the BBB Code of Business Practices. The process of acquiring accreditation by the BBB requires the commitment by the organization to build trust within the market by maintaining a positive track record. Transparencies, honesty, respecting the privacy of the consumer, and committing to be responsive to consumers inquiries are also requirements.

The Great Estate Roadshow is proud to have assembled a team of the most experienced and knowledgeable coin, diamond, gold, and silver professionals in the business together into this "dream team" who can accurately evaluate everyone's treasures, and even offer to buy them on the spot. “Great Estate Roadshow’s buyers are committed to a high standard of conducting transactions with integrity,” said Howard Klotzkin, a partner in the Great Estate Roadshow.

Sellers are encouraged to do their research on their collectibles by getting evaluations from other reputable companies or by researching on the internet prior to coming for a Great Estate Roadshow evaluation. “Evaluations are always free and there is never pressure to sell. We encourage everyone to bring their treasures in for a quote," Klotzkin noted.

“There is nothing more exciting than a customer realizing the true value of discarded jewelry or a dusty autographed baseball card. The crowd really gets into the fun of the discovery," said Great Estate Roadshow Gem Specialist Scott Pollak.

"The process for obtaining a free, no-obligation evaluation from the Great Estate Roadshow is simple and straight forward. Potential sellers should bring their antiques, collectibles, coins and jewelry to the nearest Great Estate Roadshow," said Pollak.

Call 888.537.8283 or visit http://www.greatestateroadshow.com.

Barbara Basham
Great Estate Roadshow
609-479-3528
Email Information

Source: news.yahoo.com

Antique Trends Revealed to Thousands at the 17th Annual Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show - Yahoo Finance

LAS VEGAS, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Antique Shows, a major producer of antique shows in North America, announced today an increase of five percent in attendance at this year's 17th Annual Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, which took place on May 31- June 3, 2012, at The Paris Hotel. The Show attracted nearly 400 exhibitors from over 19 different countries and attendees included "trade only" collectors from the United States and from around the world.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120516/NY08436LOGO )

"Every year we are overwhelmed by the success of this show that exposes rare and unique antique jewelry and watch collections from all over the world," said Andrea Canady, Fair Director. "It's apparent by the attendance numbers that this show continues to shine and be a frontrunner in showcasing the latest trends affecting the antique, estate and vintage jewelry community."

Exhibiting items throughout the showroom floor unveiled the latest trends including fancy colored diamonds, vintage watches to a high-demand in signed estate jewelry. Also featured this year were items ranging from antique watches, diamonds, and necklaces from various time periods including the Renaissance to the modern day. Most sought-after pieces, according to exhibitors, also included oversized vintage platinum rings, coral jewelry and reptile inspired pieces, such as gold snake necklaces and pendants.

"This year we saw an increase in not just vintage platinum engagement rings, but rings of all kinds, especially cocktail sized rings," said Kurt Rothner, owner of Excalibur Jewelry. "We sold all across the board including Cartier and were very pleased with the show. We even came out with several new customers, which is always a highlight."

Dealers witnessed increased sales and performed well throughout the Show. The Show also announced a five percent increase in attendance over last year's show. Exhibitors also experienced an increase in US and Asian buyers at the Show.

"We felt that US retailers were back at the buying table and sold a number of pieces in America," said Jorge Chamizo, owner of McTeigue. "We also saw an increase in the number of Asians at the show, which is always nice to see their interest in traveling to buy to the U.S. This was definitely one of the most successful shows we have ever done."

"This year we made connections we believe will have an everlasting effect on our business," said Jeff Cohen, N. Green & Sons. "This show continues to deliver an exemplary platform for our company to gain exposure to the trade market."

The next show on the calendar for US Antique Shows is the New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show. This show is scheduled for July 20 –23, 2012 at The Metropolitan Pavilion. Next year, the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show will be held May 30 – June 2 at The Paris Hotel. For more information, visit www.VegasAntiqueJewelry.com.

About the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show 
The Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show is produced by GLM®. GLM is a leading producer and marketer of consumer product tradeshows in North America, serving industries as diverse as giftware, home furnishings, social stationery, home textiles, tabletop, gourmet housewares, contemporary furniture, personal care, antiques, jewelry, art, surf, skate, water sports, swim and resorts. GLM also manages business expositions and conferences on behalf of others, within the hospitality industry. Additional information about GLM is available online at www.glmshows.com. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VegasAntiqueJewelry. For additional information, visit www.USAntiqueShows.com.

Source: finance.yahoo.com