Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.
When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.
Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.
This is also a great time to buy fresh batteries for your home Smoke Alarms.
Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.
Review with your children the principle of "Stop-Drop-Roll", should their clothes catch on fire.
Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
Consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives (or safe non-food treats) for those who visit your home.
Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.
Learn or review CPR skills to aid someone who is choking or having a heart attack.
Consider safe party guidelines when hosting an Adult or Office Party.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hurricane Ike Takes The Wind Out Of Houston Area Property Sales In September
Sales of single-family homes fall while average and median pricing continues to climb; demand for rental properties is up.. Source: Houston Association of Realtors.
HOUSTON — (Oct. 21, 2008) — Property sales across the greater Houston area declined further in September, due largely to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Ike and the resulting interruption to business that included many real estate transactions. According to statistics released by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), sales of single-family homes dropped 30.2 percent for the month of September when compared to September 2007, marking the thirteenth consecutive monthly decline.
However, home values again remained the bright spot in the HAR monthly report. The average price of a single-family home rose by 4.4 percent in September to $211,660, the highest level ever for a September in Houston. The median price of a single-family home rose 5.0 percent last month to $157,500, also an all-time September high. The median price represents the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.Sales of all property types for September 2008 totaled 4,189, reflecting a 29.5 percent drop compared to September 2007. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $857 million versus $1.2 billion one year earlier, a 28.6 percent decline.“Hurricane Ike effectively shut Houston’s real estate business down for half of September,” said Michael Levitin, HAR chairman and principal of HTownRealty.com. “Like other businesses, real estate agencies lost anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks due to power outages and damage caused by the storm, and thousands of property transactions were postponed so that sellers could make repairs. Ike did, however, help accelerate transactions involving rental properties as many people sought short-term housing.” September Monthly Market Comparison Despite Ike’s rampage, the month of September brought Houston’s overall housing market mixed results when considering all listing categories. Total property sales and total dollar volume fell, however average and median single-family home sales prices continued their steady increase on a year-over-year basis.
The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of September fell 6.6 percent from September 2007 to 50,155. That’s 2,676 fewer active listings than August 2008, and is seen as an indication that inventory levels are balanced and that home prices should remain strong.
Month-end pending sales – those listings expected to close within the next 30 days – totaled 2,583, which was 37.9 percent lower than last year and strongly suggests the likelihood of another sales decline next month. The month’s inventory of single-family homes for September came in at 6.4 months, the lowest level since April of this year. That compares to the September 2007 single-family homes inventory of 6.3 months.
Sales of single-family homes fall while average and median pricing continues to climb; demand for rental properties is up.. Source: Houston Association of Realtors.
HOUSTON — (Oct. 21, 2008) — Property sales across the greater Houston area declined further in September, due largely to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Ike and the resulting interruption to business that included many real estate transactions. According to statistics released by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), sales of single-family homes dropped 30.2 percent for the month of September when compared to September 2007, marking the thirteenth consecutive monthly decline.
However, home values again remained the bright spot in the HAR monthly report. The average price of a single-family home rose by 4.4 percent in September to $211,660, the highest level ever for a September in Houston. The median price of a single-family home rose 5.0 percent last month to $157,500, also an all-time September high. The median price represents the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.Sales of all property types for September 2008 totaled 4,189, reflecting a 29.5 percent drop compared to September 2007. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $857 million versus $1.2 billion one year earlier, a 28.6 percent decline.“Hurricane Ike effectively shut Houston’s real estate business down for half of September,” said Michael Levitin, HAR chairman and principal of HTownRealty.com. “Like other businesses, real estate agencies lost anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks due to power outages and damage caused by the storm, and thousands of property transactions were postponed so that sellers could make repairs. Ike did, however, help accelerate transactions involving rental properties as many people sought short-term housing.” September Monthly Market Comparison Despite Ike’s rampage, the month of September brought Houston’s overall housing market mixed results when considering all listing categories. Total property sales and total dollar volume fell, however average and median single-family home sales prices continued their steady increase on a year-over-year basis.
The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of September fell 6.6 percent from September 2007 to 50,155. That’s 2,676 fewer active listings than August 2008, and is seen as an indication that inventory levels are balanced and that home prices should remain strong.
Month-end pending sales – those listings expected to close within the next 30 days – totaled 2,583, which was 37.9 percent lower than last year and strongly suggests the likelihood of another sales decline next month. The month’s inventory of single-family homes for September came in at 6.4 months, the lowest level since April of this year. That compares to the September 2007 single-family homes inventory of 6.3 months.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Time to Buy and Sell?
Autumn is here....Ike is Out...Stock market is nuts (though as I write this blog, I'm very happy with the direction it's taken today!).....Buyers are back on the streets again. We've had some pretty quiet weeks lately, but showings are happening again. The big question with the stock market so volatile is "should we just sink our money in real estate" now rather than chance the market place. I have no crystal ball, so I'd be the last to offer you financial advice....but Houston housing seems to still be in good shape. So, if you've been considering buying and selling, now might be a good time. You can get into that new house before the holidays....and before January 1, 2009...so you can ensure you can apply for Homestead Exemption next year! If you're ready, let me know and we'll get started!
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