Existing Home Sales Climb Again in October For every family
https://www.bestdigitalmate.com/craigslist-vt/ Sales of existing homes in the US rose for the second consecutive month in October and are at their highest level since July 2007, according to a Reuters report. It appears as buyers are coming out of the woodwork to avail themselves of high levels of affordability and the tax credits available for first time and existing homeowners.
The report reflected a survey compiled consisting of predictions of 29 analysts. The analysts projected, based on October sales, a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.7 million home sales. It was the highest rate of home sales since July of 2007, when the rate was slightly higher, and up from September’s rate which was 5.56 million.
The forecasts did have a broad range, from as low as 5.25 million home sales to as much as 6 million. Existing homes have been selling faster and faster for the majority of this year and if the October projections hold true, it will be the sixth time in seven months that sales increased on a monthly basis. Home sales usually rise in the Spring with warmer weather but this year the momentum has continued through the summer and fall.
First time home buyers
First time homebuyers have been enticed into the market in huge numbers by the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit, part of a broader economic stimulus bill, which had been scheduled to expire on November 30th. President Obama’s administration, however, recently extended the credit through April 30th and added a $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners buying a new home. The new credit applies for buyers who sign contracts to buy a home before April 30th and close before June 30th.
Another contributing factor to rising sales are the lowest mortgage rates in decades. The resulting improved affordability of home ownership has helped the housing market begin to stabilize after a three year crisis, the worst in the US since the Great Depression. Home prices have leveled off throughout the US and in some areas have begun to rise again.
The stabilization of the housing market is of course a good indicator for the economy as a whole, since the housing market was the first area hit at the onset of the recession. But since foreclosed properties account for a large portion of overall sales, many doubt the sustainability of the apparent recovery. There are certainly a tremendous amount of unsold homes remaining, with possibly millions more foreclosures on the horizon, so prices could still dip in the near future.
How Can Instructional Technology Make Teaching and Learning More Effective in the Schools?
https://thetimebusiness.com/technology/look-wellsaid-vocalid-aihao-mit-technologyreview/ In the past few years of research on instructional technology has resulted in a clearer vision of how technology can affect teaching and learning. Today, almost every school in the United States of America uses technology as a part of teaching and learning and with each state having its own customized technology program. In most of those schools, teachers use the technology through integrated activities that are a part of their daily school curriculum.
For instance, instructional technology creates an active environment in which students not only inquire, but also define problems of interest to them. Such an activity would integrate the subjects of technology, social studies, math, science, and language arts with the opportunity to create student-centered activity. Most educational technology experts agree, however, that technology should be integrated, not as a separate subject or as a once-in-a-while project, but as a tool to promote and extend student learning on a daily basis.
Today, classroom teachers may lack personal experience with technology and present an additional challenge. In order to incorporate technology-based activities and projects into their curriculum, those teachers first must find the time to learn to use the tools and understand the terminology necessary for participation in projects or activities. They must have the ability to employ technology to improve student learning as well as to further personal professional development.
