New Home Recovery Signs

Lots of signs point to a recovery in the construction industry. With help from a federal tax break, both Lennar Corp. and KB Home posted fourth-quarter profits - the first time since 2007 that either has been in the black. KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger said in a statement: "There are indications that housing market conditions may be stabilizing in some regions, reflecting, among other things, relatively high levels of affordability."Other signs that things are getting better:* Residential investment increased 18.9 percent in the third quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis compared with the second quarter, according to the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis. It was the first increase in residential investment since the fourth quarter of 2005, the government said.* Both KB Home and Lennar are buying land.* As sales increase, both have reduced incentives they have been offering buyers.* Mezger says KB is increasing prices.

Property Tax Caps In the Hands of Voters

The voters are the only thing standing between taxpayers and permanent property tax protection in the Constitution. As required by law, the much lauded property tax caps have been passed by two separately elected General Assemblies after the Senate affirmatively voted 35-15 last week. The caps were originally passed in 2008. The question of putting the caps in the Constitution will now be up to voters on Nov. 2.
After receiving voter approval, it will be unconstitutional to levy property taxes greater than 1% of a homestead’s assessed value, 2% of farmland or rental property AV, or 3% of a business’ property without specific permission given by the voters via referendum.

Keller Williams Realty Ranked as Top Real Estate Franchise

Keller Williams Realty Ranked as Top Real Estate Franchise by Industry Leader and Entrepreneur Magazine

AUSTIN, TEXAS (December 21, 2009) — Keller Williams Realty joined the ranks of the top franchises in the world last week, when the company was ranked as the No. 1 real estate franchise on the 31st Annual Franchise 500 list by Entrepreneur magazine. During the same week, the company was also voted the Most Recognizable Brand of Real Estate Franchises for 2009 in an industry-wide survey for the Swanepoel TRENDS Report.

“The Swanepoel TRENDS Report is a respected source for the real estate industry and beyond, as is Entrepreneur magazine, and we are excited to see our agents honored in this way for all of their hard work,” said Mark Willis, CEO, Keller Williams Realty. “We certainly wouldn’t have been included on either list without the dedication and resolve of our agents.”

According to the ranking in Entrepreneur magazine, the most important criteria to determine the top franchises included financial strength and stability, as well as growth rate and size of the franchise system. The magazine also looked at the number of years the company has been in business and the length of time it’s been franchising, in addition to start-up costs and financial data. Additionally, Keller Williams Realty made an impressive showing on the overall list, placing higher than any other real estate franchise.

The Swanepoel TRENDS Report is published by Stefan Swanepoel, a real estate industry speaker and insider. The survey was crafted to determine the Most Recognizable Brand for Real Estate Franchises for his report out in February 2010. The survey included votes cast by 11,000 plus real estate agents, who cast 390,000 votes to select the top 10.

Earlier in the year,Keller Williams Realty also received the highest overall satisfaction ratings from home buyers among the largest full-service real estate firms from J.D. Power and Associates for the second year in a row.

“We are extremely proud that our associates and company are being recognized for our strength and stability during this time in our industry,” said Mary Tennant, president and COO, Keller Williams Realty. “We attribute our success to being in business with phenomenal people and to our core business models, which have allowed our franchises to thrive during any market.”

Property Tax Caps Clear Hurdle

Originally passed into law in 2008, the caps would limit property tax liability to 1% of a home’s assessed value, 2% for rental and farm properties and 3% on businesses. To be made permanent as a Constitutional amendment, identical bills must pass two separately elected General Assemblies before being put on the ballot for voter approval.


Property Tax Caps Clear Hurdle
As expected, the Property Tax Caps cleared the Indiana House of Representatives – an insurmountable hurdle last year - with room to spare. HJR1 passed with a bi-partisan vote of 75-23. The resolution now moves to the Senate side of the building where the bill has overwhelmingly passed every time it has been heard. The Senate is expected to vote soon, possibly today.
After passage in the Senate, voters will have the final say. In referendum form, the question of putting property tax caps in the Constitution will appear on the November General Election ballot. If the voters so choose, the caps would be put in the Constitution to permanently protect Hoosier taxpayers.

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