It is time to go do the voodoo that you do so well. That is right, time to get off the couch or sneak away from the boss or whatever excuse you are going to try and use on Wednesday to reason why you didn't vote in this important election.
There were a couple of interesting articles from the KDMiner over the last few days, if you did not get a chance to read them... no excuse... they are linked below.
The last candidate forum
and
The KDMiner editorial board review
Once again, good luck to the candidates... and good luck to our community, may we choose the best representative for our needs today and to get us pointed in a better direction for tomorrow.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Just voted...
I decided to get my votes for the city elections out of the way to avoid all the long lines (the long lines comment is sarcastic FYI) on election day May 20th.
I stated that I'd be voting for Keith Walker after the primary election... and I did just that. I did vote for another candidate, but I'm keeping who I voted for to myself.
All in all, I think we have a marvelous choice of candidates to choose from at this time. I don't think that I'll be disappointed to know the results of the election no matter what the results show.
The only result that I'd really love to see is more of a real percentage of registered voters show up to be counted for a change. It'd be great to see 5,000 or more bother with lending their voice to the immediate future of this place we call Kingman. I mean, if we really want to send a strong message to our newly elected leaders... we should at least let them know we are interested in what they do as an elected city official. Voting in greater numbers should get their attention.
Good luck to all the candidates, you all would do a fine job if elected (and we'll hold you to it).
I stated that I'd be voting for Keith Walker after the primary election... and I did just that. I did vote for another candidate, but I'm keeping who I voted for to myself.
All in all, I think we have a marvelous choice of candidates to choose from at this time. I don't think that I'll be disappointed to know the results of the election no matter what the results show.
The only result that I'd really love to see is more of a real percentage of registered voters show up to be counted for a change. It'd be great to see 5,000 or more bother with lending their voice to the immediate future of this place we call Kingman. I mean, if we really want to send a strong message to our newly elected leaders... we should at least let them know we are interested in what they do as an elected city official. Voting in greater numbers should get their attention.
Good luck to all the candidates, you all would do a fine job if elected (and we'll hold you to it).
New zoning needed for alternative power...
I believe it is time for the city of Kingman to be a leader for once. Last month I commented about an article that appeared in the KDMiner about a Kingman resident that put up a personal use wind powered generator. I was very excited about this news.
Look outside right now (if you are in Kingman). Yeah... it is windy here. Spring time always brings windy weather... but you'd find the same kind of conditions practically any time of the year. Normally late in the afternoon the wind will pick up... even on a mostly calm day.
A letter to the editor appeared in the same KDMiner from a resident that is trying to capture some natural force that can be used to generate electricity for home use. This person is running into so many obstacles that he basically is ready to quit trying... and that is a shame.
Here is the letter in full...
I think it is time for a letter writing campaign in support of a residential zoning classification that would allow for personal use wind generators.
The 'excuse' of blight is just that... a lame excuse. Mr. Schrank is correct there are already teams of wooden power poles all around town. The power poles do look like crap... but I doubt if maybe but a very few of us would do without those transmission lines that bring the ability to power up our TV sets and lighting fixtures in our homes. We simply deal with those power poles... in fact I bet most of us don't even consciously think about those tall wooden structures with power lines attached to them on a day to day basis.
So a 41' foot tall wind mill may look out of place on this very day... but there is going to be a day when we think of those personal use wind mills the way we think of power poles... not very much.
I think scores of wind mills scattered throughout Kingman would symbolize many good things about our community.
First off... we'd be telling the world that we are a forward thinking community that realizes the importance of utilizing forces of nature that can enhance our lives at no cost to the environment.
Also... many have told me that our part of Arizona is attractive to soon to be retiree's and if they buy a home here to retire in wouldn't a home that comes with reduced utility bills be a nice benefit??
The technology is getting better all the time for these personal use products. Some, like Mr. Schrank, are willing to give it a go... but the city for whatever lame reason is not thinking clearly on this issue. I know there is a bit of safety concerns involved because it is 'possible' that a 40' foot tower could fall over and cause some damage to person or property. But come on... at least offer the ability for property owners to install one of these if they have a half an acre or more. It is a good start.
I don't have any information to link, but I'm sure that I heard about a newer windmill product that can sit on a roof top (with no tower). It is probably just in the prototype stage at this time, but the more people that decide to install a wind mill on a tower, the more likely that other forms of wind mills that produce 'clean energy' will end up on the market. Hopefully the city won't be as restrictive to the new 'rooftop' products when or if they ever materialize.
Time to get ahead of this thing. Do it now, look at possible changes to zoning restrictions, and let's show the rest of the country the positive direction our community is taking to be a great partner with the environment.
Look outside right now (if you are in Kingman). Yeah... it is windy here. Spring time always brings windy weather... but you'd find the same kind of conditions practically any time of the year. Normally late in the afternoon the wind will pick up... even on a mostly calm day.
A letter to the editor appeared in the same KDMiner from a resident that is trying to capture some natural force that can be used to generate electricity for home use. This person is running into so many obstacles that he basically is ready to quit trying... and that is a shame.
Here is the letter in full...
I quit and you win
Sunday, May 11, 2008
For months, I have been trying to get a permit to put a wind generator in my backyard. This has been denied by the city Planning and Zoning office each time I have asked. I am told there is a zoning problem in that I live in a residential neighborhood. The City Council also told me a wind generator would be "blight" on the neighborhood.
I can stand on my front porch and view more than 50 electrical wooden utility poles that are at least 40-50 feet high. At the end of my street is a cell phone relay tower, which is probably well over 100 feet high.
Beyond that is an electrical yard with many steel towers supporting electrical wires leading from the yard and across the landscape. There are also numerous water storage tanks in the area. Why are none of these "blights" on the neighborhood.
On April 29, the Miner published a story and photo on the front page of a citizen having a wind generator installed on his property.
The permit office told me this person lives in a "rural" area and a wind generator is permitted. According to the Miner's article, this location is about two blocks from the intersection of Stockton Hill and Airway, probably the busiest intersection in Kingman. I have a hard time understanding how this could be "rural."
I live in the Hualapai Foothill Estates on a lot that is a bit over 1-1/2 acres. I have checked with my immediate neighbors to find out if any of them have any problems with me installing a wind generator in my backyard and none do. In fact, each told me they thought it was a fine idea.
One of the problems with my wanting this is the 41-foot pole the generator would have to be mounted on. I was once told that I could apply for a variance that would allow the 41-foot pole. This variance once required a $500 fee.
I am told now that fee is $1,000 and is non-refundable no matter if the variance is granted or refused. This $1,000 is required to have the request proceed, but it seems a bit excessive given processing probably requires the reading of the request and making a decision yes or no.
During my last encounter with the permit office, I was told that I could have a permit for a 35-foot pole. It made me wonder why wasn't I told about this during my first request for a permit.
Had I been told this, a lot of unpleasantness could have been avoided.
It is obvious the Kingman City Council has no interest in allowing electrical wind generators to come to Kingman. For what reason, I am not sure.
I do suspect one of the reasons is the tax situation it will create.
If I have a wind generator that is producing electrical power which will lower my monthly electrical bill, that means my monthly tax on that bill will be less. I'm sure there are probably more reasons.
My reason for wanting this generator is very simple - it will lower my monthly bill. I have neither green issues nor anything against green issues.
The City Council's resistant to this makes me wonder if I even own this property. I think I own it; I surely paid a lot of money for it.
I certainly have no control over it. It seems to have been taken over by the City Council, Permit, Planning and Zoning office.
Now that you have elevated yourselves to be the riling class, I take this opportunity to advise, "the council of lords" your Lordships, I quit, and you win.
I will no longer bother the Fiefdom of Kingman about a permit for a wind generator. I will take my little serf body and the money I intend to spend in this community and spend it elsewhere.
Marvin A. Schrank
Kingman
I think it is time for a letter writing campaign in support of a residential zoning classification that would allow for personal use wind generators.
The 'excuse' of blight is just that... a lame excuse. Mr. Schrank is correct there are already teams of wooden power poles all around town. The power poles do look like crap... but I doubt if maybe but a very few of us would do without those transmission lines that bring the ability to power up our TV sets and lighting fixtures in our homes. We simply deal with those power poles... in fact I bet most of us don't even consciously think about those tall wooden structures with power lines attached to them on a day to day basis.
So a 41' foot tall wind mill may look out of place on this very day... but there is going to be a day when we think of those personal use wind mills the way we think of power poles... not very much.
I think scores of wind mills scattered throughout Kingman would symbolize many good things about our community.
First off... we'd be telling the world that we are a forward thinking community that realizes the importance of utilizing forces of nature that can enhance our lives at no cost to the environment.
Also... many have told me that our part of Arizona is attractive to soon to be retiree's and if they buy a home here to retire in wouldn't a home that comes with reduced utility bills be a nice benefit??
The technology is getting better all the time for these personal use products. Some, like Mr. Schrank, are willing to give it a go... but the city for whatever lame reason is not thinking clearly on this issue. I know there is a bit of safety concerns involved because it is 'possible' that a 40' foot tower could fall over and cause some damage to person or property. But come on... at least offer the ability for property owners to install one of these if they have a half an acre or more. It is a good start.
I don't have any information to link, but I'm sure that I heard about a newer windmill product that can sit on a roof top (with no tower). It is probably just in the prototype stage at this time, but the more people that decide to install a wind mill on a tower, the more likely that other forms of wind mills that produce 'clean energy' will end up on the market. Hopefully the city won't be as restrictive to the new 'rooftop' products when or if they ever materialize.
Time to get ahead of this thing. Do it now, look at possible changes to zoning restrictions, and let's show the rest of the country the positive direction our community is taking to be a great partner with the environment.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
April Sales Report (2008)
And just like that... another month passes.
Interesting data for April... the average price swings back up, sales in units is up again over last year (albeit beating last years figure by one unit), and total price concession was also up over the $30,000 mark. Mixed bag of results overall.
Let's get started... first the disclaimer...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings and sales in units chart:
The market is basically performing the same as it did last year... which really wasn't that good, but if we want to put a positive spin on it -- at least the performance did not get worse. New listing units were down 4.6% and unit sales are up over last year at this time by 1.9%. Still too much gap between hopeful sellers and actual buyers.
Average listings and sales averages chart:
As you can see the average sales price bounced back up after actually finishing lower than at any point in the last year. Does this mean the theoretical 'bottom' of the market is near?? Let's wait a couple of more months before drawing that conclusion. This could be an anomaly as we saw multiple units close transactions in April with a final sale price of over $500,000, where as there were only two units (total) that sold for over that amount since October of last year through March of this year.
2005 through 2008 unit sales chart:
I think the only comment that works here is to wonder if prices have fallen enough to maintain at least 2007 production numbers. 2007 was a bad year, but beating a bad year would be a good thing. With summer months getting close it would be nice to see the market eclipse at least one month from 2006. There has been an increased level of new pending listings for a few months now so it could happen by June or July.
