Entries by Toby Tobin

U.S. Pending Home Sales Retreat Again in August but Remain at Healthy Level

Pending home sales retreated in August but remained at a healthy level of activity and have now risen year–over–year for 12 consecutive months, according to the National Association of Realtors®. WASHINGTON —  September 28, 2015 — Pending home sales retreated in August but remained at a healthy level of activity and have now risen year–over–year for […]

House of the Week: Salt Water Canal Home in Island Estates

This 4,015 sf home sits on a 1.28-acre lot on a private island, close enough (only 300 yards) to the Atlantic Ocean to hear the surf and smell the salt air. PALM COAST, Fla. – September 25, 2015 – GoToby returns to the exclusive Island Estates section of Hammock Dunes for this week’s House of […]

By 2025, 13M Will Pay 50 Percent of Income for Housing

Number of households spending more than 50 percent of their income on rent is expected to rise at least 11 percent – from 11.8 million to 13.1 million – by 2025, according to Harvard University Study. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Sept. 22, 2015 – The number of households spending more than 50 percent of their income […]

U.S. Existing-Home Sales Stall in August, Prices Moderate

Despite last month’s expected seasonal decline, sales have risen year–over–year for 11 consecutive months and are 6.2 percent above a year ago (5.00 million). WASHINGTON – September 21, 2015 – Following three straight months of gains, existing–home sales dipped in August despite slowing price growth and a positive turnaround in the share of sales to first–time buyers, according […]

U.S. Housing Starts Edge Lower in August, Permits Up

Nationwide housing starts dropped 3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.126 million units in August. Overall permit issuance rose 3.5 percent to a rate of 1.170 million. PALM COAST, Fla. – September 20, 2015 – Nationwide housing starts dropped 3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.126 million units in August, […]

House of the Week Epitomizes the ‘Grand’ in Grand Haven

This 3,581 square foot ICI-built custom home in Grand Haven’s North Park section sits on a more than 1/3-acre lot backed by a 1.18-acre preserved area. PALM COAST, Fla. – September 18, 2015 – The September 18th GoToby.com House of the Week is a beautiful 3,581 square foot ICI-built custom home in Grand Haven’s North […]

Flagler County’s Real Foreclosure Status: No Bull

Based on bad data, the N-J’s reported July and August change in Flagler’s foreclosure picture as well as its #1 National Ranking in July are simply alarmist bullshit. PALM COAST, Fla. – September 17, 2015 – The N-J reports on the Volusia and Flagler foreclosure scene today, quoting California-based RealtyTrac. They might as well look […]

What Irks Homeowners? Study Uncovers Why They Move

Every living situation has something that gets under an owner’s skin. 75 percent of respondents who have lived in their home for over a decade complain about it. FOSTER CITY, Calif. – Sept. 16, 2015 – Every living situation has something that gets under an owner's skin. Realtors who can solve those problems for homeowners […]