RMLS Most Available Data For This 2010 Reporting Period

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

Comparing June 2010 to the same month in 2009, closed sales were up 14.3% and pending sales declined 22.2%. New listings rose 7.7%. See residential highlights table below

Further, when comparing June 2010 with May 2010, closed sales increased 4.7% (335 v. 320), pending sales were up 7% (274 v. 256), and new listings rose 15.1% (603 v. 524).

At the month’s rate of sales, the 2,425 active residential properties would last 7.2 months, the same as last month.

SALE PRICES

The June 2010 average and median sale prices fell 0.6% and 3.1%, respectively, when compared to June 2009.

Compared with May 2010, average sale price went down 0.7% ($227,200 v. $228,800) and median sale price fell 0.3% ($203,000 v. $203,500).

SECOND QUARTER REPORT

Comparing the second quarter of 2010 with that of 2009, closed sales increased 34.5% (990 v. 736). Pending sales grew 1% (947 v. 938) and new listings went up 12.9% (1,852 v. 1,640).

Got Gas? Well Your House Sure Does and It's Bad For Your Health!

We humans breathe in 3,000 gallons of air daily -- 65 percent of it indoors! Not exactly great news. Why? Because indoor air pollution can be two to five times as high as levels in great the outdoors, accorreding to the EPA. Blame building materials, fuel-burning appliances, and stuff you use to clean your castle: They all emit pollutants that over time can contribute to health problems like asthma, headaches, fatigue, heart disease, and even cancer, says Helen Suh MacIntosh, Sc.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health. Snuff out these bad guys and breathe easier:

CARBON MONOXIDE

Nitrogen dioxide, and tiny sootlike floaters called particular matter can seep out from the improperly maintained stoves, fireplaces, and chimmneys. Low-level exposure to carbon monoxide leads to headaches and nausea; high levels are deadly. Nitrogen dioxide can caue eye, nose, and throat irritation. Particular matter can damage lung tissue.

ACTION: Snag a carbon monoxide detector. Use a fan when cooking with a gas stove, and make sure the flame tip is blue. (Yellow indicates that pollution emissions are too hight; call your gas company to adjust the burner.)

PHTHALATES

Phthalates are chemicals used to disperse scents and make plastic flexible. Found in detergents, air freshners, vinyl flooring, and vinyl shower curtains, they're linked with reproductive and development problems and, studies indicate, an increased risk for asthma and allergies.

ACTION: Switch to phthalate-free detergents (Seventh Generation is an example), used baked lemons as natural fragrance, and hang hemp cloth shower curtains.

PBDEs

Polybrominated diphenyl flame retardants added to plastics, foams, and fabrics, are found in some TVs, computers, and furniature. Exposure can cause brain and reproductive problems in developing animals.

ACTION: Clean with damp rag to avoid stirring up dust (which may contain PBDEs) and cover or replace exposed foam pads in cushions.

RADON

Radon is an odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas. It arises from the breakdown of uranium in the bedrock beneath your home. Among nonsmokers, it's the leading cause of lung cancer, resulting in 20,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.

ACTION: Measure levels in your home with a certified home test such as Kidde Radon Detection Kit.

VOCs

VOCs or volatile organic compounds are chemicals that are gaseous at room temperature; they're in paint, all-purpose cleaners, wood preservatives, carpet glue, and dry-cleaned clothing. Possible health effects range from eye, nose, and throat irritation to headaches, nausea, and cancer.

ACTION: Look for cleaning products that have simple ingredients (again, Seventh Generation is an example of this and also Ecover), and avoid products made from pressed wood, such as particleboard. It contains VOC formaldehyde, a probably carcinogen. Find low-VOC paints and flooring (www.ecologo.org), and ID per-free dry cleaners at findco2.com.

Brought to you by Women's Health