BTW, it took about an average of 6 months for the 52 sales reported on for April to happen. Many units were on the market for nearly a full year and one half.
2005 through 2008 average price chart:
Been a few months since we've seen the average price in line with the previous years mark. My hunch is the average sales figure yo-yo's around in between current levels and 2005 levels... just a hunch though.
The average sales price for April of 08 was down only 1.9% as compared to the April of 07.
2005 through 2008 median price chart:
The median price for April 2008 was off 8.2% as compared to the April 2007 figure, but it bounced back up over 2005 levels.
The price range of units sold for April was between $68,100 through $570,000.
Average SFR statistics:
The average home sold in April had 3.25 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 2.25 car garage, included 1,663 square feet of living space, and was built in 1997. The average hold sold for an average of $117 per square foot of living space.
It took an average of 136 days of marketing to attract a buyer to come to an agreement and a total of 177 days from the first day of marketing to the close of escrow.
Sellers reduced price $19,033 to attract a buyer on average from the first day of marketing, and conceded another $11,083 to the buyer in the transaction. The total average price concession for the homes sold in April was $30,116.
Bonus Charts:
The average price per square foot fell 9.3% as compared to the year before.
Sellers in April conceded 13.39% off of their original listing price from when the property entered the market until it successfully closed. That is just over 5 points more than sellers conceded at this time last year.
As I said at the beginning... interesting stats for April. I think I'll head out and do some fishing today so I'll see you next time.
Interesting data for April... the average price swings back up, sales in units is up again over last year (albeit beating last years figure by one unit), and total price concession was also up over the $30,000 mark. Mixed bag of results overall.
Let's get started... first the disclaimer...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings and sales in units chart:
The market is basically performing the same as it did last year... which really wasn't that good, but if we want to put a positive spin on it -- at least the performance did not get worse. New listing units were down 4.6% and unit sales are up over last year at this time by 1.9%. Still too much gap between hopeful sellers and actual buyers.Average listings and sales averages chart:
As you can see the average sales price bounced back up after actually finishing lower than at any point in the last year. Does this mean the theoretical 'bottom' of the market is near?? Let's wait a couple of more months before drawing that conclusion. This could be an anomaly as we saw multiple units close transactions in April with a final sale price of over $500,000, where as there were only two units (total) that sold for over that amount since October of last year through March of this year.
2005 through 2008 unit sales chart:
I think the only comment that works here is to wonder if prices have fallen enough to maintain at least 2007 production numbers. 2007 was a bad year, but beating a bad year would be a good thing. With summer months getting close it would be nice to see the market eclipse at least one month from 2006. There has been an increased level of new pending listings for a few months now so it could happen by June or July.BTW, it took about an average of 6 months for the 52 sales reported on for April to happen. Many units were on the market for nearly a full year and one half.
2005 through 2008 average price chart:
Been a few months since we've seen the average price in line with the previous years mark. My hunch is the average sales figure yo-yo's around in between current levels and 2005 levels... just a hunch though.The average sales price for April of 08 was down only 1.9% as compared to the April of 07.
2005 through 2008 median price chart:
The median price for April 2008 was off 8.2% as compared to the April 2007 figure, but it bounced back up over 2005 levels.The price range of units sold for April was between $68,100 through $570,000.
Average SFR statistics:
The average home sold in April had 3.25 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 2.25 car garage, included 1,663 square feet of living space, and was built in 1997. The average hold sold for an average of $117 per square foot of living space.
It took an average of 136 days of marketing to attract a buyer to come to an agreement and a total of 177 days from the first day of marketing to the close of escrow.
Sellers reduced price $19,033 to attract a buyer on average from the first day of marketing, and conceded another $11,083 to the buyer in the transaction. The total average price concession for the homes sold in April was $30,116.
Bonus Charts:
The average price per square foot fell 9.3% as compared to the year before.
Sellers in April conceded 13.39% off of their original listing price from when the property entered the market until it successfully closed. That is just over 5 points more than sellers conceded at this time last year.As I said at the beginning... interesting stats for April. I think I'll head out and do some fishing today so I'll see you next time.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
and... speaking of local political stuff...
Don't forget that May 20th is election day. It is now less that two weeks away. Early voting is also open at the county building. No lines there.
Vote early... vote often... or something like that.
Vote early... vote often... or something like that.
Speaking of stuff in the Miner...
There is an interesting letter to the editor that appeared yesterday.
Before I share... I just wanted to say that I have been trying my darndest not to write anything about the community group RAID for some time. I've had the pleasure of meeting with some of the people that are in that group and I've come to respect them as individuals... I just find myself disagreeing with them on issues. So I'm not including this to 'blast' RAID... this is just something I wanted to share with readers.
Here is the entire letter... but I ask you to click on this link to read the comments below the letter.
BTW... the RAID all-stars were back at in front of city council last Monday. One prominent member said at the podium (fairly close quote following) "light industrial uses of land is not in the best interest of the city."
Now to be fair, I'm pulling this out of context on purpose. The nice lady that said those words was basically talking about a few acres of land included in a rezone request made by a developer.
I think she should have said that industrial uses are not in the best interest for the particular area, and that is something I could see myself agreeing with (not saying I would though). However to make a blanket statement like that about limiting land uses in a city that needs to see job growth (and as I understand it, light industrial uses has the potential to lead to more jobs... and that is a good thing last time I checked) sends the wrong message. So therefore, once again, I disagree... but respect the nice lady's opinion.
Edit:
Luckily for RAID, the Miner came to their rescue today.
Before I share... I just wanted to say that I have been trying my darndest not to write anything about the community group RAID for some time. I've had the pleasure of meeting with some of the people that are in that group and I've come to respect them as individuals... I just find myself disagreeing with them on issues. So I'm not including this to 'blast' RAID... this is just something I wanted to share with readers.
Here is the entire letter... but I ask you to click on this link to read the comments below the letter.
Have you seen the new shopping center in Bullhead City, Fort Mohave and Lake Havasu City? The giant malls that provide jobs and sales tax dollars? Stores like Kohl do and Target in Fort Mohave.
Residents Against Irresponsible Development (RAID), or as I like to call them, Kingman Residents Against Progress (KRAP) is doing everything possible to kill this city and turn it into a clone, like Needles or Holbrook. They are consistently against every growth-related issue that comes before the City Council. Their name says "responsible growth." They have shown themselves to be consistent against any kind of growth by their actions. More and more letters like Bridget's Yankowitz's need to pour into the Miner. Who cares about the Beverly intersection when this organization is doing everything it can to kill the future of this city. This group is a vocal minority of elderly people who have no stake in the future of Kingman. They have no intent on maintaining "their vision" of what they think this city should be.
It is time for the people of this city to rise up and crush this group that is so full of itself
Raymond Kielsmeier
Kingman
BTW... the RAID all-stars were back at in front of city council last Monday. One prominent member said at the podium (fairly close quote following) "light industrial uses of land is not in the best interest of the city."
Now to be fair, I'm pulling this out of context on purpose. The nice lady that said those words was basically talking about a few acres of land included in a rezone request made by a developer.
I think she should have said that industrial uses are not in the best interest for the particular area, and that is something I could see myself agreeing with (not saying I would though). However to make a blanket statement like that about limiting land uses in a city that needs to see job growth (and as I understand it, light industrial uses has the potential to lead to more jobs... and that is a good thing last time I checked) sends the wrong message. So therefore, once again, I disagree... but respect the nice lady's opinion.
Edit:
Luckily for RAID, the Miner came to their rescue today.
Kinda funny to me (political)
Found some interesting quotes in todays edition of the KDMiner.com about some issues a local developer is having getting a rezone request through the system.
See the entire article here...
A few snippets...
Oh the humanity... please.
Funny... was it immature of this dude to call the city council members 'monkeys' like he was quoted in the Miner last summer??
Gotta hand it to this guy though, he's out to change the makeup of the current council. He got his man in the mayor's office (by that I mean that I'm sure he likes it just fine to have an in law of one of his business partners as mayor) and chances are still a reality to maybe even see his son win a seat on council (and I'm still considering seriously voting for Mr. Craig Schritter). Maybe then he won't be so frightened of the city council.
See the entire article here...
A few snippets...
She (Deborah Raney) remains hopeful that the rezone will go through without further delay when Council picks up the case again in two weeks. One of the current landowners, however, is considering removing the item from the May 19 agenda and waiting to re-hear the issue until the new Council takes office June 2.
"I'm scared to death of these guys," said Jay Schritter, a co-owner of the property with his son and two partners, Lee Bruno and Jeff Goldberg.
If Council were to deny the request, the case would not be allowed to come back before Council for a year.
Oh the humanity... please.
Schritter noted that liquor license regulation has nothing to do with rezone cases, but he said he wasn't surprised by Council's scrutiny over his request.
"It's just a real immature type deal," he said in an interview Wednesday. "All it is is something to slow us down. It's my name on that application, and of course Spear hates me and so does (Councilman Kerry) Deering."
Schritter has been an outspoken critic of city officials in the last year, most notably during controversies surrounding former City Manager Paul Beecher's employment. Schritter's most recent involvement was during the Nov. 7 election.
To discourage voters from approving the city's request for $56.7 million in capital improvement bonds and several Kingman Crossing ballot measures, Schritter erected signs around town to remind voters about e-mail lawsuits, well site bidding controversies and IRS threats - issues that created a hot political climate in 2007.
Funny... was it immature of this dude to call the city council members 'monkeys' like he was quoted in the Miner last summer??
Gotta hand it to this guy though, he's out to change the makeup of the current council. He got his man in the mayor's office (by that I mean that I'm sure he likes it just fine to have an in law of one of his business partners as mayor) and chances are still a reality to maybe even see his son win a seat on council (and I'm still considering seriously voting for Mr. Craig Schritter). Maybe then he won't be so frightened of the city council.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Do I wish I had more listings??
That is a good question, and there is no simple or uncomplicated way to for me answer this question in the current market unless I add some word descriptors somewhere in the original question.
For a couple of years now I have been posting local housing market reports that have shown a clear trend to the 'down' side of things. Sales in units are WAY down, and prices of sold listings are also WAY down. Those are the facts.
However, many people have 'opinions' that often are contrary to the 'facts'. Currently in my line of work the best example I can give is when a property owner has the opinion that he/she can sell their property for much more than what the current market will allow. As always, I can and do respect the opinions of all the fine folks I've had this kind of conversation with. Opinions are allowable and everyone should have them.
For the last year (or longer) I have been presenting local housing market facts (the same facts I share on this blog) to the many fine folks that have called me to perhaps hire me to list their property. Now in fairness, the market turned around on me in a darn quick fashion and I admit that I wasn't ready for it in all cases. Often I'd take listings for a higher asking price than I thought was going to attract potential buyers. I'd acquiesce to my prospective listing clients (who became clients), and rarely did it work out well for the client or for me as a business person.
