Granite City HGTV hometown takeover

posted by: GHW Students and Teachers | Monday February 10, 2020

The Biggest Issue Facing Housing Next Year in Cities like Pontoon Beach, Illinois

posted by: George Sykes | Broker/Realtor Worth Clark Realty | Wednesday December 18, 2019

This coming year the housing market will be defined by 3 things- inventory, interest rates, and appreciation. But the biggest issue the housing market will face in 2020 is an inventory shortage. There aren’t enough homes on the market for buyers, especially on the lower end of the market. This is a topic that has come up frequently within the past several months.

Based on what is forecasted, we know that interest rates are projected to remain low and that appreciation is expected to continue as we move into 2020. Additionally, the upcoming election will provoke many unique perspectives on the health of the US housing market. The challenge will be understanding what is actually happening and how you can best position yourself if you are thinking of buying or selling your home.

Here are several perspectives to consider on the inventory issue facing housing next year:

According to realtor.com:
“Despite increases in new construction, next year will once again fail to bring a solution to the inventory shortage that has plagued the housing market since 2015. Inventory could reach a historic low as a steady flow of demand, especially for entry level homes, and declining seller sentiment combine to keep a lid on sales transactions.”

Diana Olick at CNBC:
“Inventory has been falling annually for five straight months, after it recovered slightly toward the end of last year, due to a spike in mortgage rates. Rates began falling again by spring of this year. Homebuilders have been increasing production slowly, but it’s not enough to meet the increasingly strong demand.”

George Ratiu, Senior Economist with realtor.com
“As millennials — the largest cohort of buyers in U.S. history — embrace homeownership and take advantage of this year’s unexpectedly low mortgage rates, demand is outstripping supply, causing inventory to vanish. The housing shortage is felt acutely at the entry-level of the market, where most millennials are looking to break into the market for their first home.”

The September Perfect Attendance Education and Workforce Grow Granite winners for a free trip to the Granite City Cinema and all the fun!

posted by: Granite City School District #9 | Tuesday October 22, 2019

Congratulations students, they are pictured here with Mrs Kristen Novacich Koberna and their respective Principals Mr Stratton, Grigsby, Mrs Yarbrough, Mitchell, Mr Lull Maryville, Mr Schooley, Wilson, and Mrs Mitchell, Frohardt.

Brianna Zeisset Grigsby
Gregory Walker JR. Mitchell
Tyler Potter Maryville
Liam Brandt Wilson
Karma Pellazari Frohardt

Homes Across the Country are Selling Fast

posted by: George Sykes | Broker/Realtor Worth Clark Realty | Tuesday October 22, 2019

Some Highlights:

The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for the release of their Confidence Index.

The REALTORS® Confidence Index is a key indicator of housing market strength based on a monthly survey sent to over 50,000 real estate practitioners. Practitioners are asked about their expectations for home sales, prices, and market conditions.

Homes across the country are selling quickly, in an average of just 31 days.

49% of homes sold in less than a month.

The Excellence in Education Grants for Teachers Program Awards $36,500 in Grant Money

posted by: Granite City School District #9 | Monday September 30, 2019

The Excellence in Education Grants for Teachers Program Awards $36,500 in Grant Money

The Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation (IRTAF) awards $36,500 in grant money to several public school educators (Pre-K through 12) statewide. IRTAF is affiliated with the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, a lobbying group for retired educators, with a current membership of over 38,500. On September 30, 2019, Jennifer Connolly was awarded his/her IRTAF grant check. Below, you will find more information on the winner, along with his/her school, the amount of the award, IRTA Area, and a summarized paragraph of the project in the winner’s own words.

Jennifer Connolly, Granite City Senior High School, Granite City ($727.00) Area 6 I am hoping to conduct book clubs with future classes using engaging and relevant young adult titles. Just like Penny Kittle and Kelly Gallagher in their recent professional development book, 180 Days, I've found kids get excited about reading stories in which they can both see themselves and find new perspectives. The books I've selected are high interest and will be of use for many years to come.

The IRTA Foundation designed this program based on the idea that educators often do not have additional revenue sources available for unique student projects or classroom materials. This program allotted a total of $36,500 to Illinois public school educators for these purposes.

Applicants were required to meet the proper criteria and to submit their proposals by early June. The IRTAF Board of Directors selected the grant recipients and awards are being presented now. The Illinois Principals Association played a vital role in assisting IRTAF with the promotion of this program.

For more information, please contact

Tricia Klim, Member Services Coordinator of IRTA, at (800) 728-4782 or go to www.irtaonline.org.

September Real Estate by the Numbers

posted by: George Sykes, Broker, Worth Clark Realty | Sunday September 15, 2019

Remember

Wednesday September 11, 2019

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.” —David Levithan, Love is the Higher Law

A Recession Does Not Equal a Housing Crisis

posted by: George Sykes, Broker, Worth Clark Realty | Tuesday September 10, 2019

Some Highlights

• There is plenty of talk in the media about a pending economic slowdown.
• The good news is, home values actually increased in 3 of the last 5 U.S. recessions, and decreased by less than 2% in the 4th.
• Many experts predict a potential recession is on the horizon. However, housing will not be the trigger, and home values will still continue to
appreciate. It will not be a repeat of the crash in the 2008 housing market.

Wondering when to list a home in Pontoon Beach?

posted by: George Sykes, Broker, Worth Clark Realty | Tuesday June 11, 2019

I have always heard it was best to purchase a car on the last day of the month because reps and dealerships are trying to hit their numbers. And I do know that Real Estate transactions pick up speed going into the summer, but not sure I have ever thought about the absoute best days to list. ATTOM Data Solutions took a look. Here is what we found:

posted by: George Sykes, Broker, Worth Clark Realty | Wednesday June 5, 2019

There are many financial benefits to homeownership, but probably none more important than its ability to create family wealth. How Housing Matters is a joint project of the Urban Land Institute and the MacArthur Foundation. It is an online resource for research and information on how homeownership contributes to individual and community success.

Their article, The First Rung on the Ladder to Economic Opportunity Is Housing, explains the importance of homeownership to a family’s financial health. In that article, they simply stated:

“The ladder to economic success can stretch only so high without the asset-building power of homeownership.”

Later in life, this wealth is crucial…

Read full article.

Search Tool is Always On

posted by: George Sykes | June 4, 2019

Local Search is built into every page of pontoonbeach.com . The search bar is located top and center of this page. As you type, possible search matches begin to appear. You should see local businesses, business categories and products and services. Try it out.

Nothing matters but the weekend
   ... from a Tuesday point of view.

Welcome Back pontoonbeach.com | June 4, 2019

New pontoonbeach.com is active.

posted by: George Sykes | June 4, 2019

Update: Success. As of June 3, the new site is active.
New features will continue to be added over the next week. Enjoy.

It’s time.

• Time for a reboot.

• Time for a true Local Search Engine.

• Time for a website that aligns with the community.

• Welcome home to pontoonbeach.com

created by wildfire internet

Read full details.