Dear Friends,
Hope you are doing well. We have had a very busy month. A recent article from CNN Money has some great information about the housing market. Several housing experts believe buying a home may never get any cheaper. They are predicting that this year will be the last chance for bargain hunters to cash in on the best deals of the current housing market.
A number of factors will help bolster the housing market, including a decline in the number of foreclosures and continued job growth. In addition, homebuyers will have better access to mortgages as they get their finances in order and improve their credit scores. With this outlook it is more important than ever for homebuyers to start getting serious about purchasing a home.
Keep in mind that real estate is local and that you should take a look at what is going on in our local market and in your specific neighborhood. We included a snapshot of our current market statistics and information below. If you want more detailed information, please feel free to contact us.
Remember we can show you every home listed for sale in our area. Make sure you also check out the six homes that we listed for sale this month. Click on each picture to see more information and a virtual tour.
There are a lot of interesting events happening in the area this month. Check out a few that we highlighted below. If you want to see more great events, check out our local blog LifeInHickory.com.
We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and keep us in mind if you know anyone thinking of buying or selling a home. Whatever your real estate needs we are always happy to help, just give us a call.
Talk to you soon . . . . .
 Current Local Market Statistics
Active Home Listings as of May 8, 2012:
Current Active Listings: 1969
Average Days on Market: 204
Average List Price: $192,268
Active Lakefront Listings: 90
Active Foreclosures: 117
Active Possible Short Sales: 72
Active HUD Listings: 17
Homes listed as “under contract” or “sale pending”: 286
Sold Listings for April 2012:
Number of homes sold: 153
Average Days on Market: 163
Average Sold Price: $143,780
* Statistics were taken from Catawba Valley MLS and were based on single family homes listed and sold in Catawba, Caldwell, Burke and Alexander Counties. Does not include non MLS data.
New Listings
  
  
~ click on each home for more information ~
Business/Economy
Small Business Employment Grows Rapidly
The job market is looking up and small businesses are reaping the benefits. Small business job recovery is encouraging because it implies growing demand within the U.S. economy. Read this article for more insights by Philip Noftsinger, business unit president for CBIZ Payroll Services.
Click Here to Read the Full Article by MSNBC.com
Check out the "Resource Center" in the left-hand column of this newsletter for interactive online tools that can help answer just about any industry related question.
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Brian Tracy Article
How to be Happy: 5 Steps to Living a Life You Love
Brian Tracy is a world-renowned personal and professional development coach that has helped millions of people achieve their goals and develop a positive mindset. Brian will be contributing to our newsletter every month by providing us with an article to help inspire you, our clients, to reach higher and achieve more than ever before.
Click Here to Read the Full Article by Brian Tracy
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Interesting Articles & Photos
Lickable, Tasty Walls Installed Inside Company Elevator in London
Staff workers at a communications building in London have something more to do when they ride the company elevator. They can lick one of the 1,325 Jaffa Cake, a popular orange-flavored sponge cake snack, flavored stickers that line the walls. Would you give the world's first lickable elevator a taste test?
Click Here to Read the Full Article by NBCSanDiego.com
Netflix's Unlimited Employee Vacation Policy: Why It Works
Will extra time off improve company culture? Sure. But can giving workers all the time off they want also increase their productivity. Netflix is one of many companies to adopt an unlimited employee vacation policy where success is measured by what employees get done rather than on how many days they worked. Share this article with your co-workers and more importantly your boss and maybe your company will be the next to adopt an unlimited vacation policy.
Click Here to Read the Full Article by Mashable.com
Woman's Cancer May Have Been Fruit Pit from 1984
Bianca Riveron was struggling, as many Americans do, with lung trouble. After decades of coughing, asthma attack, and other problems, doctors had recently found a spot on her lung. Lung cancer is always the pits, but sometimes the pit isn't lung cancer.
Click Here to Read the Full Article by WTSP.org
Where Are The Flying Cars?
Call it keeping up with the Jetsons. After decades of dreaming of traveling via flying cars, we're one step closer to the goal. Terrafugia, a company dedicated to creating personal aviation solutions, has debuted their version of the flying car. The Transition, is the ultimate hybrid combining a car with a small private plane.
Click Here to Read the Full Article by StarTribune.com
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Videos of the Month
Girl Swallowed by Pavement in China
Imagine walking down the street, chatting on the phone when suddenly the sidewalk opens under your feet and you fall 18 feet into the darkness under the street. That's exactly what happened to this poor woman in China. The accident was captured on a surveillance camera aimed at the street. You must see this video to believe it!
Click Here to Watch the Video by YouTube.com
Stressed Cat Had a Long Day At Work
A cat's life can be extremely stressful. Scratching furniture, playing with toys, sleeping, chasing laser pointers and being petted all day...Sounds rough right? The cat in this video unwinds by getting a neck massage. He's got to work out all those knots.
Click Here to Watch the Video by YouTube.com
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Delicious Recipe of the Month
Spanish Chicken and Potato Roast
This recipe is delicious and full of flavor. The spice in the chicken mixed with the lemon juice makes for a perfect combination. This is a super easy recipe to make when you don't want to slave over a hot stove and the clean up is even easier. Everyone is sure to love this dish, perfect for Spring!
Click Here for the Full Recipe by FoodNetwork.com
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Dumb Criminal Story of the Month
Obiwan Kenobi Arrested for Hit and Run
A California man who legally changed his name to match that of the fictional "Star Wars" hero may have given in to the temptations of the dark side of the Force, as he was charged with a hit-and-run. And as Yoda warned the fictional Kenobi, "Told you I did. Reckless is he. Now, matters are worse."
Click Here to Read the Full Article by YahooNews.com
Call Hickory Real Estate Group
for all your home buying and selling needs
828-318-8722
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