After learning some lessons the tough way, I stopped taking listings that I felt would be at a price level that wouldn't attract ready and willing buyer's. Now I've never been a doctor (nor should I be confused with one... ever), but at times over the last couple of years during listing appointments I've felt like I was giving really bad health news to a patient... sending the patient into a panic and a quest for a second professional opinion. Since I DON'T hold a gun to the head of prospective listing clients during listing appointments and force them into signing listing agreements (just not my style) I didn't mind when those folks told me they were going to seek out another opinion... in fact I encouraged it.
Did I give away clients?? Did I run off opportunities to make revenue for my business?? In my opinion (like I said earlier, everyone is entitled to their own opinion)... the answer is no.
For a professional Realtor, overpriced listings comes with one guarantee... a future conversation with the client about price reductions. This kind of conversation comes complete with another round of 'opinions' and I find the whole thing very unpleasant (the conversations) and I imagine that the client finds them even more unpleasant (insert curse words here if you are a seller... it's okay). Conversations about price reductions lead to uneasy feelings and practically sleepless nights... not good for the blood pressure or the stress level... and that is just on my end of the business.
A fellow real estate blogger, Jay Thompson (the Phoenix Real Estate Guy), shared a post from some calls he took over the weekend. See the whole post here, but I'll copy the pertinent stuff following...
Now Mr. Thompson recently started his own brokerage and that comes with tons of risk (especially in this kind of market... and yes the market is tough in Phoenix too), but I bet that turning down listings like that really isn't that hard of a decision... even for a new broker. Sure, his shiny new real estate signs placed in the front yards of overpriced listings would offer advertising benefits... for his brokerage... but I think he realizes that taking overpriced listings doesn't benefit the client most of all.
I also think that Jay has it right, out of every three calls like this... one hopeful seller will get it and not list their property at this time... while the other two will find a broker that will end up listing their property -- and that broker will acquiesce to the price opinion of the seller.
Folks, particularly folks who are thinking of selling property, as long as there are nearly four new sellers that enter the market the same month that maybe one buyer actually agrees to purchase a property... pricing the property to the actual price point of the market is the very best way to attract a ready and willing buyer.
Do I feel your pain sellers?? You bet I do... sales are down and mere opportunities for sales are down. I realize there are some things a seller can do to enhance their chances to attract buyers, but all the repainting and re-carpeting and home staging in the world won't amount to anything but spent money if the home is not priced really close to the current market.
The old cliche that states the three most important elements of real estate sales are location, location, location is wrong in a down market. Location can stay in the list of top elements, but price is first on the list right now. Price, location, and price is it... for the time being until the market show some balance between buyers and sellers again.
My next post is going to be about a new promotion I plan to run... to attract more listing business. That is right... listings. Do I wish I had more listings was the original question and the title to this post... and the complicated answer is YES I want more listings. Check back to see those complications next time (if you are a seller and can offer a price that is concurrent with the market I will save you hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars on the sale of your property).
For a couple of years now I have been posting local housing market reports that have shown a clear trend to the 'down' side of things. Sales in units are WAY down, and prices of sold listings are also WAY down. Those are the facts.
However, many people have 'opinions' that often are contrary to the 'facts'. Currently in my line of work the best example I can give is when a property owner has the opinion that he/she can sell their property for much more than what the current market will allow. As always, I can and do respect the opinions of all the fine folks I've had this kind of conversation with. Opinions are allowable and everyone should have them.
For the last year (or longer) I have been presenting local housing market facts (the same facts I share on this blog) to the many fine folks that have called me to perhaps hire me to list their property. Now in fairness, the market turned around on me in a darn quick fashion and I admit that I wasn't ready for it in all cases. Often I'd take listings for a higher asking price than I thought was going to attract potential buyers. I'd acquiesce to my prospective listing clients (who became clients), and rarely did it work out well for the client or for me as a business person.
After learning some lessons the tough way, I stopped taking listings that I felt would be at a price level that wouldn't attract ready and willing buyer's. Now I've never been a doctor (nor should I be confused with one... ever), but at times over the last couple of years during listing appointments I've felt like I was giving really bad health news to a patient... sending the patient into a panic and a quest for a second professional opinion. Since I DON'T hold a gun to the head of prospective listing clients during listing appointments and force them into signing listing agreements (just not my style) I didn't mind when those folks told me they were going to seek out another opinion... in fact I encouraged it.
Did I give away clients?? Did I run off opportunities to make revenue for my business?? In my opinion (like I said earlier, everyone is entitled to their own opinion)... the answer is no.
For a professional Realtor, overpriced listings comes with one guarantee... a future conversation with the client about price reductions. This kind of conversation comes complete with another round of 'opinions' and I find the whole thing very unpleasant (the conversations) and I imagine that the client finds them even more unpleasant (insert curse words here if you are a seller... it's okay). Conversations about price reductions lead to uneasy feelings and practically sleepless nights... not good for the blood pressure or the stress level... and that is just on my end of the business.
A fellow real estate blogger, Jay Thompson (the Phoenix Real Estate Guy), shared a post from some calls he took over the weekend. See the whole post here, but I'll copy the pertinent stuff following...
Three calls came from people wanting us to list their homes.
Cool! Three new listings in two days!
Not so fast…. I turned down all three listings.
Why would a real estate brokerage turn down listings? My old Century 21 broker would be mortified. “Just get the listing!” was the beginning of a common soliloquy there.
But, pray tell, exactly what is the point in taking a listing that can not be sold? All three of these homeowners called knowing exactly what price they wanted to list their home for. They were off the mark (on the high side) by $60 – $135K.
I tried to help them understand the current Phoenix real estate market conditions. I supplied data, I waxed eloquently about why their homes would never sell at those prices.
One snapped into reality and decided to wait to list. We’ll stay in touch and when market conditions permit them to get what they want, they’ll list their home. That is of course, assuming nothing else changes in the 12 – 36 months (or more) that could take.
Two of the would-be listers were adamant that there homes were worth 20 – 40% more than what I was telling them. One home had been on the market approaching one year, and we would have been their fourth agent. One has “only” been listed for six months and the owner is growing weary of his agent telling him to reduce the price. They’ve had one showing in those six months.
They will be finding another agent that will “List their home for what they want”.
I’m sure they will have no trouble doing just that.
Oh, we could have taken the listings. It would have given us the opportunity to plant our sign in the yard, and maybe a few inquisitive buyer-types would call. We could then hook them, reel them in, and have new buyer clients.
But I prefer not to have my signs rotting away in a yard, in the hopes of stumbling across a buyer client. There far more efficient ways to get new clients.
Now Mr. Thompson recently started his own brokerage and that comes with tons of risk (especially in this kind of market... and yes the market is tough in Phoenix too), but I bet that turning down listings like that really isn't that hard of a decision... even for a new broker. Sure, his shiny new real estate signs placed in the front yards of overpriced listings would offer advertising benefits... for his brokerage... but I think he realizes that taking overpriced listings doesn't benefit the client most of all.
I also think that Jay has it right, out of every three calls like this... one hopeful seller will get it and not list their property at this time... while the other two will find a broker that will end up listing their property -- and that broker will acquiesce to the price opinion of the seller.
Folks, particularly folks who are thinking of selling property, as long as there are nearly four new sellers that enter the market the same month that maybe one buyer actually agrees to purchase a property... pricing the property to the actual price point of the market is the very best way to attract a ready and willing buyer.
Do I feel your pain sellers?? You bet I do... sales are down and mere opportunities for sales are down. I realize there are some things a seller can do to enhance their chances to attract buyers, but all the repainting and re-carpeting and home staging in the world won't amount to anything but spent money if the home is not priced really close to the current market.
The old cliche that states the three most important elements of real estate sales are location, location, location is wrong in a down market. Location can stay in the list of top elements, but price is first on the list right now. Price, location, and price is it... for the time being until the market show some balance between buyers and sellers again.
My next post is going to be about a new promotion I plan to run... to attract more listing business. That is right... listings. Do I wish I had more listings was the original question and the title to this post... and the complicated answer is YES I want more listings. Check back to see those complications next time (if you are a seller and can offer a price that is concurrent with the market I will save you hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars on the sale of your property).
Thursday, May 01, 2008
April Listings Report (2008)
Have you caught Stanley Cup fever yet?? I sure have and my beloved Flyers are pleasantly surprising me and exceeding whatever expectations I may have had. Oh... wait a minute, this is the listings report for last month... my bad.
Sure I could bore you with goaltender stats, faceoff winning percentage's, fighting major's, and the like... but you want housing market information. Fine.
April... not bad, still too many listings hitting the market but I think you'll see some bits of good news out of what still is a bleak local market for sellers.
First, as always... the disclaimer...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings:
Today total listings available for single family residence equals 633 (down just a bit from 643 on April 1). The rate of new listings taken per day in April was 4.17. Compared to last years total listings available on the market are down 11.3%.
There were 125 new listings taken in April (pretty much the same as compared to 127 in March). The average asking price for the new listings is $199,847 (down from last months $206,106). The median asking price is $164,250 (fairly steady from $162,000 previously). Newly listed units are down 4.6% from last year and the average initial offering price dropped 23.5% as compared to April of 2007.
The average newly listed home in April has 3.1 bedrooms, 2.11 baths, a 1.864 car garage, with 1,654 square feet of living space and was built in 1993. The average asking price per square foot of living space is $121. Lastly, 16 of the new listings were actually re-listed either by the same or different broker. 8 units listed last month are already under contract and 1 already closed.
The original price of new listings last month was from $32,500 through $949,999.
Units under contract:
As of today there are 117 total units under contract (up a good amount compared to the number of 104 last month).
56 units entered into contracts in the month of April (a nice increase as compared to 45 the previous month). The average asking price for homes that received contracts was $188,689 (down from $197,800 last month) and the median asking price for April was $169,900 (up from the previous months $162,450 figure). Units entering contract are up from April of 2007 by 5% though the average marketing price is down 9%.
The average home that went under contract in April has 3.11 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 1.946 car garage, with 1,646 square feet of living space, and was built in 1992. The average asking price per square foot of living space for listings that entered contract this month is $115. It was also priced $15,439 higher when it first was listed as compared to its current asking price (the average price reduction was $18,861 last month). The average marketing time to reach a contract was 235 days (from 104 last month).
The advertised price of units that entered contract was from $32,500 through $552,000.
Conclusions:
I decided to write the down the 'goods' and the 'bads' of this report, and the 'goods' list was much longer than the 'bads'. However, the bad news trumps quite a bit of the good news in my opinion.
What was 'good'?? Well inventory is down 11.3% from last year comparing year over year. The average initial offering price was below the $200,000 threshold for the first time in a long time, so it seems sellers are getting the message to some degree. The number of new contracts for the month is heading in the right direction after historic lows just a few months ago.
