Keller Williams LA Harbor Market Share: March Update

Housing is in Bloom

The nation's housing sector is buzzing like bees in springtime. And indeed, housing has historically boosted the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job creation, which are key stimulators and indicators of economic health. 

When GDP is referenced in news media, it means the total goods and services produced by labor and property in the U.S. This figure is measured quarterly, and recent figures show that GDP increased impressively at 3.1 percent in the 1st quarter of 2013, up from 0.4 percent in the last quarter of 2012. 

Sales of previously-owned houses increased three straight months in March, rising 0.4 percent to a 5 million annualized rate, its highest level since late 2009, then took a small dip in late April by 0.6 percent to 4.92 million units. During this time, new home sales maintained an upward climb by 1.5 percent within expectations to 416,000. Analysts say housing could provide tailwinds strong enough to realize the improvement to the labor market for which the folks at the Fed are hoping. The Fed (which sets the U.S. monetary policy by monitoring national employment, prices and interest rates) recently noted that inflation also remains in check. 

Homebuilders across the nation have contributed to the increase in Housing Starts, up a whopping 47 percent over the same period last year. At their highest since June 2008, Housing Starts spiked by 7 percent this March to 1.036 million units on an annualized basis, well above the 930,000 expected, though they did decline in April. Gains in home prices and construction will put more Americans to work this year, and that's good news overall for the health of the U.S. economy.

Rolling Hills View Lawsuit Settled

A view dispute between 2 homeowners when there is a settlement usually both homeowners end up not happy with the results. I can see both sides of the issue, one to improve their view and the other to save the trees that insure their privacy. Rolling Hills is a wonderful city and we can count our blessings to live in such a wonderful gated community. The came to an conclusion with a private agreement, and worked things among neighbors civilly and respectfully. I am please that they came to a settlement and wish them both the best.

Gordon Inman
Broker/Owner
Keller Williams Realty LA Harbor

Texting & Driving

This message is to appeal to all Realtors and everyone affiliated with the Real Estate Industry. In this business, we are constantly on our phones. Replying back to emails, answering phone calls, texting back clients, it is apart of our lifestyle. But using the phone while you are driving is illegal and has been proven to increase your chances of an accident drastically.

69% of American drivers say they talk on their cellphones and about in three read/send text messages or emails.State wide police have issued 425,041 tickets last year for talking on hand-held phones. This April, police are planning to crack down on this matter.

Texting and driving is extremely dangerous, in 2011 3,331 people were killed and 400,000 injured. Texting takes your eyes off the road, which creates your vehicle to veer into other lanes. Some studies have shown that a driver texting can travel the length of a football field at 55 mph without even looking up once. Lets think of our families, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and friends. Life is so precious lets not take their lives and also protect our loved ones. "We can do it" If you want to text pull over and save lives. Lets all take the pledge to not text & drive. The Text can wait.



Gordon Inman

Broker/Owner

Keller Williams Realty LA Harbor

Seems Like Forever

Have you been driving in San Pedro lately? Maybe wanted to go to Pacific Diner for breakfast or grab some Busy Bee and head over to the Korean Bell?

The usual route was to take Western all the way down past 25th, but if you notice past the park and the tide pools the road is completely closed. So instead you must make your way through a detour all the way back, through the neighborhoods. On November 20, 2011 approximetly 600 feet of road collapsed on Paseo Del Mar in San Pedro. It has been over a year now, and the street is still closed off and nothing has been fixed. Paseo Del Mar is a main street that runs all the along the coast of San Pedro leading to Palos Verdes, if you take this road you will notice how it literally goes up and down, it seems as if the road is going to end up in the ocean at any point. And that is exactly where it will end up, in years to come if the city does not maintain it correctly. If you've ever driven through Portuguese Bend,Paseo Del Mar is a very similar road. They both have similar issues with road movement and are constantly being repaired. This brings up the issue, is the city maintaining our roads correctly? It could be disastrous if they would have to close down Palos Verdes Dr. South or Portuguese Bend, which are main roads leading to Palos Verdes. Depending on the option they choose to repair it, the total damages could cost $6.7 million to $51.3 mil. They have 3 options to fix the landslide area, construct a bridge, make a graded roadway, or completely restore the roadway. I for one have complete trust in our representatives making the right decision to repair our beloved road.

It is now time for our representatives to make a tough decision on the best way to repair the landslide area and also the entire street of Paseo Del Mar.Best of luck in making that decision.

Thanks for Reading,
Gordon Inman
The Inman Team
Broker/Owner of Keller Williams LA Harbor