Existing Home Sales According to the National Association of Realtors

 Existing Home Sales According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales for January increased by +.6% to an annualized rate of 6.69mln units. Looking YoY, this is +23.7% higher vs. January 2020, and is the second highest sales pace since April 2006. “Home sales are continuing to play a part in propping up the economy,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the NAR. “With additional stimulus likely to pass and several vaccines now available, the housing outlook looks solid for this year.” While looking solid on headline, inventory remains the biggest issue ahead. There were 1.04mln homes for sale at the end of January, which is a -26% drop from a year ago. At the current sales pace, there is now a 1.9-month supply, the lowest since 1982 when tracking began. With a lack of supply and high demand, prices have continued to increase as well. The median price of an existing home sold in January was $303,900, a +14.1% increase from January 2020, and the highest January print in history. “We need to build more homes,” said Yun. “Even though housing starts show a decline, it is interesting that the housing permits, the desire to build homes, remains at the highest in over a decade.” We also see that activity was the slowest on the very low end of the market, with sales of homes priced below $100,000 down -28% YoY, and sales of million-dollar homes up +77%. In addition, the number of days on the market continued to be very swift, with homes selling on average in 21 days, compared with last January at 43 days. Finally, the regional breakouts showed declines in the West (-4.4% to 1.31mln) and Northeast (-2.2% to 870k), with gains in the South (+3.2% to 2.94mln) and Midwest (+1.9% to 1.57mln).

 

 

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

ICE PICK TO BEMUS BAY Grand Prize Winner Will Receive $250

 

The bright orange tripod is placed on the frozen water near The Lawson Center in Bemus Point. Once the clock is set, the pick is monitored with video surveillance to accurately record the precise date and time the pick falls through the ice.

As a winter fundraiser for the CLA, the community is invited to share their predications on when the ice will thaw and the ice pick will drop.

To participate, predict the exact date and time the pick will fall through the ice. There will be a $5 donation per guess and predictions will be accepted through March 20.

The grand prize winner will receive $250 and the next five closest guesses will each receive $50. All remaining funds will benefit the Chautauqua Lake Association’s year round lake management efforts. Visit
ChautauquaAssociation.org/events to download a mail-in form or submit a guess online.

 

 

 

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Online Lake Survey Launched

 The Chautauqua Lake Protection and Rehabilitation Agency launched an online community survey to gather input on a potential Chautauqua Lake District. The survey is intended to seek feedback from residents and property owners. The agency was appointed by the Chautauqua County Legislature in 2018 to explore forming a Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District in order to improve the health and use of the Lake. The Agency was tasked with evaluating lake protection and rehabilitation needs and making recommendations to the County Legislature regarding the creation and activities of a Chautauqua Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District. To date, the agency has developed a preliminary outline of key components that would be included in a District Plan, including potential boundaries, services to be provided, governance options, and possible fee structures. The community survey asks about these topics and seeks feedback about moving forward with the Lake District. The survey is available at SurveyMonkey.com/r/CHQlakedistrict and will be open until March 15.

 www.SurveyMonkey.com/r/CHQlakedistrict

 

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua Lake Homes

Sheriff offers safety tips as more seek recreation on Chautauqua Lake

Feb 4, 2021

Eric Tichy

etichy@post-journal.com

  

Photo by Jay Young Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone outlined several safety reminders for those thinking of venturing onto frozen bodies of water this winter. Several ice huts currently can be seen dotted across Chautauqua Lake.

Chautauqua Lake has proven to be a popular destination — come sun or snow. Those looking to enjoy the lake’s offerings are encouraged to keep safety in mind, especially when it comes to winter activities such as ice fishing or snowmobile use.

Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said in general, ice is “never 100% safe.” He noted that ice thickness can change and vary by location, pointing out that temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and streams can all impact the ice.

The sheriff said ice thickness can be measured with a chisel/spud bar or auger and “should be measured frequently as you move.”

Quattrone offered “minimal guidelines” that always should be followed when out on any body of water during the winter.

¯ if ice thickness is under 4 inches, staff off. If at 4 inches, ice is OK for fishing or other activities on foot. And between 5 and 7 inches, ice is OK for snowmobile or ATV use;

¯ travel the ice with another person (but spread out), or at least share plans with family, friends or neighbors so a location is known. Keep them updated if plans change;

¯ consider stopping at local bait shops “as they are happy to share information on ice conditions,” Quattrone said;

¯ wear a flotation suit or a personal flotation device. Carry a pair of ice picks that make it possible to climb out;

¯ if using a heater inside an ice hut or shanty, ensure good ventilation. “A poorly ventilated shanty can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning,” the sheriff said;

¯ snowmobile travel: the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office does not recommend traveling on the ice as there are hundreds of miles of well-maintained funded trails in the county to be used. If traveling via snowmobile on the ice, a distance of 100 feet must be maintained from any ice shanty or person unless traveling at a minimum speed to keep forward movement.

As a safety example, Quattrone noted a lake rescue of two men in March 2016. The incident took place near Chautauqua Institution when two fishermen, both from Pennsylvania, fell through the ice.

One of the men was able to pull himself out of the water. The other was able to hang onto the ice until being rescued by volunteer firefighters.

“They were wearing inflatable life jackets, which that and a quick response by the local fire department, saved their lives,” Quattrone said.

 

 

 

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com