What is so 'bad' that is trumps some of the 'good' news?? Well, in my opinion, there is still way too many sellers entering the market. The ratio of new listings to new contracts per day is 4.17 to 1.87... balance will only be achieved when that ratio narrows a lot and actually favors the new contracts over the new listings. There is still very little pressure on buyers as evidenced by the data. I expect to see continued drops in pricing levels.
But hey... the Flyers are up 3 games to 1 against the top ranked team in the Eastern Conference... so I have that going for me.
Will there be better data later on this month when I post the sales report?? Will the data improve again when the next listing report is ready on June 1?? Will the Flyers still be in the hunt for the Stanley Cup?? Those questions and others will be answered next time you check back in for the next installment of the MOCO Real listing and sales reports.
Until then, keep on mucking and grinding (hockey terms).
Sure I could bore you with goaltender stats, faceoff winning percentage's, fighting major's, and the like... but you want housing market information. Fine.
April... not bad, still too many listings hitting the market but I think you'll see some bits of good news out of what still is a bleak local market for sellers.
First, as always... the disclaimer...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings:
Today total listings available for single family residence equals 633 (down just a bit from 643 on April 1). The rate of new listings taken per day in April was 4.17. Compared to last years total listings available on the market are down 11.3%.
There were 125 new listings taken in April (pretty much the same as compared to 127 in March). The average asking price for the new listings is $199,847 (down from last months $206,106). The median asking price is $164,250 (fairly steady from $162,000 previously). Newly listed units are down 4.6% from last year and the average initial offering price dropped 23.5% as compared to April of 2007.
The average newly listed home in April has 3.1 bedrooms, 2.11 baths, a 1.864 car garage, with 1,654 square feet of living space and was built in 1993. The average asking price per square foot of living space is $121. Lastly, 16 of the new listings were actually re-listed either by the same or different broker. 8 units listed last month are already under contract and 1 already closed.
The original price of new listings last month was from $32,500 through $949,999.
Units under contract:
As of today there are 117 total units under contract (up a good amount compared to the number of 104 last month).
56 units entered into contracts in the month of April (a nice increase as compared to 45 the previous month). The average asking price for homes that received contracts was $188,689 (down from $197,800 last month) and the median asking price for April was $169,900 (up from the previous months $162,450 figure). Units entering contract are up from April of 2007 by 5% though the average marketing price is down 9%.
The average home that went under contract in April has 3.11 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 1.946 car garage, with 1,646 square feet of living space, and was built in 1992. The average asking price per square foot of living space for listings that entered contract this month is $115. It was also priced $15,439 higher when it first was listed as compared to its current asking price (the average price reduction was $18,861 last month). The average marketing time to reach a contract was 235 days (from 104 last month).
The advertised price of units that entered contract was from $32,500 through $552,000.
Conclusions:
I decided to write the down the 'goods' and the 'bads' of this report, and the 'goods' list was much longer than the 'bads'. However, the bad news trumps quite a bit of the good news in my opinion.
What was 'good'?? Well inventory is down 11.3% from last year comparing year over year. The average initial offering price was below the $200,000 threshold for the first time in a long time, so it seems sellers are getting the message to some degree. The number of new contracts for the month is heading in the right direction after historic lows just a few months ago.
What is so 'bad' that is trumps some of the 'good' news?? Well, in my opinion, there is still way too many sellers entering the market. The ratio of new listings to new contracts per day is 4.17 to 1.87... balance will only be achieved when that ratio narrows a lot and actually favors the new contracts over the new listings. There is still very little pressure on buyers as evidenced by the data. I expect to see continued drops in pricing levels.
But hey... the Flyers are up 3 games to 1 against the top ranked team in the Eastern Conference... so I have that going for me.
Will there be better data later on this month when I post the sales report?? Will the data improve again when the next listing report is ready on June 1?? Will the Flyers still be in the hunt for the Stanley Cup?? Those questions and others will be answered next time you check back in for the next installment of the MOCO Real listing and sales reports.
Until then, keep on mucking and grinding (hockey terms).
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Angry Renters Unite!!
I received an interesting email with a link to this site. Thought I'd pass the link along just for the heck of it. Comes complete with a petition and everything.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Donna Crouse going to jail
My good buddy in the real estate business and successor to the local Realtor Association chairmanship of the Government Affairs Committee, Donna, is going to jail to raise money for the MDA.
If you'd like to help her cause, please click here and donate.
Thank you in advance.
If you'd like to help her cause, please click here and donate.
Thank you in advance.
Wind power comes to Kingman
Very cool article this morning in the KDMiner about a resident that is having a wind turbine erected to generate power for his home.
See the whole article here.
I loved this at the end...
See the whole article here.
I loved this at the end...
Lingenfelter has long been a fixture in the city of Kingman, having practiced medicine for decades before founding the Lingenfelter Center for Alzheimer's and Behavioral Health at 1099 Sunrise Ave. in 2003. He is currently chairman of the board for the Center. His motivation for purchasing the turbine, he said, was simple enough.
"When I go outside and I feel the wind blowing, I think, 'gee, I'd like this to light up my house,'" he said. "I just feel like we should make whatever effort we can to cut down the energy costs and make use of our resources. Whether it's solar or wind, it's something we should try to do."
Monday, April 28, 2008
Retail jobs...
During MY campaign for a spot on city council, I emphasized the issue of jobs in the community. It was/is my belief that our local economy is stagnating and even regressing on the job front. There was a time not all that long ago where it seemed like all indications were that the influx of growth was leading to more jobs and other opportunities. The future (then) looked bright and maybe even looked 'recession proof'... if there even is such a thing.
I know that timing is many things in the grand scheme of things. Once the real estate market started to turn, I noticed other bits of bad news starting to emerge locally. For instance, Frontier Communications laid off about 50 workers locally and altered its footprint here in Mohave County. Foxworth Galbraith closed its location in Kingman right around that time. There has been talk of hiring freezes for the both the county and city. Many in the building trade say that employment is off big time.
I was criticized at times for my support of new retail developments here in Kingman. Sometimes the critics said that my intention was to see Kingman become the next Las Vegas in terms of matching the growth that was seen in the Nevada community (if not Vegas, than Phoenix or somewhere else similar). Other critics, including some that comment here, said that retail jobs wouldn't be good for Kingman because they are low paying jobs. Others said the character of Kingman would be jeopardized by corporate giants moving into this local area (and to that I asked those folks to define the current character as they see it... and they never could).
By now most of us in Mohave County are well aware of some new retail developments that have opened up. The old Wal-Mart and Albertson's shopping center in Kingman has two office retail giants, a national sporting goods chain, a major pet store, a discount clothing store, and a couple of other places that I can't recall off the top of my head. But none of those places are considered 'anchor' tenants like big box retail like the Wal-Mart's, Targets, etc.
We also saw, in recent months, a retail shopping mall (including a Dillard's) in Havasu open up... and now there is a shopping center in Bullhead that sports a Target and a Kohl's.
All of these places seemed to have successful grand openings... and all of them have hired the help that they apparently needed to serve their customers.
I was alerted to an article that appears in the Economic Development Journal of Mohave County for April. On page 17 in the 'Commercial' section is the headline that reads 'New Kohl's usher's in 130 new jobs to Bullhead City'.
My question for discussion is... if this Kohl's was in Kingman and they needed 130 people to work there... how many Kingman residents would have applied for a job at Kohl's??
I know that timing is many things in the grand scheme of things. Once the real estate market started to turn, I noticed other bits of bad news starting to emerge locally. For instance, Frontier Communications laid off about 50 workers locally and altered its footprint here in Mohave County. Foxworth Galbraith closed its location in Kingman right around that time. There has been talk of hiring freezes for the both the county and city. Many in the building trade say that employment is off big time.
I was criticized at times for my support of new retail developments here in Kingman. Sometimes the critics said that my intention was to see Kingman become the next Las Vegas in terms of matching the growth that was seen in the Nevada community (if not Vegas, than Phoenix or somewhere else similar). Other critics, including some that comment here, said that retail jobs wouldn't be good for Kingman because they are low paying jobs. Others said the character of Kingman would be jeopardized by corporate giants moving into this local area (and to that I asked those folks to define the current character as they see it... and they never could).
By now most of us in Mohave County are well aware of some new retail developments that have opened up. The old Wal-Mart and Albertson's shopping center in Kingman has two office retail giants, a national sporting goods chain, a major pet store, a discount clothing store, and a couple of other places that I can't recall off the top of my head. But none of those places are considered 'anchor' tenants like big box retail like the Wal-Mart's, Targets, etc.
We also saw, in recent months, a retail shopping mall (including a Dillard's) in Havasu open up... and now there is a shopping center in Bullhead that sports a Target and a Kohl's.
All of these places seemed to have successful grand openings... and all of them have hired the help that they apparently needed to serve their customers.
I was alerted to an article that appears in the Economic Development Journal of Mohave County for April. On page 17 in the 'Commercial' section is the headline that reads 'New Kohl's usher's in 130 new jobs to Bullhead City'.
My question for discussion is... if this Kohl's was in Kingman and they needed 130 people to work there... how many Kingman residents would have applied for a job at Kohl's??
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Water issues...
News articles about last winters snow pack in the Rocky Mountains are starting to make the rounds.
Read this article, I found it interesting... especially these passages...
and...
Lastly...
There aren't many things that I'd like to see more than Lake Mead rising a bit, for selfish reasons (fishing).
I'm not posting this article to say that all of our water resource problems are solved or anything like that. We should all be doing our best to conserve whatever water sources we have. I just saw this report as a bit of good news in the otherwise 'bad news' world that we have been living in as far as water is concerned. Maybe a few more winters like last year and a noticeable rise in lake levels will reduce some of the freaking out people have been doing lately. Maybe.
Read this article, I found it interesting... especially these passages...
Across the West this spring, the picture is similar, with abundant mountain snow in most areas promising runoff that will provide a break from the drought that has sporadically parched the region since late 1999.
The Colorado mountains are poised to unleash more runoff than they have in 11 years. Streams in Washington and Oregon are forecast to carry up to 50 percent more water than usual. Lake Powell, stretching more than 100 miles across Utah and Arizona, is expected to rise 50 feet from its current depleted state.
and...
The consequences are far-reaching. More than a half-dozen significant rivers originate in the Colorado mountains and flow through at least 10 other states and Mexico. The water is divvied up under nine interstate compacts, three U.S. Supreme Court decrees and two international treaties.
One of those rivers, the Colorado, flows into Lake Powell behind Glen Canyon Dam, a key link in the complicated and often contentious system that stores and dispenses the river's water.
Lake Powell was full in 1999 but has fallen 100 feet because some of those agreements required that more water be delivered to Mexico and down-river states than the river brought in.
