Real Estate Market

Congress recently extended the home buyer tax credit closing date to September 30. The measure would give more time to thousands of qualified home purchasers, who through no fault of their own are unable to meet the current closing deadline of June 30; however the measure would not extend the deadline for home buyers to qualify for the tax credit. The deadline extension applies only to homebuyers who have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, but could not close before June 30.

The April 30 deadline created a surge of home sales in April. Let’s take a look at the Huntsville  real estate sales statistics in June compared to May.

Madison County/Huntsville Real Estate Sales Statistics 

Huntsville and Madison County saw an increase of 10% in sold listings when compared to May 2010.  The average sales price increased by 11% to $220,296.  The average price per square foot remained the same in June 2010 when compared to May 2010.  And the average list price increased by 11%, while homes were on the market an average of 8 days less than May 2010.

The increase in sales is a positive. However, much of the increase is a result of the expiring homebuyer tax credit’s as well as seasonal activity. In addition to the increased sales, there has been an increase in the amount of inventory on the market compared to the same time last year. On average, we currently have between a 9-12 months supply of homes currently on the market in all price ranges.

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Statistics are based on information for the North Alabama Association of Realtors and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Record temperatures bring disturbing news reports of heat related deaths and the familiar calls to seek shade, limit outside work and drink large quantities of water. But experts caution water alone may not be sufficient and could actually increase your risk of severe heat related injuries.

According to Dr. David McCarron, adjunct professor at University of California Davis, "You must also replace the sodium and potassium along with the water. This is why athletes drink sports drinks like Gatorade, rather than just water. Replacing water without sufficient sodium can quickly produce hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition," says McCarron.

When the body loses electrolytes, typically from perspiration, over-rehydration with only water will produce hyponatremia which is a true medical emergency. Hyponatremia symptoms are similar to those of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and can often be overlooked. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include nausea, muscle cramps, disorientation, confusion, seizures, coma and death.

To avoid this condition, medical authorities advise marathon runners to consume extra salt and this advice should also be considered by those exposed to excessive heat. Salt is critical in maintaining hydration.

The proper balance of electrolytes in the human body is essential for normal function of the cells and organs. Electrolytes help to regulate cardiovascular and neurological functions, fluid balance and oxygen delivery.

In 2007, a 28-year-old mother of three died from hyponatremia hours after competing in a Sacramento radio station contest to see which contestant could drink the most water without urinating.

A few years ago, a 21-year-old student died of water intoxication during a hazing incident. He had been forced to drink from a five-gallon jug of water that was repeatedly refilled. He soon collapsed and had a seizure. Fraternity members didn't initially call an ambulance. By the time they did, it was too late. He was pronounced dead a few hours later.

Water intoxication is more commonly seen among athletes, usually extreme athletes, but older individuals are also at high risk for several reasons. Their kidneys are less efficient at conserving salt when the body is stressed and common medications such as diuretics greatly increase that risk. That is why during severe high temperatures, news accounts most often refer to elderly victims of the heat.

Although most hyponatremia victims may not have obvious symptoms, severe hyponatremia is a medical emergency that calls for immediate treatment. The low sodium level is restored to a normal level by gradually and steadily giving sodium and water intravenously. Milder cases can be handled by administering of salt and fluid replacers by mouth.

The next time the local meteorologist recommends cranking up the air conditioner and drinking a lot of water to beat the heat, remember that doctors recommend also cranking up your intake of electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium.(ARA)

The back-to-school lists mean one thing - it's time for parents to start shopping. But shopping doesn't have to mean you spend every cent you have in your pocket.

Here are some tips to make sure you check everything off your child's school supply list, and keep some money where it belongs - in your pocket:

* Look over your supplies.
Let's face it: Your child didn't use all his crayons, pencils, erasers and rulers last year. Admittedly, they might not be in the greatest shape, but by taking careful inventory of what he already has and can reuse, you can put a check mark next to one or two items on the supply list.

* Take advantage of online discounts.
Online shopping is growing in popularity - it saves time and gas money, plus you don't have to take your kids to the store with you. A great site to visit before you start your online shopping should be Ebates.com, where not only can you find coupons and discount codes for more than 1,200 online stores, but you will also get a check back in the mail for a percentage of your purchases.

For example, if you shop at Kohls.com through the Ebates site for school clothes, you not only can use the discount codes and coupons, but you also get a 2 percent total purchase rebate put into your account. Once a quarter you'll receive a check in the mail for all your rebates. An added advantage - there are no rebate forms to fill out or points or miles to redeem.

"It's a great way to save time and money," says Nikki Laff, a Chicago-based mom of a teenage girl and avid online shopper. "I go in through Ebates to do my shopping and get everything from textbooks to clothing to the basic school supplies and I get cash back. I just do my shopping, I check out, and every three months I get a check, it's really that simple."

* Back-to-school sales.
Retailers recognize that parents are looking for sales when it comes to back-to-school shopping. And by combining coupons, discounts and sale prices, you can get some pretty good deals. Check the fliers for your favorite Macy's or Sears' sales, go online and compare everything.

* Tax-free holidays.
Clothes are usually the big expense on your back-to-school shopping list. Many states offer tax-free holidays in recognition of this. If your state doesn't offer a tax holiday, make sure you get the most out of available rebates and sales.

Soon you'll be waving goodbye as your children once again head off to school. This year, you can sit back with a huge sigh of relief, knowing that you outfitted them for the coming year with some great bargains.(ARA)

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