SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL WCR CHAPTER AND YOUR COMMUNITY

Thank You to all that were able to donate to WCR  last Month. The  donation were a big hit...... we collected 25 Easter

Baskets and the Donations went to the Victorville Homeless shelter  and to A Better Way For Battered Women and Children.

Great Job WCR Members

 Visit W.C.R. (Victor Valley Chapter) at http://www.agent123.com/wcrvv

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President's Message - Twila Huey

       2007 is almost over and the "Nomination Committee" is busy calling all the members asking for your "Yes" to be added to the ballot for next year's board of directors or committee chair. .  Remember everyone needs to participate in the chapter to make it strong. Consider your involvement. Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Business Resource Luncheons on the second Wednesday, of each month, at our new location "QUALITY INN " located on 14173 Green Tree  in Victorville.                                                       

Upcoming WCR Business Luncheon:

Topic: DRIVE TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE  DESTINY

Sponsor: HOBBS & HERDER

Inspiration: 

Please note that Our Monthly WCR Business Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at Quality Inn, Victorville unless otherwise posted.

All special programs, the location will be announced.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact Twila Huey 
at 760-963-7510

For Tickets to upcoming events and/or fund raisers,

please call P.J. Stark, Ways and Means Chair at 760-241-100.

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Home Sales to Rise Gradually into 2008

After bottoming in the fourth quarter of 2006, existing-home sales are forecast to gradually rise through 2007 and into 2008, while new-home sales should turn around by summer, according to the latest forecast by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Annual totals for existing-home sales in 2007 will be comparable to 2006, says David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist.

“Keep in mind that we were still in boom conditions during the first quarter of 2006 with a high sales volume and double-digit price appreciation,” Lereah said. “We are starting 2007 from a relatively low point, so even with a gradual improvement in sales it’ll be pretty much of a wash in terms of annual totals.”

The good news, he says, is that a steady improvement in sales will support price appreciation moving forward.

2006 Sales Third-Highest on Record

Existing-home sales for 2006 are expected to come in at 6.50 million, the third highest on record, with a total of 6.42 million seen in 2007. New-home sales in 2006 should tally 1.06 million, the fourth highest on record, with 957,000 projected this year.

Total housing starts for 2006 are likely to be 1.81 million units, with 1.51 million forecast in 2007, which would be the lowest level in a decade. Builders are pulling back on new construction to support prices of remaining inventory.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will probably rise to 6.7 percent by the fourth quarter of 2007. Last week, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate at 6.18 percent, far below earlier consensus forecasts.

“The current interest rate environment and housing inventory levels present a window of opportunity for potential buyers,” Lereah says.

The national median existing-home price for all of 2006 is expected to rise 1.1 percent to $222,100, and then gain 1.5 percent this year to $225,300. The median new-home price, after rising only 0.3 percent to $241,600 in 2006, is projected to grow 3 percent in 2007 to $248,900.

Soft Landing for Housing

“With all the wild projections by academics, Wall Street analysts, and others in the media, it appears that much of the housing sector is experiencing a soft landing,” Lereah says. “Despite the doomsayers, household wealth will not evaporate and the economy will not go into a recession. If you're in it for the long haul, housing is a sound investment.”

The unemployment rate is likely to average 4.8 percent in 2007, following a rate of 4.6 percent in 2006. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is expected to be 2.2 percent in 2007, down from 3.2 percent last year, while growth in the U.S. gross domestic product is seen at 2.5 percent in 2007, compared with 3.3 percent last year.

Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income should grow 3.4 percent this year, following a rise of 2.7 percent in 2006.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine [January, 2007] with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.

Natural Light from Above Important for Health Improving The Quality Of Natural Light In Your Home

Bringing more natural light into our daily lives may be more important for our health than we realize. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is known to be related to how much sunlight we receive. Individuals with SAD may experience emotional depression, a drop in physical energy, increased appetite, and increased need for sleep.

According to WebMD Medical News, our mood is influenced by a complex web of relationships between sunlight, melatonin (the sleep hormone) and serotonin (the hormone associated with wakefulness and elevated mood). As darkness falls, our melatonin levels naturally increase. And as the morning light emerges, melatonin levels decrease.

Serotonin levels increase when we are exposed to bright light -- a major reason why moods tend to be more elevated during the summer. It is known that bright-light therapy can bring benefits to people with SAD because light affects the melatonin-serotonin system and elevates mood. In fact, some researchers are concluding that light therapy may help to alleviate SAD symptoms faster than antidepressant drugs. In a review of clinical trials of light therapy, Dr. Daniel Kripke at the University of California, San Diego reported that light therapy benefits not only SAD patients but also people suffering from other forms of depression.

Joe Patrick, senior product manager for VELUX America, points out that sunlight enters our homes through windows, doors and skylights. “Skylights admit 30 percent more light than vertical windows in dormers, and provide the drama of a sky view that can’t be achieved with vertical windows,” Patrick says. “And while increasing our exposure to balanced and healthful natural light, skylights, which can also provide ventilation, offer much more privacy without taking up valuable wall space that can be used for decorating or storage.”

And now is a particularly good time to consider upgrading existing skylights or adding new units to qualify for a tax credit of up to $200 under the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. Details are available at www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm.

For more information on the benefits of natural light and skylight selection call (800) 283-2831 or visit www.veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency visit www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit www.nfrc.org or www.efficientwindows.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Cooking Corner

Chocolate Stuffed Heart-ShapedFrench Toast
with Raspberry Sauce
Courtesy FoodNetwork.com

1 ounce thin bittersweet chocolate bar, such as Lindt
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk
4 1/3-inch thick slices stale egg bread
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
2 teaspoons sugar, or to taste
Confectioners' sugar for dusting
Mint for garnish

Break chocolate into 2 pieces. In a bowl whisk together eggs, vanilla, and milk. Using a 3-inch heart shaped cutter cut a heart shape from each slice of bread. Place a piece of chocolate on top of one of the pieces of bread and gently press another piece on top, pinching the edges. Repeat the procedure with other 2 pieces of bread. Dip bread into egg mixture, making sure they are soaked. Heat the butter in a non-stick skillet over moderate heat until it begins to foam, add the stuffed bread hearts and cook them, turning them once for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until they are nicely browned. In a bowl mash 3/4 of the raspberries and stir in the sugar. Stir in the remaining berries. Transfer the browned hearts to a plate and top with the raspberries. Dust with confectioners' sugar and garnish with mint.