For the first time since 2003, the lake will be high enough to let boaters pass through a formation called the Castle Rock cut, lopping 12 miles off the voyage from the southern end of the lake to the northern.
"It'll mean more trips up-lake for me than I've had for several years," said Gary Wantis of Page, Ariz., who owns a 28-foot cruiser and manages the Lake Powell Yacht Club.
Lastly...
Deeper water in Lake Powell and other reservoirs also helps the federal Bureau of Reclamation's hydroelectric plants run more efficiently, and they're projected to crank out 400 million more kilowatt-hours this year than last, an increase of up to 8 percent and enough to power 33,000 homes for a year, spokeswoman Lisa Iams said.
Water utilities in Phoenix and Denver said they expect their supplies to be in good shape. Salt Lake City's Department of Public Utilities expects average levels.
There aren't many things that I'd like to see more than Lake Mead rising a bit, for selfish reasons (fishing).
I'm not posting this article to say that all of our water resource problems are solved or anything like that. We should all be doing our best to conserve whatever water sources we have. I just saw this report as a bit of good news in the otherwise 'bad news' world that we have been living in as far as water is concerned. Maybe a few more winters like last year and a noticeable rise in lake levels will reduce some of the freaking out people have been doing lately. Maybe.
City Council Candidates...
Good to see the candidates still out on the trail. Here is an article from the KDM that covers a recent candidate forum.
I didn't attend this event but included in the article is some information on the views the candidates have on the proposed I40 interchanges that have been in the news for the last couple of years.
From the article...
I'm just glad to see this is still an important topic of conversation.
Mr. Pennington is right about economic development and the traffic issues, and here Kingman could work towards a private/public partnership agreement to address such issues. But that could mean having the city work with the likes of the developer that he mentioned towards a winning position for both the developer and the community.
Sounds like this candidate is a 'community first' kind of guy... that is good.
I hope Mr. Walker is right about the inevitability of both interchanges. I did not know that the new hospital was on hold until there was a solution to the traffic interchange issue. I guess I missed Mr. Jeppson's comments back in January, last I remember the hospital group was saying that their project was a go and didn't need Interstate access.
Mr. Walker is still the only remaining candidate that I am definitely voting for at this time and I think he would help Kingman find a way to find a solution to the interchange issues whether that means leaning on land owners and developers to pony up for part, most, or all of the costs... or simply condition certain city property for highest and best value in order to sell that property to pay for the infrastructure improvements... or something else other than passing a property tax and raising sales taxes.
Two things here, one I admire her consistent stand on funding. I believe she is saying that what is good for one proposed project should be good for the other... and I agree.
The other thing though, is if the city needs to address such things as traffic congestion... if tax money is NOT used to pay for city improvements, who then pays for such things??
But what about the infrastructure projects (i.e. traffic interchanges)?? Also, I'm not sure if the city left questions unanswered, instead I think that some people didn't like the answers (oh no, not more traffic on Seneca... type of thing).
Good reading nonetheless.
I didn't attend this event but included in the article is some information on the views the candidates have on the proposed I40 interchanges that have been in the news for the last couple of years.
From the article...
Interchange projects
One question from the audience asked for the candidates' views on the Kingman Crossing and Rattlesnake Wash interchange projects planned at Interstate 40, east of Andy Devine Avenue.
I'm just glad to see this is still an important topic of conversation.
(Candidate Travin) Pennington said he supports both projects, as both would spawn economic development, bring in sales tax revenue and fix some of the traffic issues in town, particularly those on Stockton Hill Road.
Speaking about Vestar Development Co., which plans to build a mall on the north side of Kingman Crossing, Pennington said, "I don't have a fiduciary responsibility to represent any developer in this town. I have a fiduciary responsibility to represent you, the voters of this community."
Mr. Pennington is right about economic development and the traffic issues, and here Kingman could work towards a private/public partnership agreement to address such issues. But that could mean having the city work with the likes of the developer that he mentioned towards a winning position for both the developer and the community.
Sounds like this candidate is a 'community first' kind of guy... that is good.
(Candidate Keith) Walker, who also supports both projects, said the interchanges are inevitable. He noted that the hospital MedCath Corp. is planning at Kingman Crossing North will not move forward until construction begins on the Crossing interchange. Director Gary Jeppson said in January that the Development Services Department would withhold building permits until construction commences.
I hope Mr. Walker is right about the inevitability of both interchanges. I did not know that the new hospital was on hold until there was a solution to the traffic interchange issue. I guess I missed Mr. Jeppson's comments back in January, last I remember the hospital group was saying that their project was a go and didn't need Interstate access.
Mr. Walker is still the only remaining candidate that I am definitely voting for at this time and I think he would help Kingman find a way to find a solution to the interchange issues whether that means leaning on land owners and developers to pony up for part, most, or all of the costs... or simply condition certain city property for highest and best value in order to sell that property to pay for the infrastructure improvements... or something else other than passing a property tax and raising sales taxes.
(Candidate Carole) Young said, "I believe every interchange is important," especially considering the growing congestion on Hualapai Mountain Road. But she added that she would not support the use of city sales tax revenue to help fund the projects.
Two things here, one I admire her consistent stand on funding. I believe she is saying that what is good for one proposed project should be good for the other... and I agree.
The other thing though, is if the city needs to address such things as traffic congestion... if tax money is NOT used to pay for city improvements, who then pays for such things??
(Candidate Craig) Schritter has "no problem with Kingman Crossing on the north side," but, he said, "The city left multiple questions unanswered on the south side." If developers want to build on the north side, "let them," he said.
But what about the infrastructure projects (i.e. traffic interchanges)?? Also, I'm not sure if the city left questions unanswered, instead I think that some people didn't like the answers (oh no, not more traffic on Seneca... type of thing).
Good reading nonetheless.
Spring time in Kingman
Well... as promised, albeit very late, here are some photos I took while on the 'Monolith Loop' hiking trail with my wife a couple of weekends ago.
There were formations like this one all along the hike, this one was from a high point on the loop.
Here is another example of this kind of formation. There was another area that had many of these stand alone types that I did not manage a decent photo from. Interesting hike.
Lots of colors out in the spring bloom.
Another example of the colors seen.
I'm not a big fan of heights so this was the best perspective of this particular canyon I could manage.
Now my wife on the other hand, obviously has no fear of heights. I was nervous just taking this photo. She is sitting just next to a fall off cliff and I used telephoto to be even this close.
Just to prove that I was actually on this 3.5 hour hike.
There were formations like this one all along the hike, this one was from a high point on the loop.
Here is another example of this kind of formation. There was another area that had many of these stand alone types that I did not manage a decent photo from. Interesting hike.
Lots of colors out in the spring bloom.
Another example of the colors seen.
I'm not a big fan of heights so this was the best perspective of this particular canyon I could manage.
Now my wife on the other hand, obviously has no fear of heights. I was nervous just taking this photo. She is sitting just next to a fall off cliff and I used telephoto to be even this close.
Just to prove that I was actually on this 3.5 hour hike.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Ahh... Sedona... I barely saw you
Things again have been slow again around here at MOCO. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday at a state Realtor Association planning session in beautiful Sedona. I didn't get to explore around because of time constraints, but I managed just a few photos taken from the front of the hotel I stayed in.
These photos were not my best effort.
I'll be sharing some photos from a recent hike I took in Kingman with my wife last weekend... Monolith Trail I think it is called. Once I get caught up I'll post some of those. I've never taken that hike before (as I try to avoid all hikes), but there were some amazing sites along the way. Once I post those, then I think it should be business as usual around MOCO again. There are local issues and the like to opine on. See you then.
These photos were not my best effort.
I'll be sharing some photos from a recent hike I took in Kingman with my wife last weekend... Monolith Trail I think it is called. Once I get caught up I'll post some of those. I've never taken that hike before (as I try to avoid all hikes), but there were some amazing sites along the way. Once I post those, then I think it should be business as usual around MOCO again. There are local issues and the like to opine on. See you then.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Gail's Polar Plunge...
Now that it is heating up here in Arizona, weather wise, I thought I'd make good on posting the photos from the polar plunge my wife took part in back in Minnesota.
This should help cool you off.
Thanks again for all the contributions that were made by local folks here in Kingman. Together we raised well over the $500 dollars I asked for in order to post these photos.
This should help cool you off.
Thanks again for all the contributions that were made by local folks here in Kingman. Together we raised well over the $500 dollars I asked for in order to post these photos.
From the email box
I received a link to an article last week and thought I'd share it.
It is a quick read for buyers potentially thinking about buying a home in the current market.
Simple, yet good advice.
See linked article here.
It is a quick read for buyers potentially thinking about buying a home in the current market.
Simple, yet good advice.
See linked article here.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
March Sales Report (2008)
Bottom forming?? I know there's been tons of 'hopeful' talk about this phenomenon actually taking place once again at some point in our remaining lifetime... so is it happening here in the Kingman market?? I'm not sure.
But when you look at the charts you will see the average sales price and the median sales price not forming a bottom... but rather a cliff. Prices are falling fast. On bit of good news though... production numbers in terms of units sold increased over the March of 2007 figure AND obviously rose up against the very weak January and February figures for this year. All told though, this last quarter is easily the worst quarter of sales in recent history.
Let's get started... first the disclaimer...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings and sales in units chart:
Hey now... sales better in March then they were in September and March of last year... at least we have that going for us. Still way too many listings hitting the market meaning way too much competition for sellers and hardly any pressure on buyers. Clearly a trend that has move in the opposite direction.
Average listings and sales averages chart:
I thought about including a trend line for the last three months... but the chart already did that for me. Falling fast and hard now and the new sellers to the market are not keeping up. Real sellers will close the gap not widen it.
2005 through 2008 unit sales chart:
We never saw the orange line eclipse the yellow line last year, so it is somewhat surprising to see the new blue line beat the orange line. This marks the first time in 24 months that unit sales increased in a year over year look. Sales in units were UP... I say UP... 22.6% as compared to the previous March. Woot!! (oh yes... there is some sarcasm in my woot exclamation)
I have a feeling though that sales in units will be back down below last April's numbers. I hope I'm wrong.
2005 through 2008 average price chart:
So the previous chart showed some 'good' news because of the increase of sales year over year. The average sales price is DOWN... I say DOWN... 26.5% from the previous March. The average price per unit sold is LOWER... I say LOWER... than it was in March of 2005 = three years ago.
Will this stimulate some form of normalcy for prices?? Is this the new 'floor' for pricing?? Or does the average price continue to trend at the same pace??
Well... there is still a ways to drop in order to reach 2004 average prices. In March of 2004 the average price per unit sold was $112,646. The market average price for March is closer to 2004 levels than it was LAST YEAR.
2005 through 2008 median price chart:
Lowest median price for the month of March in the last four years. Says it all.
The range of units sold in March was between $62,000 through $305,000.
Average SFR statistics:
The average home sold in March had 3.08 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 1.789 car garage, included 1,520 square feet of living space, and was built in 1992. The average hold sold for an average of $102 per square foot of living space.
It took an average of 109 days of marketing to attract a buyer to come to an agreement and a total of 149 days from the first day of marketing to the close of escrow.
Sellers reduced price $16,024 to attract a buyer on average from the first day of marketing, and conceded another $7,368 to the buyer in the transaction. The total average price concession for the homes sold in March was $23,392.
Bonus Charts:
The average price per square foot has dropped 22.7% since March of 2007.
On average, sellers conceded 13.15% from their original offering price for listings that closed in March of 2008 (sellers conceded just under 8% in March of 2007).
To sum it up... at the current sales run rate as compared to available inventory in the MLS, we find 17 months of inventory. A 'healthy' market has less than eight months of inventory (and that is pushing it).
See ya next time.
But when you look at the charts you will see the average sales price and the median sales price not forming a bottom... but rather a cliff. Prices are falling fast. On bit of good news though... production numbers in terms of units sold increased over the March of 2007 figure AND obviously rose up against the very weak January and February figures for this year. All told though, this last quarter is easily the worst quarter of sales in recent history.
Let's get started... first the disclaimer...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings and sales in units chart:
Hey now... sales better in March then they were in September and March of last year... at least we have that going for us. Still way too many listings hitting the market meaning way too much competition for sellers and hardly any pressure on buyers. Clearly a trend that has move in the opposite direction.
Average listings and sales averages chart:
I thought about including a trend line for the last three months... but the chart already did that for me. Falling fast and hard now and the new sellers to the market are not keeping up. Real sellers will close the gap not widen it.2005 through 2008 unit sales chart:
We never saw the orange line eclipse the yellow line last year, so it is somewhat surprising to see the new blue line beat the orange line. This marks the first time in 24 months that unit sales increased in a year over year look. Sales in units were UP... I say UP... 22.6% as compared to the previous March. Woot!! (oh yes... there is some sarcasm in my woot exclamation)I have a feeling though that sales in units will be back down below last April's numbers. I hope I'm wrong.
2005 through 2008 average price chart:
So the previous chart showed some 'good' news because of the increase of sales year over year. The average sales price is DOWN... I say DOWN... 26.5% from the previous March. The average price per unit sold is LOWER... I say LOWER... than it was in March of 2005 = three years ago.Will this stimulate some form of normalcy for prices?? Is this the new 'floor' for pricing?? Or does the average price continue to trend at the same pace??
Well... there is still a ways to drop in order to reach 2004 average prices. In March of 2004 the average price per unit sold was $112,646. The market average price for March is closer to 2004 levels than it was LAST YEAR.
2005 through 2008 median price chart:
Lowest median price for the month of March in the last four years. Says it all.The range of units sold in March was between $62,000 through $305,000.
Average SFR statistics:
The average home sold in March had 3.08 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 1.789 car garage, included 1,520 square feet of living space, and was built in 1992. The average hold sold for an average of $102 per square foot of living space.
It took an average of 109 days of marketing to attract a buyer to come to an agreement and a total of 149 days from the first day of marketing to the close of escrow.
Sellers reduced price $16,024 to attract a buyer on average from the first day of marketing, and conceded another $7,368 to the buyer in the transaction. The total average price concession for the homes sold in March was $23,392.
Bonus Charts:
The average price per square foot has dropped 22.7% since March of 2007.
On average, sellers conceded 13.15% from their original offering price for listings that closed in March of 2008 (sellers conceded just under 8% in March of 2007).To sum it up... at the current sales run rate as compared to available inventory in the MLS, we find 17 months of inventory. A 'healthy' market has less than eight months of inventory (and that is pushing it).
See ya next time.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Eunice 'Arlene' Stevenson...
Some may have known her as Arlene, or Mrs. Stevenson, or the person that would out-fish or out-hunt whoever was on the trip, or the Arizona Diamondbacks biggest fan (but she'd be the first person to say that it hasn't been the same since Luis Gonzalez left the team)... quite simply I knew her as 'Ma'.... as in "Hey Ma... any green chili burritos left??"
Arlene is my wife Gail's mother and our family lost more than the family matriarch last last Friday afternoon, much more.
I had a great relationship with my mother-in-law. I learned early on that a few compliments here or there about her cooking went a long way... usually meaning an endless smorgasbord of whatever she was cooking up on that particular day. Heck, she would even over rule my wife and fix me another plate when Gail would try, in vain, to cut me off. My larger than it needs to be midsection was always grateful.
You had to be on your toes around Arlene, at least have your guard up, as she was quick with the wit and wouldn't spare anyone (no matter how much you loved her cooking). I'm sure there are many stories to share, at this time though I'm having difficulty choosing some of my favorites. One quick one is that she knows how much I love to fish. She had fished the lakes in our area for many years. Every time I'd head out on a trip and come back with the news that I didn't catch anything she'd let me have it in a good spirited way. She'd always threaten to have me take her out so that she could teach me how to angle for the biggest catch on the lake. Sadly for me (good news I guess for the fish) we never made it out on a lake together. I do, though, hope she is with me in spirit the next time I head out (I need all the help I can get).
I want to thank all the folks that have called or emailed (and even commented on the blog) since the news of her passing. Right now the family is strong and we will get through this. Today is the first day that the obituary ran in the paper. Here is the link. Please join the family at the service on Friday if you can make it.
Lastly, below is a some of Arlene's paintings. Along with being good at everything else, she had artistic talents. The images are scanned in photos of some of her oil paintings. Over the years since I've lived here I've spotted many of her works in various local businesses. I've come to understand that folks would ask her to make custom leather belts that were equally as impressive. She was also known to write some fine poetry.
So Ma... I know you are out there... thank you for everything. Thanks for being a friend, mother-in-law, consultant, and fellow baseball fan. You meant more to me than I'm sure I've ever expressed to you, I miss you, and I love you.
Readers... please enjoy the paintings, and once again thanks for the understanding.
Arlene is my wife Gail's mother and our family lost more than the family matriarch last last Friday afternoon, much more.
I had a great relationship with my mother-in-law. I learned early on that a few compliments here or there about her cooking went a long way... usually meaning an endless smorgasbord of whatever she was cooking up on that particular day. Heck, she would even over rule my wife and fix me another plate when Gail would try, in vain, to cut me off. My larger than it needs to be midsection was always grateful.
You had to be on your toes around Arlene, at least have your guard up, as she was quick with the wit and wouldn't spare anyone (no matter how much you loved her cooking). I'm sure there are many stories to share, at this time though I'm having difficulty choosing some of my favorites. One quick one is that she knows how much I love to fish. She had fished the lakes in our area for many years. Every time I'd head out on a trip and come back with the news that I didn't catch anything she'd let me have it in a good spirited way. She'd always threaten to have me take her out so that she could teach me how to angle for the biggest catch on the lake. Sadly for me (good news I guess for the fish) we never made it out on a lake together. I do, though, hope she is with me in spirit the next time I head out (I need all the help I can get).
I want to thank all the folks that have called or emailed (and even commented on the blog) since the news of her passing. Right now the family is strong and we will get through this. Today is the first day that the obituary ran in the paper. Here is the link. Please join the family at the service on Friday if you can make it.
Lastly, below is a some of Arlene's paintings. Along with being good at everything else, she had artistic talents. The images are scanned in photos of some of her oil paintings. Over the years since I've lived here I've spotted many of her works in various local businesses. I've come to understand that folks would ask her to make custom leather belts that were equally as impressive. She was also known to write some fine poetry.
So Ma... I know you are out there... thank you for everything. Thanks for being a friend, mother-in-law, consultant, and fellow baseball fan. You meant more to me than I'm sure I've ever expressed to you, I miss you, and I love you.
Readers... please enjoy the paintings, and once again thanks for the understanding.
Deceptive Mortgage Advertising...
Wander around the Internet long enough and you are bound to run into ads for a new mortgage with a promise of lowering your payments and/or offering other goodies. Some of this advertising (and not just on the Internet) is obviously 'deceptive'.
At this link you will find a great article about this 'practice' and what one Senator in Washington DC is trying to do about it... for now... collect examples of deceptive ads. Please click on that link and read it, also if you know of such deceptive ads be sure to forward those examples to the law maker. All the info you need is provided on the link.
At this link you will find a great article about this 'practice' and what one Senator in Washington DC is trying to do about it... for now... collect examples of deceptive ads. Please click on that link and read it, also if you know of such deceptive ads be sure to forward those examples to the law maker. All the info you need is provided on the link.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Media report on Vegas housing market...
From this article linked here.
Read the whole thing.
My preliminary report for Kingman in March shows an increase in unit sales over last month and last year in March. Good news... yes.
But... that is where the the good news (depending on how you look at it) ends.
I read reports about the 'bottom' forming in the housing markets in places... well... we have what appears to be a cliff forming. Check back to see how prices are falling... fast.
More than half of Las Vegas home sales in March were foreclosures or short sales, the president of Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors said Monday.
The association reported 1,478 escrow closings for single-family homes during the month, a 34.6 percent increase from February. It was the third straight monthly increase. Sales are down 7.9 percent from the same month a year ago.
Read the whole thing.
My preliminary report for Kingman in March shows an increase in unit sales over last month and last year in March. Good news... yes.
But... that is where the the good news (depending on how you look at it) ends.
I read reports about the 'bottom' forming in the housing markets in places... well... we have what appears to be a cliff forming. Check back to see how prices are falling... fast.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Still light on the posting...
Readers... please stay patient with the blog at this time. Late last week my Mother-in-law passed away and I've been attending to family business.
The sales report will be out later this week and we'll soon be back to a state of normalcy around here.
Thanks again for your patience.
The sales report will be out later this week and we'll soon be back to a state of normalcy around here.
Thanks again for your patience.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Some reading...
Folks, I've been busy this week with some family business so I haven't been able to post on the blog all that much.
As you know, I follow other blogs about housing, investment, and other such types of markets. One of my very favorites is the BawlGuy Talking blog. I had been waiting for him to pen another article about the markets in general and it appeared a couple of days ago.
Here is the link.
I just get so tired of all the mainstream media hype about the imminent death of society because of the markets, and often I find Mr. Brown's take on things a needed breath of fresh air.
Feel free to disagree with him on his blog if you'd like. I keep reading his stuff because I know he's seen and experienced much more than I have about important issues like these.
As for the stock market in general... again I'm following closer in an effort to learn more... I'm finding the results very odd. Every time there seems to be bad news the Dow seems to go up. Today the jobs report came out and it looked pretty bad, yet the Dow is up slightly when I figured it'd be way down on the news.
As you know, I follow other blogs about housing, investment, and other such types of markets. One of my very favorites is the BawlGuy Talking blog. I had been waiting for him to pen another article about the markets in general and it appeared a couple of days ago.
Here is the link.
I just get so tired of all the mainstream media hype about the imminent death of society because of the markets, and often I find Mr. Brown's take on things a needed breath of fresh air.
Feel free to disagree with him on his blog if you'd like. I keep reading his stuff because I know he's seen and experienced much more than I have about important issues like these.
As for the stock market in general... again I'm following closer in an effort to learn more... I'm finding the results very odd. Every time there seems to be bad news the Dow seems to go up. Today the jobs report came out and it looked pretty bad, yet the Dow is up slightly when I figured it'd be way down on the news.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
March Listings Report (2008)
So much for the first quarter of the year... it is over... already!! Time is flying by and hopefully flying us in to a better selling season for single family homes in Kingman than we saw last year.
I'll be comparing figures from the previous month, but starting with this report I'll also include comparisons to the previous year.
The disclaimer and away we go...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings:
Today total listings available for single family residence equals 643 (up just a bit from 632 on March 1). The rate of new listings taken per day in March was 4.1. Compared to last years total listings available on the market are down 9.9%.
There were 127 new listings taken in March (back up as compared to 94 in February). The average asking price for the new listings is $206,106 (down from last months $211,721). The median asking price is $162,000 (also down from $165,000 previously). Newly listed units are down 15% from last year and the average sales price dropped 20% as compared to March of 2007.
The average newly listed home in March has 3.13 bedrooms, 2.2 baths, a 2.1 car garage, with 1,643 square feet of living space and was built in 1996. The average asking price per square foot of living space is $125. Lastly, 17 of the new listings were actually re-listed either by the same or different broker. 7 units are already under contract and 1 already closed.
The original price of new listings this month was from $57,000 through $654,500.
Units under contract:
As of today there are 104 total units under contract (holding steady compared to the number of 102 last month).
45 units entered into contracts in the month of March (basically the same as compared to 46 the previous month). The average asking price for homes that received contracts was $197,800 (up some from $176,235 last month) and the median asking price for March was $162,450 (up from the previous months $149,000 figure). Units entering contract are off from March of 2007 by 18% and the average marketing price is also down 4.7%.
The average home that went under contract in March has 3.09 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 2.178 car garage, with 1,704 square feet of living space, and was built in 1992. The average asking price per square foot of living space for listings that entered contract this month is $116. It was also priced $18,861 higher when it first was listed as compared to its current asking price (the average price reduction was $20,308 last month). The average marketing time to reach a contract was 104 days (from 141 last month).
The advertised price of units that entered contract was from $69,900 through $675,000.
Conclusions:
The rate of listing entering contract has remained steady the last two months, but the numbers are way down from the previous year. The up tick in new listing activity was not something that I wanted to see, but the average asking price has at least slipped so I think sellers are finally understanding where they need to set prices at to attract buyers. I'm not saying they are there yet, but at least on the right track.
Even though the average and the median price rose as compared to last month for units under contract, sellers still had to concede a large amount of money... and probably even more concessions in the agreement. I expect to see the final sales numbers for March continue to show increases in price concessions. Don't be surprised to find the average and the median sales price to be very close to the figures from March... of 2005.
So the first quarter is complete now. While I hate to predict the future I am starting to believe that we will see more total sales in units in 2008 as compared to 2007, but the prices will continue to slide back into the way-back machine. Buyers could start a run (albeit a slow jog) this year as each buyer has a different threshold they want to see before buying. Inventory of available listings is still way too high and won't be helped by the many foreclosures that this market will continue to see throughout this year.
Where is the bottom?? You tell me. I still feel as if a parachute is needed to safeguard against the fall.
Till the sales report... happy selling.
I'll be comparing figures from the previous month, but starting with this report I'll also include comparisons to the previous year.
The disclaimer and away we go...
Disclaimer... all data compiled for this report comes from the WARDEX Data Exchange and does not include any sales activity from outside that resource. All research is done only on single family homes and there is no inclusion of modular homes, commercial properties, or vacant land. The geographical area researched includes; all areas within the boundaries of the city of Kingman, north Kingman, the Hualapai Mountain area, and the Valle Vista subdivisions. Click here to see maps of the included area's.
Listings:
Today total listings available for single family residence equals 643 (up just a bit from 632 on March 1). The rate of new listings taken per day in March was 4.1. Compared to last years total listings available on the market are down 9.9%.
There were 127 new listings taken in March (back up as compared to 94 in February). The average asking price for the new listings is $206,106 (down from last months $211,721). The median asking price is $162,000 (also down from $165,000 previously). Newly listed units are down 15% from last year and the average sales price dropped 20% as compared to March of 2007.
The average newly listed home in March has 3.13 bedrooms, 2.2 baths, a 2.1 car garage, with 1,643 square feet of living space and was built in 1996. The average asking price per square foot of living space is $125. Lastly, 17 of the new listings were actually re-listed either by the same or different broker. 7 units are already under contract and 1 already closed.
The original price of new listings this month was from $57,000 through $654,500.
Units under contract:
As of today there are 104 total units under contract (holding steady compared to the number of 102 last month).
45 units entered into contracts in the month of March (basically the same as compared to 46 the previous month). The average asking price for homes that received contracts was $197,800 (up some from $176,235 last month) and the median asking price for March was $162,450 (up from the previous months $149,000 figure). Units entering contract are off from March of 2007 by 18% and the average marketing price is also down 4.7%.
The average home that went under contract in March has 3.09 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 2.178 car garage, with 1,704 square feet of living space, and was built in 1992. The average asking price per square foot of living space for listings that entered contract this month is $116. It was also priced $18,861 higher when it first was listed as compared to its current asking price (the average price reduction was $20,308 last month). The average marketing time to reach a contract was 104 days (from 141 last month).
The advertised price of units that entered contract was from $69,900 through $675,000.
Conclusions:
The rate of listing entering contract has remained steady the last two months, but the numbers are way down from the previous year. The up tick in new listing activity was not something that I wanted to see, but the average asking price has at least slipped so I think sellers are finally understanding where they need to set prices at to attract buyers. I'm not saying they are there yet, but at least on the right track.
Even though the average and the median price rose as compared to last month for units under contract, sellers still had to concede a large amount of money... and probably even more concessions in the agreement. I expect to see the final sales numbers for March continue to show increases in price concessions. Don't be surprised to find the average and the median sales price to be very close to the figures from March... of 2005.
So the first quarter is complete now. While I hate to predict the future I am starting to believe that we will see more total sales in units in 2008 as compared to 2007, but the prices will continue to slide back into the way-back machine. Buyers could start a run (albeit a slow jog) this year as each buyer has a different threshold they want to see before buying. Inventory of available listings is still way too high and won't be helped by the many foreclosures that this market will continue to see throughout this year.
Where is the bottom?? You tell me. I still feel as if a parachute is needed to safeguard against the fall.
Till the sales report... happy selling.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Response to a Daily Miner Op/ed...
Oh no... you may be thinking... what did Nick Wilbur write about this time that warrants a response?? Not Nick Wilbur?? Oh... it must be that rascally editor then, right?? No??
It is actually nothing of the sort... other than there was a certain op/ed piece in the KDM. The article appeared on the KDM website on 3/28... on the sports pages. I found it very interesting and noteworthy because the opinion was on the state of the National Hockey League. I know, I know... you must be thinking what is the National Hockey League?? Well I don't have time to explain, and this blog post is meant to be light hearted so hang in there with me on this one.
You'll find the entire column linked here.
First of all, thank you Mr. Byrne for even attempting to publish something about the NHL on your pages. I have to say that it is unexpected.
I notice many vehicles around town that have bumper stickers or window decals with NHL team emblems on them. I see people wearing hats and t-shirts as well with their favorite teams. I've even seen some homes with their teams represented on flag poles. There are what I call 'underground' fans of the great game of hockey... even way the heck out here in Kingman.
The team sport of hockey has always been my favorite sport to watch... and play. While I was a better baseball player, hockey has always been my game. I didn't start playing hockey until I was in my early adult years... and I only played in organized recreational leagues. I started in Las Vegas and now continue to play in Lake Havasu. I just realized that I still use my goalie chest and arm protective gear that I bought 14 years ago (could explain the inordinate amount of bruises I've received this season).
More from Mr. Byrne...
I have my beef's with the NHL these days as well. I still follow the game quite closely, but starting in the 90's the game changed for the worse because of emphasizing a defensive brand of strategy to win games. Larger and often times less skilled players were chosen to play for teams over better skilled players because the bigger player got in the way better and closed off scoring chances and therefore goals. Team coaches protected their jobs by winning with this new strategy to clamp down on part of what makes the game of hockey great.
Of course fans were spoiled in the 80's and early 90's by great skilled players such as Gretzky, Lemieux, Yzerman (before he became a checking center), and a few others. Players like this simply had their way and piled up scoring chances and points. There were a few teams that were truly powerhouses while the rest of the league was merely average. The team defense concept was in response to being embarrassed by the best skilled players in the league... and it was easy.
While I have my issues with the game of NHL hockey, in my opinion it is not the lack of scoring goals that makes the game a 'snooze fest'. Besides, Mr. Byrne the Stanley Cup playoffs start in a couple of weeks, there is no way you are going to tell me that those games will be a 'snooze fest' if you really are a hockey fan anyway.
The NHL will never be anything more than a cult following for a small percentage of sports fans. As much as I love the game, I've known this for many years.
Oh I now see your problem... you're a Skirts fan (Skirts is derived from the team being called at times the 'Blue Shirts' because they wear blue jerseys, I think lowly of the Rangers and therefore I refer to them as the 'Skirts', 'Smurfs', 'Rags', and even 'scourge of humanity'... but forgive me, I'm a Flyers fan).
I'd hate to spend my hard earned to sit in the 'Garden' and watch the 'Rags' play hockey as well.
Red seat!! Hilarious. A real hockey experience would call for a fan to sit in the 'Blues'. Heck I even did that once... I learned some incredibly wild foul language in that experience. Glad I didn't wear any orange and black that day.
Zero to zero games are rare these days, just so you know. The NHL adopted a new rule that if the game is tied at the end of regulation and overtime (even at 0-0) teams hold a 'shootout' to determine the winner. A goal has to be scored at some point.
I hate the 'shootout' for the record. Sure, I watch the shootout and am entertained by it, but it is a silly way to determine a winner of a game... that's just my opinion.
Mr. Byrne... just so you know the league front office has been tinkering with changes throughout this entire decade. The game still suffers.
Another FYI, since the 2005 season, the red line and two line passing infractions were taken out of the game. If you watch closely you will see attempts at long stretch passes to forwards moving ahead of the defenders creating glorious chances... when those attempts are successful. The red line only matters in terms of 'icing' infractions at this time... but the coach of the Coyotes (the Great One) has offered an idea to remove 'icing' calls short of the red line but only after the puck gains the neutral zone. If this happens... the red line is dead.
If you are really that jacked up to see many goals, I invite you to come to Sara Park in Havasu this upcoming Wednesday for the finals of the league I play in. Last week I played goalie for two teams and gave up 9 and 6 goals in each of those games... and both of my teams won their games.
I've posted 2 shutout's in the last 3 years playing goaltender. Winning still is more important than shutout's to me. Team play and defense determines the amount of goals that are going to get by me, this year all four of the teams in the league are balanced and high scoring.
Boo!! Any rule that borrows from basketball is not needed in hockey. Besides, you won't find D-men camped out in front of the goal unless there is an offensive player camped out in front of the goal. And five seconds is a long time in hockey when you are a player down trying to kill a penalty.
Can't help you with they Yote's. They will miss the playoffs this year but I think they've turned a corner and we should see them make the playoffs next year. They have a really nice young team in the making.
And since one of your requested changes has already happened, I urge you to watch the playoffs this year. The Western Conference part of the tournament should be incredible. The Ducks, Sharks, and Red Wings are great teams in a great conference.
Of course I'm partial to a certain team in the Eastern Conference that still has work to do to qualify for the playoffs. They won't win it all this year, but like the Coyotes, the Flyers are a team on the rise and my expectations will rise.
Mr. Bryne, please know that us hockey fans are out here in Kingman. We are more of an underground kind of group. I can't speak for the others, but this hockey fan appreciated seeing your column in the Miner. Throw us a bone once in awhile.
Also, I've mentioned our league in Havasu. We are winding down play for this year (it just gets too hot to play outdoors). Sure, it's only a roller hockey league but it is the best thing we have at this time. No one can afford to keep a sheet of ice in Mohave County (not even the good old boys with all their riches). Hockey is still hockey though. There is a nice youth organization in Havasu and an adult league.
There is talk of a new events center in the Bullhead City area that would bring a minor league hockey team to the area. In my opinion a better value for your dollar. No one will ever confuse Mohave County with a province from Canada in terms of hockey, but the sport is on the ever so slow incline of interest in this area.
It is actually nothing of the sort... other than there was a certain op/ed piece in the KDM. The article appeared on the KDM website on 3/28... on the sports pages. I found it very interesting and noteworthy because the opinion was on the state of the National Hockey League. I know, I know... you must be thinking what is the National Hockey League?? Well I don't have time to explain, and this blog post is meant to be light hearted so hang in there with me on this one.
You'll find the entire column linked here.
The NHL's scoring, snoring dilemma
Shawn Byrne
Miner Sports Writer
First of all, thank you Mr. Byrne for even attempting to publish something about the NHL on your pages. I have to say that it is unexpected.
I notice many vehicles around town that have bumper stickers or window decals with NHL team emblems on them. I see people wearing hats and t-shirts as well with their favorite teams. I've even seen some homes with their teams represented on flag poles. There are what I call 'underground' fans of the great game of hockey... even way the heck out here in Kingman.
The team sport of hockey has always been my favorite sport to watch... and play. While I was a better baseball player, hockey has always been my game. I didn't start playing hockey until I was in my early adult years... and I only played in organized recreational leagues. I started in Las Vegas and now continue to play in Lake Havasu. I just realized that I still use my goalie chest and arm protective gear that I bought 14 years ago (could explain the inordinate amount of bruises I've received this season).
More from Mr. Byrne...
There are five games left in the National Hockey League's regular season. The Phoenix Coyotes are six points out of the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.
I wish I cared.
A league that I used to follow closely has gone by the wayside, and now I can only hope that the league makes some changes to entice me back into the fold.
The games themselves are too long and have way too few goals or even opportunities to score.
I have my beef's with the NHL these days as well. I still follow the game quite closely, but starting in the 90's the game changed for the worse because of emphasizing a defensive brand of strategy to win games. Larger and often times less skilled players were chosen to play for teams over better skilled players because the bigger player got in the way better and closed off scoring chances and therefore goals. Team coaches protected their jobs by winning with this new strategy to clamp down on part of what makes the game of hockey great.
Of course fans were spoiled in the 80's and early 90's by great skilled players such as Gretzky, Lemieux, Yzerman (before he became a checking center), and a few others. Players like this simply had their way and piled up scoring chances and points. There were a few teams that were truly powerhouses while the rest of the league was merely average. The team defense concept was in response to being embarrassed by the best skilled players in the league... and it was easy.
As this year's regular season comes to a close, the team with the most points is the Detroit Red Wings. This doesn't mean they're the best team - the Stanley Cup playoffs will determine that.
The Red Wings average a measly 3.16 goals per game. The Coyotes are at a whopping 2.66. For a game that has 60 minutes of ice time, the lack of scoring results in a snooze fest for fans.
While I have my issues with the game of NHL hockey, in my opinion it is not the lack of scoring goals that makes the game a 'snooze fest'. Besides, Mr. Byrne the Stanley Cup playoffs start in a couple of weeks, there is no way you are going to tell me that those games will be a 'snooze fest' if you really are a hockey fan anyway.
The NHL will never be anything more than a cult following for a small percentage of sports fans. As much as I love the game, I've known this for many years.
Never mind capturing my attention on television, it can be complete torture attending a game live when you add in the 40 minutes of intermission time.
I attended my first live hockey game in 1986 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Up to that point, I dreamed of the day when I would be able to see my beloved (at that time) Rangers play in person.
Oh I now see your problem... you're a Skirts fan (Skirts is derived from the team being called at times the 'Blue Shirts' because they wear blue jerseys, I think lowly of the Rangers and therefore I refer to them as the 'Skirts', 'Smurfs', 'Rags', and even 'scourge of humanity'... but forgive me, I'm a Flyers fan).
I'd hate to spend my hard earned to sit in the 'Garden' and watch the 'Rags' play hockey as well.
I was eager to attend the Pittsburgh Penguins-Rangers game. I took the PATH train over to Manhattan, walked to the Garden, and then was crushed.
The marquee said, "Rangers - Sold Out."
I ventured to the front of the arena just to reminisce about the few times I had gone to the Garden as a youngster. I was staring at the model of the seating arrangement located in front of the ticket windows. I silently wished there was some way I could get into the magical palace.
From nowhere, a guy approached me then and asked, "Do you need a ticket?"
"What do you have?" I asked.
He showed me a red ticket. I looked at the model and my eyes lit up. Red seat! That would be right behind the glass! "How much?" I asked.
"Ticket value," he said.
Red seat!! Hilarious. A real hockey experience would call for a fan to sit in the 'Blues'. Heck I even did that once... I learned some incredibly wild foul language in that experience. Glad I didn't wear any orange and black that day.
For only $20 I sat right behind the glass for my first hockey game. I had a fight break out right in front of me, and without hesitation, I became a glass pounder.
When I left that game, however, I was glad that it was over. It was a night filled with anticipation that ended with major disappointment. Three periods of hockey, two intermissions and an overtime period that ended in a 0-0 tie. Not exactly what I would call fun.
Even then, I knew that hockey needed to spice things up some.
Zero to zero games are rare these days, just so you know. The NHL adopted a new rule that if the game is tied at the end of regulation and overtime (even at 0-0) teams hold a 'shootout' to determine the winner. A goal has to be scored at some point.
I hate the 'shootout' for the record. Sure, I watch the shootout and am entertained by it, but it is a silly way to determine a winner of a game... that's just my opinion.
Mr. Byrne... just so you know the league front office has been tinkering with changes throughout this entire decade. The game still suffers.
In a recent discussion with my boss about the state of hockey, we arrived at a couple ways for the game to be improved, and maybe, bring us back into the fold.
Eliminating the center line would be a good start. Keep the two-line passing rule, but get rid of the middle line to allow for more fast breaks. More scoring would lead to more excitement.
That's what baseball did. They lowered the pitcher's mound in 1969, and more runs have been produced. Additionally, stadiums are now built to encourage more home runs. When a pitcher throws a shutout today, it really means something.
It would be the same for hockey.
Another FYI, since the 2005 season, the red line and two line passing infractions were taken out of the game. If you watch closely you will see attempts at long stretch passes to forwards moving ahead of the defenders creating glorious chances... when those attempts are successful. The red line only matters in terms of 'icing' infractions at this time... but the coach of the Coyotes (the Great One) has offered an idea to remove 'icing' calls short of the red line but only after the puck gains the neutral zone. If this happens... the red line is dead.
When a goalie keeps another team scoreless, it would have more meaning than it does now.
If you are really that jacked up to see many goals, I invite you to come to Sara Park in Havasu this upcoming Wednesday for the finals of the league I play in. Last week I played goalie for two teams and gave up 9 and 6 goals in each of those games... and both of my teams won their games.
I've posted 2 shutout's in the last 3 years playing goaltender. Winning still is more important than shutout's to me. Team play and defense determines the amount of goals that are going to get by me, this year all four of the teams in the league are balanced and high scoring.
Another rule that we decided would add some excitement would be a take-off from basketball's three-seconds rule.
On power plays, a defensemen could only be in a predetermined area in front of the goal for five seconds. The defensemen would have to skate out of the area, opening up the inside for an attack by the team with the advantage.
Boo!! Any rule that borrows from basketball is not needed in hockey. Besides, you won't find D-men camped out in front of the goal unless there is an offensive player camped out in front of the goal. And five seconds is a long time in hockey when you are a player down trying to kill a penalty.
These two simple changes would allow me (and maybe my boss) to watch the Coyotes' last five games like a fanatic, and whether or not Phoenix made the postseason, I would tune into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
I really miss the days when the NHL meant something to me.
Can't help you with they Yote's. They will miss the playoffs this year but I think they've turned a corner and we should see them make the playoffs next year. They have a really nice young team in the making.
And since one of your requested changes has already happened, I urge you to watch the playoffs this year. The Western Conference part of the tournament should be incredible. The Ducks, Sharks, and Red Wings are great teams in a great conference.
Of course I'm partial to a certain team in the Eastern Conference that still has work to do to qualify for the playoffs. They won't win it all this year, but like the Coyotes, the Flyers are a team on the rise and my expectations will rise.
Mr. Bryne, please know that us hockey fans are out here in Kingman. We are more of an underground kind of group. I can't speak for the others, but this hockey fan appreciated seeing your column in the Miner. Throw us a bone once in awhile.
Also, I've mentioned our league in Havasu. We are winding down play for this year (it just gets too hot to play outdoors). Sure, it's only a roller hockey league but it is the best thing we have at this time. No one can afford to keep a sheet of ice in Mohave County (not even the good old boys with all their riches). Hockey is still hockey though. There is a nice youth organization in Havasu and an adult league.
There is talk of a new events center in the Bullhead City area that would bring a minor league hockey team to the area. In my opinion a better value for your dollar. No one will ever confuse Mohave County with a province from Canada in terms of hockey, but the sport is on the ever so slow incline of interest in this area.
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